For HSE Newcomers: Here’s What You Need to Do with Your Non-Russian Diplomas and Other Documents

© iStock

If you are a newly accepted full degree student or recently hired staff member who holds a diploma or academic degree (or other qualification) that was granted outside of the Russian Federation, you will need to get your document(s) legalized for the purposes of recognition within the territory of the Russian Federation.

There are two ways you can legalize your foreign education and/or qualification (FEQ) documents: consular legalization and apostille. Obtaining an apostille is a simpler legalization process that is available to holders of FEQs that were granted in member states of the Hague Convention of 1961 (also known as the Apostille Convention). You can view the official list of member countries here.

STEP 1: Get your documents in order

Regardless of whether you opt for apostille or consular legalization, you will need to get the following documents in order:

• Passport
• Original copies of all relevant FEQ document(s) (high school diploma, university degrees, etc.)
• Original copy  of official school transcripts (plus appendices, if applicable)

STEP 2: Get your FEQ documents legalized

This step must be completed in the country that issued your documents. As indicated above, there are two forms of legalization: apostille and consular legalization. You must get all FEQ documents (i.e., diplomas, degrees, certificates) legalized. (Note that you do not need to get your transcripts legalized.)

Next 

Option 1: Apostille

If the issuing country of your credentials is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, then we recommend you get your documents apostilled.  An apostille is an official stamp issued by the appropriate governmental body of the country of issue (e.g., the local Register of Deeds, County Clerk’s Office, Office of Vital Records, State Secretary, Ministry of Education, educational institutions, apostille services, etc.) The apostille is usually issued on a separate sheet which is then attached to the original document. The apostille is issued in the official language of the country of issue.

Please note: An apostille is not a separate document; it exists only with the certified document. Each issued apostille has its own registration number. The Hague convention does not allow amendments to the apostille of any kind. Issuing an apostille by photocopy is prohibited.

Option 2: Consular legalization

This procedure is carried out in 2 stages:

1.The documents are first certified by competent authorities of foreign affairs (e.g., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the document’s country of issue. Issued stamps indicate the position and the signature of the person granting certification.

2.The documents are then certified by consular services of the Russian Federation (i.e., the local consulate or Embassy of the Russian Federation) in the document’s country of issue. Issued stamps indicate the position and the signature of the person granting certification.

STEP 3: Get notarized translations of your passport, legalized FEQ documents, and (if you are student) transcripts

This step can be completed in Russia after your arrival or in your home country before your departure. Take your passport, transcripts, and your apostilled or legalized FEQ documents to an official notary/translation service to get notarized translations of your documents.

Note to students: If your passport and/or original FEQ documents are in English, you may skip ahead and begin Step 4, but bear in mind that you WILL need to obtain notarized translations of these documents before the final stage of the recognition application process.

STEP 4 for students: Complete the application for recognition in your online personal account

STEP 4 for staff : Submit all documents to the relevant faculty or department manager or coordinator

Now that you have all your documents in order, you may begin the online application for recognition.

If you are already enrolled in HSE and have a foreign undergraduate or graduate student account, the application can be completed and submitted in the section entitled ‘Recognition’.

If you are in the process of enrolling in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, a graduate programme, or through general admissions, you must submit the application through your foreign applicant personal account.

Next 

The following should be included with the application:

Color scan of passport

• Scan of notarized translation of your passport
• Color scan of original legalized/apostilled FEQ document(s) (diploma, degree, or certificate)
• Scan of notarized translation(s) of FEQ document(s)
• Scan of original transcripts (and appendices, if applicable)
• Scan of notarized translation of transcript materials

The application for recognition includes two stages of review:

1. Preliminary recognition: review of scanned documents and verification for compliance with the requirements for admission in University. At this stage, documents can be accepted without notarized translations if they are in English.

2. Final recognition: granted upon final review of documentation upon the verification of previously submitted scans of documents against their original versions. (This usually occurs during official enrollment.)

STEP 5: Breathe a sigh of relief. You are finished taking care of your FEQ docs!

If you are an international student, visit International Admissions website, or contact the Education & Training Advisory Centre at: inter@hse.ru,  or via WhatsApp at: +7 (916) 311 8521 for more information on admissions, life in Moscow, and studying at HSE University. International faculty members can visit Faculty Support website.

Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY