This programme combines political science, public administration, NGO management, and other related social sciences. The focus on various specialized policies, actors of policymaking, policy processes, and institutional context is what makes public policy unique and essential for understanding the contemporary world.
Our Master’s programme is based on the best practices of top Master's programmes in Public Policy around the world. We are constantly developing and improving the programme and involve representatives from leading Russian, European and American universities, influential think tanks, and renowned international organizations in the teaching process.
The programme has two study tracks, “Public Policy Analysis” and “Human Rights and Democratic Governance”, and provides students with numerous opportunities for professional development to achieve their career goals.
The Program was developed on the basis of American model of teaching Public Policy Analysis - namely of Public Policy Institute of the Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University, where the head of this program was teaching in 1993-1995. Since 2006 the Program accepts foreign students and provides courses in English as HSE contribution to the Bologna Process. We are constantly developing and improving the program and involve representatives from the leading Russian, European and American universities, most influential think tanks and renowned international organizations into the teaching process.
The Program has two concentrations: Public Policy Analysis, and Human Rights and Democratic Governance. Concentration in Public Policy Analysis is the outcome of the search for the ultimate professional education program and combines theoretical and practical training with the cutting-edge international and Russian experience in the field. The concentration in Human Rights and Democratic Governance was created on the basis of the UN Program. The program was the first of its kind in Russia and is analogous to the European Master's in Human Rights.
The Master's in Public Policy is a two-year innovative practice-oriented program developing the skills required to articulate issues of public concern, analyze alternative policies, facilitate the adoption and implementation of specific public choices, and evaluate their effects. The goal is to educate professional analysts and managers capable to deal with complex public policy issues of the modern world. The program provides each student with a strong multi-disciplinary foundation of skills and knowledge and an opportunity to apply them to contemporary public policy process.
Besides, all applicants have to submit the documents required by the Admission Department of HSE (please check the requirements here: Russian, English). Some of those documents will be used for the Portfolio evaluation: undergraduate and graduate education diplomas and transcripts.
In addition the applicants will be interviewed (face-to-face or Skype depending on the type of the admission procedure) if their portfolios meet the minimum requirement – 20 points.
Portfolio application includes:
All documents submitted as a part of your application should have English-language translation and preferably converted to PDF or JPEG format. We kindly ask you to merge multiple page scanned copies into one document. Also, please put your surname in the file name e.g. Smith_BADiploma.pdf or Ivanov_Passport.jpeg.t
1. Motivation Letter
This letter should describe your reasons for applying to this Program and particular Concentration in the context of your long-term career goals and background. You need to prove that you possess the necessary knowledge and experience for successful studies at the Program.
If available:
2. Diplomas and certificates of a winner, a laureate, or a participant of scientific or research competitions or student Olympiads.
3. Diplomas and certificates of professional education and training, including English language certificates.
4. Information about receiving personal stipends or grants during your previous studies with official confirmation documents from the issuing organization (university, grant-giver, etc.).
5. Attested copy of bachelor’s thesis (attestation may be from the university, college, academic supervisor, etc.); copies of publications in scientific journals, student articles digests, etc.; or a text of an article, prepared for publication.
6. Recommendation Letter (one or more) from the academic supervisor of the thesis paper or an internship supervisor, or an employer; it should include research priorities of the applicant and the readiness and ability to successfully study at the Master’s Program.