Education Levels

How to choose appropriate program to study and how long education lasts

In Russia education is divided into general education and professional education. General education includes preschool education and education in school. Professional education received in colleges and higher educational institutions such as Universities, Academies and Institutes.

Besides the general and professional education, there are additional education programs. Such as:

Preparatory Courses;
Summer schools;
The additional all-developing and Pre-Professional Programs;
Qualification Improvement and professional retraining Programs.

What levels Russian education consist of?

Higher education in Russia consist of three levels:

First level. Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is a complete higher education. You will receive general fundamental preparation, that at once allows you to start working by profession or to continue education for Master's Degree.

Requirements for candidates	general middle education
Academic terms (full-time tuition)	4 years
Evening classes education possibility	yes
Graduate qualification	Bachelor's degree
Graduation document	The Diploma of Bachelor's degree
Further education	Master's degree

Second level. Master's Degree

Education for Master's Degree deepens specialization in the chosen direction. After finishing the education, one may practice in the professional sphere or to be engaged in scientific activity in a postgraduate study.

Requirements for candidates	Bachelor's degree, specialist degree
Academic terms (full-time tuition)	2 years
Evening classes education possibility	no
Graduate qualification	Master's degree
Graduation document	The Diploma of Master's degree
Further education	Postgraduate study

The bachelor degree and master’s degree in Russia are equivalent to the European bachelors and masters. Russia is included into the Bologna convention, and diplomas are admitted in the majority of the European countries.

The first + second level. Specialist degree

Unlike a bachelor degree, the specialist degree gives not only fundamental, but also practical preparation. You will be able to be engaged in professional sphere right after the end of education, to continue education in for master’s degree or to be engaged in scientific activity in a postgraduate study. As for specialist programme belong all medical, military and a part of technical specialities: computer security, design of technological machines and complexes, fundamental mathematics and mechanics and others.

Requirements for candidates	general middle education*
Academic terms (full-time tuition)	Not less than 5 years
Evening classes education possibility	Most often not, the decision is made by higher education institution in an individual order
Graduate qualification	Specialists degree
Graduation document	The Diploma of specialist’s degree
Further education	Master's degree or postgraduate study

* Full primary school, usually from 10 up to 12 years. Depending on country.

Third level. The top qualification (scientific activities)

The main form of preparation of a scientific personnel in Russia is a postgraduate study. Education in a postgraduate study consists of several blocks:

Educational part
Pedagogical activities
Practice
Research work

Upon finishing of a postgraduate study you should defend the dissertation then you will receive the first degree confirming the status of the scientist – candidate of science degree.

In addition to a postgraduate study, there are other forms of preparation of a scientific personnel:

The postgraduate military course is a postgraduate study of higher education institutions of Armed forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of emergency situations of the Russian Federation
The Internship - practice in medical institution under the leadership of the senior colleagues for graduates of medical higher education institutions after which they acquire the right of professional activity
Assistantship training – the program of training of workers of the top qualification in the sphere of arts after which the graduate acquires the right of performing and teaching activities

	The postgraduate military course	Assistantship training
Requirements for candidates	Master's degree, Specialists degree	Master's degree, Specialists degree in the field of culture
Academic terms (full-time tuition)	3-4 years	2 years
Evening classes education possibility	4-5 years	no
Graduate qualification	Research degree, research professor	Higher qualification specialist, professor in the higher school
Degree	Candidate of science	-
Graduation document	The postgraduate Diploma	Assistantship training diploma
Further education	Doctoral dissertation defense	Candidate dissertation defense, Doctoral dissertation defense

Find a suitable education program:

Level of education