Education in Russia

1. Education in Russia By: Micah John Smith

2. History of Russian Education • Russia's higher education system started with the foundation of the universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the middle of the 18th century. • In Soviet times all of the population in Russia had at least a secondary education. The pursuit of higher education was and still is considered to be very prestigious. • Due in great part to demands of the international educational organizations, the system of education in Russia began to change over the past four to five years. Universities began transitioning to a system similar to that of Britain and the USA: 4 years for the Bachelor's degree and 2 years for a Master's degree.

3. The Russian School System • In Russia, children begin Kindergarten at the age of 18 months. • Many schools in Russia are specialized by group of subjects. It could be math and physics, biology and chemistry, or foreign languages. In those schools you have all the required classes plus extra hours of the subject you specialize in. • Russian children usually learn a variety of languages during their early childhood.

4. Russian School System • Russia's top universities have very competitive entry requirements, and special entry exams are held each year. • One of the great attractions of education in Russia is the cost, especially when compared to the quality. Degree study tuition can range from $2000 to $8000 per year, with other costs (room & board, books, etc.) ranging from $1500 to $5000 per year, depending on location and spending habits.

5. Training Russian Teachers • A very important part of Russia's education system is the training of teachers. There are three levels: primary/basic, secondary and higher level teachers. • Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Non-university level educational institutions train teachers for pre-primary and primary schools. The duration of the course is two to four-and-a-half years. Some teacher training institutions of university level train teachers for primary schools. The course lasts for five years. Graduates of these two types of educational institutions may exercise the profession.

6. Training Russian Teachers • Training of secondary school teachers Teacher training is carried out in teacher training university-level institutions. The program lasts for at least five years. Graduates may enter the profession.

7. Training Russian Teachers • Training of higher education teachers University teachers must have followed post-graduate training. A scientific degree is compulsory. Lecturers are appointed on a contract basis by the departments, tenured professors are appointed by the university.

8. Russia, Cheap and Economical for Students • Russian education is cheap and the Russian lifestyle is still not of a high standard as of the European countries but since the country is going through a very progressive economical change, the inflation problem is as same as anywhere in the world.

9. Russia, Cheap and Economical for Students • The usual yearly inflation is between 7% to 20%! The cost of living is also rapidly increasing but still one of the cheapest among the European countries.