Applications are now open for international students interested in pursuing a master’s degree at HSE University in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the 2027–2028 academic year.
HSE University offers international applicants the opportunity to compete for tuition-free master’s education through Russian Government-funded places and university scholarship arrangements.
The university’s 2027/28 admissions process began on November 1, 2026. International applicants can participate in programme-specific selection through the official Sodruzhestvo platform, which HSE links directly from its admissions website.
For the relevant master’s competitions, registration is available until February 2, 2027.
Successful applicants may receive full tuition coverage for their degree. Some state-funded scholarship arrangements also provide a small monthly stipend.
However, competition results do not automatically guarantee admission or funding, and students should not assume that accommodation, international flights and living expenses are fully covered.
This guide explains the available scholarships, deadlines, eligibility, English-taught programmes, required documents and how to apply through the correct official route.
HSE University Scholarship 2027/28: Quick Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | HSE University |
| Campus | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Degree level | Master’s |
| Programme duration | Normally 2 years |
| Eligible applicants | International applicants meeting programme requirements |
| Scholarship benefit | Tuition-free education for successful funded-place applicants |
| Monthly stipend | Small stipend under applicable state-funded arrangements |
| Application status | Open |
| Registration opened | November 1, 2026 |
| Sodruzhestvo registration deadline | February 2, 2027 |
| Competition results | February 14–18, 2027 |
| Winners’ document period | February 18–March 23, 2027 |
| Main assessment | Portfolio, with tests or interviews depending on programme |
| Application platform | Sodruzhestvo |
| Language of instruction | English, Russian or a combination, depending on programme |
| Expected study start | September 2027 |
Official admissions page: HSE University St. Petersburg — Master’s Admissions
Official selection platform: Sodruzhestvo
Is the HSE University Scholarship 2027/28 Open?
Yes. Applications for the relevant 2027/28 international master’s selection opened on November 1, 2026.
HSE University has published its new international admissions timetable, while its programme-specific competition pages on Sodruzhestvo provide registration instructions and selection dates.
For the master’s competitions discussed in this article:
- Registration opened November 1, 2026.
- The competition begins December 1, 2026.
- Registration closes February 2, 2027.
- Results are scheduled for February 14–18, 2027.
- Successful candidates submit further documentation between February 18 and March 23, 2027.
These deadlines belong to the Sodruzhestvo competition route.
HSE also operates a broader international admissions process. Its admissions timetable lists March 2027 as the period when applications for Russian Government scholarship places conclude, without specifying one universal day for every programme.
Applicants should therefore follow the deadline attached to their chosen programme and admission route rather than assume every HSE scholarship has the same closing date.
What Is the HSE University Russian Government Scholarship?
HSE University, officially the National Research University Higher School of Economics, is a Russian university with campuses including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Its St. Petersburg campus offers master’s education in fields such as computer science, data analytics, economics, management, social sciences, humanities and law.
International applicants can compete for government-funded study places through the university’s international admissions and competition procedures.
The term HSE University Russian Government Scholarship generally refers to an opportunity to study on a state-funded place rather than one separate scholarship programme with identical benefits for all applicants.
Depending on the route, students may be considered for:
- Russian Government-funded quota places.
- HSE University scholarships and tuition waivers.
- Tuition-paying admission if they are not selected for funding.
The distinction matters because the benefits and selection requirements are not necessarily identical.
Why Does HSE Use Sodruzhestvo?
Sodruzhestvo is the platform HSE uses for specified international Olympiad and scholarship-selection competitions.
The university’s own admissions page links directly to the relevant Sodruzhestvo pages.
Applicants can register, select their competition, submit the required information and participate in the appropriate selection process.
Students should choose the competition corresponding to their intended master’s programme.
HSE University Scholarship Benefits
The principal benefit of a government-funded master’s place is free tuition for the approved programme.
HSE also provides limited financial assistance through the applicable scholarship framework.
1. Full Tuition Coverage
Students admitted to eligible government-funded places can study without paying the tuition fees normally charged for that master’s programme.
HSE’s relevant master’s degrees generally last two years.
This means the tuition benefit can apply throughout the approved period of study, subject to continued eligibility and the applicable scholarship conditions.
2. Monthly Scholarship Stipend
HSE University’s official scholarship information lists a monthly stipend of approximately 2,100 RUB, while another university admissions page displays approximately 2,200 RUB.
These are small indicative amounts published on different HSE pages, not a confirmed uniform 2027/28 payment for every recipient.
Applicants should verify the actual stipend when they receive their funding offer.
3. Academic Opportunities
Depending on the programme, students may have access to:
- Research projects.
- Academic seminars.
- University laboratories.
- Industry-related projects.
- Professional networks.
- Student organisations.
- Career-development activities.
The opportunities available depend on the academic programme.
4. Accommodation and Living Expenses
Students should not assume that the scholarship provides fully funded accommodation.
HSE offers student housing services, but eligibility, cost and availability must be checked separately.
International applicants should also budget for food, transportation, travel, insurance and any immigration-related expenses.
Is the HSE University Scholarship Fully Funded?
The most accurate description is a tuition-funded scholarship with a possible modest monthly stipend, subject to the award type.
| Expense | Funding position |
|---|---|
| Master’s tuition | Covered for approved government-funded places |
| Monthly stipend | Available under applicable scholarship arrangements |
| Accommodation | Not universally guaranteed free |
| Food and personal expenses | Not established as fully covered |
| International airfare | Not a general guaranteed benefit |
| Health insurance | Check the applicable student arrangements |
| Visa-related expenses | Check individual requirements |
A full tuition scholarship is valuable, but it is not the same as a guaranteed comprehensive package covering every living expense.
Official funding information: HSE University Scholarships
Who Can Apply for HSE University Scholarship 2027/28?
The international selection is intended for foreign applicants interested in eligible HSE master’s programmes.
Candidates generally need to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualifying education credential before enrolment.
- Meet the academic requirements of their chosen programme.
- Submit the required application documents.
- Demonstrate appropriate language proficiency.
- Participate in the relevant portfolio assessment, test or interview.
- Complete the admission formalities if recommended for a funded place.
A successful competition result is not an automatic guarantee of a government-funded place.
The university’s admissions committee must review and approve the relevant candidates.
Can Final-Year Bachelor’s Students Apply?
Potentially, yes.
Sodruzhestvo’s registration instructions accept an education document such as a diploma or a certificate from the applicant’s university.
This provides a route for eligible students who have not yet received their final diploma.
However, applicants must satisfy the final qualification requirements before enrolment.
Students graduating in 2027 should verify which temporary education documents are accepted for their chosen competition.
Is There a Minimum GPA?
HSE evaluates applicants through programme-specific admission criteria, including academic documents and the relevant selection assessments.
The official international master’s guidance does not establish one universal minimum GPA applicable to every programme.
Students should consult their chosen programme’s portfolio assessment criteria and any academic entry requirements.
Is There an Age Limit?
The programme-specific Sodruzhestvo pages reviewed for this guide do not state a universal maximum age for all master’s applicants.
Students should follow the eligibility conditions of their selected competition and admission route rather than assume that age limits from another Russian scholarship apply automatically.
HSE University English-Taught Master’s Programmes
One of the most useful aspects of HSE St. Petersburg’s international admissions is the availability of master’s programmes taught in English.
The university lists eight fully English-taught programmes on its admissions information, although programme offerings and admission availability should be checked for the specific intake.
Students interested in computing and data analytics should pay special attention to the distinction between fully English-taught and bilingual programmes.
1. Data Analytics for Business and Economics
Language: English.
Duration: Two years.
This master’s programme focuses on data analysis and its applications in business and economic decision-making.
HSE describes two academic tracks:
- Quantitative Business Analytics.
- Quantitative Economics and Mathematical Methods.
The programme combines analytical methods with subjects relevant to business, economic research and data-driven decision-making.
It may be especially relevant to applicants with backgrounds in economics, management, mathematics, statistics, computer science or related disciplines, subject to the official academic requirements.
How Does the Scholarship Selection Work?
The programme has separate Sodruzhestvo competition pages for its Management and Economics tracks.
Both specify a mathematics task as part of the selection process.
Applicants may also be assessed through their portfolio and interview.
Official application links:
- Data Analytics for Business and Economics — Management Track
- Data Analytics for Business and Economics — Economics Track
- HSE Official Master’s Programme
Both competition pages list February 2, 2027, as the registration deadline.
2. Machine Learning and Data Analysis
Language: Russian with some instruction in English.
Duration: Two years.
HSE’s Machine Learning and Data Analysis master’s programme is more directly focused on technical areas of artificial intelligence and data science.
The programme includes subjects connected to:
- Mathematical foundations of machine learning.
- Deep learning.
- Computer vision.
- Natural language processing.
- Recommendation systems.
- Big data and scalable machine-learning solutions.
This may be a suitable academic direction for students with strong preparation in mathematics, programming and computer science.
However, the programme is not fully English-taught.
HSE explicitly describes its instruction as Russian with some courses in English.
Applicants should therefore assess their Russian-language ability before selecting this programme.
How Does Its Scholarship Selection Work?
The Sodruzhestvo competition page describes a portfolio assessment, with additional interviews or testing possible under the applicable criteria.
The stated registration deadline is February 2, 2027.
Official application: Machine Learning and Data Analysis — Sodruzhestvo
Programme information: HSE Machine Learning and Data Analysis
3. UX Analytics and Information System Design
HSE St. Petersburg also offers a master’s programme in UX Analytics and Information System Design.
This may interest applicants studying information systems, user experience, digital product design or related technology disciplines.
The programme is listed among the university’s Russian-language master’s offerings, so students should confirm language proficiency requirements before applying.
Official competition: UX Analytics and Information System Design
Which Programme Should You Choose?
| Your academic interest | Programme to investigate | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Business analytics and economic data | Data Analytics for Business and Economics | English |
| Machine learning and artificial intelligence | Machine Learning and Data Analysis | Russian and some English |
| UX research and information systems | UX Analytics and Information System Design | Primarily Russian |
Students who do not speak Russian should investigate fully English-taught programmes first.
A programme’s subject relevance does not eliminate its language requirements.
HSE University Scholarship 2027/28 Important Dates
The following dates apply to the relevant Sodruzhestvo master’s competition route.
| Selection stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | November 1, 2026 |
| Competition begins | December 1, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | February 2, 2027 |
| Published results period | February 14–18, 2027 |
| Winners’ documentation | February 18–March 23, 2027 |
| Expected start of academic year | September 2027 |
Some programme pages display broader portfolio and interview periods extending into March. Applicants should follow their individual competition dashboard for the applicable assessment date.
HSE’s general international admissions schedule also refers to government-scholarship applications continuing into March 2027. This is a broader admissions timeline and does not extend the February 2 Sodruzhestvo registration deadline.
Official timeline: HSE St. Petersburg Master’s Admissions
Documents Required for HSE University Scholarship
Sodruzhestvo’s master’s competition pages identify the following principal portfolio documents:
| Document | Status |
|---|---|
| Application form | Required |
| Education document or university certificate | Required |
| Motivation letter | Required |
| CV or résumé | Required |
| Academic recommendations | Additional supporting material |
| Research publications | Optional, where relevant |
| Conference participation documents | Optional, where relevant |
| Additional education certificates | Optional, where relevant |
| Scholarship or grant achievements | Optional, where relevant |
Applicants also need an identity document and evidence of their educational background for registration.
The application checklist can vary by programme.
Do You Need a Recommendation Letter?
This depends on the route.
The Sodruzhestvo programme pages reviewed here list recommendation letters among additional documents that applicants may submit.
However, HSE’s separate international admissions guidance includes at least one recommendation letter in its standard master’s portfolio.
Therefore, students should not assume that recommendation letters are universally optional or universally compulsory.
Follow the checklist for the specific route and programme through which you are applying.
What Should the Motivation Letter Explain?
A useful motivation letter should connect the applicant’s previous education with the selected master’s programme.
It can explain:
- The applicant’s academic background.
- Relevant professional or research interests.
- Why the selected HSE programme is appropriate.
- Important academic or practical achievements.
- Future academic and career objectives.
HSE’s standard international master’s application guide describes a motivation letter of approximately 500 words.
However, applicants using Sodruzhestvo should follow the specific instructions and word limit shown in their competition account.
Can You Add Projects and Certificates?
Yes, when the platform allows supporting documents.
Examples include relevant research projects, conference presentations, academic publications, additional educational certificates and documented professional achievements.
These materials are particularly useful when they demonstrate abilities relevant to the selected programme.
How to Apply for HSE University Scholarship Through Sodruzhestvo
Students interested in the 2027/28 competition can follow these steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Master’s Programme
Start with the official HSE St. Petersburg master’s programme list.
Review the degree, language of instruction and academic requirements.
Official programme list: HSE Master’s Admissions
Step 2: Open the Programme-Specific Competition
Use the Apply link next to your chosen programme on HSE’s website.
For example, a student interested in English-taught business analytics can open the Data Analytics for Business and Economics competition on Sodruzhestvo.
The competition page identifies its selection stages and deadlines.
Step 3: Register on Sodruzhestvo
Create or sign in to your account on the official platform.
Provide accurate personal details and complete any required verification steps.
Platform: Sodruzhestvo
Step 4: Complete the Competition Application
Select the relevant programme or Olympiad subject.
Fill in the requested application form.
If you want to participate in multiple eligible programme competitions, check whether a separate application is required for each one.
Step 5: Upload Your Portfolio
Provide the required documents.
These normally include an education document, motivation letter and CV, together with the application form.
Add relevant supporting achievements where permitted.
Step 6: Complete Any Test or Interview
Assessment depends on the programme.
For example:
- Data Analytics for Business and Economics lists a mathematics task.
- Machine Learning and Data Analysis lists a portfolio-based assessment, with possible additional interview or testing.
Students should follow the instructions in their own account rather than assume every master’s competition has the same examination.
Step 7: Check the Results
The programme pages schedule results for February 14–18, 2027.
Applicants should check their Sodruzhestvo accounts and official communications.
A high result or winner status means the candidate may be considered for a quota-funded place, subject to the university’s admissions decision.
Step 8: Submit Further Documents If Selected
Successful candidates must complete the required post-selection documentation.
The published document period for the competitions reviewed is February 18–March 23, 2027.
HSE may require additional academic, identity, translation and medical documents during the subsequent admission and enrolment process.
Step 9: Complete University Enrolment
Following admission approval, applicants must satisfy any remaining qualification-recognition, visa and enrolment requirements.
Students should rely on instructions issued by HSE for their individual admission category.
What Happens After Winning the HSE Competition?
An important distinction is that winning or achieving a high score in the competition is not automatically the same as receiving a final university scholarship award.
Sodruzhestvo states that high-performing applicants are reviewed by HSE’s admissions committee for quota-based places.
The university must make its final decision.
Applicants recommended for funded places may need to provide additional supporting documents and complete administrative requirements before enrolment.
These can include identity and academic documents, certified translations and other records specified by the university.
Candidates should not make non-refundable travel or accommodation arrangements solely on the basis of a preliminary competition result.
Is IELTS Required for HSE University Scholarship?
HSE does not list IELTS as a universal mandatory document for every international master’s scholarship application.
Its standard international admissions guidance describes language-test results as optional portfolio evidence.
However, language proficiency remains essential, and individual programmes may impose their own requirements or evaluate applicants through the selection process.
Students choosing a fully English-taught programme must be prepared to study and complete academic work in English.
Students choosing a Russian-language or bilingual programme must meet the applicable Russian-language expectations.
Applicants should contact HSE if they intend to use an alternative language certificate or previous English-medium education as evidence.
Can Pakistani Students Apply for HSE University Scholarship?
Pakistani applicants may participate in eligible HSE international master’s competitions if they satisfy the programme’s academic and other requirements.
The Sodruzhestvo competition pages describe online participation from different countries and do not restrict registration to applicants already living in Russia.
Pakistani students should check:
- Whether their bachelor’s qualification is suitable for the programme.
- The language of instruction.
- Portfolio and assessment requirements.
- The competition registration deadline.
- Passport and document-translation requirements.
- The conditions for final admission and travel to Russia.
Applicants should also be prepared to complete the university’s foreign-qualification recognition process if selected.
HSE University Scholarship vs Open Doors Scholarship
HSE’s 2027/28 master’s competitions should not be confused with the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project.
Both may offer routes to tuition-free education in Russia, but they use different competitions and application timelines.
| Feature | HSE St. Petersburg 2027/28 selection | Open Doors 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Main application route | HSE-linked admissions and Sodruzhestvo competitions | Open Doors official platform |
| Main purpose | Admission to eligible HSE programmes | Competition-based admission pathway at participating Russian universities |
| Current new-registration status | Open for relevant HSE competitions | Closed |
| Registration deadline | February 2, 2027, for relevant Sodruzhestvo competitions | November 1, 2026 |
| Assessment | Programme-specific portfolio, test or interview | Multi-stage Olympiad |
| Funding | Tuition-free places for approved applicants | Government quota tuition benefit for eligible winners |
Students who missed the Open Doors November 2026 deadline may still investigate the separate HSE admissions competitions.
However, participation in one competition does not establish eligibility or admission rights in the other.
Related guide: Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HSE University Scholarship 2027/28 open now?
Yes. The relevant international master’s competitions opened for registration on November 1, 2026.
What is the HSE University Scholarship 2027 deadline?
The Sodruzhestvo registration deadline for the programme competitions discussed here is February 2, 2027.
The broader HSE international admissions process also lists a government-scholarship stage concluding in March 2027. Applicants must follow the dates for their particular route.
What does the scholarship cover?
Approved government-funded master’s places provide tuition-free education. A small monthly stipend may also apply under the relevant arrangement.
Does the scholarship cover accommodation?
Free accommodation is not a universal guaranteed benefit of the scholarship information reviewed.
Students should confirm available housing and costs directly with HSE.
Can I study at HSE University without knowing Russian?
Yes, if you are admitted to an appropriate fully English-taught programme and satisfy its admission requirements.
Not all HSE master’s programmes are available entirely in English.
Is Data Analytics for Business and Economics taught in English?
Yes. HSE confirms that this master’s programme is taught entirely in English.
Is Machine Learning and Data Analysis fully English-taught?
No. HSE describes the programme as Russian-taught with some courses in English.
Does the HSE scholarship require a mathematics test?
It depends on the programme.
The Data Analytics for Business and Economics Sodruzhestvo competitions specify a mathematics task. Other programmes have different assessment procedures.
Is IELTS compulsory?
IELTS is not listed as a universal requirement for all HSE international master’s competitions. Students must still meet the language conditions of their chosen programme.
Can final-year bachelor’s students participate?
Potentially. The relevant competition instructions accept an education document or certificate from the applicant’s university. Final qualification requirements must be met for enrolment.
Can I submit a recommendation letter?
Yes. Sodruzhestvo lists recommendation letters among additional portfolio materials for the selected competitions reviewed.
Other HSE admission routes may require a recommendation.
Are international students eligible?
Yes, subject to the selected programme’s requirements and the applicable international admission rules.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes, eligible Pakistani applicants may participate in the international master’s selection.
Is the scholarship guaranteed after registering?
No. Applicants must complete the selection process, and the final scholarship decision is subject to university approval and available funded places.
When will the results be announced?
The relevant Sodruzhestvo programme pages schedule results for February 14–18, 2027.
When will studies begin?
HSE’s published admissions timetable identifies September 2027 as the start of the academic year, with the actual start depending on the programme.
Official HSE University Scholarship 2027/28 Links
Applicants should use official university and competition resources.
University admissions
- HSE St. Petersburg Master’s Admissions — 2027/28
- HSE International Master’s Admissions in English
- HSE Russian Government Scholarship Information
Official scholarship competitions
- Sodruzhestvo — International Platform
- Data Analytics for Business and Economics — Management
- Data Analytics for Business and Economics — Economics
- Machine Learning and Data Analysis
- UX Analytics and Information System Design
University programme information
Admissions contact: iadmission-spb@hse.ru
Applicants should contact the university if a programme-specific competition page and the general admissions page provide different instructions.
Explore More Scholarships on Scholarships Central
Students interested in master’s degrees in Russia or other countries can also explore:
- Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027
- Master’s Scholarships
- Fully Funded Scholarships
- All Scholarship Opportunities
Always confirm the current programme status before applying.
Final Advice for HSE University Scholarship Applicants
The HSE University Russian Government Scholarship 2027/28 provides an opportunity for eligible international students to compete for tuition-free master’s education at HSE University in St. Petersburg.
Registration for the relevant programme-specific Sodruzhestvo competitions is open, with a published closing date of February 2, 2027.
Students should choose their master’s programme carefully because the language of instruction and selection requirements differ.
For English-speaking applicants interested in analytics, Data Analytics for Business and Economics offers a fully English-taught option.
Applicants interested in technical machine learning should investigate HSE’s Machine Learning and Data Analysis programme while recognising its Russian-language requirements.
The most important steps are to verify eligibility, select the correct competition, prepare the required portfolio and follow the official application deadline.
Successful competition performance can lead to consideration for a tuition-funded place, but final admission and scholarship approval remain subject to the university’s selection procedures.
Last verified: November 3, 2026.