HSE University of the Future: A Look at the Open Day
On March 2, 2025, HSE University welcomed over 7,000 visitors to Pokrovka, where all campuses and faculties were represented alongside the Admissions Office, pre-university preparation projects, partners, and student organisations. This was part of a traditional, large-scale university event—the university-wide Open Day for prospective undergraduate and specialist degree students.
On the Open Day, HSE transformed into a special space where visitors could explore potential fields of study, learn more about academic programmes and future career prospects, meet current students and university teachers, and immerse themselves in their area of interest.
Everything about Undergraduate and Specialist Degree Admissions
Throughout the day, representatives from the admissions offices of the Moscow, St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm campuses held lectures on the 2025 university admissions process. Attendees received up-to-date information on the number of state-funded places available, academic programmes, minimum required entrance exam scores, and key dates for the upcoming admissions cycle.
Oksana Kononenko, Director of the HSE Employer-Oriented Career Centre, explained what targeted education entails, the obligations of all parties involved, where to find offers from sponsoring organisations, how to apply for a targeted education quota, and important deadlines to remember. Prospective students applying under the targeted quota can choose only one university and one academic programme, selecting a single offer from one sponsoring organisation.
After the lecture, visitors had the chance to interact with representatives from 13 organisations offering targeted education programmes, including the Federal Tax Service, Gazprombank, the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, the Department of Budget Methodology at the Russian Ministry of Finance, and others.
Exploring Professional Fields and Meeting University Departments
Throughout the day, an exhibition featuring HSE campuses, faculties, academic programmes, and pre-university projects was held in the atrium. Visitors took part in interactive activities, received souvenirs, met students and lecturers, and asked questions about admissions and various academic programmes. HSE’s mascot, the Crow, was also there throughout the event, lifting spirits and taking photos with attendees.
The Faculty of Chemistry showcased a collection of synthesised fragrances, displayed minerals, transformed substances into solutions, and turned cabbage-based paper into different colours. The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology set up a microscope station where visitors could observe bacteria stained using different techniques and win sticker packs for correct answers. The Faculty of Physics featured a Van de Graaff generator to demonstrate electric charge and an oscilloscope to visualise sound waves. Meanwhile, mathematicians challenged visitors with puzzles, chess problems, and brain teasers, offering prizes for correct answers.
The School of Communication kept the atmosphere lively with students participating in quick exercise breaks, dancing, and singing. The School of Sociology hosted a quiz about their division and held a prediction-based lottery. The Faculty of Law awarded stickers for correct answers in their quiz, while the Institute of Media gave out merchandise to those who subscribed to their Telegram channel.
A dedicated section titled ‘Five Campuses—One University’ featured information stands for the Admissions Office, the St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm campuses, and HSE Online. Visitors could receive advice on the academic programmes available at each campus, learn about the admissions process, and ask questions regarding student accommodation options.
Additionally, several pre-university education projects were showcased, including Higher Schoolers’ acadEmy, HSE Olympiads, the HSE Lyceum, the Faculty of Pre-University Training, the Children's Art and Design School, and the online school UNIK+.
Most faculties and academic programmes also organised special activities for school students and their parents. Over 70 workshops, discussions, games, and interactive sessions took place, engaging more than 5,000 visitors throughout the day.
The Faculty of Computer Science hosted a discussion on machine learning, exploring the reasons behind artificial intelligence’s rising popularity. In collaboration with the HSE Art and Design School, they also conducted a masterclass on creating an interactive level in a computer game using Unreal Engine.
The Faculty of Physics challenged visitors with a quiz titled ‘Unknown Facts About Famous Physicists,’ offering prizes for correct answers. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Social Sciences organised a detective-style masterclass, where participants investigated and explained real-world social problems using sociological research methods.
Modern art and architecture, cinema, fashion and design, journalism and communications—each of these fields featured in an engaging and useful activity, such as a lecture, a masterclass, or an interactive training session.
HSE Partners
This year’s Open Day showcased three partners: Sber, VK, and T-Bank. They set up exhibition stands in the atrium to present their educational initiatives and delivered talks to immerse attendees in professional activities. The banks also provided consultations on obtaining educational loans, offering HSE students the lowest interest rates—just 3%.
At the Sber stand, visitors received gifts for subscribing and learnt about internship opportunities for future students. VK Education introduced visitors to its free courses across various fields and student internships. Every hour, attendees could compete in quizzes, tackle a word matrix challenge, and take a test on VK’s products. Meanwhile, at the T-Bank stand, visitors solved mathematical problems and received merchandise, including T-shirts, stickers, and more.
Feedback from Open Day Attendees
Elizaveta Reznikova, 10th-grade school student:
— I was able to learn in detail about my future profession—how the studies will be structured, what the programme includes, which subjects are required for admission, and how many points I need to score. In short, I got all the information I came for! I also attended a lecture on targeted education and am now considering this option, as it provides a kind of safety net. It gives you confidence about your future career while studying. I really liked the well-organised approach to the Open Day.
Sofia Kononova, 11th-grade school student:
— What I enjoyed most today was the abundance of information on every programme—you can explore absolutely any field and get answers to all your questions. On top of that, I got a real sense of the university’s atmosphere and realised that HSE is the place where I can truly develop myself. I am sure I shall find studying here incredibly exciting. Also, all the necessary admission details can be found on the website—it is well-structured and easy to navigate.
What’s Next?
Now, it is time to prepare for exams and admissions. ‘When organising the HSE university-wide Open Day, we prioritise the convenience and comfort of our visitors. Our goal is to give every prospective student the opportunity to fully explore their future field of study and develop a clear plan for successful admission. I believe that our event on March 2 achieved this goal!
Nelli Yakupova
HSE is a hub for talented young people from across Russia and beyond. In 2024, more than half of our newly enrolled students came from other cities. We strive to make admissions information accessible to everyone, which is why we are inviting school students and their parents to a webinar on March 16, 2025, at 12 pm Moscow time. Together with our campuses, we will share key details about the upcoming admissions campaign, including targeted education and its benefits. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn everything about applying and ask your questions,’ said Nelli Yakupova, Head of the HSE Media Promotion and Marketing Events Office.
If you wish to attend the webinar, please register for the event. It will be held in Russian.
See also:
Open Day: The Future Begins Here
On March 2, an HSE Open Day for prospective undergraduates and specialist students will take place — one of the largest and most significant events for applicants, their parents, and the entire university. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with students and representatives of educational programmes, plan their admission process, and immerse themselves in the HSE University atmosphere for a day. The event will be held in Russian.
HSE University in St Petersburg Holds Open Day for Indonesian Students in Jakarta
On 23 September, at the Russian House in Jakarta, the delegation from HSE University in St Petersburg, headed by Director Anna Tyshetskaya, introduced Indonesian school students and their parents to the educational programmes at the university and the opportunities for studying in Russia.
Student for a Day: HSE University Holds Open House
A university-wide open day for undergraduate and specialist applicants took place at HSE building on Pokrovsky Bulvar on March 3. In one day, applicants and their parents got acquainted with HSE University campuses, faculties, degree programmes and pre-university projects. Faculty and staff, as well as HSE students, spoke about the admission process, studies, and the prospects for university graduates.
‘Our University Offers a Wide Variety of Opportunities’
How does one choose the most suitable programme? Is it difficult for first-year students to become acclimated at HSE University? Nikita Anisimov, HSE University Rector, answered these and other questions on the eve of the university-wide Open Day for prospective students of bachelor's and specialist programmes.
HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod Holds Open Day on ‘Your Choice of Future’
HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod has held an Open Day where high school and college students could get acquainted with educational programmes, receive consultations on preparation and admission, and attend interactive lectures and workshops.
‘HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod Is Integrated into All Key Areas of the Region’s Development’
On April 9, HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod held an Open Day. In 2023, the campus offers programmes in humanities, socio-economic and computer sciences. At the open day, high school students and their parents learned about admissions to HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod and the opportunities that it offers to applicants, students, and future specialists.
There’s Something for Everyone at HSE University
On March 12, the HSE University Pokrovka building hosted an Open Day. Applicants and their parents learned about the rules of admission in 2023, the university’s campuses in four cities, educational programmes, opportunities for extracurricular activities, and more. At the entrance, volunteers handed out maps of the campus with event locations, so that everyone could plan their own route through the stands, workshops, and other activities.
University-Wide Open Day to Be Held for Prospective Students
On March 12, HSE University will hold a university-wide Open Day for prospective students of bachelor’s and specialist programmes. The event will be held in the Pokrovka Building and will feature presentations by faculties and campuses, a talk by the Admissions Office, activities from student organisations, a tour of the university’s historical buildings and much more. Those interested in attending must register in advance.
Open Houses for International Programmes
Interested in learning more about international programmes at HSE? Open House events are being held across HSE campuses in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend and learn about HSE’s English-taught education programmes.
Open Days at HSE Nizhny Novgorod
HSE Nizhny Novgorod invites prospective foreign students and their friends to come to the campus and to see HSE life from the inside.