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On July 4, 2025, the graduation ceremony for students of the International Preparatory Year Programme took place. The event marked an anniversary for the International Preparatory Year, which has been operating since 2015. The idea of creating a preparatory faculty arose from the need to provide quality training in the Russian language for those who want to study at Russian universities, especially at HSE University.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the HSE International Preparatory Year programme. The programme offers a one-year foundation course for international applicants preparing to enter Russian universities. HSE lecturers help future students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to successfully undertake a degree programme in Russia.

In February and March 2025, four students of the HSE Preparatory Year took part in the Russian Language Olympiad for Students of Preparatory Faculties, which was held online via the website of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute.

Adila Ulfia Maula Tontowi is a third-year student of the Bachelor’s in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication. After moving from her hometown in Indonesia to France for a year, she decided to broaden her horizons even further and study at HSE University in Moscow. In this interview, Maula talks about navigating intercultural interactions, how the International Prep Year helped her adapt to life in Russia, and what she’s learned about traditional Russian celebrations like Maslenitsa—which is taking place this week.

On February 1, 2025, the HSE Cultural Centre hosted its annual celebration of the Lunar New Year. This large-scale event brought together students and teachers with an interest in the cultures of East Asian countries. The celebration was organised by the School of Asian Studies at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, the Department of Internationalisation, the HSE Chinese Club, as well as other university clubs—the Musubi Japanese Club and the Hanryang Korean Club.

The number of applications has nearly doubled: as of today, more than 2,600 applications have been submitted for undergraduate programmes, and more than 2,400 for master's programmes. This increased interest from international applicants in studying at HSE confirms the university's status as one of the most sought-after Russian universities abroad.

Representatives from the HSE Institute of Education have visited leading Indian universities, including the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and O.P. Jindal Global University, as well as several research centres. HSE staff gave guest lectures on the Russian education system, highlighting its features and opportunities for international students. The visit aimed to strengthen academic collaboration between the two countries. 

Eating fruit, wearing traditional outfits, and surviving the Moscow cold: Prep Year students from Vietnam, Iran, and Ghana talk about the New Year traditions in their countries and their plans for the celebration in Russia.

This winter, Moscow invites locals and visitors alike to revel in the atmosphere of the upcoming holidays in its shops, theatres, exhibitions, ice rinks, and more. The winter markets in particular create a special feeling of cosiness during the cold evenings. Read on to learn more about some of Moscow’s most festive markets this December.

Learning Russian is one of the challenges international students face when they come to Russia. HSE University helps them not only with Russian classes, but with informal events such as the Russian Speaking Club, where they can absorb the language in a relaxed and non-competitive setting. The HSE News Service talked to the organisers and participants of the club about their impressions of the first meeting and plans for the future.