Study Expenditure in Switzerland

The Universities actually belong to the public domain and are still financed in large part by Swiss taxpayers, with the exception of the semi-private Italian University of Switzerland. Some universities require foreign students to pay an additional fee, a pittance when compared to the actual cost of a student to the society, which varies by faculty between SFR 50,000 and SFR 150,000 per year

SWISS UNIVERSITY NAMES IN SHORT FORMS

Feesper semester (SFR/month)	BS	BE	FR	GE	LA	NE	ZH	SG	ETHZ	EPFL	LU	USI
Course fees	600	600	450	500	500	500	600	700	550	550	600	2000
Obligatory semester fees	12	55	92	-	60	-	42	123	57	42	15	-
Additional fees for foreign students	-	-	150	-	-	275	100	150	-	-	-	2000
Total foreign student costs per semester	600	655	692	500	560	775	742	973	607	592	615	4000
Total foreign student costs per year	1200	1310	1384	1000	1120	1550	1484	1946	1214	1184	1230	8000

Student Visa for Switzerland

Once you have received confirmation of acceptance by a Swiss university, contact the Swiss Embassy in your home country for information on entry formalities. In general, the following documents are requested:

• A valid passport
• Confirmation that you have been accepted by a Swiss university
• A guarantee of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your studies. See the section on work and study.

Admission Formalities for Study in Switzerland

This section applies to foreign students who wish to study in a Swiss university. If you are a Liechtenstein national, a recognized political refugee, a foreigner residing in Switzerland with either you or your parents havinga Swiss work permit for at least five years or a state-recognized Swiss maturity certificate, or you are the child of a diplomat, you will be treated as a Swiss candidate. The procedure described below does not concern you.

If you are already enrolled in a university in your country, please inquire about multilateral agreements (such as ERASMUS/SOCRATES) or bilateral agreements between your university anda Swiss university.

Educational System of Switzerland

The Swiss Constitution guarantees autonomy to the 26 cantons in the area of education. But the Swiss education system is built on a complex interplay between Confederation, cantons and communes. In higher education and on tertiary level, Confederation and cantons share responsibility. 

The Confederation is responsible both for advanced vocational training and for the universities of applied sciences. In addition, it has jurisdiction over the two Federal Institutes of Technology and over the promotion of research.

The universities of Basle, Berne, Lucerne, St Gall, Zurich and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich are located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The universities of Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel, as well as the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne are in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

 The University of Fribourg is situated in a bilingual canton. Therefore the teaching language is French and/or German. The Università dellaSvizzera italiana is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.

Quality Education in Switzerland

• With about two thirds of the area of Switzerland is covered with forests, lakes and mountains, students can surly look forward to have a nice time in the this paradise on earth”
• Switzerland is a safe and secure place to study in.
• Switzerland has a high quality education system in place which welcomes foreign students and this trend is on the upswing.

Switzerland as a Study Destination

Capital - Berne

Language - German, French, Italian, Romansch

Official Currency - Swiss Franc (sFR)

Contemporary Educational Programmes in Russia

Contemporary Educational Programmes is a Russian educational agency specializing in the export of services offered by the Russian institutes/universities/academies. The Company is registered with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and its activities fully comply with the national legislation. 

The main aims of the Company are: to provide information and organizational support to the citizens of foreign countries applying to different programs of higher education, professional training and retraining; to work with foreign students of Russian higher education establishments; to promote Russian educational services to foreign markets and to extend educational tourism throughout Russia.

St. Petersburg State Technical University in Russia

The University was established in 1899 by the order of Emperor Nicolas II. Nowadays, it is one of the greatest educational, scientific and research centers in Russia, and according to the decision adopted by the State Committee for Higher Education (SCHE) the University was certificated and recognized as one of the country's leading institutes. It has been selected by the SCHE as one of the few universities for investment priority.

The Institute of International Educational Programs (IIEP) is a spacious seven-story building on the University campus. It is specifically designed for housing faculty, support staff, departments, classrooms, laboratories, library, lecture halls, classrooms and lodging halls, as well as recreation center, cafeteria and canteen for international. 

 

Ethnic & Cultural Studies in Russia

SIT's Russia: Ethnic and Cultural Studies program offers a unique view of Russia and its multicultural society, which exists within a nation that spans two continents.

The program appeals to a wide range of students because in addition to language study, there are unparalleled opportunities to explore Russia's fascinating ethnic diversity and the ways these differing cultures interact and affect the country as a whole. 

Russia as a Study Destination

Higher education in Russia

 Higher education in Russia is provided by public and non-public (non-State) accredited higher education institutions (HEIs). Education in public HEIs is not completely free of charge. Approximately one-third of the students pay for their studies. In non-State HEIs all students must pay tuition fees. 
 
Higher education is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, which is responsible for the ccreditation and licensing of HEIs and for developing and maintaining State Educational Standards. 

There are three levels of higher education: 1) incomplete higher education (2 years at least); 2) basic higher education (4 years) leading to the Bakalavr's degree, the first university level degree; 3) postgraduate higher education (total number of years of post-secondary education: 5-6 years or more). 

HEIs are authorized to award the Magistr's degree after 2 years of study or Specialist's Diploma after 1 year following upon the Bakalavr's degree (e.g. lawyer, engineer). There are two levels of doctoral degrees: Kandidat Nauk degree (the first level) and Doktor Nauk degree (the second, highest level). 

The following higher education reforms are under way: 1) diversificationof higher education; 2) humanization; 3) decentralization of management, university autonomy; 4) creation of a non-public sector of higher education . There are 609 public HEIs and 206 accredited non-State HEIs in Russia; the Ministry of Education finances 315 public HEIs. 

The rest are financed by other Ministries or local authorities. There are about 3000 non-university level educational institutions - technikum, uchilische, college.

Academic year

Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug
Languages of instruction: Russian

Stages of studies

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): 

State and municipal higher education institutions at non-university level comprise tekhnikums/uchilishche and colleges. They train middle-level specialists such as techncians and skilled nurses. They confer Diplomas after 2 years' study on the basis of Secondary (complete) general education and after four to four-and-a-half years on the basis of Basic general education. 

If a holder of the non-university level Diploma enters a university-level institutionof higher education in the same field of study, up to two years of previous studies could be counted by HEIs' authorities as a transferred period of study and he or she may continue in the second or third year of university level programmes.

University level studies

University level first stage: First stage

The first stage consists of at least two years of a higher education study programme. If students leave a university they may ask to obtain the Diploma O Nepolnom Vysshem Obrazovanii (Diploma of Incomplete Higher Education) which entitles them to obtain jobs that require some HE training but not a degree and to continue their studies on the basis of at least two years of HE training.

University level second stage: Bakalavr

Bakalavr's (Bachelor's) degree programmes last for at least 4 years of full-time university-level study. The programmes are elaborated in accordance with the State Educational Standards which regulate almost 80% of their content. The other 20% are elaborated by the university itself. 

The programmes include professional and special courses in Science, the Humanities and Social-economic disciplines, professional training, completion of final research paper/project and sitting for State final exams. Having obtained the Bakalavr's degree, students may apply to enter the Magistr'sprogramme or continue their studies in the framework of the Specialist's Diploma programmes. 

The Bakalavr's degree is awarded in all fields except Medicine after defending a Diploma project prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and sitting for final exams. In Medicine, the first stage lasts for six years.

University level third stage: Magistr, Specialist Diploma

Holders of the Bakalavr's (Bachelor) degree are admitted to enter the Specialist Diploma and Magistr's (Master's) degree programmes. Access to these programmes is competitive. The Magistr's (Master's) degree is awarded after successful completion of two years' full-time study. 

Students must carry out a year ofresearch including practice and prepare and defend a thesis which constitutes an original contribution and sit for final examinations.The Specialist Diploma can be earned in two ways: upon completion of at least 1 year's study after the Bakalavr's degreeprogramme or upon completion of five to six years' continuous study beyond the Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii. The Specialist Diploma is a professional qualification that gives the right to exercise professional activities in the field and to apply for doctoral programmes.

University level fourth stage: Kandidat Nauk (Aspirantura programmes), Doktor Nauk:
Access to the Aspirantura is competitive. Candidates must hold a Specialist Diploma or a Magistr's degree. Studies last for 3 years. The Aspirantura prepares forresearch and professorial activities. Students must learn teaching methods, ICTs, and pass qualifying (Kandidat Nauk) exams. 

They carry out independent research, prepare and defend a dissertation in public. They are then awarded the scientific degree of Kandidat Nauk. The Doctor Nauk programme is specific and its duration is not fixed. It follows the Kandidat Nauk and is awarded after preparation and public defence of a dissertation. It does not always have an equivalent in other countries.

Teacher education

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Non-university level educational institutions (technikums, colleges) train teachers for pre-primary and primary schools. The duration of the course is two to four-and-a-half years. Some teacher training institutions of university level train teachers for primary schools. The course lasts for five years. Graduates of these two types of educational institutions may exercise the profession.

Training of secondary school teachers

Teacher training is carried out in teacher training university-level institutions. The programme lasts for at least five years. Graduates may enter the profession.
Training of higher education teachers University teachers must have followed post-graduate training. A scientific degree (Kandidat Nauk at least) is compulsory to obtain a lecturer's post in HEIs.

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: A student who does not have Russian citizenship

Admission requirements: Students must have completed secondary education. There is a compulsory pre-academic year for those who do not know Russian or/and for those with weak pre-university training. They must successfully pass the entrance exams. Foreign applicants entering universities should not be older than 28 (35 for doctoral studies (Aspirantura)).

Entry regulations: Student visa and financial guarantees
Language requirements: Pre-academic year to study Russian.

Application procedures

Apply to individual institution for entry to: All higher education institutions and to all academic and pre-academic programmes. Apply to national body for entry to: All higher education institutions.

Apply to:

Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation
Shabolovka 33
Moscow 113819
Russian Federation
Tel: +7(095) 9545-127
Fax: +7(095) 2375-400

Application closing dates

For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 15 Jul
For university level studies: 1 Apr
For advanced/doctoral studies: 1 Apr

Recognition of studies & qualifications

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Higher education institutions that are accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation may issue State Diplomas which are recognized within the country. Non-accredited educational institutions issue their own non-state diplomas which are not officially recognized. Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Division of International Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education Head: Nikolay Zverev

Shabolovka 33
Moscow 113819
Russian Federation
Tel: +7(095) 9545-469
Fax: +7(095) 9545-353
EMail: Zverev@ed.gov.ru