Post-graduate levels

After obtaining a Diploma of Higher education or Master's Degree, a student may pursue postgraduate education. The first level is a postgraduate course (аспирантура) that usually results in the Candidate of Sciences degree (кандидат наук,). It may take three or more years to earn the candidate of Science degree. The postgraduate student should pass three exams (in his/her special field, in a foreign language of his/her choice, and in history and philosophy of science), publish at least t 5 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, conduct a first-hand research, write a dissertation and defend it. This degree is roughly equivalent to the Ph.D. in the United States.

In case a person is seriously involved into research work he/she usually continues postgraduate education. After several years of study if they obtain important scientific results, publish them and write another thesis, the Doctor of Science degree (доктор наук) is awarded. Typically, the post-graduate works at the university or scientific institute while preparing their new thesis. The average time between obtaining Candidate and Doctor degrees is roughly 10 years, and most of new Doctors are 40 and more years old. Only 1 in 4 Candidates reaches this grade.

Marks

Both at schools and universities, a 5-grade scale is used: "5" = excellent "4" = good "3" = satisfactory "2" = unsatisfactory / failure.

"5" is the best mark, "2" is the worst. Technically a grade of "1" is the worst grade, but over time, it has been phased out and now is so rarely given. This system is not compulsory and in rare cases, for example, a 10-grade scale can be used.

"Plus" or "minus" signs can be added to a mark, e.g. "4+" means above good, "3-" means below satisfactory but not quite a failure or at least some part of the task was done and the teacher does not want to give a pupil a bad mark. Or, for example, "4+" means that the work is quite good and very close to a "5", but not good enough to give a "5". "5+" is an excellent mark, given to distinguish a brilliant work.

However, these "+" and "-" are not official and are not written into the register (but most teachers keep their own unofficial register as well).

Entry requirements for Russia's universities

Russia's top universities have very competitive entry requirements, and special entry exams are held each year. Students with Russian citizenship, regardless of residency outside of Russia, must apply for studies according to the standard competitive system and directly with a faculty admissions office. 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. This is a more strict requirement than in some other countries, especially the US.

Many Russian universities also offer distance education and provide 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 lasts from Sept 1 to Mid June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to Aug 31.