Higher education in Russia is a multi-level system:

•    Pre-university studies
•    Undergraduate studies (Bachelor’s degree)
•    Graduate studies (Specialist’s and Master’s degree)
•    Post-graduate studies
 

Pre-university studies

All international students interested in receiving higher education in the Russian language are offered a one-year pre-university training, which serves to prepare the trainee for the university degree programmes.

Pre-university training presupposes studying theoretical disciplines in Russian (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, etc) and mastering the Russian language. The content of training is relevant to the degree programme which you would take.

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Undergraduate Studies – Bachelor’s degree programmes

Your four-year journey starts with the choice of the right course, application and confirmation of your being a student. What next? Any course begins with core disciplines that build solid fundamentals of knowledge. At the next stage more specific knowledge in the chosen field is introduced. All theoretical classes are accompanied by practical ones, which are usually more dynamic and offer a chance to excel.

The academic year is split into two halves – called terms or semesters. The first term begins in September and finishes in January. The second lasts from February till June. At the end of each term you are expected to take a series of pass-fail tests and a number of exams (usually 3 to 5, depending on the study field). Your academic progress is evaluated on the grounds of points-based system. That means you receive a designated number of points for all your successful performance. The accumulated sum may equal a pass at pass-fail tests or a good-excellent mark at the exam. So, no need to cram for exams and lose weight studying all nights.

The closer you are to the finishing line the tougher your academic work becomes, till it culminates in a degree paper, a research work that comprises both theory and practical tasks.

After you receive your Bachelor’s degree you may choose to enter the labour market, but if you want to improve your career prospects, you can go on to the next level of study.

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Graduate Studies – Specialist’s degree programmes

Unique specialist programmes combine both undergraduate and graduate levels of university education. The courses last 5 years and follow the same scheme as undergraduate and graduate studies – from broader to more specific knowledge, the only difference being the introduction of specialised disciplines at earlier stages.

Such courses offer time-proven methods of instruction, your Specialist’s degree is a proof of your dedicated studies. It guarantees advantageous employment in various specific fields.

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Graduate Studies – Master’s degree programmes

You  can choose a graduate course. It takes two years of laborious studies. At this stage lectures in more specific fields will be delivered by senior academics. You will join the group of dedicated professionals and concentrate on getting the best knowledge for your future.

Your graduation paper will be a more serious study, compared with undergraduate research. It will be conducted under the supervision of an experienced academic. Ultimately, you will receive your Master’s degree.

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Graduate Studies – Internship programmes

In the field of Medicine there is a special type of course – internship programme.  It is a practice-oriented course, conducted in various hospitals and clinics. It gives you a chance to gain practical experience and build the basis for your medical career. Being a doctor in Russia is highly prestigious and you are expected to sweat for it.

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Post-Graduate Studies

If you are still committed to studies and want to be a buddy of a Nobel prize winner, then the post-graduate programmes are for you. The programme is conducted part-time, that means you have to combine your work (a university lecturer, for example) with serious research. Your research work will imply analysing a broad field of accumulated knowledge on the subject-matter, suggesting a theory and proving your initial presuppositions. It might include doing groundbreaking laboratory work, evaluating the results and drawing conclusions.

During your studies you will have to submit a lot of papers to science or technology journals, participate in conferences, communicate with fellow-researchers and write your major research paper – a thesis (also called a dissertation). As soon as it is completed, you have to defend it, pass a viva voce exam. A board of senior academics will reach a verdict on your paper.

After you defend your thesis, you are awarded with Candidate of Science Degree (Kandidat Nauk), the first senior academic title. The term is specific for Russia and some other countries in Eastern Europe. The word ‘science’ is usually accompanied with a word designating a narrower field of science – biology, psychology, physics, etc.

The second senior academic title is Doctor of Science Degree (Doktor Nauk). The term should not be confused with PhD, DPhil, D.Lit, D.Sc, LL.D as the Doctor of Science Degree is preceded by advanced-level research work, usually taking several years after receiving the Candidate of Science Degree. The academic scope is wider and defending the Doctorate Thesis is a more demanding and profound work. Numerous research articles and major book publication are necessary before the defense. This second post-graduate degree is similar to Habilitation in France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and some other countries.

Both academic titles give you ample work opportunities and an unparalleled chance to achieve your intellectual goals.

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For the comparison of academic titles, visit the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and read the Guidelines for the recognition of Russian qualifications in other countries.