International Student Accommodation at HSE University
Many people associate university life with living in a dormitory, where they can do homework together, prepare for exams, and enjoy fun activities. Admissions News explains which categories of international students are eligible for dormitory accommodation and who can receive assistance from HSE University in finding alternative housing options.
HSE University provides a wide range of housing options for both bachelor's and master's students, including dormitories and alternative housing. The university also offers a range of services to help students find accommodation in the private rental market.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Dormitory Accommodation?
To be eligible for dormitory placement, an international student of HSE University must be admitted to a state-funded place in a bachelor's, specialist or master's programme under a quota from the Russian Government.
Dormitory Accommodation in 2024
HSE University offers three types of dormitories: block-style, corridor-style and apartment-style. All dormitories are located near metro or MCD stations, allowing students to conveniently reach HSE University buildings by public transport.
In addition to the largest Dubki Dormitory Complex in Odintsovo, there are nine more dormitories in Moscow near the metro stations of Prospekt Mira, Shosse Entuziastov, Aviamotornaya, Studencheskaya, VDNKh, Tekstilshchiki, Lyublino, and Okskaya, and two more dormitories in Odintsovo, near Odintsovo MCD station. Comfortable university buses run between Dubki Dormitory Complex and Odintsovo station.
Dormitory check-ins for first-year students will follow the Procedure for Check-in of Bachelor's, Specialist, and Master's Students in HSE Dormitories for 2024 (posted in the HSE Dormitories section). International students who indicated in their application that they require dormitory accommodation will automatically receive an accommodation referral in their Applicant's Personal Account and via email.
The referral will be uploaded to the APA three days before the scheduled arrival date and will be valid for 10 days from the date of issue. Dormitory check-ins are available starting from August 21. Required documents for dormitory check-in:
passport + copy;
a copy of entry visa (if applicable);
migration card + copy;
medical documents: a health certificate (Form No. 086) or a certificate based on Annex No. 8 to the Internal Dormitory Regulations of HSE University;
a certificate of preventive vaccinations or a vaccination certificate in any format (must include confirmation of measles vaccination);
printed-out accommodation referral (valid for 10 days);
prior registration, if the foreign citizen has previously resided in Russia.
If the accommodation referral does not appear in your personal account within the specified time, please contact us via email at zaselenie@hse.ru.
Alternative Housing Options
Not everyone is eligible for dormitory accommodation; for instance, fee-paying students cannot apply for a place in the dormitory. Nevertheless, many students still have a need for housing during their studies.
To assist more students with accommodation, HSE University provides alternative housing options for those not eligible for dormitory placement. For example, these include Level Amurskaya residential complex, Student Housing Centre, and Sevastopol Hotel. Other options to consider are hotels and aparthotels from our partners, such as Cosmos Hotel, AZIMUT Hotels, VALS Hotel, UNIT, Uyut na Varshavke Hostel, YE'S Aparthotels, Vertical Boutique Aparthotel, and Myakinino Country Campus.
If a student is not satisfied with a hotel room, they can opt for a shared apartment from Samolet Group or Colife or choose a private apartment from DOM.RF or Samolet.
Ekaterina Lomovitskaya
'This year, we have introduced new housing options for students seeking individual accommodation, provided by our partners UNIT and Samolet. Additionally, during the student check-in period and subject to availability, we can offer parents discounted accommodation rates at Cosmos, VALS, and AZIMUT hotels,' according to Ekaterina Lomovitskaya, Manager at the Student Housing Office of HSE University.
Students can select the option that best suits them either on their own or through the booking system provided by HSE University. Students in state-funded places who wish to move from the dormitory to alternative accommodation can do so, but access to the booking system will not be available to them until October. In this case, the student will irrevocably forfeit their eligibility for dormitory placement.
Have you decided where you would like to live? A few more steps are required before you can check-in:
- Complete the form in your online student account. To do this, select your preferred accommodation option, indicate whether you wish to share the room with roommates, and click the 'Reserve' button.
- The manager will process the application within three days, set a check-in date, prepare a rental contract, and issue a payment receipt. All this information will be forwarded to the student's email.
- Within the timeframe specified in the email containing the receipt, the student must pay for the accommodation, check in on the agreed date, and provide the required documents and certificates.
For accommodation at partner-provided housing options, please send your requests to sho@hse.ru. HSE staff will then forward these requests to the partners to address any remaining issues.
The Student Housing Office strives to assist everyone with their housing selection, but the number of available places is limited. During the academic year, you can also reach out to the office, as new accommodation options may become available and could be offered to you. The Student Housing Office can provide support services to HSE students who find housing in the private rental market, such as accompanying them on the day of viewing the prospective apartment or signing the rental agreement, reviewing the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, and assisting with other legal matters.
Ekaterina Lomovitskaya shares her advice for future students, 'First, please do not worry! You've come to study at a fantastic university that will support you throughout your time here. Another important point is that Moscow is a large city, so don't be discouraged if your residence is an hour's drive from campus—this is a relatively short distance in Moscow. When selecting from our accommodation options, keep in mind that each facility has rules designed to ensure a comfortable stay for you and your neighbours.'
Students highly value the convenience of student housing services and willingly share their experiences.
Joshua Baidoo, Ghana, Master’s in Financial Economics
Living in the dormitory saved me a lot of money on rent, and I really appreciate HSE University for providing this opportunity to international students. It is fun as you get to meet and interact with other international students who may also happen to be your neighbours in the building.
Thu Trang Pham, Vietnam, Faculty of World Economy and International Relations
There are many things to appreciate about the HSE dormitories. First, we have a refrigerator that is big enough for a family of four people, but there are only two students in a room. Second, doing laundry is free, there are plenty of washing machines, and we can dry our laundry on the floor where we live. Third, dormitory fees are not high.
The staff in my dormitory are quite nice. They are very attentive to our concerns during our stay in the dorm. The technical team is very helpful as well.
Daniel Suarez, Colombia, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
HSE University dormitories provide an opportunity to meet incredible people who are always ready to help. As a rule, the dorms provide an environment where you can share and enjoy even the most special days, such as New Year’s Eve, which many students spend far away from family.
Ayomide Adedini, Nigeria, Master's in Political Analysis and Public Policy
Life in the dormitory at HSE has truly been an extensive and immersive experience, allowing me to embrace cultural diversity on a whole new level. Sharing meals, celebrating festivals, and engaging in cultural exchanges made every day a memorable experience, and it felt like a global community within the dormitory walls.
See also:
Life in Quarantine at the HSE Dorms
After HSE University transitioned to distance learning, life in the HSE dormitories changed: most students have gone home. The number of onsite staff and service employees has been reduced. Large events have been cancelled. Student trips into the city have been limited. HSE University Life spoke with students and staff about what life under quarantine is like in the dorms.
35%
of Russian universities do not have dormitories for students. Another 6% of institutions of higher education view the quality of their student housing as bad.