I can safely say that the last two years have been one of the most exciting ones in my life, and MASNA has fully met my expectations. The knowledge base has been enriched considerably, and I’m already looking forward to applying it in practice.

I found out about the programme through a search query back in 2016 — a year before it opened — when I was looking for an opportunity for further education. In order not to waste time, I also enrolled in a course in higher mathematics organised by the Department of Pre-University Studies at the Higher School of Economics. Since my first degree was in the social sciences, this was a sensible decision. To be honest, without a basic understanding of linear algebra, calculus, probability theory and mathematical statistics, it would have been more difficult for me on the programme.

The decision to enter the programme was not an easy one. It was a bit scary because the program was new, and I really wanted to wait another year and see how the first stream of students did. On the other hand, MASNA is a truly unique program in terms of its content and by and large has no competitors, so why wait? The first six months were probably the most intense. Sometimes it seemed impossible to cope with all the new information. On the other hand, we attended all the lectures, so we would not miss anything. Fortunately, working in groups was always encouraged, and we often used this opportunity to complete projects on time.

All in all, the MASNA program is a unique combination of subjects and top-class teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made this program a reality. If I was offered to do the programme again, I would do it without hesitation.

The programme focuses on how to make an objective judgment using statistical methods, both simple and advanced, and is aimed at working professionals from different fields who need to analyze data in their field, drawing conclusions from it using principles more thorough than just A/B testing. Machine analysis techniques are not forgotten either: at least two courses specialize in them.

This is the visible part of the programme. But in the hidden part of the programme are the "tasty" bits: charismatic international lecturers, traveling seminars, elements of MBA training. Part of the seminars is about starting a career as a researcher. As far as I can judge, few other Master’s programmes offer such variety.

An interesting feature of the programme is the departure from the classical way of teaching statistical methods, namely from dry mathematics to applicability and interpretation of methods. Why, where and how they work. In general, the orientation of the programme towards graduates not only in mathematics and computer science, but also specialists from other fields works to its advantage.

The complexity of the course, as in an "adult" Master’s programme, is set by the student, with the obligatory minimum, of course. A full volume of material with additional sources is enough to keep an inquisitive student busy from morning till night. The less demanding can confine themselves to the bulk of the material.

Even before entering the Program I have long thought about studying seriously again, as my first higher education ("Software Developer"), received in 1999, was not enough for me, and I wanted to get knowledge in a related area. I considered different programs, but was not satisfied with one or another element: contents, schedule, territoriality of educational buildings. I was introduced to the programme at the Open Data Day in March 2017, a brochure about it fell into my hands, and already then I got the idea that this was it! The thought didn’t go away till the end of June, so the paperwork was submitted and… the next two years were probably the best I’ve had in 10 years. It’s great to sit down at a desk after a long break, while still gaining relevant knowledge. I liked probability theory, non-parametric statistics, Bayesian statistics and machine learning the most.

I am glad that I took the Programme. It gave me a solid foundation for further growth in the world of data analysis. I began to see the world itself differently.

I learned about the programme from a classmate of mine with whom I had studied together at undergraduate level. At that time, I was already thinking about where to enroll in the Master’s programme and what to do. And then I found out about MASNA. I had been interested in statistics ever since my undergraduate studies, and I was thinking about getting involved in analytics in my future career, but I didn’t know which field I wanted to go into and what it would take. The MASNA programme was perfect. I had 2 days before the application deadline, so I meteorically gathered all the necessary documents, put together my portfolio and rushed to the admissions office on the last day. I soon found out that I was accepted.

From the first meeting with the supervisor of the programme I knew that I would have a very exciting and challenging schedule for the next two years. Lots of data programs, trying to understand their languages and not to make mistakes in every line of code, courses with foreign tutors and huge home projects. I remember spending New Year’s holidays at my laptop, doing exam projects for 3 subjects. I went to bed for a couple of hours just to make my body think that I cared a little bit about it.

Sometimes it seemed I would not be able to cope. When I was writing my thesis, I thought of just taking an academic leave and trying again next year, but I managed to do it all. I was able to outline the topic of the research and answer the main question: why do you do it at all? I was able to collect data, process it and write the conclusions of the analysis. In the process I came across a mathematical paradox, which I realized and even explained at the defense, so that the committee had no questions about it.

I am very glad that I went to this program. These 2 years were very intense, bright, and emotional. I met wonderful people, discovered the scientific community, conferences and HSE itself. And if you ask me if I want to go through it all again, my answer is YES!