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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
220010 Minsk
Belarus
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
220070 Minsk
Belarus
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
220001 Minsk
Belarus
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
220040 Minsk
Belarus
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.
220010 Minsk
Belarus
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
220001 Minsk
Belarus
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
Minsk
Belarus
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
Minsk
Belarus
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
220118 Minsk
Belarus
Tel: +375(17) 2642555
Belarussian Association of Student Architects
K Marx 14
220050 Minsk
Belarus
Fax: +375(17) 2649923
Belarussian Coordination Centre of Students Research
Transactions
Ul. Bobruiskaya 9-418
220050 Minsk
Belarus
Tel: +375(17) 2265710
Union of Belarussian Students
P.O. Box 493
Minsk
Belarus
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
Minsk
Belarus
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
22010 Minsk
Belarus
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
