The difference between a master's degree and a specialist degree. What is a specialty and how to apply for a specialty? Specialist or graduate

Today we will talk about the principles by which students choose between a bachelor's or a specialist's degree and what advantages each of these study programs has.

Modern Russian system higher vocational education provides for the possibility of obtaining several degrees of qualification. If earlier in our country only graduates graduated from the walls of universities, today young people have the right to choose between bachelor's, specialist's, master's and postgraduate studies.

It should be noted that if the magistracy and postgraduate studies do not raise questions, since without further ado it is clear that this is a certain academic degree, then not everyone knows how a bachelor's degree differs from a specialty. That is why today we will talk about the principles by which students choose between a bachelor's or a specialist's degree and what advantages each of these study programs has.

What is Bachelor's and Specialist's?

The specialty is a traditional form of higher education for Russia. Upon graduation, a graduate of the university receives the qualification "certified specialist". At the same time, he has the opportunity to go to study both in the magistracy and in graduate school.

Bachelor's degree is the first stage of higher education. The student chooses a direction in advance and studies according to it. Such education provides exactly the basics of the specialty, that is, the base of necessary knowledge for obtaining a profession. After graduating from the university, the student acquires the qualification "bachelor" and gets the opportunity to go to study at the magistracy.

And on undergraduate, and people with a complete secondary or secondary vocational education (that is, after graduating from a college or technical school) can enter the specialty. It is believed that the specialty includes a bachelor's and master's program.

The difference between a bachelor's degree and a specialty

If you are going to enter a higher educational institution, then first you need to decide which qualification is more important for you: specialist, bachelor or master. This will greatly affect which company you go to work for. Employers react differently to bachelor's and specialist degrees. Also, Russian enterprises have some requirements, while international companies can put forward completely different ones.

Before everything Russian students studied only as a specialist. Accordingly, after graduation, they were awarded the qualification “certified specialist”. At that time, foreign countries were already in full use of the two-level education system. After some time, such a system was introduced in our country. Now in domestic universities you can find both the old and the new system.

What are their differences? Let's get a look:

you will study for 4 years at the bachelor's degree, and 5 or 5, 5 years at the specialist's degree (depending on the specialty);
Bachelor studies the base of the profession, general disciplines. Specialist, on the contrary, provides for the study of a narrow specialty in the profile that the student chooses;
in the first 2 years in both qualifications I study general education subjects. Then the separation begins.
at the bachelor's degree, you can get the basis of the profession and then go to any of its areas, at the specialist, knowledge is most often obtained in a certain narrow area;
after receiving a bachelor's degree, a student can only go to a master's degree. A specialist can immediately go to graduate school, bypassing the master's program;
bachelors can apply for free education in the master's program, since such a degree of qualification allows them to participate in the competition. For specialists, the master's program will be paid, as it will be considered a second higher education. According to the law, the second higher education can only be obtained for money.
A bachelor can get into graduate school only if he graduates from a master's program.

As mentioned above, many employers understand that graduated specialists study longer and, accordingly, gain more knowledge in narrow areas. Therefore, a bachelor's degree in the modern labor market is less in demand than a specialist's degree. However, employers are very much mistaken when they think that a bachelor's degree cannot be called a completed higher education. Graduating with this qualification, the student receives all the necessary professional knowledge and skills.

Advantages and disadvantages of a bachelor's degree

Oddly enough, but bachelor's degree in Russia is now very popular. In modern Russian universities, it is much more common than a specialist. What is the reason for such popularity of undergraduate studies? Of course, the benefits that it gives:

bachelor's degree is considered international system education. Therefore, after graduation, the student can safely go abroad to work there. Europe has the same two-tier system.
the student has a wide choice of a place of work. Due to the practice-oriented nature of training without being tied to any one narrow specialization, a bachelor can apply for many vacancies that require higher education.
training lasts only 4 years (that is, you "save" at least one year).
already in the process of studying, a student can decide on a further choice of profession and enroll in a master's program in a narrower specialty (at the same time, he can continue his education at the expense of the budget).
for the period of study, future bachelors are granted a deferment from the army.

Now let's say a few words about the shortcomings of this training program.

As mentioned above, employers often do not value bachelors because they are convinced that four years of study is not enough to acquire high level professional knowledge and skills. Another serious disadvantage is go to budget It is possible to get a master's degree, but it is very difficult. A paid master's degree can be very expensive. At the same time, a deferment from the army will be granted only if the student is studying in the magistracy on a full-time basis.

Advantages and disadvantages of a specialty

There are a lot of advantages for a specialist over a bachelor:

firstly, employers value students who have graduated from a specialty, which makes it easier for graduates to find a job;

secondly, after the specialty, you can immediately go to graduate school without wasting time on studying at the magistracy;
thirdly, it is easier to start engaging in scientific activities;
fourthly, students are granted a respite from the army;
fifthly, future specialists have the opportunity to enjoy student life for one year longer.

Speaking of disadvantages specialty, then, first of all, it should be noted:

inability to go to graduate school budgetary basis, as this will be considered a second higher education;
such education is not valued abroad. They only have a two-tier system, and they don't have a secondary qualification;
if you want to study further, then there will be no respite from the army.

If you are striving for economic independence as soon as possible, then studying for a specialist may seem too long (up to 6 years).

Summing up

Choice of study program depends on your future goals. If you are studying specifically for a specialty, then you are not so much getting an education as you are mastering a certain profession. While undergraduate, you will get faster general education certain direction than a particular specialty. It is also important to assess how long you are willing to study. If you need to get an education as soon as possible, then it is better to choose a bachelor's degree.

Evaluate for yourself whether you need a master's degree and whether you can afford it financially. If you want to continue your education, but cannot pay for it, then it is better to go to a bachelor's degree. Then there will be chances to get on budget place. According to statistics on budget department master's programs get 20% of bachelor's graduates.

If you are going to engage in scientific activities, then it is better to go for a specialist. So you save 1-1.5 years.

Please note which company you want to work for. If international is preferable, then it is better to choose a bachelor's degree. If Russian, then a specialist.

Back in 1997, Russia joined the single European educational space. This happened after the signing of the Bologna Convention, which involves the transition to the so-called two-tier educational system. Starting this year, all universities in the country offer bachelor's and master's programs of study and training of specialists to future students. At the first level there is a bachelor's degree and its "basic" knowledge, at the second level a master's degree and a specialist. What is the difference between these levels of education?

Definition of degrees of education

Modern students after graduation from school (or technical school) have a very difficult time. Not only are they often required to decide on future profession"here and now" and pass the appropriate number of exams, so there is some confusion with educational programs. Someone screams that bachelor's is unfinished higher education and it is imperative to complete a master's degree, someone claims that a specialty as a training program was excluded a long time ago, someone does not understand all these educational levels and with eyes closed brings his cherished documents to the first university he comes across.

In order to prevent this from happening to you, let's try to figure out what is the difference between these mysterious educational levels.

Undergraduate

Initially, the academic cap was intended for undergraduates, but then bachelors began to use it as well.

Let's start with the simplest (and for some the most difficult) - with a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degree is the initial stage of higher education. A bachelor's degree is a full-fledged higher education with all the ensuing consequences.

Bachelor degree:

the degree (qualification) of the bachelor confirms the receipt of higher professional education;
the program is designed for four years of study;
upon graduation, the student must pass the final certification (pass state exams) and / or defend a diploma;
after completing the undergraduate studies, the student has the right to enter the master's program.

Now let's look at all the provisions in more detail.

Graduates of schools, colleges, technical schools and colleges can apply for a bachelor's degree. Of course, for this you need to pass the appropriate USE exams(they will depend on the specialty you would like to get).

A bachelor's degree means that a university graduate has completed four years of study and received a basic higher education. Employers around the world understand this statement because the undergraduate degree is part of a two-tier European education.

After graduation, a student applying for a bachelor's degree must pass the final certification and / or defend the final qualifying work (popularly "diploma"). Having adopted European standards of education, Russia did not trouble itself with rewriting educational programs and revising the certification of future university graduates. In fact, many students are now studying in the same programs that were successfully operating until 1997 and were designed for 5 years of study.

This system does not work in all specialties. Some still assume only examination certification without any written confirmation.

For those who do not want to be limited to basic knowledge, a master's degree is provided. After completing a bachelor's degree, a graduate can, with a clear conscience, apply to a master's program. Moreover, it is not necessary to choose a master's degree in your own specialty, you can choose something completely different and end up with two different specialties.

Let's highlight the advantages and disadvantages of a bachelor's degree.

short period of study;
the degree gives the right to employment both in Russia and abroad;
the degree gives the right to continue education;
after a bachelor's degree, it is possible to enter a master's program even in another university and in another specialty.

low demand for bachelors among leading employers in the Russian Federation (the whole point here is confusion due to the simultaneous existence of bachelor's and specialist's degrees in our country, because of this, many employers think that a bachelor has a more limited set of knowledge than a specialist, although this the same curriculum)
a limited number of state-funded places in magistracy (due to the transition to a two-level education system, the number of free places in magistracy was significantly reduced, and the competition was tightened).

Many people also mistakenly think that the level of knowledge and the rigidity of the requirements at the bachelor's degree is much lower than at the specialist's and master's programs. Most often this is not the case. It depends on the university where you will study, on the specialty you have chosen, as well as on the teaching staff of the educational institution.

Master's degree

A master's degree is an obvious plus on a resume

People who have a bachelor's or specialist's degree can go to the magistracy.

Obtaining a master's degree involves six years of study at a university. These six years include undergraduate studies (four years) and directly the master's program of study (two years). It is assumed that this degree is chosen by those students who plan to continue their scientific activities.

Education in the magistracy involves a narrower educational focus. If the bachelor's degree is considered the basic level of education, studying at which students receive general (initial) knowledge about the specialty, then the master's degree is designed for a more conscious attitude to the subject of study (the student must clearly know what he is interested in and direct his efforts to a deeper study of the subject of scientific research).

During two years of study in the magistracy, the undergraduate student is obliged to work on a master's thesis. Upon graduation, he will have to defend his master's degree, which will allow him to receive the appropriate scientific degree"crust".

Let's highlight the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a master's degree.

After graduating from a bachelor's degree, it is not necessary to immediately enter a master's program. You have time to relax a little and think about your future;
master's degree allows you to dramatically change your specialty. If, for example, you have a bachelor's degree in one specialty, but you have always dreamed of another, then a master's degree is a great tool to fulfill your dream;
A bachelor's degree and a master's degree can be obtained at different universities. And this applies not only to domestic educational institutions. You can enroll in a master's program abroad.

tougher competition for budget places. In connection with the transition to a two-level education system, the competition for budget places has become much tougher, students are selected according to certain criteria and merits;
employment problem. If you are a poor student who has financial problems, then know that you can only get a job that is combined with the study schedule. The current dominance of students who want to study and work (read “enroll at the university, but not attend it”) is very large, so for absenteeism, even because you are busy at work, you can easily be expelled and find a replacement for you on the same day;
short learning period. Here we are not talking about the fact that those who are thirsty for knowledge are given a small amount of time to obtain this knowledge, but that in two years you have to write a rather voluminous treatise. If you have not encountered this at the undergraduate level (did not defend your diploma, but only passed state exams), then it will be very difficult for you to adapt to this certification format in such a short time. Especially if you work and study at the same time.

Specialty

In many CIS countries, the specialty has already been canceled

Let's move on to the most incomprehensible educational course - the specialty. This direction is a dying stage of higher education, because after the transition to the European system in our country (for some reason) they did not want to abandon this format of higher education.

These days it's hard enough to find an institution that allows students to choose a major as their degree program, but some universities (especially in the provinces) provide such an opportunity, which causes even more confusion among already frightened would-be students.

The qualification of a specialist is also a higher professional education. The confusion begins at the moment of the final certification. Here, many begin to confuse undergraduate and specialist studies, and comparing them, they find that undergraduate studies take only four years, and five years for a specialist (provided that everything else for these qualifications is the same). Such a discovery makes many people think that a bachelor's degree is an incomplete higher education, while a specialist's degree is full and complete.

Let's dispel the myths: both the bachelor's degree and the qualification of a specialist are higher professional education. The only problem is that in Russia they did not bother to rework the curricula and the certification system for university graduates, so they left everything as it was and added a two-level education system to this.

Ideally, we should not have a specialty at all, students should immediately enroll in a bachelor's degree, and then, if they wish, continue their studies in a master's and postgraduate studies. At the same time, future bachelors must pass only state exams at the end of their studies (without protection of scientific work).

In reality, we still have two almost identical stages of higher education, one of which was simply taken away from one year of study (which, by the way, is most often not “scattered” in terms of the curriculum for the remaining 4 years, but included in Last year). Therefore, bachelor students are required to master everything that specialist students master in four years and during this time manage to write a qualifying scientific work and prepare for state exams.

The only significant advantage and difference between a specialty and a bachelor's degree is the fact that upon graduation from a specialist's degree, a student can immediately apply to graduate school. This is very convenient for those who intend to build a scientific career.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the specialty.

advantage when applying for a job within the Russian Federation. New system higher education has not yet been fully adopted in Russia, so many employers believe that a specialist degree is a full-fledged higher education, while a bachelor's degree is incomplete or insufficient;
opportunity to go directly to graduate school. The good news for those who are going to connect their lives with science is that obtaining a specialist qualification will allow you to immediately enter graduate school;
magistracy is considered the second higher education. For those who want to learn something new, the specialty will also be very convenient - after completing the specialty, you can enroll in a master's program in another specialty. Upon completion of the master's program, you will be considered the owner of two higher educations.

a specialist diploma is not quoted abroad. Foreign employers do not know who a specialist is and what he eats with. They are accustomed to a two-tier education system, and something similar to a bachelor's degree, but at the same time different from it in some criteria, does not suit them;
many universities have already practically got rid of the specialty. Although the phenomenon of a specialist qualification still exists in our country, it is difficult to quickly find a university that provides the opportunity for a five-year study;
a bachelor's degree and a specialist's degree are equated. This should have become clear even at the time of comparing bachelor's and specialist's degrees. These two steps provide one syllabus, the same certification, so that the diplomas here will be the same in terms of weight.

PhD

In some countries, graduate school is already considered a full-time job, not a study.

Postgraduate study is the first step on the way to a scientific career. It is not a mandatory element in obtaining higher education and is considered as a separate educational block.

PhD degree (postgraduate student):

the time of study in full-time postgraduate study is 3 years, in correspondence 4 years;
upon completion of postgraduate studies, a postgraduate student is obliged to defend a dissertation, which will allow him to receive a Ph.D. degree;
for the entire period of postgraduate studies, the future candidate of sciences must pass three candidate exams, as well as prepare several scientific publications;
graduate school gives the right to conduct classes at universities, as well as take exams;
After completing the postgraduate studies, you can enter the doctoral program.

Postgraduate study provides for the student's desire to engage in scientific activities, as well as to teach at higher educational institutions.

What is the difference between Bachelor's, Specialist's, Master's and PhD

The difference can be seen in the comparison table below.

Table: differences in educational levels

Comparison points	Undergraduate	Specialty	Master's degree
Applicant Selection Criteria		Applicants with secondary general education	Bachelor's Degree/Specialist Qualification
Studying time	4 years	5 years	2 years
Degree (qualification)	Scientific degree (bachelor)	Professional qualification (specialist)	Scientific degree (Master)
Educational base	Basic training (no narrowly focused research is provided)	General training, which is aimed at obtaining practical knowledge in the chosen specialty	Deep learning specialization designed to continue scientific activity
Form of final certification		Passing the state exam and defending a diploma	Master's degree defense
The next level of learning	Master's degree	Master's or PhD	PhD
Professional perspectives	Opportunity to apply for any position requiring higher education

Summing up what has been said, I would like to note once again: despite the fact that the system of higher education in Russia is rather complicated, it is not so complicated. All three levels of the two-tier system of European education are full-fledged higher education. Bachelor's and specialist's degrees are almost identical levels, so they are very often confused or not distinguished. Both bachelor's and specialist's degrees are the first (basic) level of the higher education system. The specialty is almost completely excluded from the proposed options for obtaining higher education, its place is taken by the bachelor's degree.

Master's degree is the second optional stage of higher education and is designed for those students who want to study their specialty in more detail.

Postgraduate study, in turn, is the first stage of a research career. A student can enroll after completing the first two levels of higher education.

Students of Russian universities most often study in bachelor's or specialist's programs. What are the features of both forms of education?

What is an undergraduate degree?

Undergraduate in Russia - a 4-year form of study at a university. A person who has received a bachelor's degree can subsequently continue their studies in a master's program, the duration of which, as a rule, is 2 years. In addition, he has the right to try to defend even a Ph.D. thesis - although in practice it is very difficult to do this without completing postgraduate studies. In which, in turn, in the general case, you can enter only after a master's degree.

In accordance with Russian legislation A graduate of a bachelor's degree in employment has the right to apply for positions that require candidates to have a higher education.

Undergraduate studies abroad have their own characteristics. For example, in some universities, the term of study for a bachelor may be more than 4 years, sometimes less. This depends mainly on the content of the course of study at the school, as well as on the specifics of the particular curriculum.

However, in Western countries A 4-year bachelor's degree is considered typical. An exception may be medical specialties. Students in Europe and the USA study on them for 5-6 years. One way or another, a bachelor's degree abroad is, as in Russia, a full-fledged form of higher education, regardless of the number of years of study at a university. As in the Russian Federation, a holder of a bachelor's degree abroad can continue his studies in a master's program.

The fact that the Russian and Western versions of the bachelor's degree as a form of higher education are generally similar in Europe and the United States makes it easier to recognize a diploma issued by a Russian university as a document that confirms a person's qualifications. And vice versa - a graduate of a Western university who has studied for a bachelor's degree can apply for recognition of his diploma in Russia. In addition, the transition process of the student is greatly facilitated. Russian university, studying under the bachelor's program, to the western one, and vice versa.

What is a specialty?

Specialty- this, in turn, is a 5-year program of study at the university. This form of higher education was most widespread in Russia, earlier in the USSR. It is not very popular in foreign countries. Upon completion of the corresponding course of study, the graduate is awarded a diploma of a specialist. This document provides an opportunity for further study both in the magistracy and in graduate school. The holder of a specialist diploma, like a bachelor, has the right to be employed in positions that require the candidate to have a higher education.

Until about 2010, the specialty was considered the main form of education in universities, but after that it began to be actively replaced by the bachelor's degree. However, it has not lost its relevance: many educational institutions continue to train specialists, and students prefer the appropriate form of education. The question of what is better for a person who has graduated from school to choose - a bachelor's degree or a specialist, causes very active discussions in society.

Comparison

The main difference between a bachelor's degree and a specialist's degree is the duration of study. In the first case, it is about 4 years, in the second - 5 years. The second significant difference between a bachelor's degree and a specialist's degree is the opportunity to go to graduate school after receiving a diploma. In order to be able to enter it, a bachelor must first complete a master's degree, a specialist is optional.

Having determined what is the difference between a bachelor's degree and a specialist's degree, we fix it key criteria in the table.

with such a system of education, a diploma is obtained with which you can get a job abroad;
given the opportunity to continue education abroad and get a master's degree there;
under such a system, the student receives a certain amount of time, which he can spend on precisely deciding on the question of who he wants to become, and if necessary, change the educational institution.

Bachelor's degree is considered the first level in higher education of two possible. The second stage is the master's degree. It is worth noting that, unlike the first, the second level is considered optional, and after receiving a bachelor's degree, a student can begin his career.
The traditional system of education, which has long been known to everyone, belongs to the specialty. Namely, what is well known to all applicants of past years.

Master's and Bachelor's Degrees vs. Specialist Degrees

First, there is still low demand for undergraduate graduates in the labor market. Employers are in no hurry to hire bachelors, believing that they are significantly inferior to specialists. This point of view is not without meaning: although the state does not get tired of repeating that a bachelor's degree is a full-fledged higher education, in fact it is almost never possible to fit a 5-year program into 4 years and the preparation of bachelors lags behind specialists.

Another advantage is the simplification of the recognition of bachelor's and master's degrees abroad. A very common scheme is when a person completes a bachelor's degree in Russia, and enters a master's program at foreign university(in this case, however, you have to pay for the second stage of education).

Difference between Bachelor's and Specialist's

What is the difference between a specialty and a bachelor's degree

Higher quotation in the eyes of employers in the job market;
Getting full-fledged specialized training in the chosen direction, that is, “ready-made specialist”;
You can enter graduate school immediately after completing a five-year study. and assigning the status of "specialist".

Employers still do not trust the innovation and prefer to hire specialists, motivating this by the fact that they have deeper knowledge in the profession;
Difficulty continuing free(budgetary) education in the magistracy - there are few places, those who want more;
The high cost of education on a paid magistracy;
Without completing a master's degree, you cannot enroll in graduate school, that is, one more year is added to training. 4+2 versus 5 years of study.

Bachelor's and Master's or Specialist

The main advantage of the specialty is its high prestige in the eyes of employers (specialists study for 5-6 years). Also, the specialist is more convenient for those who plan to engage in scientific work and study in graduate school - a specialist can immediately enter this form of study, while a bachelor must first complete a master's program.

Master's degree is the next stage of higher education, which allows you to deepen your specialization in a particular professional area within two years. The magistracy trains people focused on research activities, as well as activities that require analytical and design skills. The right to participate in the competition for studying in the magistracy is granted to persons who have successfully completed their studies in undergraduate programs. Education in the magistracy is possible both on a budgetary and paid basis. VyatSU annually increases the number of state-funded places for master's programs: in 2013 - 81 state-funded places, in 2014 - 129 state-funded places.

What is the difference between bachelor's, specialist's, master's and postgraduate studies

Specialty. This is the only form outside the Bologna system that has existed for a long time, but since 2011 the number of specialty programs has been significantly limited due to the transition to the Bologna system. It is the first stage of higher education, you can enter with a secondary general education and secondary special education. The term of study is 5 years, following the results the thesis is defended.

Undergraduate. The first stage of higher education within the framework Bologna process. The conditions for admission are the same as those of a specialist. The term of study is 4-5 years. Based on the results, it is defended by issuing a qualifying work (bachelor's work). It differs from a specialist in a possibly shorter period of study, a learning paradigm: a competency-based approach (many hours for self-study, etc.). It does not allow you to go directly to graduate school. For some reason, many consider it incomplete higher, but this is not so.

Undergraduate or Specialist: which is better

Note that if the magistracy and postgraduate studies do not raise questions, since without further ado it is clear that this is a certain academic degree, then not everyone knows how the bachelor's degree differs from the specialty. That is why today we will talk about the principles by which students choose between a bachelor's or a specialist's degree and what advantages each of these study programs has.

bachelor's degree is considered international education system. Therefore, after graduation, the student can safely go abroad to work there. Europe has the same two-tier system.
the student has a wide choice of a place of work. Due to the practice-oriented nature of training without being tied to any one narrow specialization, a bachelor can apply for many vacancies that require higher education.
training lasts only 4 years (that is, you "save" at least one year).
already in the process of studying, a student can decide on a further choice of profession and enroll in a master's program in a narrower specialty (at the same time, he can continue his education at the expense of the budget).
for the period of study, future bachelors are granted a deferment from the army.

Section Higher education in St. Petersburg

According to the amendments made to the Federal Law “On Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education” (Chapter II, Article 11), since 2011 “receipt of higher professional education in reduced specialist training programs and master’s programs is not allowed.”

Specialty - traditional form Russian higher education. Specialist training includes basic education, and in-depth special training within the chosen direction. The normative term of the specialist training program in full-time education is at least 5 years, part-time - 6 years.

Master's degree: what is it and why do you need it

Master's educational programs provide for a deeper mastery of the theory and practical preparation of the student for research or professional activity. Master's programs are led by teachers of the highest qualification - doctors of sciences. From the first semester, each undergraduate is assigned a supervisor from among doctors or candidates of sciences. Master's student chooses a direction scientific research and protects master's thesis. Also, in the process of learning, masters acquire pedagogical competencies - unlike bachelors, masters can teach at universities.

Admission to the magistracy is carried out on the basis of applications from persons with higher professional education (bachelor's degree, specialist diploma with higher professional education, specialist diploma or master's degree), based on the results of a comprehensive exam in the field of study (oral).

For what purpose were they replaced in universities - specialty -

Today there are two basic level higher education systems: bachelor's/specialist's and master's degree. Each has features, advantages and disadvantages. A specialist diploma is considered prestigious and highly valued by employers, and is also needed by those who plan to continue to engage in scientific work and enter graduate school.

Today we will talk about the principles by which students choose between a bachelor's or a specialist's degree and what advantages each of these study programs has. The modern Russian system of higher professional education provides for the possibility of obtaining several degrees of qualification. If earlier in our country only graduates graduated from the walls of universities, today young people have the right to choose between bachelor's, specialist's, master's and postgraduate studies.

05 Aug 2018 433

The system of higher education in Russia provides an incoming person with a choice of obtaining different degrees of qualification.

For many applicants, before entering the university, the question is brewing about the differences between undergraduate and specialist degrees.

These two forms are the most popular in the country, after which you can continue your studies in the magistracy and postgraduate studies. It is very important to understand the main differences between these systems in order not to make a mistake with the choice.

What does undergraduate mean

Bachelor's degree is the initial stage of higher education. This means that the applicant, having chosen a specialty, will receive all the necessary basic knowledge and skills about his future profession.

He will have an entry level qualification. You can study full-time, in absentia or on a free visit, combining with work.

After receiving a diploma, a student can continue his studies at any university in Russia or abroad in a master's program (in his specialty, choosing a narrower focus, or change it).

Complete higher education or not

A bachelor's degree is recognized as a completed higher education. Although people often refer to this form as "unfinished higher". Above after the bachelor's degree, the second stage of education is the master's degree.

It is not necessary to study for a master's degree; after graduating from a university, you can get a job right away. For those who want to engage in scientific activities, it is impossible to do without obtaining a master's degree.

Note: in the legislation of the Russian Federation it is clearly stated that students who have studied only half of the time allotted at the institute have incomplete higher education.

What is a university degree

Specialty - traditional form Russian education. The student after graduation receives the qualification "certified specialist".

Young people study for 5 years, in the first two years they study general education disciplines and then get more narrow-profile knowledge. After defending a thesis and receiving a document, a student can immediately enter graduate school.

Many people believe that specialists receive better training and are more valuable personnel.

Consider: after graduating from a specialty, a student cannot enter a master's program on a budget, because it will be considered the second highest, it is paid in Russia.

Undergraduate and Specialist - what's the difference

Main differences:

Training period. Specialist - 5 years, Bachelor - 4 years.
Specialists can freely enter graduate school, teach at higher educational institutions and work in public institutions in the field of management. A bachelor can go to graduate school. But this is only possible after graduation.
Specialists study disciplines of a narrower focus in their profession, a bachelor receives basic knowledge and skills.
After completing a bachelor's degree, a graduate can work in any field of the profession, a specialist in a narrower field.
Specialists cannot enter the master's program on the budget, bachelors are given this opportunity.
A "specialist" is not valued abroad - it is equated with a bachelor's degree, which is recognized by the international education system. If a specialist student wants to work in a foreign company, he will have to difficult task defending your diploma in another country.
Bachelors are granted a deferment from the army for 2 years of master's degree. If specialists want to study further, there will be no delay.

What is better bachelor or specialist

It is difficult to say unequivocally which form of education is better. Depending on the goals, a person chooses the most suitable qualification for him.

Graduates of both forms are currently valued in the labor market. But many employers believe that a major provides the most complete knowledge in narrow areas of the profession.

However, graduating with a bachelor's degree, the student is also endowed with all the necessary knowledge and skills for successful labor activity. Also, the student has the opportunity to transfer from a bachelor's degree to a specialist and vice versa - both within his own university and to other universities. Translation is possible in the manner prescribed regulations educational institution.

The choice of the program depends on the future plans for life. After answering the questions: where, by whom, in what company does a person want to work, and how long is he ready to study, you can choose the most appropriate form of training.

If the applicant is not entirely sure in which area he wants to realize his potential, then a bachelor's degree will do. As well as those who want to start working or continue their studies abroad as soon as possible.

If a student has already chosen a narrow field of activity and is ready to devote himself to long-term study (and maybe scientific activity), a specialty is perfect for these purposes.

Responsibly approaching the choice of not only a profession and a university, but also a qualification, education will become an excellent assistant in the implementation of professional plans.