Russia, Academic Career Structure

Higher Education in Russia

All universities in the Russian Federation are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Research. The Moscow State University has an independent position with the status of a ministry.

In 2005, Russia had 1,196,350 universities and higher education establishments that are authorised to offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees. Some of these establishments are private. See http://www.kref.ru/vyzrf_m.shtml

The first Russian University was founded by Peter the Great in Saint-Petersburg in 1724. The Moscow State University was founded by Queen Elisabeth in 1755.

Career Curriculum

1. PhD Candidate (Aspirant)
2. Lecturer (Dozent)
3. Professor (Doktor nauk)
4. Chair Holder

The average age for obtaining the PhD degree is 25-27, which is very low compared to other countries. The age for the Habilitation is 50, for professors 60.

Requirements for Positions

To be accepted for doctoral studies a candidate must be approved by the Chair and pass certain exams. This position requires participation in the Chair activities, publications (at least two articles) and giving a seminar or teaching assistance at the Chair.

A lectureship requires a PhD. No additional postdoctoral training is required.

To become Professor, one needs considerable teaching and academic supervision experience, the habilitation and research output (at least two books). Carrier promotion at Russian universities reflects the acquisition of a research degree (PhD or Habilitation), production of academic articles and books, extensive teaching experience and the ability to supervise at least 3 PhD candidates.

Promotion is based on peer judgements and can only be granted within the same academic discipline. The promotion is locally managed; each institution is responsible for the assessment of applications from their own staff and it is the Faculty Council that approves the nominations. However, the final approval is given by the Ministry of Education and Research. Promotion can also be granted when applying for position in open competition at other institutions.

Career

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Source: Year Report of the Law Faculty of MGU 2006

Number of Existing Positions

Source:

Recruitment

There is extremely low mobility in Russian universities among students and academics. Of the students, 95% continue their postgraduate training at the same institution where they obtained their first degree, and two-thirds of the professors received their PhD and Habilitation from the university where they are employed.

Accessibility for Non-Nationals

Russian academia is generally open to foreign students, although they have to pay much higher fees than Russian students. Some foreign students stay in Russia to obtain a PhD, but very few of them remain in Russian academia.

General information for foreign students can be found on the website of the Ministry of Research and Science.

National Universities

There are 2,597 accredited national universities in Russia. There is no official ranking, although there may be great differences in quality.. The 'classical universities'  are the oldest state universities in Moscow, Sanct-Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Samara, etc.

• List of National Universities

Info for Law

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Websites for Job Postings

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Sources

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Special thanks to:

Ekaterina Mouliarova, Max Weber Postdoctoral Fellow, EUI 2007/08