Credential Templates, The Former USSR and the Russian Federation

(специальности, spetsial’nosti). Similarly, all programs continue to be identified by a number
and a name. Specialisations within the same study area may carry the same identification number
but different names. The total number of specialisations has increased as traditional
specialisations exist in parallel with new specialisations. New specialisations were added in
study areas such as business/management, law, sociology, computer science/informatics,
languages, environmental science, etc.
Foundation studies, in the 1 st and 2 nd year of study, now integrate compulsory teaching in
humanities and social sciences for natural science programs, and vice versa. Also in a shift from
the Soviet system, some subjects, such as the history of the Communist Party of the USSR,
scientific communism, and political economy, which were previously part of foundation studies
within all specialisations, have been renamed, revised or eliminated.
The division of the course content into foundation studies, basic professional courses and
specialised courses are similar to that in the Soviet system of education. However, now
institutions of higher education have some autonomy with regard to determining the course
content. Institutions may define 15 to 20% of the curriculum based on regional requirements and
specialisation. As well, in addition to compulsory courses, students may choose among a certain
number of electives.
Summary of Rationale:
The IQAS placement recommendation takes into account the following factors as
outlined above:
• admission requirements
• length of the study
• outcome of the study
• general content
• other placement recommendations
IQAS recommends that:
The Diploma of Incomplete Higher Education in the Russian Federation generally
compares to the completion of:
• 2 years of undergraduate university study in xxx, or
• a 2-year undergraduate Diploma with a focus in xxx (if appropriate).
Grading:
The grading system in higher education in the Russian Federation is the same as that in
the former USSR. It includes the same grading scale as at the other levels of education.
Additionally, some courses are marked зачет (zachet), which is usually translated as pass or
credit. No more than five set examinations are typically graded each semester. The remaining
courses of the term are marked зачет (zachet), if passed. Students can continue their programs
and graduate only if they pass each subject of the curriculum. Students are only allowed to resit a
failed exam two times.
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