HSE University Enters Top-5 of Best Russian Universities in National Survey

According to a national survey conducted by VCIOM, HSE University ranks fifth in the ‘People’s Ranking of Russian Universities’. A total of 1,600 Russians aged over 18 participated in the survey, which was carried out through phone interviews, relying on a random sample of landline and mobile numbers.

Before Russian Students’ Day, the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) published the results of a survey of Russian citizens in regards to the factors affecting their choice of a university, along with its ‘People’s Ranking of Russian Universities’.

As such, those surveyed name the country’s oldest universities among the best: MSU - 39%, MGIMO - 12%, Bauman MSTU - 10%, and SPbSU - 5%.

Moreover, 3% of the country’s citizens named HSE University as its best academic institution. As such, HSE ranks fifth in the Top-5, while also being the youngest university in it.

This national survey was initiated by VCIOM and was carried out on January 22 of this year. Overall, 1,600 Russians aged over 18 took part in the survey. The method was a phone interview, relying on a stratified double-base random sample of landline and mobile numbers. The sample was taken from the comprehensive phone numbers in Russia. In turn, the data was weighted by relevant selection probability and by socio-demographic parameters. The maximum range of error for this sample did not exceed 2.5% and had a probability of 95%.

When responding to a question about the most important factors in choosing a university for themselves or their children, Russians tend to prioritize teachers’ qualification, i.e. 99% of responders believed this indicator to be important or very important.

Russians surveyed also take into account such factors in selecting a university as high level of training in the chosen field (97%), affordability of education (96%), availability of state-funded slots (95%), and an opportunity to easily find a job after graduation (95%).

The fact that a university has high quality technological infrastructure played a major role in the survey, with 95% of Russians mentioning it as an important factor. The factor of the lack of corruption and bribery has also made it to the top of indicators impacting the university choice: according to 94% of responders, it is important or very important.

Such social issues a knowing someone who might help you get admitted (36%) and the experiences of family or friends who have studied at the university (29%) complete the list of factors impacting on one’s choice of academic institution.