Education in Russia is organised and coordinated by the state, which ensures that general education is free and available for everyone. Russia probably has one of the best mass-eduction 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.
Education usually begins with pre-school before the age of six, although it is not compulsory. Children typically go to kindergartens or other pre-schools which focus on both intellectual and physical activities. The next step is primary school, which is part of the general education programme.
General education in Russia comprises three stages: primary education, which lasts for four years; basic general education lasting for five years and secondary education which lasts for two to three years.
Russian general education is aimed at the intellectual, emotional, moral and physical development of the individual. It aims to develop the abilities that will allow a student to adapt to life in society as well as helping individuals to make conscious choices concerning professional education.
General education normally consists of 34 weeks of study per year and 27 to 36 hours of study per week. The academic year typically runs from 1 September to the beginning of June. School examinations are in June.
General education is compulsory. The basic curriculum for has some compulsory fields of study such as the Russian language, foreign languages, mathematics, history, politics, natural sciences etc. Every school designs its own curriculum, which is based on state requirements, and there can be some extra or optional disciplines. There are also schools that specialise in certain subjects, such as maths, music, arts, and sports. These schools can also offer extra education for children, alongside the general courses.
After completing primary and basic general education, the students participate in final examinations. They are awarded a Certificate of Basic General Education, which entitles the student to be admitted to either secondary general education, to vocational education or to non-university level higher education.
After completing the secondary general education, the students need to pass the State final attestation (final examinations), after which they will be awarded a Certificate of Secondary
General Education. This school leaving certificate will allow students to continue to higher education: either vocational education or both non-university and university level education.
Recently, new types of secondary schools have emerged called gymnasium and lyceum, which can be both state owned or private. The duration of studies can exceed that of secondary general schools, and the educational programmes can be more advanced.
In total, general education takes 11 years to complete. Children are enrolled in schools at the age of six and normally they finish school by the age of 17.
There are two kinds of tertiary education in the Russian Federation: (1) vocational level; (2) degree level.
Education institutions of vocational level are generally known as technical schools or colleges. A college can be an independent educational institution or constituent part of a higher educational institution. It offers basic and advanced educational programs of vocational well coordinated with degree level programs in the same field of studies.
The admission requirements for vocational level education after completing general education (11 years) are the same as for entrance to degree level programs: the results of National State Exams. Quite a number of vocational level education institutions offer course programs following completion of basic general education (9 years). Admission procedure after basic general education is a selective entrance test.
Duration of studies in vocational level institutions is from 2 to 3 years after secondary (complete) general education (11 years) and from 3 years to 4,5 years after basic general education (9 years). On the successful completion of studies, students are awarded with a Diploma. Credits are given by universities to holders of such Diplomas, if they enter a program in the same field of studies (transfer up to 4 semesters on a case-by-case basis).
Admission to a higher educational institution is based on presentation of a high school diploma or its equivalent and results (scores) of the National State Exam or its equivalent.
Russian higher education institutions may confer the following degrees and diplomas:
· Bachelor's Diploma: four years of study;
· Specialist's Diploma: five years of study;
· Master's Diploma: two years of study.
A Bachelor's degree is conferred after a four-year course of studies. Bachelor degree programs cover all disciplines except for medicine. The function of a Bachelor degree is to provide a more academically rather than professionally oriented education. A Bachelor degree is a prerequisite for admission to Master studies. The State Final Attestation includes the defense of a thesis prepared over a period of four months and State Final Examinations. Following a successful attestation, a State Diploma is issued attesting conferral of a Bachelor degree. The Diploma supplement includes the list of disciplines, the number of hours or credits, the grades, practical training, and the results obtained on Final State Examinations and in the defense of the thesis.
The traditional qualification of a Specialist diploma has two functions. It opens access to professional practice (e.g. as engineers, teachers, chemists, etc.), and it is also the traditional prerequisite for admission to doctoral studies. The qualification of a Specialist's diploma is conferred after five-year studies. The diploma is awarded in nearly all fields of studies
(specialities). The State Final Attestation for a Specialist's diploma covers the defense of a project or a thesis and State Final Examinations. The procedure for the State Final Attestation and for the award of the diploma as well as the content of a Diploma supplement are the same as for a Bachelor's degree.
A Master's degree programme is a two-year course focused more on research activities in comparison with a Specialist's program. The State Educational Standard defines only general requirements for Master's degree programs and not the requirements regarding the content of education. Higher educational institutions introducing Master's degree programs are free to make their own decisions regarding the content of programs. Access to Master's degree studies is open for holders of a Bachelor's degree. Higher educational institutions themselves set up admission procedures (examinations, interviews, etc.) for applicants. Those holders of a Bachelor's degree wishing to pursue a Master's program in different fields of studies (speciality) must pass an additional test which reflects the requirements for a Bachelor's degree program in the speciality corresponding to the chosen Master's degree program.
The hierarchy of advanced scientific degrees in Russia traditionally includes Doctor's degrees of two levels: Candidate of Sciences and Doctor of Sciences. The Candidate of Sciences degree normally requires three years of studies after the award of Specialist's or Master's degrees. The Doctor of Sciences' degree can be earned after a period of further studies following the award of the Candidate of Sciences' degree. In reality, to get a Doctor of Sciences' degree requires five to fifteen years beyond the award of the Candidate of Sciences' degree.
The Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science is responsible for supervision of doctoral studies in higher education and research institutions. Upon the decision of this body, doctoral study programs are opened in those higher education establishments and research institutions that possess the required personnel as well as scientific and financial resources. Higher educational institutions must be accredited, and research institutions must have a license granting them the right to carry out educational activities. The two doctoral degrees can be obtained in two ways: as a result of studies in the post-graduate programs or independently.
The defense of doctoral dissertations is carried out before the Dissertation Council. Dissertation Councils are organized by the Higher Attestation Committee (a part of the Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science) to accept dissertations in given fields of sciences for hearing in accredited higher educational and research institutions.
The public defense of the dissertation is held in the form of a public presentation and scientific debate.
2. FindtheEnglishequivalents.
подразделяться на среднее образование, высшее образование и аспирантуру; окончание (учебного заведения); обязательный; сертификат о неполном образовании; сдать вступительные экзамены; степень бакалавра гуманитарных и технических наук; отдельная составная единица; иметь программы, ведущие к степени выше бакалавра; профессиональная степень; учебный курс; образовательное учреждение; включать ч-л (в состав); аспирантура; высшее образование.
3. Find the Russian equivalents.
a Specialist diploma; the State Final Attestation; a Doctor of Sciences' degree; the post-graduate programs; the Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science; be accredited; a license; institutions of vocational level; general education; The hierarchy of advanced scientific degrees; Master's degree studies; holders of a Bachelor's degree; vocational level education; lyceum; tertiary education.
4. Translate from English into Russian:
1. A Master's degree programme is a two-year course focused more on research activities in comparison with a Specialist's program.
2. The traditional qualification of a Specialist diploma has two functions.
3. Recently, new types of secondary schools have emerged called gymnasium and lyceum, which can be both state owned or private.
4. Duration of studies in vocational level institutions is from 2 to 3 years after secondary (complete) general education (11 years) and from 3 years to 4,5 years after basic general education (9 years).
5. Russian general education is aimed at the intellectual, emotional, moral and physical development of the individual.
5. Translate from Russian into English:
1. Университеты России присваивают степень бакалавра и степень магистра.
2. Выпускники могут продолжить образование после окончания вуза, в результате которого они могут получить степень кандидата наук или доктора наук.
3. Высшие учебные заведения должны иметь аккредитацию, а исследовательские учебные заведения должны иметь лицензию, позволяющую им заниматься образовательной деятельностью.
4. Защита степени доктора наук реализуется перед лицом диссертационного совета.
5. Поступить в магистратуру могут только владельцы диплома бакалавра.
6. Summarize the main ideas of the text in 15 – 20 sentences and present your summary to the class.
7. Guess the meaning of the words and statements below. Give their definitions in English.
the university’s intake
prominent research university
annual expenditure
long-term projects
long-term projects
to enrich the academic environment
strong applicants
semester abroad exchanges
double degree programs
a scholar
Web of Science
Scopus
QS world university rankings
the prestigious status of
renowned Russian universities
an influential global research university
8. Watch the video about studying at one of Russian universities and make key notes. Be ready to answer the following questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQJe2UzJ2xU
1. Which university is under consideration?
2. Are foreign students invited to study at the university?
3. How does it influence the life of students?
4. Why does the administration of the university pursue such a policy?
9. Say true (T), false (F) or not given (NG).
1. Since 2010 the number of publications by HSE faculty and international peer-reviewed periodicals index by Web of Science has increased 4 times.
2. The university actively recruits American professors and researchers.
3. HSE is in the top 5 % of universities ranked by QS for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
4. Each year the university expands the number of programs taught entirely in Japanese.
5. HSE attracts strong applicants from all around the world, and is gradually gaining greater recognition abroad.
10. Write an article about education in Russia.