Education in Russia

Russian education

Russian education includes three stages of educational programs:
1. Primary general education (duration is 4 years);
2. Basic general education (the standard duration is 5 years);
3. Secondary (complete) general education (the standard duration is 2 years).

General education programs comprise eleven years of studies. The extension of total duration occurred at the expense of an earlier school enrollment at the age of 6 -7.

School leaving

So students normally finish secondary (complete) general education at the age of 17-18. At present, the system of general education includes 67 thousand educational establishments in which 21 million students are enrolled. The official name of general education schools is the Secondary General School. The educational program is enough difficult and includes different aspects that can be used in further professional life if pupils. The Basic Curriculum consist of the compulsory fields of study (Humanities with a special emphasis on Russian Language, Literature, Social Sciences, and Physical Education; Natural Sciences with priority given to Mathematics; and Technology). The Social Sciences can include such subjects as Foreign Languages, Russian History, World History, Economic and Social Geography, Law, Political Science, Economics, etc. The Natural Sciences can cover Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Ecology, etc. Technology normally includes Drawing and a number of disciplines for the imparting of certain professional skills: basic skills of general utility for pupils (Home Economics, Sewing, Cooking, Metal Work, Carpentry, etc.) and, in upper grades, basic skills for the exercise of certain professions.

Besides that Russia has well-developed networks of schools offering advanced programmes which are based on the Basic Curriculum and can be offered in a number of ways.

Primary general education and basic general education are compulsory. On the completion of basic general education (a nine-year programme), students take final examinations and are awarded the Certificate of Basic General. The Certificate entitles its holder to be admitted either to secondary (complete) general education or to vocational education. The Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education is awarded after the completion of an eleven-year school programme and the successful passing of the State final attestation (final examinations). The school leaving certificate (Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education) entitles its holder to pursue professional education: either vocational education or university level higher education.

Final school bell

Vocational education

Vocational education is the initial stage of professional education. It is aimed at the training of skilled workers, usually on the basis of basic general education. Vocational training for certain occupations may be based on secondary (complete) general education. Educational programs for persons wishing to take up vocational education after basic general education are different from those offered to persons who have finished secondary (complete) general education.

Two kinds of vocational education are differ.

The first kind of vocational education is Professional Schools In these institutions, educational programs are aimed at the acquisition of professional qualifications and mainly cover subjects for professional training. The second type is Professional Lycei. In these institutions, educational programs, in addition to the professional education component, also include a general education component (educational program of the tenth and eleventh grades).

And the third type is vocational education programs following completion of secondary (complete) general (11 grades) education.

Higher education

There are two kinds of higher education in the Russian Federation: 1. non-university level (education educational programs not leading to university degrees.
2. university level higher education (educational programs leading to university degrees).

University Level Higher Education

University is an institution which is aimed at the development of education, science, and culture.

Course Program Structure

Russian higher education institutions may confer the following degrees and diplomas:
1. an Intermediate Diploma (two years)
2. a Bachelor Diploma (four years)
3. a Specialist Diploma (six years)
4. a Master Diploma (six years).

The Intermediate Diploma

The first function of the Intermediate Diploma awarded after at least two years of studies for the Bachelor or Specialist Diplomas, is to certify that the student has successfully finished the first two years of basic higher education in a particular field of study.

The Bachelor Degree

The Bachelor degree is conferred after at least a four-year course of study. Bachelor programmes can cover all disciplines except medicine. The function of the Bachelor degree is to provide a more academically rather than professionally oriented education.

The Specialist Diploma

The qualification of Specialist Diploma is conferred after studies lasting five years. The diploma is awarded in all fields of study (specialities).

The Master Degree

Master programme is at least a two-year course focused more around research activities in comparison with Specialist program.

The system of education

Primary education
Lyceum	School	Grammar school
High educational establishment

Please see additional information in the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.