The Faculty of Economics - the oldest faculty of the university was founded in 1993, aimed at providing education in Economics to future high-profile managers and analysts for commercial enterprises, governmental bodies, research centres, as well as the staff of higher education institutions.
There are about 1500 students and 315 professors and lecturers at the faculty.
Starting from its foundation the Faculty of Economics has cooperated with French universities to develop dual degree programmes for Master’s Degree and PhD students in Economics (University of Paris-I, Pantheon-Sorbonne and University Paris-X, Nanterre). At the moment there are five dual degree programmes at the Faculty. Upon completion of one semester of studies in France and having defended the Master’s thesis both in French and in Russian the students receive two diplomas: the HSE Master’s diploma and the French national diploma - DEA. From 2000 to 2005 56 students have obtained diplomas from French universities. In December 2005 new conventions between the HSE and the French universities were signed in the new format of Master in Economics programmes adopted by France.
Ten years’ cooperation of the HSE with Erasmus University, Rotterdam gives the HSE students an opportunity to obtain a second Diploma along with the Russian Master’s Degree. Since 1995, 70 students who passed the exams held by the External Board of the Erasmus University have been awarded the Diploma of Erasmus University.
In 2001 the HSE and Humboldt University launched a joint programme for Master’s Degree students. The programme offers an opportunity to obtain two prestigious degrees: Master of Arts in Economics and Management Science from Humboldt University in Berlin and the Master's Degree from the Higher School of Economics. 26 students have graduated from this program from 2003 to 2005.