Let’s Talk About Learning: Education Vocabulary in Russian

In Russia, the 1st of September is a special day called the Day of Knowledge (День знаний). It’s when the school year starts, and it’s really exciting! On this day, students wear their fancy clothes and give flowers to their teachers. There are fun ceremonies at school with speeches and an important moment called the “First Bell” (Первый звонок) ringing. Then, everyone goes to their classrooms to begin a new year of learning, making new friends, and exploring new subjects.

Education is really important in our lives. It gives us knowledge, helps us grow, and opens up many opportunities. That’s why it’s essential for language learners to know how to talk about education.

Knowing education-related words is practical too. It helps us navigate academic resources, understand written materials, and explore Russian literature, research, or online courses. When we learn and use education-related vocabulary, we make great progress towards speaking fluently and understanding Russian culture.

Let’s get started and enjoy the process of learning in Russian! Keep your language notebook nearby, as I’ll share lots of vocabulary to enhance your educational journey.

Russian Educational System

The education system in Russia is structured and regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science (Министерство образования). It follows a multi-level system that includes preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education.

Let’s take a closer look at the education system in Russia.

Дошкольное образование (preschool education) in Russia typically starts around the age of 3 and continues until the age of 6. Though not compulsory, it serves as a preparation phase for primary education.

Начальная школа (primary education) begins at age 6 and lasts for 4 years, from grades 1 to 4. During this period, students are introduced to basic subjects like the Russian language, mathematics, literature, science, and physical education.

Continuing from grade 5 to grade 9, basic secondary education (средняя школа) spans 5 years. It offers a more comprehensive curriculum, including additional subjects such as history, social studies, foreign languages (commonly English), art, and sports.

Grades 10 and 11 make up complete secondary education (старшие классы). At this stage, students typically follow specialized tracks, focusing on sciences, humanities, or vocational education.

Vocational education (профессионально-техническое образование) provides profession-oriented programs geared toward specific skills and trades. Students can opt for vocational education after completing the 9th grade or as a continuation of complete secondary education.

After completing secondary education, students can pursue higher education (высшее образование) at universities, academies, or institutes. This encompasses bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, covering a broad range of fields.

The Russian education system places importance on national standardized exams, such as the Unified State Exam (ЕГЭ), which significantly impact university admissions. Moreover, there are specialized schools and programs catering to gifted students, as well as opportunities for distance learning and online education.

Высшее образование encompasses educational programs and degrees beyond the secondary level and is typically provided by universities, institutes, and academies throughout Russia.

The main types of higher education are: специалитет, бакалавриат, магистратура, аспирантура and докторантура.

In the Russian education system, “специалитет” and “бакалавриат” refer to different levels of higher education degrees:

Специалитет is a specialized higher education program that typically lasts for 5 years. It provides in-depth professional training in specific fields such as engineering, medicine, or law. Students study a comprehensive curriculum that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Upon completion, graduates are awarded a “диплом специалиста” degree, equivalent to a Master’s degree, and are qualified to work in their specialized field.

Бакалавриат is a bachelor’s degree program that typically lasts for 4 years. It offers a broad-based education in various disciplines and allows students to choose a major field of study. The curriculum includes general education courses, core subjects, and elective courses. Upon completion, graduates are awarded a “степень бакалавра” (a bachelor’s degree). They can either enter the workforce with their bachelor’s degree or continue their education by pursuing a master’s degree (магистратура).

Аспирантура (Postgraduate Studies) refers to doctoral degree programs where students engage in independent research and work towards earning a Ph.D. or a doctoral degree.

Докторантура (Doctoral Studies) refers to advanced research programs for individuals who already hold a Ph.D. or doctoral degree. It centers around further scholarly research and academic contributions.

Education Vocabulary

Here is a selection of Russian vocabulary related to education that includes educational institutions, qualifications, course types, and more.

Basic Terms Related to Learning

учить – to teach, to learn, to study, to memorize (It can be used to indicate the process of learning something or being taught by someone.)

учить английский – to learn/study English

учить детей математике – to teach kids math

Я учу свою маленькую сестру читать. – I am teaching my little sister how to read.

учиться – to study, to learn (the process of acquiring knowledge or skills. It is used when talking about the act of learning, especially in an educational setting). Учиться is used to describe formal education or studying within a specific institution or under the guidance of teachers. It implies active engagement in educational activities, attending classes, and completing assignments.

Я учусь в медицинском университете. – I study at a medical university.

Мы учимся в школе. – We study at school.

Мой брат учится играть на гитаре. – My brother is learning to play the guitar.

В школе дети учатся читать и писать. – The children are learning to read and write at school.

учитель – teacher (at school)

ученик – student (at school)

учебник – textbook

учёба – study, studying, learning

знание – knowledge

знать – to know

изучать – to study, to explore (a more in-depth or comprehensive study of a particular subject. It implies a deeper level of examination or investigation). Изучать is often used in relation to academic or scholarly pursuits, research, or gaining a thorough understanding of a subject or field.

Он изучает историю Древнего Рима. – He is studying the history of Ancient Rome.

изучение – learning, studying (the act of studying or exploring something in a more specific and focused manner)

исследование – research

обучение – training (refers to the process of education or instruction)

обучать – to teach, to train

преподавать – to teach

преподаватель – professor

студент – college/university student

школьник – school student

образование – education

самообразование – self-education

книга – book

тетрадь – notebook

учебный план – curriculum

расписание уроков/занятий – schedule

класс – class (a group of school students); classroom

The word “класс” in Russian refers to “class” in English. It can have multiple meanings depending on the context:

• a specific grade level in a school. For example, “пятый класс” means “fifth grade” and “десятый класс” means “tenth grade”;
• a physical classroom or the group of students studying together in a particular class;
• a group of school students at a certain grade level.

одноклассник – classmate

задание – assignment

оценка – grade

урок – lesson

занятие – class

заниматься – to engage/occupy oneself

Заниматься refers to hobbies, sports, arts – not just learning but actually practicing an activity. But often we use this verb to describe learning/studying:

Где наш сын? (Where’s our son?)

Он у себя в комнате. Занимается. (He’s in his room. He’s studying.)

In this case we can’t say “учится”, cause this verb needs details, it’s rarely used by itself (учится говорить, учится в школе, etc.)

домашнее задание – homework

контрольная работа – verification work, test

тестирование – testing

экзамен – exam

библитотека – library

Educational Institutions

школа – school

колледж – college

техникум – technical school

институт – institute

университет – university

академия – academy

There is also a term “вуз” in Russian. It is an abbreviation that stands for “высшее учебное заведение“, which translates to “higher education institution” in English.

Вуз is a commonly used term in Russia to refer to institutions of higher education, including universities, institutes, academies, and colleges. These institutions offer a wide range of academic programs and degrees, such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, across various fields of study.

See Also: Russian Vocabulary for Urban Locations

Academic Terms

курс – course

In an academic context, “курс” can also refer to a semester or term. For example, “первый курс” means the “first year” or “freshman year” of studies.

первокурсник – freshman

семестр – semester

сессия – session (a period of final control on the studied disciplines established by the training schedule)

факультет – faculty

кафедра – department

группа – group, class

одногруппник – classmate (at a university)

аудитория  – сlassroom

студенческий билет – student ID card

зачёт – an academic credit or a passing grade in a course

During the course of study, students are assessed on their performance and knowledge in each subject. One of the possible outcomes of such assessment is receiving a “зачёт” [zachot], which signifies that a student has successfully met the requirements for that particular course. It indicates that the student has achieved a satisfactory level of understanding and mastery of the subject matter.

The granting of a “зачет” is often determined by the student’s active participation in class, completion of assignments or projects, and successful performance on examinations or tests. The opposite of a “зачёт” is a “незачёт”, which means a failure or not meeting the requirements for a particular course.

стипендия – scholarship

отчисление – expulsion

реферат – a research paper, essay, report

A реферат typically involves researching a specific topic, synthesizing information, and presenting findings in a structured written format. It is often assigned to students as a task to develop their research and writing skills.

курсовая работа – coursework

дипломная работа – graduate work, thesis

конференция – conference

куратор – curator (an employee of the university who is charged with supervising (controlling) either a certain type of students’ activity or general issues of study and everyday life of the student group)

декан – dean

ректор – rector (head of the university)

бакалавриат – bachelor’s degree program

магистратура – master’s degree program

аспирантура – postgraduate education

The word “аспирантура” in Russian refers to postgraduate education or a doctoral degree program. It is equivalent to the concept of “graduate school” or “doctoral studies” in other educational systems.

Аспирантура provides advanced academic and research training, typically following the completion of a master’s degree. Students enrolled in аспирантура, called “аспиранты” (aspiranty), work towards obtaining a Ph.D. (кандидат наук) or a doctoral degree (доктор наук) in a specific field of study.

Qualifications and Degrees

In Russia, there is a hierarchical system of qualifications and degrees, similar to other countries. Here are the main qualifications and degrees that exist in the Russian educational system:

Среднее общее образование – General Secondary Education. This is the mandatory basic education provided at the secondary school level, typically completed by the age of 17-18.

Среднее профессиональное образование – Vocational Education. This is a professional qualification obtained from a vocational or technical school after completing specialized training programs. It corresponds to the level of a skilled worker or technician.

When discussing высшее образование (higher education), there are several qualifications and degrees available:

• Бакалавр – Bachelor’s Degree: This is an undergraduate degree typically earned after completing a four-year program at a university or institution of higher education. It signifies the completion of the first stage of higher education.
• Специалист – Specialist Degree: This qualification is commonly obtained in certain fields like engineering, medicine, or law after completing a five-year program at a university. It indicates a deeper level of specialization compared to a bachelor’s degree.
• Магистр – Master’s Degree: This is a postgraduate degree acquired after completing a two-year program following a bachelor’s degree. It represents a higher level of expertise and specialization in a particular field.
• Кандидат наук – Candidate of Sciences: This is an academic degree obtained by successfully defending a doctoral dissertation. It is comparable to a Ph.D. and represents significant research achievements.
• Доктор наук – Doctor of Sciences: This is the highest academic degree in Russia, attained through exceptional research accomplishments and the defense of a doctoral thesis. It represents the pinnacle of expertise in a specific academic discipline.

In addition to these qualifications and degrees, various professional certifications and qualifications exist in specific fields, such as medicine, law, engineering, and teaching.

Terms List:

учёная степень – academic degree

докторская степень – doctoral degree

квалификация – qualification

специальность – specialty

специалист – specialist

бакалавр (степень бакалавра) – bachelor (bachelor’s degree)

магистр (степень магистра) – master (master’s degree)

аспирант – postgraduate student

профессор – professor

доцент – associate professor

доктор наук – doctor of sciences

диплом – diploma

сертификат – certificate

аттестат – certificate, diploma

In the Russian educational system, students receive an “аттестат об основном общем образовании” upon finishing their studies at a secondary school. This certificate serves as proof of completing the required curriculum and allows further advancement to higher education institutions.

The “аттестат” specifies the student’s academic performance, grades, and completion of various subjects. It is an essential document for university admissions, employment applications, and other official purposes, serving as evidence of completing the necessary level of secondary education.

See Also: Professions ond Occupations in Russian

Course Types

курс – course

курсы – courses

“Курсы” can refer to educational classes or courses offered to acquire or improve skills, knowledge, or expertise in a specific subject. These can include language courses, professional development courses, computer courses, or art courses, among others.

It can also be used to describe training programs or courses designed to provide specialized instruction or practical skills in a particular field. These courses are often aimed at professional development, vocational training, or skill enhancement.

курсы английского – English courses

курсы кройки и шитья – sewing courses

занятие – class

практическое занятие – practical class

лекция – lecture

семинар – seminar

лабораторная работа – laboratory work

Subjects and Disciplines

In schools, students typically study a broad range of subjects (предмет) as part of their curriculum. This provides them with a well-rounded education and a foundation of general knowledge.

математика – mathematics

русский язык – Russian

иностранный язык – foreign language (often English)

английский язык – English

немецкий язык – German

французский язык – French

литература – literature

история – history

естествознание – natural science

биология – biology

химия – chemistry

физика – physics

география – geography

геометрия – geometry

алгебра – algebra

информатика – computer science

обществознание – social studies

экономика – economics

психология – psychology

изобразительное искусство (изо) – art

основы безопасности жизнедеятельности (ОБЖ) – life safety basics

музыка – music

труд/технология – labor studies/technology

физическая культура (физкультура) – physical education

Additionally, in higher grades, students may have the opportunity to choose elective subjects based on their interests or career aspirations, such as economics, psychology, additional foreign languages, or specialized sciences.

Students at universities in Russia study a wide range of subjects based on their chosen field of study or major. In contrast to schools, university disciplines (дисциплина) are more focused and specialized, allowing students to delve deeply into a specific field of study or major.

For example:

лингвистика – linguistics

философия – philosophy

социология – sociology

геология – geology

машиностроение – mechanical engineering

информационные технологии – information technology

архитектура – architecture

финансы – finance

бухгалтерский учёт (бухучёт) – accounting

маркетинг – marketing

графический дизайн – graphic design

These are just a few examples and the range of subjects offered at universities in Russia is extensive. Each university may have its own specific programs and departments tailored to different fields of study. Students can choose their majors and delve deeper into their area of interest or specialization as they progress through their academic journey.

Materials/Resources Used for Studying

учебник – textbook (plural учебники)

тетрадь – notebook (pl. тетради)

карандаш – pencils (pl. карандаши)

ручка – pen

маркер – highlighter

фломастеры – markers

ноутбук – laptop

компьютер – computer

планшет – tablet

справочные материалы – reference materials

презентация – presentation

интернет – internet

электронные ресурсы – electronic resources

библитотека – library

пособие – study guide

методичка – manual

See Also: Essential Office-Related Vocabulary

This is just a small sample of vocabulary related to education in Russian. There are many more words and phrases that you can explore to expand your understanding of the topic.

Remember, true education extends beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms. It’s a lifelong endeavor that enriches our souls, broadens our horizons, and connects us with the diverse tapestry of humanity. So, let’s embark on this adventure together, and may the love of learning guide our way!

Stay curious, stay motivated, and let’s explore the boundless realm of Russian education and learning!