About
The "Digital Product Management" Summer School, jointly organized by the Graduate School of Business at HSE University and Alfa-Bank, invites students from China to spend a week in Moscow developing practical skills in digital product management, learning from leading industry experts, and diving into the culture, history, and energy of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Participants will also gain insights into doing business in Russia, including a visit to Alfa-Bank’s headquarters, where they will explore the inner workings of one of the country’s leading financial institutions.
Participation in the program is free of charge for all selected students.
The academic program is designed for students with a background in management, digital technologies, or related fields. You will study key IT trends, digital business models, customer journey mapping, product analytics, and usability testing. The program also includes the development and defense of a final group project under expert guidance — equivalent to 2 ECTS credits.
All sessions are delivered in English by professors from HSE and professionals from Alfa-Bank, one of Russia’s largest and most digitally advanced banks. You will get exclusive access to Alfa-Bank’s research center and hear firsthand insights into fintech innovations and AI-driven product solutions.
Outside the classroom, the cultural program invites you to discover Moscow: enjoy a guided city tour, visit Tretyakov Gallery, learn some facts about Moscow metro, and try your hand at painting a traditional Matryoshka doll. Participants will stay in a comfortable hotel in the city center, just a short walk from the HSE Business School campus.
Join us in Summer 2025 for an unforgettable educational and cultural experience in Moscow!
Program
Note: The program schedule is subject to change. We recommend checking the website regularly for the latest updates and announcements.
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August 2 (Saturday)
Arrival in Moscow, check-in at the hotel
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August 3 (Sunday)
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00 – 16:00
City sightseeing bus & walking tour of Moscow (in Chinese)
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August 4 (Monday)
Venue: HSE Graduate Business School
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00
Welcome session by HSE Graduate Business School: overview of academic programs, educational environment, and faculty
11:30
Coffee break
11:45
Lecture: "Business Prospects between China and Russia: Specifics of Doing Business in Russia"
13:15
Lunch
14:00
Lecture: "IT Trends 2025"
15:30
Coffee break
15:45
Lecture: "Digital Transformation of Enterprises"
17:00
Open dialogue with Marat Ismagulov, Member of the Management Board, Alfa-Bank
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August 5 (Tuesday)
Venue: HSE Graduate Business School
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00
Lecture: "Digital Business Models of Enterprises"
11:30
Coffee break
11:45
Workshop: "Osterwalder Business Model Canvas "
Venue: Computer Lab
13:15
Lunch
14:00
Workshop: "Osterwalder Business Model Canvas" (continued)
Venue: Computer Lab
Cultural program
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August 6 (Wednesday)
Venue: HSE Graduate Business School
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00
Lecture: "Digital Product Management"
11:30
Coffee break
11:45
Lecture: "Customer Experience Management"
Venue: Computer Lab
13:15
Lunch
14:00
Workshop: "Customer Journey Mapping (CJM)"
Cultural program
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August 7 (Thursday)
Venue: Alfa-Bank Office
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00
Research Methods and Research Design
11:30
Coffee break
11:45
Data-Driven Research: Product Analytics and Product Metrics
Venue: Alfa Research Center
13:15
Lunch
14:00
Idea Lab
16:00
Alfa-Bank Office Tour
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August 8 (Friday)
Venue: Alfa-Bank Office
07:00
Breakfast (at the hotel)
10:00
Scenario Design and Prototyping
Venue: Alfa Research Center
11:30
Coffee break
11:45
Usability Testing
Venue: Alfa Research Center
13:15
Lunch
14:00
Final Pitch Presentations
15:30
Farewell Dinner and Award Ceremony
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August 9 (Saturday)
Check-out from the hotel, departure from Moscow
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be a Chinese citizen preferably residing and studying in China
Citizenship
Be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's or a PhD degree program
Level of education
Be majoring in IT, Computer Science, Business & Management, Marketing, Product Management, or a related field
Education focus
Have at least a B2 level of English proficiency
Level of English
Required documents:
Valid travel passport (with at least 6 months remaining before expiration)
Passport Notarized Russian translation
may be notarized by a recognized authority or by the home university’s International Office
Academic transcript
covering at least the most recent semester
Certificate of enrollment from home university
must be issued on official university letterhead and bear the university’s official stamp
Confirmation of English Language Proficiency
can be provided through an official language certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent exam), or a signed statement from your home university confirming that you have a B2 or higher according to the CEFR scale
Medical insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000
valid for the full duration of the program
Two 3x4 cm photographs
which you need to bring with you to Russia in printed format
Accommodation
All Summer School participants will be staying at the Akademicheskaya Hotel, which is located within walking distance of the Graduate School of Business (GSB) and in close proximity to the historical center of Moscow. Participants will stay in double rooms, with male and female students housed separately. Breakfast is included in the accommodation. Free WiFi is available in the rooms and hotel lobby.
The accommodation is fully covered by School Organizers — participants are not required to make any payments.
Cultural program
To make the experience truly unforgettable, the GSB International Office has prepared a rich cultural program featuring a variety of activities. All excursions will be conducted in English or Chinese to ensure accessibility and understanding. The exact dates and times of the cultural program activities will be announced later.
The program will include (subject to change):
- A bus tour of Moscow
- A walking tour of the city center
- A visit to the Central Museum of Armed Forces
- A tour of the Moscow Metro
- An excursion to the Izmaylovo Kremlin
- A Matryoshka painting workshop
Meals
Breakfast is included with your hotel stay. Coffee breaks and lunches during the School will be provided by School Organizers. Dinners and any additional meals, including those during excursions, are not covered and must be paid for separately.
Exploring Moscow
Outside of the Summer School and other activities organized by the HSE university and its partners, you will have free time to explore Moscow — one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is safe and offers an extensive, convenient public transport system that makes it easy to get around at any time of day, even at night. During the Orientation session, you’ll receive practical tips on basic local rules, essential apps, and other helpful information to make your stay in Moscow safe, comfortable, and memorable.
Visa
Visa Information for Chinese Citizens
Chinese citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Russia. They are eligible for a unified electronic visa (e-visa), which is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain a Russian visa without visiting a consulate or embassy.
Applicants for an e-visa are not required to submit an invitation letter, hotel booking, or any other documents confirming the purpose of their visit to the Russian Federation.
The e-visa allows a stay of up to 16 days in Russia, including the day of arrival and the day of departure, which count as part of the total duration.
To apply for the unified e-visa, you must submit an application through your personal account on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: https://evisa.kdmid.ru/
Please note:
Applications can be submitted no earlier than 40 days and no later than 4 days before your intended date of entry into Russia. For the Summer School, the earliest possible submission date is June 24, and the latest is July 30.
Passport requirements:
- Must be machine-readable and issued by your country of nationality
- Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application submission
- Must have enough blank pages for border crossing stamps
For more details and to submit your application, please visit https://evisa.kdmid.ru
The website is available in Chinese for your convenience.
Contacts
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Email: incoming.gsb@hse.ru
Phone: +7 (495) 772-95-90 (ext.27916, 28503 or 28502)
Address: Office 4304, 26-28 Shabolovka Str., Moscow 119049
Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (GMT+3), Monday-Friday
FAQ
No, but it will be an advantage.
Yes, both. You will be given a HSE certificate of participation and get 2 ECTS credits
English.
No.
Yes, the confirmation is highly desirable although not obligatory. Mind that you can confirm your level in the International Office of your home university by showing them your English grades and asking to issue a paper stating that your level is high enough to participate in our School.
All sessions begin at 10:00 and finish no later than 17:00. The daily schedule includes a combination of lectures and seminars, with opportunities to interact with industry professionals. Coffee breaks and lunch will be provided each day. On some days, cultural activities will be offered after the academic sessions.
No, participation in cultural activities and excursions is optional. You're free to use your free time however you prefer.
July 1 (11:59 PM, Moscow time).
You will be notified approximately 7–10 days after the application deadline.
No, you don’t need any supporting or confirming documents for an electronic visa — including an invitation letter, hotel booking, or proof of purpose of visit.
Write us at incoming.gsb@hse.ru describing the problem.
A notarized translation is an official translation of a document (such as a passport) that has been certified by a notary public. This means that the translator confirms the accuracy of the translation, and a notary verifies the identity of the translator and certifies the statement.
For this program, a notarized Russian translation of your passport is required. This can be arranged in two ways:
- By a certified notary in your city — You submit the original document from translation agency and receive a stamped translation.
- Through your university's International Office — If your university is authorized, they may provide an official translation and certify it with a university stamp and signature.
There are no strict rules, but our faculty and staff follow a smart casual dress code. No shorts are allowed.
While most of the program costs are covered (including accommodation, breakfast, lunches, and coffee breaks during the academic part), participants should plan for some additional personal expenses, such as:
- E-visa (approx. 55 USD)
- travel insurance
- dinners – (approx. 7–15 USD per meal, depending on the place)
- meals during excursions
- public transport – Moscow’s metro and buses are affordable (a typical ride costs around 0.7 USD)
- souvenirs and personal shopping
- SIM card / mobile data (optional)
International bank cards do not work in Russia, and WeChat Pay is accepted only in a very limited number of places. We recommend bringing cash with you — US dollars or Chinese yuan can be easily exchanged at local currency exchange offices.
Majestic Moscow
Moscow has always been about strolling through grand boulevards, admiring the striking architecture of the Kremlin and Red Square, exploring historic metro stations, and immersing yourself in the vibrant rhythm of one of the world’s most dynamic capitals.
