Russian Educational System in 2004

A particular feature of the present Russian education system is that study must be done according to a fixed curriculum worked out by the higher educational institution and approved by the Russian Ministry of Education, unlike the western system where the students can choose to a great extent their own programme. The academic performance of students in Russia is estimated in the following way: "excellent" (mark "5"), "good" (mark "4"), "satisfactory" (mark"3") and "unsatisfactory" (mark "2"). There are also other subjects which are assessed on course work and separate examinations throughout the semesters/sessions and are not marked according to the above system but where the student has to complete examinations each session/semester and if successful is then granted a "pass" result. In any one year's study a student in Russia may be required to undertake 24 subjects as part of a 5 year degree/diploma programme. Students are exposed to a certain pressure during exam periods that come usually twice a year at the end of each semester. The programme usually includes some practical courses as well at the end of each session /semester.

There are two types of Certificates (Red and Blue) for a Russian Degree, which is called Diploma in Russia. The Red Certificate is granted only to students who have 75% or more of "5" ("excellent") marks during the whole period of their study. All other Certificates of Diploma/Degree have a blue colour.

Both school and university studies in Russia begin on the 1st of September. This day is called the Day of Knowledge. The academic year is divided into two semesters or sessions: from September 1 to January 31 and from February 1 to June 30. July is the month for practical training, August is a vacation time.

Higher educational institutions in Russia traditionally have the following academic programmes:

1. Undergraduate Study:

- Four-year programmes include the humanities/liberal arts, socio-economic subjects, natural science, as well as fundamental disciplines corresponding to the educational specialization, special courses and practical training which help students to acquire professional experience. The programme leads to a final assessment and a graduate is awarded with a Bachelor's Degree in the corresponding branch of knowledge and field of study;

- Five-year programmes include the humanities/liberal arts, general socio-economic subjects and natural sciences, general professional courses as well as career training in the chosen speciality, including practical training. This particular programme leads to final assessment where graduates write graduation papers or projects and gain a Specialist's Qualification (Degree). In Russia Specialists (engineers, teachers, agronomists, economists, etc., according to their field of study) are equated with Master's Degrees;

- Six-year programmes include programmes leading initially to a Bachelor's Degree in thе chosen field of study and a two-year specialized course of training and practice, which suggests further research-educational and scientific activities of the graduate. The programme leads to a final assessment which includes a graduation paper (project). A graduate is awarded with a Master's Degree in the corresponding branch of knowledge and field of study.

Now all Russian higher educational institutions have been changing their programmes to the European "4+2" system, producing only Bachelors and Masters in accordance with the international European standards coming from the Bologna Declaration. Despite Russia's high level of education the Russian Specialist's Qualification is hardly recognized in the world.

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