They did it, and so can you! From a discount to a state-funded place

Every applicant dreams of having a rich and successful student life. And it's possible! Year after year, students of the Journalism Educational Programme (EP) continue to prove that university education is not just about attending lectures and seminars, but also an opportunity to unlock your potential, make new acquaintances, and realize your ambitions.

© Olga Zotova for the HSE Media Institute

We have collected the stories of successful students who share their experiences and tell us how they manage not only to excel in their studies and maintain top positions in the rankings, but also to keep significant tuition discounts or even transfer to state-funded places! Our interviewees shared their experiences of choosing a university, gave necessary and useful advice on time management, and showed by their own example that being at the top of the rankings is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.

Vasilisa Izha
Third-year student of the «Journalism» with 70% tuition discount

«I entered the HSE University after graduating from the HSE Lyceum, where I studied humanities, so the Journalism programme seemed like a logical continuation of my education. The choice was between HSE University and Moscow State University (MSU). After a not-so-successful experience with the entrance examinations, I realized it was better to go to HSE, as I had the choice between a lyceum discount or a discount based on my Unified State Exam (USE) results. In the end, I chose the USE discount as it was larger — a full 70%.

Is it difficult to keep the discount?

This is the very question many people ask. Here, you have to study a lot and work on projects to get high grades. Overall, that's the only way to keep the discount, and sometimes it can be difficult. Nevertheless, I also try to engage in extracurricular activities. I used to be into orienteering, so sometimes, when I have the energy and time, I go to training, and in the winter, I go skiing. In my first year, I was a member of the HSE Tourist Club and even managed to complete the University's Camp Counselor School! Speaking of projects, I participated in two: «HSE for Parents» and the Editorial Office of the Institute of Media. Overall, I had a positive experience in both projects and was able to apply my skills in practice.

What is it all for?

The brightest moments at HSE University are primarily connected with the people I met here. These are both students and some teachers. I've made new friends here with whom I've shared many precious moments. I also want to highlight «Student Night» — an incredibly cool event that is held at HSE University every year.

You could say that at HSE University I got the most important thing I came for — a lot of practice and skills that we apply immediately. Our curriculum consists of many diverse courses that help you decide in which specific field you would like to work in the future!»

Anastasia Kopylova
Third-year student of the «Journalism» transferred from a 70% tuition discount to a state-funded place

«In my school years, I enjoyed writing various texts, news, scripts, as well as shooting and editing videos, so I knew I wanted to develop in the media sphere. I considered several Moscow universities, but HSE University was still my preferred educational institution. My acquaintances studied here, and I heard a lot of positive feedback from them. I was admitted based on my USE and a Creative exam, and in my first year I had a 50% discount, which I increased to 70% a year later. Now I have a state-funded place. By the way, this is a very important advantage of our university, because this mobility gives you the opportunity to achieve what you want, even if you didn't initially get a state-funded place.

Is it difficult to transfer to a state-funded place? Does that happen?

I want to say that I didn't have to make any titanic efforts to transfer to a state-funded place and now hold a top position in the rankings. Yes, I had to work hard, but I think that's how it is in any field. When you put in enough effort, you succeed. By the way, I think studying at the Institute of Media is easier because the university focuses on practical experience. We do a lot of filming, photography, and interviewing, often with famous people. This makes studying not seem so difficult. A huge advantage is that the teachers here are professionals in their field. People from television, radio, and other media spheres share their experience and sometimes see potential in you and might even offer a job.

From the classroom to the radio station!

And speaking of the practical focus, after my first year I already had certain skills that helped me start working and participate in various projects outside the university. At HSE University itself, as one of the cases, we had a radio course where we created a podcast. The teacher liked it and invited us to participate in a competition by the Russian Academy of Radio. After that, we defended our project, won the grand prize, and were offered the chance to implement our project on several radio stations.

Yes, I recommend applying to the Institute of Media to those who want to try their hand at media right here and now, immediately apply the knowledge and skills they've gained, and also bring their ideas to life and realize their abilities.

I think that the Higher School of Economics, specifically the Institute of Media, is a good fit for bright, creative, and talented people. I am sure that here they will definitely find like-minded people and be happy with their studies!»

 

Alina Nikulnikova, first-year student of the «Media Communications»

Translated by Varvara Timoshenko, first-year student of the «Media Communications»