‘My PhD Journey Was Made Possible by My Studies at HSE’

Tianxiong Yu

Photo courtesy of Tianxiong Yu

Tianxiong Yu, 25, completed his Master’s in Economics and Economic Policy at HSE University in Moscow. He spent the second year of the programme at the University of Luxembourg and has since enrolled there on a doctoral programme. While it is no longer a joint programme, HSE graduates continue to successfully pursue PhDs at international universities. Tianxiong spoke to the HSE News Service about his memories of his master’s course and how his time at HSE paved the way for his doctoral research.

— Why did you choose HSE University?

— I had the privilege of studying at HSE Moscow in the Master's programme in Economics and Economic Policy (Research track). Before that, I completed my bachelor's degree at East China Normal University in my hometown of Shanghai.

I chose HSE primarily because of its outstanding reputation (especially in the field of economics) and potential. In just 30 years, it has established itself as one of the most prestigious institutions in Russia and is recognised globally. Many HSE graduates have gone on to achieve significant success in both academia and industry worldwide.

The university's international environment and well-designed accommodation made it easier for me to live and study in Moscow, even without speaking Russian

Although I spent only one year at HSE, the experience was truly amazing. HSE provides everything a student needs to focus fully on their studies. The university offers countless opportunities, including conferences, seminars, and research teams that students can join, all of which helped me refine my research ideas and gain valuable experience.

— What memories stand out from your studies?

— What I particularly loved about HSE was its friendly and open atmosphere, both academically and socially. The supportive environment inspires students to contribute enlightening ideas and collaborate on producing high-quality research.

Professors are approachable, and you are encouraged to share your ideas—sometimes by simply knocking on their office doors (though, of course, scheduling an appointment is more polite!)

As for the courses, I enjoyed all of them—from maths, micro, macro, to metrics—because they laid the foundation for further studies. The machine learning classes (using Python) were particularly valuable and remain highly relevant today. To deepen my understanding of my areas of interest, I also selected courses related to applied micro, which continue to benefit me to this day.

The most challenging aspect for me was navigating some legal documents written in Russian. However, with the help of a buddy or translator, this difficulty became mild.

Overall, my time at HSE was invaluable, providing me with knowledge, opportunities, and a supportive community that significantly shaped my academic journey

— Besides hard skills, what else did you learn at HSE? What advice do you have for new arrivals?

— I learned how to allocate time and tasks efficiently, especially during finals with tight deadlines. I also developed effective learning strategies, which were essential given the four exam periods per year. Staying organised, preparing in advance, and keeping up with coursework made the exam periods much more manageable.

Photo courtesy of Tianxiong Yu

My advice is to be prepared (for Moscow’s winters, for example) and to use your time wisely. While earning a bachelor’s or master’s diploma is important, it shouldn’t be your ultimate goal.

HSE offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Engage in extracurricular activities, build your network, and explore new experiences

By focusing on holistic development and striving to excel, you’ll find that the degree will come naturally as part of your journey.

— How did your master's programme prepare you for your PhD in Luxembourg?

— My journey toward pursuing a PhD in Luxembourg began with enrolling in the Master's programme in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MQEF) at the University of Luxembourg, an opportunity made possible by my studies at HSE.

The MQEF programme provides an exceptional foundation for both academic and professional advancement, and graduates go on to work in top-tier roles across academia, business, and public institutions.

For me, the strong connection between HSE and the University of Luxembourg played a pivotal role. HSE graduates have established an excellent reputation at the University of Luxembourg

This, coupled with my strong academic performance, was instrumental in my acceptance into the PhD programme.

My deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Marina Sandomirskaia, for her outstanding micro classes and tremendous support, including during my academic mobility. I am also immensely thankful to Prof. Kirill Bukin for his fantastic ‘Mathematics for Economists’ course, which laid a strong foundation for my future studies. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Bogdan Potanin for offering me the opportunity to collaborate on research and for his invaluable support throughout. I owe a special thanks to Professors Aleksei Smirnov, Tatiana Mayskaya, Arsenii Mishin, Elena Kotyrlo, and Pasha Andreyanov for their exceptional courses spanning micro, macro, metrics, and machine learning. Finally, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Maria Geroeva and Oxana P. Budjko for their unwavering support in ensuring a smooth exchange experience and handling all related paperwork. Their efforts made the process seamless and allowed me to focus on my studies and research.

— Tell us about your PhD and your future plans.

Since I just began my doctoral programme this fall, everything is progressing slowly but steadily. My current research focuses on topics related to collective learning and decision-making, such as how committee members gradually acquire knowledge and ultimately make joint decisions.

Being a PhD student is fundamentally about thinking deeply. It involves learning from the literature, engaging in discussions with others to exchange ideas, and working diligently to refine and develop a good idea

At this stage, I am immersing myself in this process—striving to shape a research idea that is both meaningful and feasible.

My future professional plans still involve a career in academia, but this is contingent on making meaningful contributions during my PhD studies. While there is still a lot of uncertainty ahead, I hope to secure a position at a research institute in the future.

For those who may be considering a career path similar to mine but with more focus on industry, I believe this is definitely achievable. In that case, you might spend more time on job interviews or internships, focusing less on academics compared to my approach.

Regardless of the path you choose, stay hungry and keep striving for excellence