ICEF at SU-HSE Open Campus Day

On February 8, 2009, ICEF participated in the Open Campus day at SU-HSE. Despite the early Sunday morning, more than 600 potential students and their parents attended the event. On behalf of the College, the guests were addressed by ICEF Director S. Yakovlev, Deputy Directors O. Zamkov and J. Lockshin, English course coordinator E. Velikaya and several BSc students. They spoke about the College's history, the double-degree programme entrance procedure, studies at ICEF and the perspectives of obtaining a professional degree from the College. SU-HSE Deputy Rector G. Kantorovich also contributed to the presentation of ICEF by revealing the most updated information on SU-HSE entrance procedure and entrance examination examination rules.

On February 8, 2009, ICEF participated in the Open Campus day at SU-HSE. Despite the early Sunday morning, more than 600 potential students and their parents attended the event. On behalf of the College, the guests were addressed by ICEF Director S. Yakovlev, Deputy Directors O. Zamkov and J. Lockshin, English course coordinator E. Velikaya and several BSc students. They spoke about the College's history, the double-degree programme entrance procedure, studies at ICEF and the perspectives of obtaining a professional degree from the College. SU-HSE Deputy Rector G. Kantorovich also contributed to the presentation of ICEF by revealing the most updated information on SU-HSE entrance procedure and entrance examination examination rules. >>

ICEF Director Sergey Yakovlev advised future students to pay most attention to the teaching staff when choosing a university or college to study at. In his opinion, it is exactly teachers and professors, and not programme and course titles which recent high school graduates often rely on, that determine the quality of education offered by an institution. Deputy Director on Academic Issues Oleg Zamkov described in detail the broad range of specializations available to ICEF students. As for Deputy Director for Student Affairs Jeffrey Lockshin, he tried to convince the guests that studying at the double degree programme was far from easy and that success without effort shouldn't be hoped for, but those who would study at ICEF would receive fundametnal knowledge and skills invaluable for building a successful economist's career in any country of the world.

The Open Campus Day's agenda included not only teachers' and administration's speeches, a movie about ICEF and individual consultations for those interested in BSc and MSc programmes. ICEF sudents also shared their experience of studying on the joint programme of two leading universities of Russia and the UK, and some impressions of their student life. Second-year BSc student Dmitriy Storcheus said that passing all the exams would be a piece of cake for a student who would accurately combine good organization of the study process with being responsible and full of initiatives.

All the activities of the Open Campus Day contributed to a lively interest of its guests who were expressing it through numerous questions and comments.  

Most frequently, the following questions were asked:

1. How challenging is it to study in English?

The majority of freshmen enter ICEF after high school with a good-level English, and almost none of them experience significant difficulties with understanding the language. However, if you would like your level of English to be assessed, you are welcome to attend a free test at ICEF on March 1.

2. Are there government-financed places at ICEF? What is the minimum exam score required to enter ICEF?  

There are no government-financed places at ICEF, which is a consequence of the fact that its students simultaneously study for two diplomas: one from SU-HSE and one from the University of London.

The exam score required for entrance is still unknown for this year, and it will be determined as the entrance competition result. This uncertainty is also due to the fact that regulation for university entrance exams is being significantly changed. We may assume that for academic year 2009-2010, the minimum required score for entering ICEF will be no less that 200-220 points total for three Universal State examinations (mathematics, foreign language and Russian language).