The system of higher education in Russia

There are three main types of higher education institutions in Russia: universities, academies and institutes. All of them realize programs of undergraduate and graduate professional education.

A university covers a wide range of study fields, e.g. a technical university or classical university.

An academy differs from universities by a narrower set of specialties connected with a particular industry, e.g. Academy of Agriculture, Academy of Economics or Academy of Railway Transport.

The status of an Institute requires teaching of at least one discipline. Universities also conduct fundamental and applied research in a wide spectrum of sciences, while the academies and institutes run their scientific activities in one field of Science or Art. Institutes mainly offer the professional training. Institutes can also be established as a department of a university or an academy with the aim to conduct autonomic educational or scientific activities.

The curricula 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 programs include professional and special courses in Science, Humanities and Social-economic disciplines, professional training, completion of a research paper/ project and State final exams.

9. Study the table.

Course type	BACHELOR’S DEGREE	SPECIALIST DEGREE	MASTER’S DEGREE	POST GRADUATE
Entry requirements	General secondary education or equivalent	General secondary education or equivalent	Bachelor’s Degree Specialist Degree	Master's or Specialist Degree
Duration of study	4 years	at least 5 years	2 years	3-4 years
Type of study	General basic training in a particular field without specialization	Focused on practical work in the chosen field	In-depth learning of theoretical aspects with a focus on research	Part study, teaching, hands-on experience, research
Final state assessment	State examinations, preparation and defense of Bachelor's thesis	State examinations and Specialist thesis defense	State examinations and Master's thesis defense	Three qualifying examinations for a candidate's Degree, state examination, dissertation defense

10. True, false or no information? Find the sentences in the text and the table above that support your point of view.

1. A university covers a wider range of study fields than an academy.

2. An academy can be a part of a university.

3. The State Educational Standards regulate the content of curricula.

4. The students have little choice in planning their academic progress.

5. You cannot take a postgraduate course if you do not have a Master’s degree.

6) Specialist degree courses are focused on practical work in the chosen field.

7) Final assessment for Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s degrees includes state examinations.

8) Universities offer flexible methods of learning – with full-time and part-time options.

 

11. Read the text about SPbSUT and answer the questions:

1) What served as the basis for the university?

2) When did the university get its status and the new name?

3) What forms of studying does the university provide?

4) Where does the university have its branches?

5) What is a university chair?

6) What facilities does the university provide to the students and staff?

 

The Bonch-Bruevich Saint - Petersburg State University

Of Telecommunications

The Bonch-Bruevich Saint Petersburg State University of Telecommunications (abbreviation: SPbSUT) is one of the major research and educational centers of Russia as well as a leading technical university located in Saint-Petersburg. The University developed on the basis of the Leningrad Electro-Technical Institute of Communications, founded in 1930. In 1993 it became a university and was named after Professor Mikhail Aleksandrovich Bonch-Bruevich.

The university is of complex structure. There are a lot of students in the university studying full time, part time and at the extramural department. The university includes Saint-Petersburg College of Telecommunications and Archangelsk and Smolensk branches. The faculties of the university have chairs, and every chair is an organized scientific and pedagogical group that unites teachers, scientific staff, and administrative personnel, who participate in training, methodological, and scientific work. The university is proud of its academic staff. 75 doctors of sciences are teaching in the university.

The size of the university, as a communication scientific and educational complex, is very impressive: there are six study and laboratory buildings, with an assembly hall, conference halls, dozens of study and scientific laboratories, computer classes, and specialized classrooms.

Today, the university is the region’s biggest training and scientific center that ensures the formation of human resources reserve for the leading telecommunication enterprises.

Part II. Language

 

12. Work with a partner. Ask and answer different types of questions about higher education in Russia.

Types of questions:

General or Yes/No question

Are you a student? Yes, I am./ No, I am not.

Do you study Computer Science? Yes, I do./ No, I don’t.