Memories, Lifelong Friends, and More at the 10th Anniversary Graduation of the International Prep Year
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.
Over these 10 years, approximately 2,000 foreign students have studied on the Prep Year’s programmes, with about 67% of its graduates successfully continuing their education in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes at HSE University in 30 different fields of study.
As part of the graduation ceremony, a quest was organised focused on Russian language and culture, allowing students to showcase the knowledge they acquired throughout the year. It included singing songs in Russian, logic tasks, creating traditional Russian dolls, group activities, an HSE-themed photo zone, and prizes for completing all the quest tasks. At the end of the event, an anthem specially created for the HSE Prep Year was performed and a festive cake was brought out—the students blew out the candles together.
In addition to studying the Russian language, students also explored various subjects related to their future specialties and actively participated in interactive events, ranging from a Russian Speaking Club to conferences, nationwide olympiads, projects, and contests. This approach to education enables students to apply the knowledge they gain to as many aspects of life as possible. As a result, HSE Prep Year students graduate with a language proficiency level of B1 or higher, which allows them to enrol in Russian universities and feel confident living, working, and studying in Russia.
On average, around 200 students from more than 55 countries attend the International Preparatory Year’s programmes each year, and many of them plan to continue their studies at HSE, improve their Russian language skills, and potentially connect their professional and personal lives with Russia.
Irina Isaeva, Director of the International Preparatory Year
‘Maintaining interest among foreign applicants in studying the Russian language and preparing them for studies in Russia is the main goal of the HSE International Preparatory Year. We continue to enhance our educational system each year. This year, subjects such as Cultural Studies, Academic Speaking, and preparation for the TORFL exam were added to the curriculum. There are also plans to expand the number of educational programmes, create summer schools, popularise the Russian language abroad, and develop new options for improving teacher qualifications to ensure the education system remains at a highly professional level.
Attracting talented young people eager to learn the Russian language for commercial education remains a priority. We are interested not only in increasing the number of students willing to pay for education but also in creating conditions for those genuinely passionate about the Russian language and culture. Our goal is to create an attractive educational environment where students can master the language and immerse themselves in the rich culture, traditions, and history of Russia.'
Please see the official website of the International Prep Year for more information about the curriculum, entry requirements, and how to apply.
See also:
‘This Night Is One Minute Longer Than Other Nights of the Year’
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.
‘Our International Students Embody a Dynamic Blend of Ambition, Curiosity, and Adaptability’
In October, the HSE International Prep Year programme held orientation sessions for its newcomers. Why should one study Russian? What is the admission process like at HSE University? Is it easy to navigate through Moscow and the HSE buildings? The HSE News Service discussed these and other questions with Faizullah from Afghanistan, Sechang from South Korea, and Faith from Zambia—all newly enrolled students of the Prep Year.