EDUCATION IN RUSSIA

Russia possesses one of the best mass-education systems in the world, and has a long-standing tradition of high-quality education for all citizens. Russia’s education system produces a 98% literacy rate, exceeding that of most Western European countries. Russia’s top universities are located in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with Moscow State University and Saint Petersburg being the most well-known. The top universities in Russia have extremely competitive entry requirements, and hold special entry exams each year.

The Russian Federation currently follows an 11-year system of education, consisting of 4 years of primary school, 5 years of lower secondary school and 2 years of upper secondary school. Upon successful completion of upper secondary school, students receive a school-issued Certificate of Completion of Secondary Education (Аттестат о среднем (полном) общем образовании / Attestat o srednem (polnom) obshchem obrazovanii). This credential gives access to university study.

Russia is a perfect destination for students interested in the arts, as Russia is historically known for its excellence in literature, ballet, painting, and classical music. International students in Russia studying literature will have the opportunity to study some of the world’s most famous writers such as Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov, and Leo Tolstoy in these authors’ home country.

Students wondering why study in Russia may also be drawn to the country’s music and dance world. Students studying in Russia will have many opportunities to experience and appreciate the works of some of the most famous composers of classical music in the world, such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky. Additionally, the Bolshoi Ballet still performs many works both classical and contemporary, some of which were performed by such renowned Russian dancers as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.