(специальности, spetsial’nosti). Similarly, all programs continue to be identified by a number <strong>and</strong> a name. Specialisations within <strong>the</strong> same study area may carry <strong>the</strong> same identification number but different names. <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>the</strong> 1 st <strong>and</strong> 2 nd year of study, now integrate compulsory teaching in humanities <strong>and</strong> social sciences for natural science programs, <strong>and</strong> vice versa. Also in a shift from <strong>the</strong> Soviet system, some subjects, such as <strong>the</strong> history of <strong>the</strong> Communist Party of <strong>the</strong> <strong>USSR</strong>, scientific communism, <strong>and</strong> political economy, which were previously part of foundation studies within all specialisations, have been renamed, revised or eliminated. <strong>The</strong> division of <strong>the</strong> course content into foundation studies, basic professional courses <strong>and</strong> specialised courses are similar to that in <strong>the</strong> Soviet system of education. However, now institutions of higher education have some autonomy with regard to determining <strong>the</strong> course content. Institutions may define 15 to 20% of <strong>the</strong> curriculum based on regional requirements <strong>and</strong> specialisation. As well, in addition to compulsory courses, students may choose among a certain number of electives. Summary of Rationale: <strong>The</strong> IQAS placement recommendation takes into account <strong>the</strong> following factors as outlined above: • admission requirements • length of <strong>the</strong> study • outcome of <strong>the</strong> study • general content • o<strong>the</strong>r placement recommendations IQAS recommends that: <strong>The</strong> Diploma of Incomplete Higher Education in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Russian</strong> <strong>Federation</strong> generally compares to <strong>the</strong> completion of: • 2 years of undergraduate university study in xxx, or • a 2-year undergraduate Diploma with a focus in xxx (if appropriate). Grading: <strong>The</strong> grading system in higher education in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Russian</strong> <strong>Federation</strong> is <strong>the</strong> same as that in <strong>the</strong> former <strong>USSR</strong>. It includes <strong>the</strong> same grading scale as at <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 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. <strong>The</strong> remaining courses of <strong>the</strong> term are marked зачет (zachet), if passed. Students can continue <strong>the</strong>ir programs <strong>and</strong> graduate only if <strong>the</strong>y pass each subject of <strong>the</strong> curriculum. Students are only allowed to resit a failed exam two times. 66
Scale Description 5 Excellent (Отлично, Otlichno) 4 Good (Хорошо, Horosho) Satisfactory (Удовлетворительно, 3 2 Udovletvoritel'no) Fail (Неудовлетворительно, Neudovletvoritel'no) Zachet Pass (Зачет, Zachet) Nezachet Fail (Незачет, Nezachet) 67