Part 1. Higher Education in Russia

1. Study the vocabulary:

higher education – высшее образование

to obtain a higher education – получить высшее образование

higher education establishment (higher education institution) – вуз

compulsory (obligatory) – обязательный

course of study – курс обучения

secondary school – средняя школа

vocational secondary school –техникум

Unified State Exam – ЕГЭ

school-leaver – выпускник школы

applicant – абитуриент

first-year student – первокурсник

to apply (for) – подавать заявление, устраиваться (на работу, в вуз и т.д.)

to train – обучать, готовить

training – обучение, подготовка

admission – прием

competitive – на конкурсной основе

tuition – обучение

to pass an exam – сдать экзамен

to take an exam – сдавать экзамен

to fail an exam – провалить экзамен

entrance exams – вступительные экзамены

credit test – зачет

academic year – учебный год

term (semester) – семестр

to get a scholarship (a stipend) – получать стипендию

curriculum (pl. curricula) – учебный план

background – подготовка, образование, квалификация

areas of study – направление учебы, специализация

field – область, сфера (деятельности)

general subjects – общие дисциплины

special subjects – специальные дисциплины

to have professional practice (a practical training / experience) – проходить практику

the humanities – гуманитарные науки

to defend a thesis – защищать дипломную работу

to pass the finals – сдать госэкзамены

graduation – окончание (вуза)

to graduate from – закончить (вуз)

graduate (student) – выпускник вуза

postgraduate (student) – аспирант

postgraduate course – аспирантура

undergraduate (student) – студент бакалавриата

to get a higher degree – получить ученую степень

department – отделение (full-time – дневное, part-time – вечернее, correspondence / extra-mural – заочное)

faculty – факультет

specialty / speciality – специальность

dean – декан

dean’s office – деканат

chair – кафедра

principle – ректор

to attend classes – посещать занятия

to miss classes – пропускать занятия

complete – полный

to complete – завершать, выполнять

to enroll in (to enter) – поступать

to last – длиться, продолжаться

research – исследование, исследовательский

to be awarded/ get – получать

medical residency – клиническая ординатура

 

2. Read the texts and be ready to answer the questions given below:

Higher Education in Russia

Higher education plays an important role in the development of any country. It provides the country with highly-qualified specialists: teachers, engineers, doctors and other professional workers.

After finishing secondary school and taking Unified State Exams, school-leavers or applicants can enter higher education establishments. Today there are about 700 universities, academies and other educational institutions in Russia. They give training on a full-time and part-time basis. Admission for students is competitive. Students can apply simultaneously for several institutions all over the country. Tuition is free only for Russian citizens who pass State Unified Exams or entrance exams successfully.

The academic year usually lasts 9 months and has 2 terms or semesters. Students take credit tests and exams at the end of each semester. If the results of the examinations are good, students get scholarships. Students have holidays twice a year – in winter and in summer.

The curriculum provides students with an excellent background in different areas of study.

The first- and second-year students get knowledge in general subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and the humanities, for example, foreign languages, history, philosophy and others.

From the third year students get more advanced knowledge. They study special subjects and have professional practice.

Final year students defend a thesis and (or) pass the finals. After graduating from university they may go on with their study and research and get a higher degree.

Questions:

1. Is higher education compulsory in Russia? What about secondary education?

2. Where can school-leavers get higher education?

3. Is it possible to apply simultaneously for several higher education institutions all over the country?

4. What exams must schoolchildren pass to enter higher educational establishments?

5. How many terms are there in the academic year? When does the first term begin?

6. Do all students get scholarships in Russia?

7. What subjects do first and second year students study?

8. What subjects do students study from the third year?

9. Are you a part-time or a full-time student?

10. What year are you in?

11. Do students have to pay for their education in Russia?

 

Levels of Higher Education

Russia’s present-day education system is based upon the Bologna principles and includes such levels of education as Bachelor’s degree, Specialist degree, Master’s degree, Postgraduate, etc.

Level 1

Bachelor's Degree

This is a complete higher education course. Individuals who have general secondary or vocational secondary education can enroll in a Bachelor's Degree course. The course lasts 4 years and gives general fundamental training.

At the end of their Degree, students take the finals and defend their thesis. If successful, the student is awarded a Bachelor's Degree certificate (BA, BSc). The certificate grants the student the right to work or to further their studies on a Master's Degree course.

 

Specialist Degree

Unlike Bachelor's Degrees, Specialist Degrees are more focused on practical work according to the selected discipline. These programmes are offered to individuals who have general secondary or vocational secondary education. The course lasts for 5 or 6 years. Students pass the examinations and defend their thesis to get a Specialist Degree certificate (e.g., "Doctor", "Teacher," etc.). Graduates of a Specialist Degree may work or further their studies on a Master's or postgraduate course.

Level 2

Master's Degree

This allows in-depth specialization in the student’s chosen field. Bachelor’s and Specialist Degree holders can enroll in Master's Degree courses. The course lasts at least two years and involves training students for research work. Students defend a thesis which, if successful, leads to a Master's Degree certificate and the qualification of Master. Graduates of Master’s Degrees may work or further their studies on a postgraduate course.

 

Medical residency is the final stage in training in a number of medical (or pharmaceutical) fields. Individuals who hold a higher medical (or pharmaceutical) qualification can enroll in a medical residency. The course lasts from 2 to 5 years and is a combination of in-depth study of the medical sciences with hands-on experience in medical institutions where students develop the necessary professional skills and abilities. Graduates are awarded a medical residency certificate and the qualification of specialist, enabling them to work in medical institutions.

 

Level 3

Postgraduate course is a form of training for academics. Graduates of a Master's or Specialist Degree can enroll in a postgraduate course. The course includes studying, teaching, hands-on experience, and research. Postgraduate students choose a research field and a subject of research for their dissertation. Depending on the result of the dissertation defence, a Candidate of Sciences Degree (Ph.D.) is awarded, which is the first Degree to confirm the status of a scientist. Candidates of Sciences may proceed to their Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., 2^nd level).

 

Questions:

1. What levels of higher education do you know? What is your level?

2. Who can enroll in a Bachelor’s Degree course? How long does it last?

3.  Do undergraduate students defend a thesis or take exams at the end of their Degree? What kind of certificate do they get after graduation?

4. What is the difference between Bachelor’s Degree and Specialist Degree courses?

5. What is a postgraduate course? What does it include?

6. What degree can postgraduate students get to confirm the status of a scientist?

7. What is a medical residency?

8. Who can enroll in a medical residency? How long is the course?