The primary goal of this programme is to develop students’ skills in applying multi-disciplinary analytic approaches to population development and resource allocation issues, essential for public administration in numerous sectors. The programme is for individuals with different backgrounds who want to understand the ways in which changes in development and population influence each other. A strong theoretical background and the 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  are discussed. The two-year programme offers a range of courses taught in English by key specialists from the Higher School of Economics and its partner universities. By studying at the program, you will gain skills in applying population data in the interests of public administration to achieve sustainable development goals.

The core and baseline specialization of the Program 'Population and Development' is devoted to the development and various related issues. It deepens the immersion of the students into the practice of population analysis and development policy, provide solid base for future employment in analytical sphere. The concentration ensures strong multi-disciplinary foundation of skills and knowledge of students, who will have enough training opportunities to master contemporary development issues and policy implementation as well as population studies.

The programme’s study plan is focused on training our students to conduct theory-orientated and methodologically rigorous empirical research in comparative perspective. The programme structure rests on three pillows:

• Core courses

The core and baseline specialization of the Program 'Population and Development' is devoted to the population studies, theory of development and case-studies, statistical methods and basic economics and management. It deepens the immersion of the students into the practice of qualitative and quantitative analysis of development policy, provide solid base for future employment in analytical sphere. The concentration ensures strong multi- disciplinary foundation of skills and knowledge of students, who will have enough training opportunities to master contemporary development issues and policy implementation as well as population studies and statistics.

• Elective courses

Our elective courses are assembled each year and offer various topics in methodology and issue-related to the Social Policy, Economics, Advanced Statistics and Public Administration. Students can choose from pool courses such as health systems, data analysis, but also courses on social inequalities and poverty, housing policy.

Research preparation and conduct

• Research Seminar

The Research seminar is dedicated to Master Thesis preparation. Throughout a two-year comprehensive course students gradually learn how to search for, process and analyze data; conduct research for and write academic papers and present research outcomes. It runs throughout the year and provides a platform for students to develop their research questions and project designs.

• Student Project Work (Projects)

is organized to implement knowledge and experience achieved by students during their studies, as well as solving problems of practical or theoretical relevance. Projects are implemented with the involvement of real customers.

• Internship (10 weeks in the 4th semester)

During their fourth semester students undertake a research internship with one of our many partner institutions in Russia or abroad to collect and analyze data for their MA theses under the supervision of international experts from the programme’s network.

• Master thesis

This degree programme of HSE University is adapted for students with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. Special assistive technology and teaching aids are used for collective and individual learning of students with SEN and disabilities. The specific adaptive features of the programme are listed in each subject's full syllabus and are available to students through the online Learning Management System.

All documents of the degree programme are stored electronically on this website. Curricula, calendar plans, and syllabi are developed and approved electronically in corporate information systems. Their current versions are automatically published on the website of the degree programme. Up-to-date teaching and learning guides, assessment tools, and other relevant documents are stored on the website of the degree programme in accordance with the local regulatory acts of HSE University.

I hereby confirm that the degree programme documents posted on this website are fully up-to-date.

Vice Rector Sergey Yu. Roshchin

Summary of Degree Programme 'Population and Development'