History of the Program
The “Math in Moscow” program was established in 2001 as a study abroad initiative in mathematics, attracting over 400 students from 200 universities, and more than 100 alumni have gone on to earn PhDs. Since transitioning to online instruction in 2020, students can select from a diverse list of courses each semester. This program is a collaboration between the Independent University of Moscow, the Higher School of Economics, and the Moscow Center for Continuous Mathematical Education, offering courses exclusively in English.
Our Mission
The program supports a range of academic goals:
For Beginners: Master how mathematical theories are constructed and develop a deep understanding of proofs through rigorous proof-based courses.
For PhD Applicants: Bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate coursework and sharpen your research specialization.
We welcome participants with diverse objectives, including those seeking professional development or returning to mathematics after a break.
Classes
Our 15-week semester features a carefully curated selection of courses drawn from our full catalog. Each course includes:
Two 1.5-Hour Classes Per Week
Small Groups: Classes are capped at six students, ensuring active participation and personalized attention.
Flexible Scheduling: Class times are arranged around student preferences, with weekend options available.
All classes are recorded, giving you lifetime access to unlisted playlists for review. Students may request that certain classes remain unrecorded if they prefer.
Online learning offers mathematics students many advantages. You can
Study from Your Preferred Location: Choose the setting that helps you focus, whether it’s a favorite café or a quiet corner at home.
Utilize Interactive Tools: Engage with intuitive interactive whiteboards that make complex ideas easier to explore.
Collaborate Easily: Seamlessly share links and resources with classmates, fostering a truly collaborative atmosphere.
Access Recorded Lectures: Revisit video recordings of classes whenever you need, allowing for flexible review and deeper understanding.
However, it’s important to stay engaged despite other commitments. Each course requires 3 hours of class time per week and typically an additional 3–6 hours of independent work. This structure allows you to bring questions or topics from your home study directly to your professor or discuss them in class.
Prerequisites & Textbooks
Many of our courses are specialized, and your professor may suggest additional reading materials. To ensure success, the following prerequisites are essential for most of our non-elementary courses:
Real Analysis: At least one semester.
Linear Algebra: At least one semester.
Recommended Textbooks
For Linear Algebra, consider the following texts:
S. Axler: Linear Algebra Done Right,
S. Friedberg, A. Insel, L. Spence: Linear Algebra (comprehensive).
For Real Analysis, we recommend:
S. Abbott: Understanding Analysis,
T. Tao: Analysis I.
Credits & Transcripts
Each course in our program is equivalent to four semester credit hours. If you are enrolled at a college or university, please confirm with your Department of Mathematics that credits will be accepted for completed courses. Transcripts are issued by the Faculty of Mathematics of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. You can find a copy of the state accreditation certificate here. Upon completion, our office can send an official transcript to your home institution. We keep in touch with our students and can provide additional transcripts to other addresses upon request at no extra charge.
Applying for the Program
If you are passionate about mathematics, we invite you to apply. The application process is free, and recommendation letters are not required. Please ensure you have the necessary prerequisites for your chosen course—most require at least one semester of Real Analysis and Linear Algebra. After you apply, we will schedule a Zoom interview with our professors. This is a chance for you to learn more about the courses, prerequisites, and class structure, and for us to ensure the program is a good fit.
Important Note on Payments
Please note that all payments are final; no refunds will be issued if you withdraw from the program. To gain insights into our program, feel free to ask our recent alumni or read our alumni testimonials. You can also check out videos featuring leaders from IUM and HSE discussing the MiM mission. Additionally, a few years ago, “Math Horizons” magazine published a paper about MiM written by one of our alumni. For any inquiries, feel free to email us at mim@mccme.ru.
Home Schools, Affiliated Programs
Since 2001, we have built strong partnerships with many universities. Some institutions have formal agreements with us; you can explore our affiliated programs here.