How to get a second education. Is it possible to simultaneously receive a second higher education? Distance free higher education

It is believed that the second higher education in our country can only be obtained for money. But some cunning students manage to get some of the most real, not fake diplomas - and completely free.

ANNA VASILIEVA

Master of Other Sciences

You can get a state diploma of higher education for free, already having one in your pocket, in several legal ways (many, sadly, go the illegal way, but more on that later).

The most obvious way is a master's degree. Students who have received a specialist or bachelor's degree can go to any other university for a master's degree. On the websites of absolutely all universities and institutes where there is a magistracy department, it is emphasized that the magistracy is an opportunity to receive a second higher education for free. "Applicants who have received higher education and have a bachelor's or specialist's degree can apply for places financed from the federal budget," says, for example, on the website of the Russian University of Economics them. G. V. Plekhanov. At the same time, it is clarified that when entering a master's program, you can choose any direction of training, regardless of the profile of your first higher education. "The opportunity to change the direction of study and master a new specialty is one of the key advantages of the 4 + 2 system (bachelor's + master's)", emphasizes the Higher School of Economics.

This path is good from all points of view, including the fact that it is easier to enter the master's program of some universities than to enter the same place for the first year.

"I dreamed of going to higher school economics from school,” says 24-year-old Ruslan Pekhov. “But I knew for sure that I would not be able to enter the free department, the requirements were too high and the competition was big. And then I went to MIIT, received a bachelor's degree there, and with it I already entered the master's program at the Higher School of Economics. The entrance exams are much easier and the competition is minimal."

Despite the fact that it takes only two years to study for a master's degree, students who decide to radically change direction in the course of their studies do receive two full-fledged professions. “I studied for four years at the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University,” says 25-year-old Nastya Mironova. “I learned Japanese well, received a bachelor’s degree. that I will receive a master's degree at the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University. budget place and two years later - the second diploma of higher education. Now working as a special correspondent in Japan, I am quite happy with the start of my career."

But what about those who have already become a master, but still want to study?

At someone else's expense

Then there is only one legal way - grants. Compared to the West, in Russia the topic of grants does not seem to be very relevant, nevertheless, with the desire and ability, education with their help can be obtained not only in Russia, but also abroad. Public organizations In fact, there are quite a lot of grants that provide such grants, you just have to set out to find them. There is, for example, the Ford Foundation, which annually announces a competition for a grant for undergraduate or postgraduate studies at any university in the world, including Russian ones. There is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), thanks to which grants for a second higher education can be obtained in more than 2 thousand specialties, and the training will not necessarily take place in German.

This year, the British Council in Russia has revived the well-known scholarship program Chevening, which provides young professionals not only with free education at any chosen university in the UK for 12 months, but also with accommodation in this country. In addition to the opportunity to take a course, the program provides for sponsoring the work of specialists on short-term research projects. Applicants are required high level possessions English language, diploma of higher education with excellent and good grades and at least two years of work experience in the chosen specialty. Particular emphasis is placed on the applicant's intention to continue labor activity in Russia.

Such grants are trying to allocate the ministries of foreign affairs of all countries with which Russia has established diplomatic relations. Therefore, in fact, you should choose a country, go to the website of its embassy and carefully study the section describing cooperation in the field of education. For example, the website of the French Embassy published a list of programs for which grants are issued, and it seems that they reflect the whole spectrum human activity. There is a Copernicus program here, which is designed for young economists, lawyers and engineers, scholarships designed for Russian students those wishing to continue their studies in the second cycle (master), grants for university graduates who would like to enroll in public service, and much more.

Most of these grants assume that upon completion of training, diplomas will be issued to specialists, which are equated to official documents on higher education.

Without a diploma, but with knowledge of the matter

Everyone has long understood that the presence of a diploma does not always indicate the presence of knowledge. Therefore, it often occurs to those who want to raise their level of education that it is much more logical to choose some refresher courses or acquire new skills that are not related to your profession. The number of paid offers in this area generally beats all records, but it’s worth working on finding free options.

The Strelka Institute of Media, Architecture and Design, founded in 2009, looks unique here. The aim of the Institute is "to educate the next generation of architects, designers and media professionals who will shape the world in the 21st century."

The creators of the project call the institute a postgraduate program, which is intended for graduates of higher educational institutions - young professionals. "The program provides an opportunity to work with the authors of brilliant projects in the field of urbanism, architecture and communications from around the world - an experience invaluable to anyone young specialist", - says Alexander Ostrogorsky, director of communications at the Strelka Institute.

"Still, one cannot perceive studying at our institute as a regular second higher education. The educational program is designed for a year, during which students work on projects whose ideas are related to some global and Russian issues, for example, the future of energy or the preservation of historical heritage. After students receive certificates, but we do not issue state diplomas either in the Russian or in the Western system," Ostrogorsky said.

At the same time, it is no easier to enter Strelka than to enter some Western university. Upon admission, students must submit a portfolio, explain why this education is important to them, and go through a serious competitive selection: 12 candidates applied for a place last year. After admission, all students are provided with a scholarship, and, if necessary, accommodation.

Education is absolutely free. "Yes, we have summer schools for everyone, where some workshops are paid. But for our students, the entire course of study is absolutely free," Ostrogorsky clarifies.

According to him, not only those guys who have already received an architectural or design education can enter the institute. "Our main task is to find ways to solve problems that are important for Russia and the whole world. Therefore, if not an architect comes to us, but, for example, a physicist and says that he wants to apply in Russia innovative approaches in the field of energy, we will only be happy,” Ostrogorsky stressed.

However, in his opinion, for those who want to combine study with work, this is not the best option. "The study schedule is very tight. During the year, students will have to master an extensive program, which consists of lectures, events and study trips. Therefore, we are against combining education with serious work, and this is unlikely to work out," says Ostrogorsky.

If the task is to combine education with a work schedule, you can try to get the employer to pay for your training. Some firms organize on-the-job training for their employees. It's called a corporate university. Such are, for example, Beeline, Severstal, Ingosstrakh, Rostelecom, Wimm-Bill-Dann, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and many others. These institutions are good because students are given practical knowledge in a narrow specialty on the job. As a rule, teachers are invited from leading business schools and large companies, and the learning process is based on the performance of business tasks.

hope for the best

It is possible that in the future it will be easier to study for a second time at a university for free. In any case, discussions on this topic among legislators are ongoing. In 2008 in State Duma a bill was introduced in which the deputies propose to allow free second higher education in some specialties in the field of culture and art. In particular, it was supposed to give the opportunity to once again unlearn for free those people who wanted to choose as a second profession such areas as theater directing, film and television directing, composition, conducting and some others. However, the number did not pass.

“Then the Ministry of Finance simply felt sorry for the money,” believes one of the authors of the bill, Elena Drapeko, a deputy from the Just Russia party. At the same time, she is sure that not everything is lost, and intends to re-submit the bill in the near future. "Many years of experience objectively show that in some professions, for example, in the profession of a director or conductor, success was achieved only by those who entered these specialties at the age of 23-25. A conductor is a second education by definition, since a person must at least get a musical education and become, for example, an excellent violinist," the deputy noted.

She tells a compelling story about young man, who, while studying at the theater department, showed a rare talent as an animated film director. “So tell me, do we have many directors of animated films? Yes, almost none! And the guy is really talented. And everyone admits it. money from sponsors,” says Drapeko. “We are trying to find money for talented guys, but there are few such grants, not everyone who wants and deserves them can get them.”

“And besides, there is no system in this,” the deputy continues. “It is some kind of manual control. We must finally admit that there are specialties that only adults need to learn.”

Bypassing the law

In the meantime, the bill is waiting in the wings, cunning students solve the problem of the second highest in their own way. According to federal law"On Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education" every citizen of Russia has the right to receive free professional education on a competitive basis and only if he receives education of this level for the first time. However, the law does not provide for liability for obtaining a second higher education free of charge. There is also no procedure for verifying data on whether an applicant has a completed professional education. And some people take advantage of it. The applicant, as you know, is required to submit to the selection committee an identity document, citizenship, a state-recognized document on education and photographs. That is, it is necessary, in theory, to present a diploma of higher professional education, if any. Moreover, each applicant signs that he/she is receiving a higher professional education for the first time.

“The legislation does not provide for liability for providing false information or failure to submit certain documents upon admission to a university,” says Maria Smirnova, specialist of the Federal Center for Educational Legislation. documents have not yet been formed. In theory, responsibility in the form of expulsion from the university can be enshrined in the charter of the university, but this also practically does not happen.

Nowhere today. Few people decide to receive two higher educations at the same time. First you need to determine the goal - why it is needed. It is important to consider what other specialty is needed in order to understand whether it is possible to apply knowledge and see the future.

It is also important to monitor, study the labor market and evaluate your strengths for this. Will there be enough psychological and material resources to receive two higher educations at the same time? Are you ready to spend twice as much time studying?

First you need to understand why you need two higher

Studying in two directions at the same time is suitable if:

I entered one, finished my studies up to 2-3 courses and was disappointed because the chosen education was not suitable.
I would like to receive additional education to the main thing that will benefit.
It is necessary to improve knowledge and skills.

However, to obtain two higher educations at the same time, it is necessary:

Seriousness and willingness to double the learning load. It is worth considering whether it will be possible to keep up with everything and completely change the rhythm of life.
Good studies. Getting a second diploma just like that is stupid. If you do not need knowledge and skills in another area, do not even try.
Time, patience, stock of nerve cells.
procedure.

You can study in parallel in two directions, course to course. Or get a second education after the first / second / third year. In the second option, it is easier to study, since the subjects and the diploma are easier to write at the same time. In the first case, it is more difficult to study, since there are two sessions in a row, a diploma is written year after year.

If you immediately enter the first year in two different directions, then you must provide USE results V admission committee. And when applying after the second or third year, you can pass entrance tests or send the results of the exam (at the discretion of the university).

It is beneficial to receive two higher educations at the same time. The training time is reduced, you can become a specialist in various fields.

In Russia, you can receive two higher educations at the same time. But according to the laws, you can study for free only once. You can get two educations at the same time both in one and in different ones. You can get two educations for free only by studying at the same time at a college / technical school / college and a university.

You can study at the same university or at different ones. In order to enter the second specialty, it is necessary to submit a copy of the certificate and the results of the Unified State Examination to the university / pass entrance examinations within the walls of the university.

What forms of education can be combined

You can study in two specialties at once in various ways:

Of all the proposed forms of education, the combination of full-time and part-time forms is the most popular. However, at the same time, the best and most convenient form is a combination of full-time and remote forms.

Pros and cons of such training

People with multiple degrees are more competitive

The advantages of two higher educations received simultaneously are:

Having two diplomas after graduation.
Competition. The level of competitiveness in the labor market is increasing. More job opportunities.
Expansion of employment.
get the desired specialty immediately, and not in a few years.
Saving money, since getting a second higher education after completing the first one is many times more expensive than simultaneously studying in two specialties.
A variety of study options: in the same university at different faculties or in completely different universities that may be located in different cities, evening education combined with full-time or part-time with full-time.
The opportunity to move up the career ladder faster than with one diploma in hand.
Saving "future" time. There is no need to spend another 4-5 years after the first education, take time off from work for the period of the session, etc.

You also have to be doubly tired.

The disadvantages of two higher educations received simultaneously are:

Two sessions per semester at the same time, if the training is in parallel. There is a risk of not having time to attend two exams at once.
Psychological and moral tension, stress. The exam may fall on the same day, study load there can be a lot both in the first education and in the second.
Takes a lot. You have to study twice. Evenings to spend on the performance of laboratory, control, coursework, settlement and graphic work, multiplied by two. Weekends can sometimes be missed.
Tuition payment. The second education, even if received simultaneously with the first one, must be paid for every semester. Correspondence form does not cost as much as full-time.
Physical fatigue.

But still, the advantages of a second higher education far outweigh the disadvantages that one should go through without fear of difficulties. As a rule, the second higher education justifies itself.

Students' opinions about this

Many guys do not welcome two higher educations at the same time. This is motivated by:

it makes no sense to get a second “tower”, repeating after others. You need to understand yourself and determine your own motivation. If you are satisfied with working in a clothing store, then you should not even get a first higher education;
if you want to become a real pro, it is not necessary to get a second one. You can successfully develop in the field of your first education. Enter the magistracy, graduate school, take qualifying courses. Highly qualified specialists do not always have two diplomas;
higher education in itself is associated with certain burdens. In combination with work or a second education, it will be even more difficult. The requirements at the university for all students are the same. You need to be prepared for such difficulties.

But there are a lot of those guys who are “for”:

it is better to immediately get a second higher education than, having worked in one place for 10-15 years, to understand that you should do something else. It is never too late to think about getting a second education, but the sooner the better;
The features of the modern labor market are that new industries are emerging every day and highly qualified specialists with knowledge and skills in the right field are required. It is not necessary to enroll in another specialty at the university in the first year. Realizing your motivation and the needs of the labor market, you can choose a university and specialty, studying already in the second/third/fourth year;
great employment opportunities. Searching for a job in two specialties at the same time provides more chances to find a job.

How to act in a given situation, decide for yourself. The main thing is to correctly assess your strengths, think over plans for the future and study your needs.

In this video you will learn how to get two higher education abroad:

The need for education is undeniable. It is the key to success and career growth. High competition in the labor market forces young specialists (and not only them) to acquire additional knowledge in related professional fields. Yesterday's graduates educational institutions and specialists with experience want to get a second higher education. "How much to study?" - a question that worries each of them.

Who gets a second higher education and why?

There are many reasons why people get a second education. This is either a banal habit of learning, or a vital necessity, or simply because there is nothing to do (“let it be”). If we turn to statistics, then 61% of students receiving a second higher education are working specialists. They were driven to this desire to climb the career ladder. After all, often to build a successful career you need to have knowledge in related areas of work. The remaining 39% include those who do not like the first profession, who do not work in their specialty, who hope for a salary increase, etc. For example, an accountant can get a second degree Teacher Education, realizing that numbers are not his calling, or wanting to realize a childhood dream. People tend to radically change their lives thanks to the second diploma.

What form of education is better to choose?

You can choose any: full-time, part-time, evening or part-time. It all depends on the intended goals and capabilities of the person. Most often, full-time students are trained by those who do not yet have any work experience. Evening uniform means three to four days a week of study. Classes are usually from six to nine. During combined training, classes are held both in the daytime and in the evening. The most attractive form of obtaining a diploma of higher education is by correspondence.

Many people who want to get a diploma cannot attend classes for various reasons: for health reasons, because of the territorial location of the university, etc. This problem can be solved by obtaining a second higher education remotely.

Requirements of higher education institutions

There are no age restrictions for applicants. At any age, you can get a second higher education. How much to study will depend on many criteria, including how much the first specialty and the second, desired, differ from each other.

The basis for enrollment is a diploma of the first higher education. It is worth noting that some universities set restrictions. They only accept students who have graduated from public or accredited commercial universities.

As for the period of study, with a complete re-profiling, due to the large number of special subjects, it can be increased.

Upon admission with educational institution a contract is concluded, which specifies the terms, conditions of training, a list of subjects studied and terms of payment.

The main difficulty is the training schedule, because most often people who receive a second higher education are already working somewhere. For such students, sometimes there is an opportunity to study according to individual plans. But most often, educational institutions adhere to standard programs.

Second higher education: how much to study?

Citizens who already have one diploma in their hands can be enrolled in both the first and subsequent courses. At the same time, the university independently decides how many tests and in what form an applicant who wants to get a second higher education will take.

How much to study, mainly depends on the specialty received during the first training. If the content academic disciplines cardinally different, the period of study can reach up to five years.

Also, training at the university can be carried out according to reduced educational programs. This decision is made educational part and depends on what subjects and in what volume the person had previously passed. At the same time, the period of mastering the program cannot be less than 1.5 years.

In what cases is the term of education extended?

The term of study can be extended by a year in two cases. Firstly, when developing an individual curriculum for combined and correspondence forms.

Secondly, through the provision It can be provided subject to availability medical indications or in other exceptional cases.

How can you shorten the learning curve?

When calculating the terms of study, the disciplines already studied and passed during the first education are taken into account. This process is called reset. It includes recognition and inclusion in a new academic list of previously received grades.

In addition, the possibility of reducing the period of study depends on the abilities of the student. There is a possibility of early examinations. According to the rules, such consent can be given by a particular educational institution. To do this, you must write an application addressed to the rector, after which the individual curriculum will be changed.

Distance higher education

The second higher education distance implies traditional form learning, but at a distance. That is, as with admission to a regular institute, you can choose both full-time, part-time, and combined forms of education.

It runs throughout the semester. Most often, enrollment is carried out twice a year: before the start of the next semester. But there are also universities in which there is no reference to the semester.

The most popular directions for obtaining a second higher education

Currently, among the many areas, the most popular are jurisprudence, pedagogy and economics. According to demand, there are quite a large number of offers.

To get, for example, the second higher education seeks most of the applicants. This is due to the fact that everyday life confronts us with problems in which knowledge of rights and laws would simplify their solution. Therefore, the number of institutions that produce certified lawyers is increasing every year.

The second higher education never lost its popularity, and even against the backdrop of emerging prospects for it, it became even more in demand. Everyone can choose a different profile as they wish.

A second higher education in Moscow was a rarity even less than ten years ago. Today, according to statistics, 20% of specialists have already received a second diploma, and 6% are on the way to defending it. This once again speaks of the desire of our citizens to develop and move forward.

IN Lately in the job market, there is a tendency to increase the number of applicants with two higher educations.

Indeed, in order to get a prestigious job in a large company, sometimes higher education is not enough, which is obtained after school. A modern employer is looking for a universal specialist with deep knowledge in several areas at once and is ready to pay much more to the holder of two diplomas.

The reason for obtaining a "second tower" may be the desire to move up the career ladder, the desire to expand knowledge in the field of one's profession, or even just a personal interest. The need to “retrain” can appear at any moment: someone enters the second university immediately after graduating from the first, and someone becomes a student after many years. The second diploma gives us the opportunity, already having one university document, to get another new specialty or profession.

Where can you get a second degree?

The decision to get another profession usually comes to people who have already realized that they really need it. Many of them have already worked in their specialty and realized what they lack for further growth.

Today, almost everyone has a chance to sit down on the student bench again, without age restrictions. With the growth of their number, the number of universities offering such a service is also growing. To date, more than 70 higher educational institutions in Russia can provide an opportunity to study in the "second round".

The second higher education in Russia has its own characteristics:

training is necessarily paid;
basically there are no entrance exams, in some universities there may be an interview or profile testing;
the duration of training is much shorter than when receiving the first education. It necessarily depends on the form of study for the first diploma and is approximately 2.5 - 3.5 years.

Forms of obtaining a second diploma

Russian universities offer everyone to get the opportunity to re-become a specialist with a diploma, using one of the forms of education:

daytime, in which for students with a diploma, separate groups are created on the course;
evening, requiring attendance at classes several times a week and in the evenings;
part-time, in which during the semester students independently perform the tasks given to them earlier, and during the session they listen to lectures on individual subjects and pass mandatory exams and tests;
remote, when students can contact teachers and receive advice via the Internet;
periodic, in which students study only individual items, pass exams on them and receive confirming certificates. In the presence of a certain number of certificates, a diploma of higher education is issued;
weekend training, which is organized a couple of times a week for working or busy students;
external study - when the disciplines required for the student are completely learned independently and exams are taken on them.

Tuition fee

Tuition can be paid either by the student himself or by the organization that sends him. The cost of training depends on:

the number and scope of disciplines studied;
the chosen form of education;
the time of payments that are made every semester or are monthly or lump sum.

Tuition fees may be significantly reduced or eliminated entirely for some students with benefits.

Admission rules

You can apply for a second higher education at many universities at any time, since documents are accepted all year round. For admission to study in the second specialty, it is necessary to present the same documents (originals) as for obtaining the first higher education. Namely:

a standard application with a request for enrollment addressed to the rector;
passport, as well as a document confirming the change of surname, if this happened;
regular photo size 3x4.

In addition, you must submit:

Diploma of Higher Education;
Diploma Supplement, which lists previously studied subjects.

However, when applying to specific universities, it is desirable to clarify the list of required documents.

It is believed that today in order to be competitive in the labor market, it is necessary to constantly supplement one's education. This is certainly true: changes happen every day - and this applies to almost any activity, from cleaning the office to senior management. And if you lag behind the trends indicated by your field of work, you will most likely be left behind.

But, if you are just starting your career, having a second higher education can be a nice bonus. Another plus of having an additional diploma is that you can choose from two specialties (and at the beginning of the journey, as practice shows, it is very important to have an alternative). Or you can work at the intersection of learned disciplines - then you will be a truly indispensable specialist and will surely occupy your niche.

And one more thing: getting a second higher education is an excellent way out for those who, for some reason, could not study what they had dreamed of all their lives. So it was with me: the results of the Unified State Examination in social science, which I took “in reserve”, turned out to be impressive, and therefore I preferred free sociological education to paid education in journalism. The desire to be a journalist did not disappear, but sociology, as I studied, captured more and more. Therefore, I began to look for opportunities to master both professions - and soon found them.

An important fact - the second higher education cannot be obtained on budgetary basis. Therefore, if you are studying in a higher education program or already have a diploma, the state will not fund your education, no matter how well you pass the exams.

The Federal Law on Education (Article No. 34) states that any student has the right to simultaneously master several professional educational programs. But how can this be done technically?

Listener

Few people know that, in addition to students, so-called listeners- people who, for one reason or another, cannot provide original documents on education and are enrolled in the course as if "in advance". Important feature such a status - it is provided only in absentia or remote department(perhaps, somewhere you can become a listener and on the "point" - but this is rather an exception to the rule). At the same time, students go to classes in the same way, write tests and take exams.

So it's best do not start getting a second degree in the same year that the first: it is likely that there will be problems with obtaining a diploma. Yes, and psychologically, it can be very difficult: after all, at school there is a different format of education, and, becoming a student, you need to get used to the new rules, join the team. It is also important to establish interaction with teachers, because it depends on them what consequences your absenteeism will have. And absenteeism, alas, will happen for sure, because, even getting an education in absentia, sometimes you need to be present at educational institution- and this time may coincide with the time of the main classes.

I entered the second institute, having barely finished the first year, and soon realized that I had made a mistake: my studies could last one or two years less if I had more disciplines already mastered (they can be re-credited - this is done by the scientific part of the new university) . In general, it is best to complete at least the third year in the first specialty in order to start mastering the second.

By the way, about admission. Each university has its own rules for admission of students to the second higher education. However, usually for those who wish to receive parallel education, did not finish the third year in the main institute, most often they arrange the most ordinary selection - with the results USE And entrance exam (not the fact that it is necessary - it depends on the specialty). Recall that the results of the USE in Russia are valid 4 years. The only consolation in this situation is that the competition for the correspondence department is usually several times less than for the full-time department.

Those who decide to enter the second higher education after the start of the third year of the main institute are usually enrolled only according to the results entrance examinations.

By the way, in some universities (including the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Moscow State University) there are programs of parallel education within the framework of one university, as a result of which a graduate can receive two diplomas. However, the range of specialties is usually limited.

Parallel distance learning at first, it can also be difficult and unusual. Especially during examination sessions. Of course, sessions at face-to-face and correspondence departments usually do not coincide in time: this is done for the convenience of teachers. But sometimes exams at two institutes can still overlap - in this case, you will have to stock up on strong coffee and Novopassit. But this period, as practice shows, quickly ends. And there is nothing better than celebrating the end of two sessions at once!

In general, in order to study at two universities at the same time, you need to have a stable psyche, a frantic work capacity and an incredible desire to know everything at once. But graduates with two higher educations are usually valued by employers and are willing to take both internships and open vacancies. And besides, such students save the main resource modern man - time, which in the future can be spent not on sitting at a desk, but on travel, family or anything else.

And a parallel higher education is very interesting. It's great when you can go beyond the profession, offer something new, experiment, applying the methods of one profession to another. Often the work done for one university was useful for me to complete assignments in another. By the way, it will be very useful to calculate the zone of your scientific interests: then all the achievements over the years of study can be useful to you in writing theses in both universities. And then, perhaps, when writing master's thesis- if you are going to write it at all.