Training provided in accordance with a particular study curriculum (students can not choose the subjects to study), created by the Higher Educational Institution and stated by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation is typical of the Russian educational system.

International candidates for admission to Russian higher educational institutions are expected to have the educational level equivalent to the complete secondary education in Russia. Their results on basic subjects in Maturity Degree are expected to be no less than 80% of the highest marks level.

The candidates are also expected to have good marks in the other subjects.
The Bachelor’s degree is conferred after at least a four-year course of study. Bachelor’s programmes can cover all disciplines except medicine. The Bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for admission to Master’s studies.

A Master’s programme is at least a two-year course focused more around research activities in comparison with the Specialist programme.

The State educational standard defines only general requirements for the Master’s level educational programmes and not the requirements regarding the content of education.

Russian higher education establishments offering Master’s degree programmes are free to make their own decisions regarding the contents of the programmes.

Access to Master’s studies is open to the holders of a Bachelor’s degree. The higher education institutions set up their own admission requirements and procedures (examinations, interviews, etc.).

The hierarchy of advanced scientific degrees in Russia includes Doctor's degrees of two levels: the Candidate of Sciences and the Doctor of Sciences.

The Candidate of Sciences degree normally requires at least three years of study after the award of the Specialist or the Master’s diploma.

The Doctor of Sciences degree can be earned after a period of further study following the award of the Candidate of Sciences degree.

In reality, to earn a Doctor of Sciences degree requires five to fifteen years beyond the award of the Candidate of Sciences degree.