Russian higher education system

Russia is has 741 universities located in 82 regions. Russia’s present-day education system is based upon the Bologna principles and includes such levels of education as bachelor’s degree, specialist degree, master’s degree, postgraduate and clinical internship.

Bachelor's Degree is a complete higher education course. Individuals who have completed education equivalent to Russian general secondary or vocational secondary education can enrol in a Bachelor's Degree course. The course lasts 4 years and gives general fundamental training. If successful, the student is awarded a Bachelor's Degree certificate (BA, BSc). The certificate grants the student the right to work according to profession or to further their studies on a Master's Degree course.

Master's Degree is allows in-depth specialisation in the student’s chosen field. Bachelor’s and Specialist Degree holders can enrol in Master's Degree courses. The course lasts at least two years and involves training students for research work. Students defend a thesis which, if successful, leads to a Master's Degree certificate and the qualification of Master.

A Postgraduate course is a form of training for academics.
Graduates of a Master's or Specialist Degree can enrol in a postgraduate course. 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 scientist. Candidates of Sciences proceed to their Doctoral Degree (the second Degree to confirm the status of scientist), 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 enrol in a medical residency. The course lasts 2 years and is a combination of in-depth study of the rudiments 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 head of department at 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, with the respective qualification ("Concert Performer and University Professor"), granting the right to perform or teach.

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 enrol 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) Degree. The selection process is based on entry examinations. Upon graduation, a certificate is awarded to confirm the qualification.

More information: https://studyinrussia.ru/en/