Our History

The Higher School of Economics (The HSE) was established in 1992 by the Government of the Russian Federation in cooperation with the European Union Committee and the Government of France. In October 2009, the HSE received the status of National Research University.

Since the first day of its foundation, the School has focused on a combination of rigorous training and addressing topical issues of the Russian economy.

The current Rector of the Higher School of Economics is Yaroslav Kuzminov. Renowned Russian economists and leading reformists from the Russian Government have become professors of the HSE: E. Yasin, A. Shokhin, S. Vasilyev, Y. Urinson, V. Kossov, E. Gavrilenkov, M. Kopeykin, and V. Baranov.

To date, the HSE has adopted the following key principles:

• to rely on the demands of global economic and social sciences;

• to incorporate interdisciplinary cooperation (economists obtain a legal education and legal professionals obtain an education in economics);

• to facilitate direct connections between teaching and practice, and teaching and the results of applied research;

• to serve an educational mission in the educational community of Russia and its regions.

The HSE's system of research centres is focused on carrying out applied research for Russia's Ministry of Economy, Central Bank, and Ministry of Education.

In accordance with the Russian Government's Ordinance No. 1162, dated September 12, 1997, the HSE's Perm campus was established to disseminate experience accumulated while training skilled personnel to execute economic reforms.

The key aspect underlying the HSE–Perm’s success in the education process includes heightened attention on the part of faculty members to the following components of economic education:

1.      Economic Theory

At the HSE, the level of training in economic theory meets Western European standards. The introductory course in economic theory taken by first-year students is expanded in subsequent years of study to include a number of specialized courses. Advanced-level students participate in scientific workshops in which they discuss economic issues based on their own research. At the Perm campus, the education process is based on the same principles as at the main university location in Moscow.

2.     Specialized Instruction in Mathematics and Computer Science

Training in mathematics and computer science is provided in tandem with training in corresponding branches of economics and management in order for students to better understand the economic content of mathematical models.

3.      Intensive Language Instruction

Language training at the HSE–Perm is geared toward training specialists to be fluent in or more foreign languages. Senior students have no difficulty following lectures given by foreign professors in their native languages.  

Timeline of Key Events

1992    The Higher School of Economics (The HSE) was established by the Government of the Russian Federation in cooperation with the European Union Committee and the Government of France.

1997    On September 12,  the Government of the Russian Federation issued Ordinance No. 1162, officially establishing the HSE's Perm regional campus for the purpose of disseminating experience accumulated while training skilled personnel to execute economic reforms.

1998    On September 1, the HSE–Perm's first students began their studies at the Faculty of Economics and Management.

1999    The Business English Centre was established. The use of effective integrated teaching methods makes it possible to offer students a variety of educational  opportunities, including Cambridge Business English Certificate (BEC) preparatory courses which have been offered since 2002.

2000   The first specialists graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Management (Continuing Education). Currently, the Faculty prepares students for undergraduate degrees in Economics and Management.

The Regional Centre for State Procurement Specialist Training (RCSPST) opened as a certified centre of the Russian Federation's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The Centre prepares state procurement specialists from among federal government employees, executive authorities of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, municipal bodies, and potential suppliers of goods, works, and services for federal and municipal needs.

2001    The Faculty of Professional Retraining, which offers continuing education programmes, was established.

The Centre for Applied Economics opened; the Centre carries out consulting work, research, and project activities in various fields of interest.  

2002    The first students completed undergraduate degrees in Economics and Management.

2003    Lyceum #10, affiliated with the HSE–Perm, opened. Today, it is one of Perm Krai's leading general education institutions.

Military training of HSE–Perm students started at the Reserve Officer Training Department. Since 2008, HSE–Perm has been the only university in Perm Krai providing military training.

2004    The Schools & University Association established jointly with the Committee for Education and Science affiliated with the Administration of the City of Perm. The Association initially included 19 general education institutions. Currently, the Association includes 40 Perm and Permsky Krai education establishments.

2006    The HSE–Perm became a laureate of the Specialist Training Quality Assurance Systems competition held by Russia's Ministry of Education and Science.

2008    An undergraduate specialization in Business Informatics was introduced at the Faculty of Economics.

            Master’s programmes in Finance and Public Administration were launched. The transition to the bachelor’s and master’s degree system of the European education system began.

            The Government of the Russian Federation issued a decree transferring responsibility for the HSE to the Government.

2009    A master’s programme in Project Management was launched.

The HSE was awarded the status of National Research University by decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.

2010    The Faculty of Business Informatics was established.

A Master’s programme in Marketing was launched.

The HSE-Perm was the first university in the city of Perm to adopt the commonly accepted worldwide “4+2” model: four years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study.

2011    Undergraduate specializations in History and Political Science were introduced.

In September, according to the 2011 undergraduate applicant admission quality-rating prepared by the HSE at the request of Russia's Public Chamber, the HSE ranks fifth and the HSE–Perm ranks twenty-fifth among over 500 higher education institutions in Russia.

Standard requirements for the Unified State Examination (UST) for undergraduate applicants were introduced at all HSE campuses. A foreign language was included in the UST list in all areas of studies.

2012    An undergraduate specialization in Software Engineering was introduced.

A total of 1245 students are currently enrolled at the HSE-Perm. This number includes 1074 undergraduate students and 171 graduate students.