B) whether is the Higher education in Russia generally accessible or not.
Higher Education in Russia
Part 1.
After finishing general secondary school students receive a secondary education certificate, giving them the right to enter any higher education institution. Higher education plays an important part in the life of any country as it provides the country with highly-qualified specialists for future development and progress. It trains people to become teachers, engineers, doctors and other professional workers. Education preserves the culture, develops knowledge and skills, forms values, and through it the information is exchanged. It’s the way to success.
There are several types of higher education institutions in Russia. These are Universities, Academies, Institutes, Technical Universities and Conservatories. All the institutions are headed by the rectors; the faculties are headed by the deans. Universities, academies and institutes have similar functions - they train students in a variety of fields. Technical universities offer specialized instruction such as learning a skill, and conservatories offer lessons in music.
Higher education is provided by state and non-state (private) institutions. At the state institutions all applicants must pass competitive entrance exams to be admitted. Those few who achieve outstanding results are awarded scholarships. Approximately 1/3rd of students pay for their studies. At most non-state institutions all students pay tuition fees without receiving any financial help.
The academic year at Russian universities begins on the 1st of September and ends at the end of June/July. It usually lasts for 9 months and is divided into two terms (semesters). Autumn semester lasts from September till December, spring semester - from January till May. There is no summer semester, but during the summer students can take summer studies, which may consist of exams, personal projects or research in Russia and abroad. Most of the libraries are open during the summer. In addition to summer holidays, there is a break at the New Year and Christmas Celebrations (Jan 01 – Jan 10) and some other public holidays during the year.
Part 2.
In all the industrial countries standards of living are steadily changing; this means that the kind of education, which was good enough some years ago, is not necessarily good for us today. The adoption of the universities to contemporary needs in our rapidly changing world is widely recognized. And it means that styles of teaching, quality of learning materials and organization of the university itself have to be continuously brought up to date and improved.
Nowadays the education system in Russia is similar to the European and American education systems. It has two education levels: undergraduate level (Bachelor’s degree) and postgraduate level (Master’s degree, Doctor’s degree).
At the same time, there are lots of peculiarities in Russian education system; the main of them is having 5-year engineer / specialist programs. It still exists as a transitional period towards the Bologna system of education. Besides that we have such degrees as Kandidat Nauk and Doctor Nauk in Russia.
Thus, at the moment in Russia, there are three levels of Higher Professional Education:
· Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) - for this degree undergraduate students are educated in the education field of their choice without specialization;
· Specialist’s Degree (5 years) - is awarded to a student on successfully presenting a degree project to the State Attestation Commission and allows to begin with a Master’s or Doctor’s program;
· Master's Degree (2 years) – this degree provides the students after the completion of Bachelor’s Degree with specialization in a particular field of education.
The first- and second-year students obtain thorough instructions in the wide range of sciences as mathematics, physics, chemistry, foreign languages, history, economics, drawing, computer engineering and others. The third-year students get more advanced knowledge and begin to concentrate on their special interests, their major subject and take many courses in this subject. After four years students will get a Bachelor's degree. Then the students may go on with their studies and in two years of further study and research get a Master's degree.
Extra reading
Those who have a Specialist’s or a Master's Diploma can enter the Aspirantura (postgraduate education period) by passing an exam. The studies in Aspirantura last for 3 years, at the end of which students must pass qualifying exams.
The Kandidat Nauk is equivalent to a PhD in the US or Western Europe. Students must carry out independent research and prepare to defend their dissertation in public.
The highest degree in Russia is Doctor Nauk, equivalent to Professor. This program is specific and does not have a fixed duration. It follows the Kandidat Nauk and is awarded after preparation and public defence of a dissertation.
The increase of information requires new methods and new approaches to students' training. At present a new system of education is introduced in our country — a distance education system. This computer system of learning helps working professionals to continue their education while remaining at their jobs. This system allows people to get knowledge and a good foundation in the sciences basic to their field of study.
Text-based Activities
1. Find English equivalents for the Russian phrases from the text above.
Окончание школы, обеспечивать высококвалифицированными специалистами, развивать знания и умения, путь к успеху, предлагать специализированное обучение, государственное\ негосударственное высшее учебное заведение, конкурсный вступительный экзамен, оплачивать обучение, получать финансовую помощь, уровень жизни, широко признанный, методы преподавания, уровень образования, область образования по выбору, получение степени бакалавра, широкий спектр наук, продолжать обучение