How the initiated reform of higher education affected applicants: where to go

Study 4 years or 6 today – everyone decides for himself

It is known that the reform of higher education is underway in the country, a pilot experiment has been launched to avoid undergraduate studies in six leading universities. Today, at the low start of the admission campaign, many, in addition to choosing universities, choosing areas of study or weighing the chances of admission, are also asking the following question: bachelor’s degree or specialty? How to choose if, from the point of view of the law, it is now one level of higher education – the first, which is also basic.

Indeed, studying for 4 years and or all 6 is the difference. But both options, the “cancelled”, but not completely gone bachelor’s degree and the specialist recommended from above, are equivalent. This is the basic level of HE, its first stage (the second level is now a master’s degree, and the third is postgraduate studies). And, by the way, if you “make it in 4 years”, because the testing of “soft exit” from the bachelor’s degree will last at least until 2027, you can enter the master’s program … In general, win these two years “any way”.

– Yes, at the moment it turns out that those who studied in the bachelor’s degree and in the specialist’s degree are equal from the point of view of the law, – says lawyer Stanislav Popov. – Both basic higher education. And the same diplomas will be, from a legal point of view. Perhaps the difference in specialties and a different set of skills determine such a “fork” for different specialties. But for some transitional time, it will turn out that the same specialists in different places will study for 4 years, some for 6. And it is difficult to say, in this case, whose rights will be more protected, and whose rights will suffer – from undergraduate graduates or graduates specialty. Some will win over time, others may be quoted higher in employment.

MK has already written that 6 universities are participating in the pilot project to abandon undergraduate studies: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), National Research Technological University MISiS, Moscow State Pedagogical University, St. Petersburg Mining University, National Research Tomsk State University. Interestingly, on the website of the Moscow State Pedagogical University, admission will be conducted for the “Basic Higher Education and Bachelor’s Programs”. But the MISiS website already in the “header” in large letters writes: “Bachelor’s and Specialist” …

MAI Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Dmitry Kozorez spoke about some features of the transition to a new system of higher education.

– The pilot project will be implemented in two stages. At the first stage, the changes will affect the aviation and space-rocket technology profile group for the MAI. These are the specialties Aircraft and Helicopter Engineering, Design, Production and Operation of Rockets and Rocket and Space Complexes, Aircraft and Rocket Engine Design, Aircraft Integrated Systems, Aircraft Control Systems. At present, an educational standard is being developed according to them, a list of competencies is being formed and modernized, and the main educational programs of basic higher education are being prepared. The first enrollment for these programs with a term of study of 5.5 years will take place this year. In total, about 1100 budget places have been allocated for them.

From the 2024/25 academic year, the experiment will be extended to other groups of areas. These are IT, mathematics, applied mechanics, electronics, radio engineering and communication systems, electric and thermal power engineering, instrument making, materials science, management, economics and others.

Special 4-year educational programs will be available for foreign citizens. Since MAI implements a large number of double degree programs with foreign universities, training systems should be correlated.

Acceptance of applications for admission to universities will begin on June 20.