Last Month to Apply: Full Scholarships for HSE Master's Programs
Less than three weeks left to apply for the Master's Program in Strategic Corporate Finance at HSE University to be considered for a Full Scholarship!
The HSE University School of Finance, part of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, recently held an online meeting to offer key details for prospective students of the Strategic Corporate Finance program for the academic year 2025/26. Led by Professor Irina Ivashkovskaya, the Head of the School of Finance and the Corporate Finance Research Lab, the program aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in corporate finance, preparing them for successful careers across various finance-related fields. An open day invited the faculty members and current students to introduce prospective international students to the Master's program. This session provided insights into:
• Program structure
• Course offerings
• Research seminars
• Overall experience for international students at HSE
Program Highlights
The Strategic Corporate Finance program offers a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance principles and practices, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in various sectors of the financial industry.
Opening Remarks by Professor Ivashkovskaya
The meeting began with a warm welcome from the faculty, expressing enthusiasm for the participation of international students. Professor Ivashkovskaya highlighted the significance of the Strategic Corporate Finance program as one of the first of its kind at HSE, established around 2005. The program's history of producing numerous successful graduates proves the opportunities it provides.
Admission Numbers for 2025/26
For the upcoming academic year, the program will offer:
• 40 Merit Scholarships for Russian students
• 20 Russian Government Merit Scholarships for international students, emphasizing the faculty's commitment to diversity
• 10 Tuition-Based Places
Admission Requirements
Applicants are expected to demonstrate both technical and soft skills:
Technical Skills: Background in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, mathematics, and calculus. Knowledge of corporate finance and international financial reporting is preferred but not mandatory.
Soft Skills: Teamwork and leadership abilities are highly valued. Candidates should exhibit adaptability and a willingness to engage in collaborative learning environments.
To assist students lacking foundational knowledge in corporate finance or financial reporting, an adaptive course will be offered at the start of the program.
Prospective students are encouraged to review the admission requirements thoroughly and prepare adequately for the interview process to secure their place in this prestigious Master's program in Strategic Corporate Finance at HSE University.
Key Soft Skills to Highlight:
• Leadership and Teamwork: The program seeks candidates who excel in collaborative environments and demonstrate leadership potential. Applicants should reflect on their relevant experiences as they prepare their applications.
• Time Management: The program is intensive, with classes scheduled in the mornings and afternoons, along with numerous assignments. Effective time management is crucial for adapting to a new country and academic environment.
• Motivation: Faculty members want to understand each applicant's motivation for choosing the Strategic Corporate Finance program. Students should clearly articulate their career goals and how the program aligns with those aspirations, as well as their commitment to dedicating significant time to their studies.
Portfolio requirements for international applicants
1. Resume / CV
Resume (including recent photo, education, publication list, research experience, research participation details) projects conferences, student schools, scientific grants, knowledge of languages and other academic achievements). The resume can be written in Russian or English;
2. Motivation letter (500-1000 words)
The motivation letter aims to disclose the area of applicant’s academic interests, areas of planned research, expectations associated with master study, further areas of career development and goals after graduation, theoretical and practical skills the applicant expects to receive during the course of study;
3. Diploma and transcript with a list of completed disciplines and grades in these disciplines. If the applicant has not yet received a bachelor's degree, they can attach the official copy of the complete list of completed disciplines with grades.
4. Letters of recommendation (two) (at least one from a person familiar with academic and research potential of the applicant). Letters of recommendation should be written in English and must necessarily contain the contact information of the recommending person.
5. Academic work of the applicant (in the form of PDF files): (if any) (accepted graduate work of the applicant); Relevant publications or completed qualification works in the field of economic sciences, mathematics, computer sciences. Relevance of the work to one or several of the indicated areas is determined by the programme.
6. Diplomas and certificates confirming other academic achievements of the applicant (student competitions, student work contests, etc.), obtaining individual academic scholarships and grants (if any).
Information about scores for each section can be found here
Program Structure: Overview of Tracks
• Investing decisions, strategic deals and restructuring
Track mentor: Svetlana Grigorieva, Associate Prof. in Finance
• Fund raising, capital structure and payout policy
Track mentor: Julia Ovanesova, Assistant Prof. in Finance
• Research track ‘Behavioral finance, corporate governance and asset pricing’
Track mentor: Anastasia Stepanova, Associate Prof. in Finance
Research track is specially designed for further PhD studies
Summary of the meeting
The session offered valuable insights into the expectations and structure of the Master's program in Strategic Corporate Finance at HSE University. The faculty stressed the importance of both technical and soft skills, encouraging applicants to prepare thoroughly for their submissions. The diverse tracks available cater to various academic and professional aspirations, making this program an attractive option for those seeking a comprehensive education in corporate finance.
Head of the School of Finance, Head of Corporate Finance Center, Academic Supervisor of Strategic Corporate Finance master program
"Corporate finance is an intriguing field that offers immense flexibility in your professional life. It is not only essential in the real sector of the economy but also crucial for roles in banks, investment companies, investment funds, and various other institutions. Our School of Finance emphasizes a comprehensive approach across all degree programs, ensuring that students receive a profound background in the subject.
I have been working at this university since 2001, and I genuinely believe that we have developed one of the most valuable teams of professors and instructors in finance, particularly in my beloved area of corporate finance. This dedication has led to the creation of three distinct programs: Strategic Corporate Finance, Corporate Finance, and a fully online Master of Business Analytics.
In our Strategic Corporate Finance program, we focus on developing team skills—teaching students how to collaborate effectively, build a small yet professional network, and distribute tasks among themselves. This collaborative effort is vital because everyone is ultimately accountable for the same grades assigned to group assignments. We encourage creativity and critical thinking; our assignments are not simplistic but require thorough data collection and analysis, utilizing international databases and resources.
Today, for instance, there is an ongoing workshop led by Anastasia Stanova, who oversees our research track. I participated in that workshop before joining this online meeting. I suggested that our academic development plan should capitalize on the existing academic schools within our university. It’s essential for students to join these established teams because those involved have a genuine passion for their work. Passion is what drives leadership; you cannot be an effective leader if you are indifferent to your field.
I invite you to join our faculty and finance program. I am continuously seeking individuals who possess leadership qualities and creativity. We have already established a robust academic school of corporate finance and are proud to run the only official Corporate Finance journal in Russia, which I founded in 2006. Additionally, we have an active research lab in corporate finance that I initiated in 2007. Despite my age, my passion for this field remains unwavering.
It is vital for success to choose a program where the faculty is genuinely engaged and passionate about their subjects. Look at how we communicate and what we discuss. This field offers a flexible, deep, and successful career path.