Yandex and HSE Research How Russian Applicants Choose Universities

Demand for higher education is almost universal
Competition for places at universities will grow
Applicants choose a university and program in advance and sometimes too quickly
The choice of a university is influenced not only by its reputation, but also by its proximity to home
The choice of a specialty can be random

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Yandex presented an expert analytical report, "Where to Go? Values, Factors, and Consequences of Choosing Higher Education in Russia," prepared by HSE specialists. The work by Ekaterina Shibanova, Sergey Malinovsky, Ekaterina Abalmasova, and Ekaterina Maslova presents a systematic review of studies on the choice of higher education by Russian school graduates. This review highlights key findings on the factors influencing decisions about further education, as well as the consequences associated with choosing an educational institution. Data analysis helps us understand the values and motivations that shape young people's paths through higher education in Russia.

Demand for Higher Education is Nearly Universal

According to surveys, approximately 75% of first-year students at leading universities believe that career and life success are possible without higher education. More than a third of Russian teenagers aged 12–17 believe that online courses, lectures, and workshops can replace traditional university or technical school education. EdTech experts also confirm that in some fields, it is more practical to focus on quickly acquiring necessary skills through online courses than to invest time in obtaining a higher education. This underscores the growing popularity of alternative forms of education and their importance in the modern world.

Despite these concerns, most Russian families still insist on higher education for their children. According to a 2021 VTsIOM survey, 81% of parents want their children to earn a university degree, a figure that has remained stable since 2016. Higher education is valued for providing additional career opportunities and promoting professional growth. According to the report, surveys of Russian families conducted as part of the Monitoring of Education Markets (MEM) project for the 2021/2022 academic year showed that 40% of respondents would prefer their children to complete a bachelor's or specialist's degree. Almost the same proportion, 37%, expressed a desire for their children to obtain multiple degrees, including a master's or doctoral degree. Less than a quarter of the 9,000 respondents expressed no interest in their children receiving higher education. These data highlight the importance of higher education in the minds of Russian families and their desire for quality education for their children's future.

Data source: survey of 9,000 households as part of the HSE's Monitoring the Economy and Economics of Education in the 2021/2022 academic year Infographics: Skillbox Media

According to MEO survey data, the majority of respondents prefer a direct educational trajectory for their children. Two-thirds of the families surveyed consider entering university immediately after completing high school to be the "right" option. Alternative paths, such as entering college and then transferring to university or foregoing formal education in favor of short-term courses, are not perceived as standard.

The authors of the report conclude that demand for higher education in Russia remains high. Although Russians claim in surveys that it is possible to succeed without a higher education degree, when it comes to their children's education, the majority are confident in the necessity of higher education. This underscores the importance of a degree in perceiving prospects and opportunities for future generations. Higher education remains an important factor for achieving success in the professional sphere and social life in Russia.

Competition for places in universities will increase

Russian universities annually open approximately 600 thousand state-funded places, the majority of which are intended for admission to the first year of bachelor's and specialist's degrees. In 2023, approximately 440 thousand places were allocated for these levels of education. More than 630 thousand graduates passed the main period of taking the Unified State Exam this year. This means that not every high school graduate can get a state-funded place, and given the fee-based admission to universities, the opportunity to enter is open to virtually everyone.

The latest admissions campaigns at Russian universities demonstrate that a kind of "applicant market" has formed in higher education. Competition for places in universities and educational programs remains high, but the number of educational institutions and programs is not that great. Many universities are facing problems filling state-funded places in popular programs. The report's authors emphasize that higher education in Russia remains inaccessible, and opportunities for university admission may shrink further over the next ten years. This creates the need for students and their parents to plan their choice of program and institution in advance to increase their chances of successful admission.

Applicants choose a university and program early, sometimes too quickly.

According to surveys conducted by the International Economic Society, a significant portion of students express dissatisfaction with their choice of educational institution. If they had the opportunity to re-enroll, almost half of respondents would choose a different institution or specialty. More than 5% of survey participants said they would not pursue higher education at all. These data highlight the importance of making an informed choice of university and major, as well as the need to support students in the decision-making process about their future education.

Data source: a survey of undergraduate and specialist students as part of the HSE's "Monitoring the Economics of Education" In 2020, Infographics: Skillbox Media. The reasons for widespread dissatisfaction among students and their parents lie in a lack of information about universities. When choosing an educational institution, many limit themselves to the first options that come to mind, without exploring all available options. This leads to poor choices and, as a result, disappointment in the educational process. It is important to pay more attention to collecting information about universities, their programs, faculty, and learning conditions in order to make an informed choice and avoid negative consequences in the future. Applicants often do not utilize all available opportunities when choosing an educational institution. Despite the fact that they can apply to five different universities, 37% of those surveyed by the Ministry of Economic Development limit themselves to applying to only one. Moreover, most of them are not prepared to move to another city to receive an education. According to the HSE University's "Trajectories in Education and Careers" study, only 30% of participants chose universities located in other regions. This suggests that applicants prefer to stay closer to home, which may limit their opportunities to receive a quality education.

A 2020 survey of nearly 3,000 applicants conducted by HSE University confirms key findings about choosing a higher education institution. At the admissions stage, 40% of respondents had already chosen a specific university. For some, the field of study was not particularly important, indicating the significance of the institution's reputation and its brand in the admissions decision-making process. These data highlight the importance of university marketing and their ability to attract students even if they have not yet decided on a specific major.

18% of respondents definitely chose a university and program and applied only to it.
15% were willing to choose from several similar programs at a particular university.
7% applied to one chosen university but were undecided on a program (and were willing to choose from a wide range).

For more than half of the respondents, choosing a field of study, rather than a specific university, was the main priority. This emphasizes the importance of specialization and matching the chosen profession with personal interests and career goals. Thus, students focus on the content of educational programs and employment prospects, which significantly influences their decisions when choosing an educational institution.

21% of respondents said that the university they attend is not so important to them, as long as it is in a specific field.
31% considered programs in the same field at several universities of comparable reputation.

When choosing an educational institution, applicants and their parents pay attention to the official websites of universities and specialized aggregators of information about higher education. Ratings, social media, student reviews, and recommendations from friends are also important sources, but they are not always of the same importance. Official resources provide up-to-date and verified information, which makes them the primary source of information when making admissions decisions.

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The choice of a university is influenced not only by its reputation, but also by proximity to home.

When choosing a university, the key factors remain the quality of education and the reputation of the institution, as perceived by applicants. However, the results of the 2020 MEO student survey show that other aspects not always related to the quality of education are also considered during admission. For example, applicants often choose educational institutions offering state-funded places, seek to study in another city, or, conversely, prefer to stay closer to home. These considerations can influence the choice of university just as much as academic performance.

Respondents could choose two or three options. Data source: University student survey conducted as part of the HSE's 2020 Monitoring of Education Markets and Organizations. Infographic: Skillbox Media. Student responses vary by institution. For example, students at branch and flagship universities are more likely to indicate that they chose their university because of its proximity to home. This may indicate that location plays an important role in many students' choice of institution. Students at leading universities are less likely to cite ease of admission and a simple academic process as reasons for applying. Instead, they place greater emphasis on their universities' high rankings and positive reputations. In addition, the factors that influence the choice vary depending on the applicants' level of preparation: those who successfully passed the Unified State Exam are more likely to focus on the quality of educational programs and the teaching staff.

The choice of a specialty can be random

When choosing a program of study, applicants are guided by two main factors: the profession's relevance in the labor market and their personal abilities. However, there are also other important motives: many consult with parents and friends, apply to universities where they were successful, or make a decision randomly. These findings were obtained based on a survey of students at the Ministry of Economic Development in 2020.

The choice of a specialty in various fields depends on many factors. For students enrolled in programs in the social sciences, such as economics, law, sociology, management, cultural studies, and the popular Advertising and Public Relations program, there are several key motives. Firstly, it offers the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of social processes and their impact on society. Secondly, students are attracted by the prospects for career advancement and the demand for specialists in these fields in the labor market. Thirdly, many choose these specialties because of their interest in interacting with people and the opportunity to influence public opinion. These factors make social sciences an attractive choice for prospective students seeking a successful career in a dynamic and diverse professional environment.

that the field matches their abilities (this option was chosen by 33.6% of respondents);
that it will allow them to get an interesting job (32.7%);
that it provides the opportunity for career growth (30.2%) and good earnings (27.4%).

Students studying art and design most often note the importance of matching their specialty with personal abilities, which accounts for 58.6%. In addition, 53.3% of them are confident that they will be able to find an interesting job in the future. However, only 19.2% of students expect a high income after graduation. This indicates that creative self-expression and professional satisfaction are more important to them than financial prospects.

Students in humanities fields, such as philology and history, when choosing a profession, take into account not only their abilities and interest in work, but also the prestige of the specialty. According to research, 22.5% of respondents noted the importance of the "respected major" factor in their career choice. This underscores the importance of public opinion and perception of professions in the humanities. When choosing a major, mathematicians and programmers focused on the possibility of a good salary in 44.3% of cases, and on the ease of finding a job in 20%. Matching the profession with their abilities and interest in the work also played a significant role. It's worth noting that students at prestigious universities and in popular majors often have inflated expectations: in practice, graduates earn 40% less than they expected during their studies. This highlights the importance of being realistic about career expectations and understanding the labor market.