Admissions Process
Application
Doctoral School of Computer Science invites applicants who work in such areas as data analysis, artificial intelligence, theoretical computer science, and system programming.
Deadlines
First wave: submission of documents – December 1 to March 13, entrance exams – March 27 to April 21.
Second wave: submission of documents – August 1 to September 14, entrance exams – September 26 to October 13.
Both waves start the studies on November 1.
Second wave of application for state-funded places takes place only if such places are available after the first wave enrollment.
You can apply and take the exams without submitting a diploma, but you have to submit your master's diploma or equivalent by July 31 (first wave) or October 26 (second wave).
You cannot participate in both waves of applications for the same programme in the same campus.
Useful links
The applicants to the Doctoral School of Computer Science have to take the English exam and the qualification exam.
English
Some international language certificates are accepted in lieu of the exam.
For the native English-speaking applicants and the successful graduates of the English-taught master’s programmes are exempt from the exam per the decision of the Admission Committee.
English exam is accessed on the 50-point grading scale. Any grade between 1 and 14 points inclusive is Fail.
Qualification Exam
Exam programme
Qualification exam has two parts: individual achievement (research potential) assessment and specific knowledge assessment.
Individual achievement (research potential) assessment
Individual achievement assessment is based on the submitted documents and a talk with an applicant.
The highest possible grade is 50 points. The grade is formed from the following criteria:
|
Criterion |
Points |
|
Quality of the applicant’s proposed research project, its relation to the chosen field of study and research topics of the corresponding HSE University’s department, quality of project proposal |
up to 20 |
|
Letter of recommendation from the possible research supervisor |
10 |
|
Letter of recommendation from the head of one of HSE University’s laboratories stating the laboratory’s interest in the applicant’s proposed research project |
up to 5 |
|
Quality of the applicant’s publications, their relation to the proposed research topic, applicant's participation (in case of the co-authorship) |
up to 10 |
|
Research project experience |
up to 5 |
Specific knowledge assessment
Specific knowledge assessment is conducted orally with the mandatory written record of the answers given. Applicant receives two questions in consistence with the exam's programme. 40 minutes are given for the preparation, after which the applicant has to answer the questions. Applicant may have to answer additional questions or problems during the exam.
The highest possible grade is 50 points.
To participate in the application contest, the applicant has to earn no less than 30 points in total. Any entrance exam grade between 1 and 29 points is Fail.
Entrance exam is conducted in Russian or English at the applicant’s discretion. The entrance exam can be conducted distantly upon the preliminary agreement with the applicant.