Higher Education Institutions in Russia

· University

· Technical University

· Academy, University Level

· Institute, University Level

· Conservatory

· College, Non-University Level Higher Education Institution

· Non-University Level Higher Education Institution

· Technical Institution

Entry Requirements For Russian Universities

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.

Distance education is also offered by many Russian universities and provides courses for the public and for specific professional needs. However, such systems are usually less developed than in the US and other Western European countries.

The academic year starts from Sept 1 and ends in Mid June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to Aug 31.

Levels of Education in Russia

· The Bachelor Level

· The Master Level

· The PhD Level

The Bachelor Level: The Bachelor degree programmes last for at least 4 years of full-time university-level study. It is a graduate programme which includes professional and special courses in Science, the Humanities and Social-economic disciplines, professional training, completion of a research paper/project and passing State final exams. The Bachelor's degree is awarded in all fields except Medicine after defending a Diploma project prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and passing the final exams. In Medicine, the first stage lasts for six years. Hence, Bachelor degree holders are eligible to get admission in to the master degree courses.

The Master Level: A master degree is awarded after a successful completion of two years' full-time study. The Institutes / Universities offering higher education in Russia has a total enrollment of more than two million students. The staff of the various institutions include more than 16,250 doctors of science and about 8,70,000 candidates of science who, apart from lecturing, are active in the development of new scientific trends and advanced technology.

The PhD Level: Tomsk Polytechnic University and other Universities and colleges in Russia offer international students a wide range of Ph. D. programs. The training of well-qualified specialists for teaching and research lasts for 3 to 4 years and ends in the public defense of a Ph.D. thesis. All these are fulfilled under the guidance and supervision of leading university scientists. The minimum qualification for a PhD course is a master’s degree. The period of part-time or distant doctoral training is about 4 years.