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Universities in Russia

International MA in Russian and Eurasian Studies (IMARES), European University at St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Russia
European University at St. Petersburg is a renowned independent postgraduate college that specializes in social sciences and humanities and also provides professional training in Russian and Eurasian studies. International students can enroll in a Master’s degree in social sciences and humanities (IMARES) taught in English. Other programs taught in English include the undergraduate semester abroad in Russian studies (RSSA) as well as summer schools. Students will also enjoy the richness of the cultural life Saint-Petersburg has to offer, such as its architecture, museums, metropolitan... See full description.

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University)

Moscow, Russia
Moscow State Institute of International Relations is the diplomatic school of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. It is the oldest and most reputable school in Russia for preparing professionals in international relations and diplomacy. The institution educates over six thousand students, a thousand of whom are international. Furthermore, MGIMO is one of the members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs. New departments and specializations are launched at the university every year, whilst 56 languages are taught, making it the university, which offers... See full description.

Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University

St. Petersburg, Russia
Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University was founded in the year 1899. It is recognized in the world as a leader in fields like higher engineering and economic education. It welcomes over 30.000 students each year and almost 3.000 of them come from other countries. The main areas of education are: information technologies, humanities, economics, physics and engineering. The university has international cooperation with other educational institutions.

Siberian Federal University

Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, was founded in 2006, with the merge of 4 institutions of higher education. Today is, is a very active developing university in the country. It welcomes over 40.000 students and 3.000 teachers.

State University - Higher School of Economics

Moscow, Russia
The HSE was established in 1992, as a new-type university project, led by reputable Russian economists and the State. In 1995, HSE was granted university status, and with the support of leading European universities, such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, it grew to become one of the most reputable universities in Russia. The HSE has gradually established itself as a leader in the areas of economics, management, sociology, business informatics, public policy and political science.... See full description.

Universities in Russia by City:

IrkutskKrasnoyarskMoscowPetrozavodskRostov-on-DonSt. PetersburgVladimirVoronezhYaroslavl

About universities in Russia

To say the Russian people and government value higher education would be a grand understatement.  According to a recent study conducted by UNESCO, over half of the adult population in Russia has attained a tertiary or post-secondary education, a percentage that ranks Russia among the most educated countries in the world, a statistic that by comparison is more than double that of the United States.
 
As of 2010, close to 9 million students were enrolled in tertiary institutions, a figure that includes those enrolled at military and police institutions, as well as those attending academic-oriented universities.  In Russia, there are more than 650 public or state-run universities, and just over 500 private institutions of higher education, all governed by the Ministry of Education.  These enrollment figures include foreign or international students, who account for nearly 6 percent of the total enrollment.
 
Russia is currently in the process of transforming and modernizing its tertiary education system to make it compatible with the Western “Bachelor/Master Degree” system.  These changes are the result of the Bologna Process—a process aimed at standardizing the credit system and degree structure in universities throughout the European Union to facilitate the process of students transferring between universities.  Russia signed the Bologna Declaration in 2003, but progress towards conversion to this new system has been slow, largely due to adamant resistance from university administrators, faculty and a significant percentage of students.
 
In the traditional model of higher education in Russia, the majority of students pursue their studies at specialized institutes.  In these narrowly focused schools, which include institutions that concentrate solely on engineering, physics, medicine, education, law and even cinematography, students have the opportunity to earn “specialist” degrees by completing comprehensive courses of study, most of which span five to six years in duration depending on the discipline.  This is very different than the system established by the Bologna process, one that is separated into 3-4 year bachelor degrees and an additional two years of study to earn a Master’s Degree.
 
The main goal of the Bologna Process—facilitating student transfer between universities—is one of the characteristics that have led to the most resistance in Russia.  Russian universities openly discourage students from transferring between schools, as they believe this disrupts the consistency and fluidity of a student’s education.  Most believe that a focused 5-6 year program better prepares students to work and have success in their field of study upon graduation.  Nevertheless, in October 2007 Russia enacted a law that replaces the traditional one-tier system with the new two-tier system of bachelor and Master’s Degrees.
 
Post graduate studies in Russia have not changed, however, as these schools have retained the structure that has been in place since 1934.  Under this system, there are two types of doctorate-level degrees students can pursue:  an academic doctorate, one that represents advanced educational attainment and mastery in a specific academic field (economics, business, engineering, etc.); and the more prestigious scientific doctorate, signifying significant scientific discovery and/or achievement.  Needless to say, the latter of these two post-graduate programs is much more research-oriented, and the admission requirements are much stricter.