Russia

Hi there. I'm Stas, second year student of faculty Applied Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics in Voronezh State University. Today I going to talk about higher education in USA. The talk is in two parts: 1) about education in USA 2) about the different degrees of education in the United States. It will take about 5 minutes. If you have any questions after the presentation, you can ask them. The main part of the story about education in the USA, let's go!

The first thing I want to say is education in Russia has one of the best mass-education system in the world. It is split into a compulsory Basic and ongoing Higher education. The first one lasts for nine years. Graduates of this level may enter an initial vocational school or non-university level higher education institutions, which offer skilled workers’ training. Or they may continue their education at senior high school to receive secondary general education. It takes 2 years to complete and graduates may apply for entrance to a higher education institution.

Higher education starts with Bachelor’s degree programs. It includes professional and special courses in Science, the Humanities and Social-economic disciplines. The bachelor’s degree is awarded in all fields except medicine after defending a diploma project and passing exams.

Then students may apply to enter the Magister’s degree programs or Specialist Diploma. Students must carry out practice, prepare, and defend a thesis. After this level, students can continue to study towards a doctoral degree. 

And now let us look attentively at VSU. It was established in 1802 and in 1918 the first lectures started at four faculties (the faculty of medicine, physics and mathematics, history and philology, law). Enrolment into the university was absolutely free. Some faculties were transformed into independent institutions. In 1950s number of faculties increased to 11. There were 40 departments, 4 museums, a library etc. VSU became one of the leading centers of teaching international students. Many of VSU alumni are widely known in Russia and abroad. So much for the second point. 

It brings me to the end of my presentation. 

I’d like to summarize what I’ve been saying. Firstly, education system in Russia include compulsory basic education and secondary general education to enter the university. The higher education has 3 levels: bachelor’s degree programs, specialist’s or master’s degree programs and postgraduate higher education. VSU rapidly developed and became recognized internationally. Many graduates of VSU are famous in Russia and abroad.

 Thank you for your attention! Does somebody have any questions?