Russia- Structure and Administration

Unit III
 Higher Education System
Higher education is provided by public and non-public
accredited higher education institutions (HEI). Education in
public HEI is free of charge. Higher education is under the
jurisdiction of the State Committee for Higher Education of the
Russian Federation, which is responsible for accreditation and
licensing of HEI and for development and maintaining State
Educational Standards.
There are three levels of higher education: 1) incomplete
higher education (2 years at least); 2) basic higher education
(4 years) leading to the bakalavr's degree, the first university
level degree; 3) advanced higher education (total number of
years of post-secondary education: 5-6 years or more)
 Higher Education System

HEI are authorized to award the magistr's degree or

specialist's diploma (e.g.lawyer, engineer). There are two
levels of doctoral scientific degrees: Kandidat Nauk degree
(the first level) and Doktor Nauk degree (the second, highest
level). There are 548 public HEI and 206 private HEI in Russia;
the State Committee finances 219 public HEI, 96 HEI are
financed by the Ministry of Education (training of teachers).
There are about 3000 non-university level educational
institutions.
 Teacher education

Training of primary/basic school teachers

Non-university level educational institutions (technikums,

colleges) train teachers for pre-primary and primary schools. The
duration of the course is 2 to 5 years. Some teacher training
institutions of university level train teachers for primary schools.
The length of the course is 5 years. Graduates of these two types
of educational institutions may exercise the profession.
 Teacher education

Training of secondary school teachers

Teacher training is carried out in teacher training

university-level institutions. The programme lasts at
least 5 years. Graduates may enter the profession.
 Teacher education


Training of higher education teachers

University teachers must follow post-graduate programmes

and obtain a scientific degree.
Non-formal studies


Grading system
Admissions to Higher Education
Admissions to university level

Admission for foreign students

 Admission for foreign students

Other special academic requirements for foreign students set up at national level:

Students must have completed secondary education. There is a

compulsory pre-academic year for those who do not know Russian or/
and for those with weak pre-university training. They must successfully
pass the entrance exams. Foreign nationals entering universities should
not be older than 28 (35 for postgraduate studies).
 Administrative structure

The State Committee for Higher Education
Russian Union of Rectors, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Association of Universities, Moscow University
Association of Non-Governmental Education Institutions
Research Institute for Higher Education

Role: Financing of 219 HEI, licensing of new

educational institutions, granting accreditation,
submitting proposals to the government on further HEI
development.
Democratic educational philosophy in Russia

-To develop a sense of world citizenship

-To develop a sense of cooperation
-To introduce a vocational point of view in education
-To develop qualities of citizenship
-Education to ensure the growth of all citizens
 Adult education

Sunday universities
evening universities
clubs
exhibitions
theatres
cultural centres
radios
cinimas and libraries