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Education System of Belarus
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: University Academy Institute Higher College School leaving and higher education credentials: Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii Diplom o Srednem Spetsialnom Obrazovanii Diploma of Vocational Education Bakalavr Diplom o Vyshem Obrazovanii (First university level) Diplom o Vyshem Obrazovanii (Second university level) Magistr Kandidat Nauk Doktor Nauk STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 6 Age of exit: 15 Structure of school system: Primary Type of school providing this education: Primary School Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 6 to: 10 Basic Type of school providing this education: Basic Secondary School Length of program in years: 5 Age level from: 10 to: 15 Certificate/diploma awarded: Svidetel'stvo o Bazovom Obrazovanii (Certificate of Basic Education) General Secondary Type of school providing this education: Gymnasium, Lyceum, College Length of program in years: 2 Age level from: 15 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) Specialized Secondary Type of school providing this education: Specialized Secondary School (Technicum) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 15 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diplom o Srednem Spetsialnom Obrazovanii (Diploma of Specialized Secondary Education) Vocational Type of school providing this education: Vocational School Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma of Vocational Education (duration of studies 1 to 3 years depending on previous education: if after secondary school, only 1 year) School education: School education is divided into three levels: primary (4 years), basic (9 years) and secondary (11 years). A child can be admitted to school at 6 or 7 years of age. Primary education is given in primary schools, 1-4 grades in secondary schools and 1-4 grades in gymnasiums. Basic education is compulsory for all children. It is provided in basic schools, 5-9 classes of secondary schools and 5-9 classes of gymnasiums. At the end of basic education, a Certificate of Basic Education is awarded.9th grade graduates have three possibilities: 1) Third stage of school education (10-11th grades); 2) Vocational/technical establishments; 3) Technicums. In secondary education, pupils continue to study in secondary schools 10-11th grades, grammar schools or lyceums. School-leavers are given a Certificate of Secondary Education.General secondary education is provided by general secondary schools, gymnasiums, lyceums and colleges, as well as in first courses of specialised and technical schools. Gymnasiums provide general secondary education at a higher level. Lyceums provide vocationally-oriented education that completes general secondary education. As a rule, lyceums use the teachers and educational facilities of universities and research institutes. Colleges provide general secondary education that is strongly oriented towards vocational training and award qualifications of "special secondary education". Vocational and technical education are provided by schools where students acquire professional and vocational skills together with general secondary education. Vocational and technical education complement the basic (9 years) education and general secondary education (11 years). In the former case, training lasts for three years and leads to a particular trade. In the latter case, training lasts for one year and leads to students acquiring a trade. At present, there are 249 vocational-technical schools. Specialized secondary education lasts for two to four years depending on whether students have followed basic or general secondary education. Specialized secondary education establishments include technicums, technical schools and colleges. Colleges are a new type of institution in Belarus. They provide advanced specialist training. At present, there are 149 state specialized secondary education institutions, 55 technicums, 41 colleges, 53 intermediate occupational education institutions, 5 higher colleges and 7 non state specialized secondary education institutions. A General Secondary School Reform is being implemented. The new model of general secondary education will include three levels: 1-4 years of study (preparatory 1-3 classes) - primary general education; 5-10th years (4-9 classes) - basic general secondary education; 11-12th years of study (10-11 classes) - complete general secondary education. The new curriculum includes 17 teaching courses instead of 24-27. The maximum study load is from 30 to 40 class hours per week in basic and senior school stages. It is planned to make the third stage of secondary education a lyceum one with two-year periods of study corresponding to classes 10 and 11. It is planned to introduce 5 types of lyceums and gymnasiums: general, humanistic, scientific, artistic and polytechnic. The certificate of lyceum education gives right of admission to any higher education institution. In 2001/02 there were 86 gymnasiums, 25 lyceums and 5 colleges. Higher education: The Belarussian system of higher education includes educational, research and governing institutions that use unified official standards and rules in the processes of teaching, management, assessment and research. Higher education is provided by public (State) and private (non-State) accredited higher education institutions (HEIs). Education in public HEIs is free of charge for students who passed the entrance competition. In private HEIs, all students pay tuition fees. Higher education is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for the accreditation and licensing of HEIs and developing and applying the State Educational Standards. Since 1994, the higher education system included: a diploma of higher education after 5 years of study (specialist diploma); a bachelor degree certificate after 5 years of study and a master after one additional year following the first degree. Now, the implementation of the two-level system of higher education is underway and comprises a Baklavar in 4 years and a Master or Specialist Diploma in one to two years depending on the field of study. In 2005, Belarus has 44 state higher education institutions (25 universities, 9 academies, 4 institutes, 5 colleges and 1 technical school) with 272,900 students; and 13 private higher education institutions with 163,500 full-time, 1,800 part-time and 107,600 distance students. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Concept of the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Belarus Year: 1998 Concerns: All higher education institutions Decree: Law about the Studies of Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Belarus Year: 1993 Concerns: All higher education institutions Decree: Law on Education in the Republic of Belarus Year: 1991 Concerns: All higher education institutions. Decree: Law on Education in the Republic of Belarus Year: 2001 Concerns: All higher education institutions Decree: Regulation on Certification and Accreditation of Educational Institutions. Year: 1994 Concerns: All education instutions Decree: Regulation on the Multi-level System of Belarus' Higher Education System Year: 1994 Concerns: All higher education institutions Academic year: Classes from: Sep to: Jul Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug Languages of instruction: Byelorussian, Russian Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: In Belarus, there are two levels of professional post-secondary education. The lower level is offered in Tekhnikums/uchilishche and colleges after basic general education and lasts from 2 to 3 years of study. The upper level is offered after secondary general education in Tekhnikums/uchilishche and colleges after basic general education and lasts from 2 to 3 years of study. Students from this level can then enter University in the same field of study and obtain up to two years of transfer credits. University level studies: University level first stage: Bakalavr: From 2002, the first level of higher education is leading to the Bakalavr (Bachelor's degree). It provides with professional proficiency and entitles to work and take the positions for which a certain level of education is mandatory. The Bakalavr is awarded in all fields except in Medicine after defending a Diploma project and sitting for a final state exam. In Medicine, this first stage lasts for 6 years. University level second stage: Specialist Diploma / Magistr: The second level of higher education leads to the Specialist Diploma or the Magistr (Master's Degree) after one -or two years of study following upon the Bakalavr's degree. Access to these programme is competitive. The Magistr is awarded after one year of study and the presentation and defence of a thesis. The Specialist Diploma (Diplom o Vyshem Obrazovanii) is awarded upon completion of at least one year's study after the Bakalavr or in five to six years' study beyond the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii in some fields. The Specialist Diploma is a professional qualification that gives right to the exercice of professional activities and to apply for doctoral programmes. University level third stage: Aspirantura and Doktorantura: This stage corresponds to the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel. There is a two-level system of scientific degrees. The first is that of Candidate of Sciences. It requires at least 3 years of study in postgraduate courses, special examinations and the public defence of a thesis. Following this, the student is awarded the degree of Kandidat Nauk (Candidate of Sciences).The second level is that of Doctor of Sciences. Holders of the Kandidat Nauk can prepare a Doctorate. After following the required research programme, candidates are awarded the highest scientific degree of Doktor Nauk (Doctor of Sciences). The thesis is also defended in public.The Dissertation Councils are supervised by the State Supreme Certifying Committee (Vysshij Attestatsionnyj Komitet, VAK) of the Republic of Belarus.It is possible to do doctorate research and sit for a scientific degree while not following postgraduate courses. Higher education and research establishments support such persons and provide them with a supervisor. Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Primary school teachers are trained at specialized secondary institutions (teacher-training schools and teacher-training colleges) where courses last for 3-4 years, and at the faculties of Pedagogy and Methods of Primary Education of pedagogical universities or institutes, where studies last for 4 to 5 years. Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers are trained at specialized secondary education institutions and pedagogical universities and institutes. General secondary education or specialized secondary education is the condition of access to universities or institutes. The qualification awarded is teacher of ... (for example, teacher of Mathematics and Physics or teacher of Chemistry). Teachers for vocational secondary schools are trained in pedagogical higher education institutions, universities and in some technical higher education institutions where engineers-teachers are trained. Training of higher education teachers Higher education lecturers are trained in their specialities in institutes or universities and, after graduation, start their activity as assistant lecturers in order to gain practical experience in their areas of expertise. Every five years, they must enrol in up-grading courses to improve their teaching skills as well as their knowledge in the field. Furthermore, there is a system of training of scientific and pedagogical staff at post-graduate level. Non-traditional studies: Distance higher education Distance training is provided by virtual universities (through Internet) such as Hagen Correspondence University which provides studies leading to a Master of Humanities and started operating in Belarus in 1996. Students must hold a secondary school leaving certificate. There is no age restriction and no entrance examination. There are also franchising institutions which are branches of foreign higher education institutions functioning in Belarus. Lifelong higher education Lifelong education consists in external studies. Higher education training in industry Some upgrading courses for industrial workers and professionals of different branches of the national economy exist. NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministry of Education Head: Aleksandr Radzkov, Minister Administrative officer: Yurij Miksyk, Director - Higher Education Ul.
Sovetskaja 9 Tel: +375 (17) 2274736 Fax: +375 (17) 2208483 EMail: root@minedu.unibel.by WWW: http://www.minedu.unibel.by Role of governing body: Provides state education policy, controls quality of education, finances educational establishments in the limits of budget allocations, licensing of new institutions, granting accreditation. Rectors' Council of Higher Educational Institutes of Belarus Head: Vladimir Shimov, President Belarus
State Economic University, 28 Partyzanskij Prospekt Tel: +375(17) 2494030 Fax: +375(17) 2495106 EMail: rector@bseu.by WWW: http://www.bseu.by National Institute for Higher Education Head: Michael Demchuk, Rector Administrative officer: Ludmila Rudova, Chief of Department for Evaluation and Recognition (Belarusian ENIC) Ul.
Moskovskaja 15 Tel: +375(17) 2281313 Fax: +375(17) 2228315 EMail: rudova@nihe.niks.by;enic@nihe.niks.by WWW: http://www.nihe.niks.by Role of governing body: Responsible for educational research and information on higher education, the Institute also provides training courses to new rectors, deans and department heads and acts as Belarussian ENIC. Academy for Postgraduate Education Head: Oleg Tavgen Ul.
Nekrasova 20 Tel: +375(17) 2857828 Fax: +375(17) 2857868 EMail: academy@academy.edu.by WWW: http://www.academy.edu.by ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to non university higher education studies Name of secondary school credential required: Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Diplom o Srednem Spetsialnom Obrazovanii Minimum score/requirement: satisfactory For entry to: All accredited higher education institutions; all programmes Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma of Vocational Education Minimum score/requirement: satisfactory For entry to: All accredited higher education institutions; all programmes Name of secondary school credential required: Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii Minimum score/requirement: satisfactory For entry to: All accreidted higher education institutions; all programmes Entrance exams required: Examination in three-four subjects for most universities. Numerus clausus/restrictions: Higher education institutions are given the academic freedom to establish or not privileges for entrants having followed advanced training at lyceums or gymnasiums or for entrants having finished school with excellent marks. Special ability requirements are set for artistic studies, physical education and architectural preservation studies. A certain age limit is set for full-time students. Other admission requirements: There can be an interview in one subject instead of several exams. The applicant can enter a preparatory department and study for one year before trying to enter the higher education establishment. Foreign students admission Definition of foreign student: A foreign citizen who trains at a Belarussian higher education institution and does not have Belarussian citizenship Admission requirements: Students must hold a secondary school-leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification to that of general secondary school in Belarus. They must submit a valid passport, a notorized copy of their secondary education qualification, a medical certificate and 6 photos. They are then sent an invitation so as to obtain an entry visa. For postgraduate courses, students must hold a Master's Degree. The rules of admission and instruction are specified in the Regulations concerning Training Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Belarus approved by the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of July 7, 1993. Admission documents must be submitted at least two-and-a-half months before classes begin in Belarussian, Russian, English, French or Spanish. Admission requirements for foreign students are adopted by the higher education institutions if they are not otherwise provided for by inter-state agreements. Foreign students sign a contract with the institution. Entry regulations: Students must hold a visa and have financial guarantees. Health requirements: A medical certificate is required. Language requirements: Foreign students who have no command of the language of instruction can follow a one-year course at a preparatory department of the institution where they study the language of instruction and specialization subjects that are relevant for the chosen course. At the end of the year, they must sit for an examination. Successful students obtain a graduation certificate and are admitted to the basic course of study in the chosen speciality. Those who fail are dismissed from the institution and asked to leave the country. Application procedures: Apply to individual institution for entry to: All higher education institutions and all academic and pre-academic programmes Apply to: Ministry of Education 9 Sovetskaya Ul. Tel: +375(17) 226 5159 Fax: +375(17) 220 8483 EMail: root@minedu.unibel.by WWW: http://www.minedu.unibel.by Application closing dates: For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 15 Jul Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Higher education institutions that are accredited by the Ministry of Education may issue State Diplomas which are recognized within the country. Non-accredited HEIs have no right to issue diplomas. Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): National'nyj Tsentr Ekspertiz I Priznanija Documentov i Kvalificatsij Obrazovanija (National Centre for Evaluation and Recognition, Belarusian ENIC) Head: Siarhei Vetokhin, Vice-Rector, Head of Belarussian ENIC Ul.
Moskovskaja 15 Tel: +375(17) 2228315/ 2281313 Fax: +375(17) 2228315 EMail: enic@nihe.niks.by; rudova@nihe.niks.by WWW: http://www.nihe.niks.by Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University Services provided & students dealt with: Recognition of foreign studies, diplomas and degrees; evaluation and recognition of partial studies undertaken or experience obtained abroad.Development of normative quality assurance and recognition system. Organization of seminars. Publication of materials and methodological documents on problems of quality assurance and recognition system. The Supreme Attestation Committee (VAK) Head: Anatolij Rubinov Scaryna
Avenue 66 Tel: +375(17) 2840855 Services provided & students dealt with: Recognition of doctoral degrees Special provisions for recognition: For access to non-university post-secondary studies: Applicants must submit complete official academic documents together with their application form to the institution. For access to university level studies: Applicants must submit complete official academic documents together with their application form to the institution. For access to advanced studies and research: Applicants must submit complete official academic documents together with their application form to the institution or research institute. For the exercise of a profession: Applicants must submit complete official academic documents together with their application form to the appropriate Ministry. Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Agreement on Equivalence of Documents that certify Education, Scientific Degrees and Academic Ranks Year of signature: 1998 Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the Europe Region (Lisbon 1997) Year of signature: 2002 Name of agreement: Paris Convention. Convention for the recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees concerning higher education in the states belonging to the European region Year of signature: 1979 Name of agreement: Prague Convention. Convention of Socialist countries for the mutual recognition or equivalence of education documents, scientific degrees and titles Year of signature: 1972 Bilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials Name of agreement: Bilateral Agreement on Equivalence of Documents that certify Education, Scientific Degrees and Academic Ranks Year of signature: 1996 Country/state involved: Russian Federation Name of agreement: Bilateral Agreement on Equivalence of Documents that Certify Education, Scientific Degrees and Academic Ranks Year of signature: 1997 Country/state involved: China Name of agreement: Bilateral Agreement on Equivalence of Documents that certify Education, Scientific Degrees and Academic Ranks Year of signature: 1997 Country/state involved: Ukraine Name of agreement: Bilateral Agreement on Equivalence of Documents that Certify Higher Education, Scientific and Arts Degrees Year of signature: 2005 Country/state involved: Poland Name of agreement: Draft Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation Country/state involved: Romania Name of agreement: Draft Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation Country/state involved: Slovak Republic Name of agreement: Draft Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation Country/state involved: Czech Republic References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Directory of Accredited Higher Education Institutions (in Russian and Belarussian) Author: Ministry of Education Publisher: Ministry of Education Year of publication: 2003 Title: Higher Education in Belarus Author: S. Vetokhin Publisher: National Institute of Higher Education, Belarussian ENIC Year of publication: 2001 Title: Student Handbook (3rd edition) Author: Council of Europe Publisher: Bock Verlag in Germany Year of publication: 1997 STUDENT LIFE Main student services at national level Division of International Education and Cooperation, Ministry of Education Ul Sverdlova 7 Tel: +375(17) 2264975/ 2207693 Fax: +375(17) 2271736 Category of services provided: Academic and career counselling services Services available to foreign Students: Yes National student associations and unions Belarussian Association of "UNESCO" Clubs Ul. Kabushkina 18 Tel: +375(17) 2642555 Belarussian Association of Student Architects K Marx 14 Fax: +375(17) 2649923 Belarussian Coordination Centre of Students Research Transactions Ul. Bobruiskaya 9-418 Tel: +375(17) 2265710 Union of Belarussian Students P.O. Box 493 Tel: +375(17) 2373738 Fax: +375(17) 2101637 EMail: Bsa@bsa.org.by Health/social provisions Social security for home students: Yes Foreign student social security provisions: Health care for home students is free and provided by students' polyclinics. Foreign students may take out a health insurance policy with a Belarussian insurance company. Special student travel fares: By road: Yes By rail: Yes By air: Yes Available to foreign students: Yes Student expenses and financial aid Student costs: Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Belarussian Ruble) Maximum: 3000 (US Dollar) Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 1000 (US Dollar) Maximum: 3000 (US Dollar) Type of financial aid available: Scholarships/grants/fellowships: First Degree studies: Home: Yes Foreign: No Advanced/doctoral studies: Home: Yes Foreign: No Bodies providing information on student financial aid: Division of International Education and Cooperation, Ministry of Education Ul. Sredlova 7 Tel: +375(17) 2264975/ 2007693 Fax: +375(17) 227 1736 Deals with: Grants Publications on student services and financial aid: Title: Scholarship for Study and Research in Belarus Author: Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus Publisher: Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Department for Foreign Relations, Ministry of Education Head: Gennadij Piatigor, , Ul.
Sovetskaja, 9 Tel: +375(17) 2264975/ 2007693 Fax: +375(17) 2271736 EMail: piatigor@bseu.by Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes Name of exchange programme: ACCELS Name of exchange programme: Agreement on cooperation with Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Yugoslavia Name of exchange programme: Bilateral agreement on cooperation with China, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Germany Name of exchange programme: COPERNICUS Name of exchange programme: DAAD Name of exchange programme: INTAS Name of exchange programme: IREX Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS/TACIS Name of exchange programme: UNDP GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: 2-5: 5 excellent; 4 good; 3 satisfactory; 2 unsatisfactory (mark 1 does not exist, some schools have introduced mark 6).Since 2000 some secondary schools use the following system: 5: Excellent (10-9); 4: Good (8-7-6); 3: Satisfactory (5-4-3); 2: Unsatisfactory (2); 1: Totally Unsatisfactory (1). Highest on scale: 5 Pass/fail level: 3/2 Lowest on scale: 2 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: 2-5; 5: excellent; 4: good; 3: satisfactory; 2: unsatisfactory. Since 2001, some HEIs have been experimenting the following marking system: 5 excellent 10.9; 4 good 8.7.6; 3 satisfactory 5.4.3 Highest on scale: 5 (excellent) or 10 (new system) Pass/fail level: 3 (satisfactory) Lowest on scale: 2 (unsatisfactory) Other main grading systems There is also a credit (zachet) system which is the result of a test (not an examination) for credit and indicates that all requirements have been met. Since 2000 some secondary schools (as an experiment) use the following marking system: 5 excellent 10.9: 4 good 8.7.6; 3 satisfactory 5.4.3.Awarded/Not awarded: for Kandidat Nauk and Doctor Nauk dissertations NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2005-2006 Source: IAU from Belarussian ENIC, 2006
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