Why choose ICEF

On the first year of the BSc programme ICEF students study base economic and mathematical courses and at the end of the academic year they pass ICEF International Exams on four disciplines: Calculus, Statistics, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. They also have to pass English proficiency test. In the case of successful examination students are transferred to the second year of ICEF and admitted to the International Programme of the University of London. Students have an opportunity to choose one of 5 degrees (specializations): Economics, Economics and Finance, Economics and Mathematics, Economics and Management, Finance. Every year students study four subjects of their specialization and pass the international exams of the University of London in the end of each year. Along with that students study subjects needed for HSE degree.

The curriculum consists of the following subject groups:

1. Economic disciplines: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics.
2. Mathematical disciplines: Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Mathematics for Economists.
3. Professional disciplines of specializations: Principles of Accounting, Corporate Finance, Principles of Banking and Finance, International Economics, Financial Intermediation, Investment Management, Quantitative Finance, Abstract Mathematics, Audit and Assurance, Optimization Theory, Mathematics of Finance and Valuation, and other courses. Students are allowed to take the courses of other specializations as electives.
4. Humanitarian disciplines: Sociology, History, Political Science, Law, and other disciplines.

In general, ICEF students study no more than 6 subjects simultaneously.

The curriculum provides the depth of professional training characteristic of British economic education, based on an expanded professional core of disciplines (courses in economics, mathematics, special and professional disciplines), as well as the breadth of classical university education traditional for Russia (a wide range of courses in the social and human sciences, foreign languages, working with data, research and project work, practice). This combination of two educational cultures gives students more opportunities to master the profession of an economist and receive a modern broad university education, and subsequently materializes in the comparative advantages of graduates when applying for jobs in the largest financial and economic companies and banks and continuing them studies, creating a solid foundation for a successful professional career.

ICEF also realizes a special ICEF Academia programme for the strongest, most motivated and academically oriented students. In the beginning the programme consists of advanced courses and professional optional courses. Starting from the third year ICEF Academia students are involved in research activities which are held on the basis of Advanced Research Programme.

There is also a programme of optional courses for ICEF BSc students. The programme consists of foreign language, soft skills development courses, practical finance courses, IT and AI applications courses and others. The courses are taught by the leading specialists from Russian and international companies.

First-year students can enroll at the University of London as “independent learners” based on the full completion of the first-year program at ICEF and, along with a HSE diploma, receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of London in one of the following specializations: “Economics”, “Economics and Finance”, “Economics and Management”, “Finance”, and “Mathematics and Economics”.

To study in the dual degree program of HSE University with China's Southwest University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE), you must complete the 1st year of ICEF and pass the selection for the dual degree program. In the 2nd and 3rd years, students of this program study full-time at SWUFE University, in the RIEM (Research Institute of Economics and Management) faculty in Chengdu, China. The 4th year of study takes place at the Moscow campus of HSE University. Students selected for the dual degree program do not pay additional tuition fees at the Chinese university. In international university rankings, SWUFE ranks 32nd in the world (2nd in China) in finance and 45th in the world (3rd in China) in economics (Shanghai ARWU ranking). More details here.

High international academic standards of the English-language program, the content of which completely covers the requirements of the examinations of the International Program of the University of London. The program is based on 25 years of successful experience of joint work with the London School of Economics and the University of London, the teaching is conducted entirely in English, by a highly qualified international staff of teachers, selected according to international procedures and criteria that assess students' knowledge using the methods adopted in the best foreign universities. ICEF students have access to the best textbooks adopted in the leading universities of the world, as well as the resources of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the University of London, including databases and software. The result is an international level education, allowing graduates to continue their education in the best universities in the world, work in the largest international and Russian companies, banks and funds in more than 40 countries.

One of the main distinguishing features of the ICEF bachelor's program is studying and communicating in an international team of teachers and students in English. Students of other programs will study English, but only students of the ICEF program study economics and finance in English. Studying in English makes it possible to study using the best textbooks accepted in the world's leading universities in this field of knowledge, manuals, online materials and sources.

Highly qualified international faculty, selected and regularly certified according to international procedures and criteria, conducting research published in leading international journals. The ICEF International Baccalaureate Programme employs over 30 teachers with international PhD degrees from leading universities around the world. Leading lecturers from the faculties of the Higher School of Economics, other leading Russian universities and research centres, and experienced native-speaking teachers conducting English classes also teach on the programme. A significant proportion of ICEF teachers are practicing teachers working in major Russian and international companies.

The ICEF Career Center is responsible for preparing students for the labor market at ICEF. Its goal is to increase the competitiveness of ICEF students in the global labor market and further education.

Starting from the second year, as part of a special training program, ICEF students begin to prepare for employment (choosing a profession, passing a selection in a company, undergoing an internship and internships during their studies) and continuing their education in Russia and abroad (choosing a program, preparing a package of documents, preparing for international exams). ICEF has a developed network of contacts with Russian and foreign companies, financial institutions and government agencies. Employing companies regularly hold presentations and master classes for students at ICEF, read optional courses, and participate in round tables. The purpose of such events is to familiarize students in advance with the specifics of working in various companies, help them choose a profession and prepare for selection in a company.

The best demonstration of the program's results are its graduates. Today, ICEF graduates successfully work or study in more than 40 countries around the world. They build successful careers in leading companies in Russia and abroad and government agencies, create their own businesses or obtain a PhD degree, teach and conduct research at leading universities.

More details in the "Alumni" section.

ICEF has a well-developed system of partial scholarships.