• Levels of Higher Education
• Forms of Study

Levels of Higher Education

Russia’s modern higher education system is based on the Bologna Process and includes such levels of education as bachelor’s degree, specialist degree, master’s degree, postgraduate, clinical internship etc.

Bachelor's Degree

This is a complete higher education course. Individuals who have completed education equivalent to Russian general secondary or vocational secondary education can enroll in a Bachelor's Degree course. The 4 year course provides general training in fundamental subjects.

At the end of the programme, students defend their thesis. If successful, they are awarded with a Bachelor's Degree certificate (BA, BSc). The certificate grants the right to work in their professional field or to further their studies on a Master's Degree course.

Specialist Degree

Unlike Bachelor's Degrees, Specialist Progrmmes are more focused on practical work in the selected industry. These programmes are offered to individuals who have education equivalent to Russian general secondary or vocational secondary education. The course is designed for 5 years. Based on the examination results and thesis defence students receive a Specialist Degree certificate specifying the qualification (e.g., "Astronomer," "Teacher," "Information Security Specialist," etc.). Graduates may work in industry or further their studies on a postgraduate course or a Master's course.

Master's Degree

This course allows in-depth specialisation in the student’s chosen field. Applicants with Bachelor’s or Specialist Degrees can enrol in Master's courses. For two years students are specifically trained for the research work. After the thesis defence a Master's Degree certificate is awarded with Master qualification.

Highest Professional Training

A POSTGRADUATE COURSE is a form of training for academics. Graduates of a Master's or Specialist Degree can enroll in a postgraduate courses. The course includes study, teaching, hands-on experience, and research. Postgraduate students select a research field and subject of research for their dissertation. Full-time study lasts at least 3 years, while part-time study lasts at least 4 years. A graduate is awarded a postgraduate certificate with the corresponding qualification (“Research Fellow,” “Research Teaching Fellow”). Depending on the result of the dissertation defence, a Candidate of Sciences Degree is awarded, which is the first Degree to confirm the status of a scientist. Candidates of Sciences proceed to their Doctoral Degree (the second Degree to confirm the scientist status), which is awarded following successful defence of their doctoral dissertation.

A POSTGRADUATE MILITARY COURSE is the equivalent of a university postgraduate course; however, it is only related to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defence.

A MEDICAL RESIDENCY is the final stage in training in a number of medical (or pharmaceutical) fields. Individuals who hold a higher medical (or pharmaceutical) qualification can enroll in a medical residency. The course lasts 2 years and is a combination of in-depth study of the basics of medical sciences with hands-on experience in medical institutions where students develop the necessary professional skills and abilities. The course concludes with a three-stage qualification examination. Graduates are awarded a medical residency certificate and the qualification of specialist, enabling them to work in medical institutions.

An ASSISTANTSHIP is a form of training of highly qualified personnel working in the arts. Graduates of Specialist or Master's Degrees in this field can train on assistantships. The course lasts up to two years and follows a tailor-made syllabus under the supervision of a mentor and the department head of the university. The graduate qualification work may be a performance, concert, show, exhibition, or film depending on the specialisation. An assistantship concludes with the award of a certificate.

Second Higher Education

Russian legislation grants Russians just one free higher education (of levels 1, 2, or 3), while subsequent study must always be paid for. Foreign citizens who have graduated from a university outside the Russian Federation may enroll in a second higher education course both on a commercial and state-funded basis (subject to successful completion of the selection process). This can be done as part of a Bachelor's (up to 4 years), Specialist (up to 6 years), or Master's (at least 2 years) Degrees. The selection process is based on entry examinations. Upon graduation, a certificate is awarded to confirm the qualification.