Higher Education in Russia

Higher education is provided by public and non-public (non-State) accredited higher education institutions. There are two levels of higher education:
Basic higher education (4 years) leading to the Bachelor’s degree, the first university level degree.
Postgraduate higher education (5-6 years or more). After two years, students are entitled to receive a Master’s degree. After a Master’s degree, students can continue to study towards a doctoral degree: Ph.D. and Professor.
The Bachelor’s degree programmes last for at least 4 years of full-time university-level study. The programmes are elaborated in accordance with the State Educational Standards which regulate almost 80% of their content. The other 20% are elaborated by the university itself. The programmes include 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. Having obtained the Bachelor’s degree, students may apply to enter the Master’s programme or continue their studies in the framework of the Specialist’s Diploma programmes. 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.
Holders of the Bachelor’s degree are admitted to enter the Specialist Diploma and Master’s degree programmes. Access to these programs is competitive. The Master’s degree is awarded after successful completion of two years’ full-time study. Students must carry out a year of research including practice and prepare and defend a thesis which constitutes an original contribution and sit for final examinations.

England has one of the finest educational system in the world. Institutions of higher education in