• A
  • A
  • A
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
Regular version of the site

Programme Overview

Programme summary

The main aim of the "Population and Development" programme is to train the specialists who will be ready for practical development problems solution. These challenges could be results of rapid changes in social and economic sphere or on the other hand be set by the public administration on different levels to prevent the negative consequences of population changes or to utilize the positive demographic impact. 

The programme develops students’ skills in applying multi-disciplinary analytic approaches to population development and resource allocation issues that are essential for management and public administration in numerous sectors. The specialists graduated from our programme will have skills and knowledge in principals of population changes and social economic development. They will be able to use modern methods of data analysis and interpretation of the results. They will understand the capacities and limitations of the basic instruments of development and their practical usage.

Core Lecturers

The two-year programme offers a range of courses (including electives) taught in English by key specialists (PhD holders in Economics, Sociology, Geography, Philosophy, Math and Physics) in the field from the Higher School of Economics (Institute of Demography and Public Administration Department, Faculty of Economics) and its partner universities including Russian Academy of Science, New Economics School, Moscow Lomonosov State University, and RANEPA. Specialists from different public sector services and managers from private companies. Lecturers from international universities and research centers: (University of Chicago, Stockholm University, University of Southampton, Sapienza — Università di Roma).

What students will learn

A strong theoretical background and history of population development issues are provided together with up-to-date approaches to analyzing and projecting population structure and needs for resources. Based on this knowledge, population policy and key demographic challenges (that arose in the second half of the 20th century, present, and upcoming) are discussed.

The programme includes

Compulsory block of courses:

  • Public economics
  • Demography 
  • Population and Development Studies
  • Measurements of Poverty and Inequality. Evaluation of Poverty and Inequality Reduction Policies
  • Introduction to Medical Anthropology in Development
  • Data Analytics and Mining

Elective courses:

  • Development and Measurement of Human Capital in the Public Administration System
  • Environmental Protection and Environmental Regulation as the Way to Population Well-Being
  • Human Migration. Migrant Adaptation and Integration
  • World Economy and Welfare
  • Housing Policy: Population Studies Aspects
  • Demography and Health Policy
  • Labour and Population Economics

Compulsory research activity

  • Research seminar
  • Course paper
  • Master’s thesis

Career opportunities

  • Public administration work in government agencies and services at different levels.
  • International funds and non-governmental organizations (UN, WHO, the World Bank etc.).
  • Academic work at research centers and universities (starting with a PhD in a leading research centre).
  • Private companies (consulting, recruiting, marketing, insurance, pharmaceutical, and healthcare).

What makes this program different

  • International relationship with the leading universities in our field
  • Scholars with high qualifications
  • International diploma
  • Access to the electronic libraries and other resources provided by HSE
  • Unique library provided by the Institute of Demography
  • Budget places and special Quotas for international students 
  • Dormitories
  • Flexible elective courses system

Application requirements

Portfolio including English language interview