HSE for Beginners — A Step-by-Step Guide to Settling In
This year HSE is welcoming around 200 international students who will be enrolled in full-degree programmes. To help you feel an integral part of the HSE family, get settled upon arrival and complete the enrollment, we have put together a step-by-step guide.
Step 1 — Prepare yourself
Adapting to a completely new environment, new cultural norms and social standards, is both challenging and exciting. Once you have read the tips on living in Moscow, preparation before departure, academic life at HSE and general issues, it all becomes much easier. Following the steps in this guide you will have a clear picture of the major student processes.
Be sure to fill in your arrival information at least a week prior to your departure so that the HSE Buddy Network can find you a student buddy who will meet you and help you check into the dormitory. As soon as your arrival information is available your buddy will contact you.
Step 2 — Settle in at the dormitory
As an international student you are guaranteed a place in the HSE student dormitories. The address of your dormitory will be communicated to you by the International Admissions (for degree students) or your programme manager (for double-degree students). More information about the dormitories can be found on the dormitories website. At the dormitory you will have to:
Present the original of the HSE health certificate and the documents for your registration upon check-in;
Read and sign the tenancy agreement and the dormitory internal regulations;
Participate in one of the dormitory meetings that will be taking place in early September, arranged by the International Students Support jointly with the dormitory administration.
Step 3 — Get enrolled
After arrival you must submit your documents to the HSE General Admissions at Myasnitskaya ul. 20, office 111 (and also office 238 for fee-paying students). Security will have your name on the list of students to be allowed into the building. Follow these steps:
Take your buddy with, to help you communicate with the Admissions staff;
Submit all the documents at Admissions;
Finalize the payment procedures if you are a fee-paying student;
Head to your study office right away and meet your programme manager.
After General Admissions accepts your documents, you will be officially enrolled as an HSE student by issue of an enrollment order. It usually takes a few days for the order to be issued.
Step 4 — Attend your programme’s organizational meeting
Before classes start each programme runs an organizational meeting where students meet the programme administration, learn important information about academic life and meet their groupmates. Full-degree students are informed by their programme manager about the time and date of the meeting. In case you arrive late and miss the meeting, don’t worry: the manager will brief you on the programme when you finally reach your study office.
Step 5 — Attend the orientation session
It is essential that you participate in the orientation session organized by the International Student Support for all new international students. The orientation will provide you with vital information on visa regulations, student life, peculiarities of Russian culture and communication, living in Moscow, and other useful tips to help you enjoy your experience in Russia. For latecomers, there will also be orientation follow-ups throughout September.
Step 6 — Get registered
Upon arrival, HSE must register you with the Federal Migration Service. Learn more about registration and how it is applied for. You can pick up your registration 3-5 working days after your arrival at the Visa & Travel Support office located at Myasnitskaya ul. 20, office 538.
Step 7 — Receive your student ID
You will receive your student ID from your programme manager. Be prepared that it might take a while to receive student ID after the enrollment order is issued by HSE General Admissions.
Step 8 — Log into your student email and LMS account
Upon receiving your student ID from your programme manager you will also receive your HSE student email details and information on how to access your LMS account. All HSE messages will be addressed to your HSE email only. Please check your HSE email and your LMS account regularly.
Step 9 — Receive your electronic pass
To access the HSE buildings you will have to get an electronic pass. This can be done once you have your student ID. Go to the pass desk at Shabolovka ul. 26, room 4110 to apply for the e-pass. Check the detailed instruction on how to apply for the e-pass. You may have to queue as the office can be quite busy during the first weeks of September.
Step 10 — Receive your library card
Apply for the library card at the main HSE library located at Myasnitskaya Ul. 20, 2nd floor (take the left corridor from the elevators and walk to the hall at the end). You will be required to present your student ID and passport. You can apply for a library cardon any day between 10.00 and 18.00, Monday-Friday. You can also get remote access to the HSE electronic resources.
If you would like to take a library tour to learn more about how it operates – tours are offered in English throughout September, every Thursday at 12.00.
Step 11 — Apply for a multiple-entry visa
After you are officially enrolled, you must immediately apply for a multiple-entry visa which will replace the single-entry visa and will be issued for the whole period of your studies. This must be done at the Visa & Travel Support office located at Myasnitskaya ul. 20, office 538. Check the list of documents required for the multiple-entry visa application. Note that until you receive your multiple-entry visa you will not be able to re-enter Russia if you leave.
Step 12 — Check all available resources
HSE offers its international students a range of resources, most importantly the academic handbook and the International Students Support website, the latter provides you withuseful information on topics, such as medical insurance, psychological counseling, employment regulations, sports, canteens, and many others. Remember to check your study programme website on a regular basis.
Prepared by Ksenia Shomnikova, International Students Support Unit, and Maria Karp, programme manager (Public Policy / Comparative Social Research)