In September 2025, Fudan University's School of Philosophy entered into a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow. This partnership includes a student exchange program, scheduled to commence in 2026, with an initial allocation for one student per year.
HSE is consistently ranked among the world's leading institutions across major global rankings (QS, THE, ARWU). Recognized for its innovative approach and ambitious research agenda, it features in the top 100 of the THE Young University Rankings. Notably, in the 2023 Chinese "Graded Directory of Comprehensive Competitiveness of Overseas University Disciplines," HSE was classified as a Category A institution (the highest tier, top 2%), standing as the only Russian university to achieve this distinction in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Founded in 1992, HSE has evolved over three decades from a specialized economics-focused institution into a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary university. It now comprises 15 core faculties, two major teaching institutes, and two professional development centers, offering 86 undergraduate and 144 master's programmes. Its extensive academic portfolio spans Theoretical Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, Geography, Urban Planning, Psychology, Sociology, Law, International Relations, Linguistics, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Fashion Design, Oriental Studies, and Tibetan Studies, alongside its traditional strengths in Economics, Finance, Management, and related fields.
HSE is a leading European public university, renowned particularly for Economics, Management, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Arts. It maintains numerous double-degree programmes with partners like the London School of Economics, University College London, and Humboldt University of Berlin. Its graduates are highly sought after by financial institutions in Moscow, London, and New York. The university's distinguished faculty includes Nobel laureate Eric Maskin and Fields Medalist Andrei Okounkov. Several of its subjects rank within the global top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, including Politics, Social Sciences & Management, Sociology, Education, History, Philosophy, Social Policy, Economics, and Mathematics.
In 2024, the HSE Art and Design School reinforced its position within the world's top 150 for Art & Design (QS), ranking first in Russia. It achieved an impressive 45th place globally for Employer Reputation in this category.
HSE boasts a highly international profile. Its faculty of over 6,000 includes a significant number of PhD holders recruited internationally, fostering a diverse academic environment. The university actively promotes global engagement through joint degree programmes, student exchanges, and specific "1+1" Master's collaborations with a wide network of world-class partners, such as the University of Oxford, London School of Economics, National University of Singapore, KU Leuven, Seoul National University, and Hokkaido University.
The Faculty of Humanities encompasses disciplines including History, Archaeology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, and Art History.
A key research unit is the International Laboratory for Logic, Linguistics and Formal Philosophy (LLFP), established in 2018. The LLFP serves as an interdisciplinary hub where logicians and linguists collaborate, applying formal methods to address fundamental philosophical problems concerning truth, knowledge, evidence, rationality, and normativity.
The Faculty of Philosophy regularly hosts lectures and seminars by leading international scholars, providing staff and students with exposure to cutting-edge research and fostering academic dialogue.
HSE operates four campuses in major Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm, with international students predominantly choosing Moscow and St. Petersburg. As Russia's capital and a major European metropolis known for its high quality of life and green spaces, Moscow offers excellent transport links, with direct flights to over 130 countries worldwide.
Moscow is Russia's premier educational hub, hosting 7 of the nation's top 11 universities. This concentration of academic excellence provides HSE students unique opportunities, such as attending lectures at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The city's rich cultural and historical heritage, including the famous Golden Ring tourist route, offers a vibrant backdrop for student life. All HSE campuses are centrally located in their respective cities, ensuring convenient access and a high-quality living and learning environment.
