Russia has a long-standing tradition in high-quality education for all citizens. It probably has also one of the best mass-education systems in the world producing a literacy rate (98%) exceeding most Western European countries. Education is split into a compulsory Basic Education, and ongoing Higher Education.
Compulsory Basic Education:
Basic general education lasts for nine years. Graduates of this level may continue their education at senior high school to receive secondary general education. They may also enter an initial vocational school or non-university level higher education institutions, which offer one-and-a-half to two years' purely professional education. Non-university level higher education institutions also offer three- to four-year professional and secondary general education and two-year vocational training for holders of the School Certificate. Secondary general education on the basis of basic general education continues for two years and ends when students are 17-18. Graduates from a secondary general school may apply for entrance to a higher education institution.
Higher Education
Russia, a land of great scholars, has been a leading centre of culture, science and education in Europe for centuries. The higher education system in Russia has a distinguished reputation in the world. The standard of the higher education in Russia is considered to be one of the best in the world with advanced and sophisticated teaching methods and scientific approaches. The Institutes / Universities offering higher education in Russia have a total enrollment of more than six million students. The staff of the various institutions includes more than 16,250 doctors of science and about 870,000 candidates of science who, apart from lecturing, are active in the development of new scientific trends and advanced technology. The students: teacher ratio is approximately 7:1.
Russian degrees have gained global recognition. Russian universities offer programs that meet the needs of international students. All the programs are targeted to prepare students for university graduation and successful careers.
Higher education in Russia is provided by public and non-public (non-State) accredited higher education institutions. There are two levels of higher education:
Basic higher education (4 years) leading to the Bakalavr's degree, the first university level degree. This is equivalent to the B.Sc. degree in the US or Western Europe
Postgraduate higher education (5-6 years or more). After two years, students are entitled to receive a Magistr's degree. This is equivalent to a Master's Degree (M.Sc, M.A.) in the US or Western Europe. After a Master's degree, students can continue to study towards a doctoral degree: Kandidat Nauk degree (the first level, equivalent to Ph.D.) and Doktor Nauk degree (the second, highest level, equivalent to Professor).
History of education in Russia
Russia's higher education system started with the foundation of the universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the middle of the 18th century. The system was constructed similar to that of Germany. In Soviet times all of the population in Russia had at least a secondary education. The pursuit of higher education was and still is considered to be very prestigious.
Due in great part to demands of the international educational organizations, the system of education in Russia began to change over the past years. Universities began transitioning to a system similar to that of Britain and the USA: 4 years for the Bachelor's degree and 2 years for a Master's degree. The universities are still in the process of these changes; some of them offer the new system and others still work according to the prior 5-year system, particularly in programs such as law.
Entry requirements for Russia's universities
Now Russian universities welcome international students and graduates of Russian universities are in demand in western countries.
Russia has a good deal of experience for co-operation with the developing countries in the field of higher education. For instance, more than half of the foreign students attending Russian Universities for higher education in the field of Engineering/ Medicine are from developing countries of Asia and Africa and from Latin America. Training programmes for foreign specialists/technicians in Medical/ Engineering institutes of Russia is done with respect to their future professional activity in their own motherland.
Russia's top universities have very competitive entry requirements, and special entry exams are held each year. Applicants for advanced degrees (M.A./M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.) should have their prior degree in the same or a very similar field. This is a more strict requirement than in some other countries, especially the US.
One of the great attractions of education in Russia is the cost, especially when compared to the quality. Degree study tuition can range from $2000 to $8000 per year, with other costs (room & board, books, etc.) ranging from $1500 to $5000 per year, depending on location and spending habits.
The academic year lasts from Sept 1 to Mid June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to Aug 31.
(The writer is Director of the Russian Center of Science & Culture, Vice-Consul of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation.)
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