Requirements
Portfolio
The programme welcomes students from various backgrounds with an interest in education, developmental cognitive neuroscience, assessment, psychometrics and interdisciplinary methods. Our students’ academic backgrounds include education, psychology, sociology, linguistics, biology, economics, computer science, management, philosophy, history, geography, and mathematics.
Application to the programme, in addition to general documents, includes a portfolio.
Detailed information on admissions requirements can be found in the
Portfolio Criteria SOLA 2024
Academic Preparation
We've collected some typical questions about preparing for admission.
Is it possible to train for the Olympiad?
Yes. Please read the curricula of the selected competitions and the orientation documents: they list topics and literature to help you familiarize yourself with the test topics. In addition, most of the olympiads have demos which will give you an idea of what to expect.
How do I assemble my portfolio?
Plan your English preparation. We ask for proof of English proficiency: an IELTS certificate with a score of 6.5 or above, or a similar certificate at an appropriate level (TOEFL, Cambridge level certificates). Complete the required online course Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and keep your certificate. Take an online course in psychology or statistics on any major platform. Attend an academic conference and prepare a scientific publication. Include your undergraduate grad thesis as an example of your research capabilities. Prepare a video for a creative assignment.
Can I apply if I do not have an international English certificate?
You can. Please attach any other certificates. Our assessors will prioritize the linguistic certificate in the portfolio review. One of the program supervisors, Marie Arsalidou, does not speak Russian. Basic subjects are in English. And even in Russian-speaking courses almost all literature is in English.
Will it be possible to combine study and job?
The answer would be, "More likely no than yes." We have full-time, full-week classes, lots (really -- lots!) of extra activities, seminars, projects which will require your energy, practice, and guest lecturers. From the past student experience, it's unrealistic to combine it with a full-time office job. We want to emphasize that studying with us is challenging and interesting, and active work can prevent you from getting the most out of the program.
Who should I consult about enrollment?
Be sure to ask your questions to the academic supervisors Daria Gracheva (dgracheva@hse.ru).