What to choose: a bachelor's degree with a master's degree or a specialist? Bachelor's degree or specialist's degree: which is better? What does magistracy, bachelor's and specialist's degree mean?

In 1997, Russia signed the Bologna Convention on Accession to the Common European Educational Space. One of the basic points of the Bologna process is the traditional for Europe 2-level system of education. It considers bachelor's, master's and specialist training as independent levels of higher education. Bachelor's degree - the first level, master's degree or specialist training - the second.

Undergraduate

All graduates of schools, colleges, technical schools and colleges can enter the undergraduate program. It is absolutely wrong to believe that a bachelor's degree is an unfinished higher education. A bachelor is a university graduate who has received a full-fledged basic higher education in the chosen direction in four years. The undergraduate degree is accepted according to the international classification and is understandable to employers all over the world. The graduate is awarded a diploma of higher professional education with the degree of "Bachelor". The choice of place of work for him is very wide: it is any production and office where he needs educated person who knows how to work with information, with people, able to prepare any documents. The advantages of choosing a bachelor's degree include the fact that after four years a person receives a diploma and gains economic independence. Another indisputable advantage of the two-level system is the opportunity, after 4 years of undergraduate studies, to more clearly outline your interests and needs and, based on this, choose a narrower specialty of the magistracy, and in some cases even get two different specialties. At the same time, training is possible both on a budgetary and paid basis.

Specialty

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.

What are the disadvantages of a specialty? The first is the difficulty of recognizing a specialist diploma abroad, where such a form of education does not exist. The second is the inability to learn budget places in the magistracy, since according to the law for a specialist this will already be the second higher education with all the ensuing consequences - tuition fees and the absence of a deferment from the army.

Vyatka State University in 2014 carries out reception on, upon completion of which you can continue your studies in the programs and ,

Master's degree

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 budget places for master's programs: in 2013 - 81 budget places, in 2014 - 129 budget places.

It is not necessary to enroll in a master's program immediately after completing a bachelor's degree. This can be done later, when it becomes necessary to get a narrower specialization or change profession. Moreover, the Bologna system makes it possible to become a bachelor in one direction, and complete a master's degree in another. In this case, the graduate receives two diplomas of higher education. One of the components of the Bologna process is academic mobility, which allows a student, having completed a bachelor's degree at one university, to enroll in a master's program at another.

Thus, it is impossible to unambiguously determine which is better - a specialist or a bachelor's degree with a master's degree. In Russia today, both the first and the second system operate.

Modern system higher education in Russia provides an opportunity to get the same specialty, having received diplomas of different qualifications. Just a few years ago, universities and institutes produced only specialists. Now you can go to study for a bachelor's degree or choose a specialty. It is important to understand what are the fundamental differences between various systems: this will help not to make a mistake when entering a university.

Undergraduate and Specialist

There is no need to explain what a specialty is. This system has existed in our country since Soviet Union. After graduation, the applicant enters the university, where he studies, as a rule, for five years. AT medical universities the term of study was (and is) 6 years, however, at the end of the training, in any case, the title of “specialist” is awarded. At the same time, after the specialty, it is possible to continue studies in graduate school in order to obtain a PhD degree.

In 1999 Russian government decided to accede to the Lisbon Convention. Now, on the basis of a complete secondary education, an applicant enters a university, studies for 4 years and receives a bachelor's degree. Not all universities managed to switch to the updated system, so in our country, applicants have the opportunity to choose which system to receive higher education. In addition, even those universities that produce bachelors have not yet completely switched to the European system. In particular, many academic disciplines continue to be taught in the same way as it was before the transition to new system. In addition, the system for assessing students' knowledge has remained unchanged: in Europe and America, there is a hundred-point system.

It is worth remembering that a bachelor's degree is the first stage of a two-level system of education. The second and optional level is the master's degree. You can refuse a master's program by getting a job after receiving a bachelor's degree, or you can enter any university to continue your education some time after the end of the first stage.

Advantages and disadvantages of a bachelor's degree

After completing a bachelor's degree, a student receives a European education and can continue his studies at any university outside of Russia. In addition, a master's degree can be completed in another specialty. However, many employers, accustomed to hiring specialists, believe that bachelors do not have enough quality education. Perhaps they are right: the word "bachelor" comes from the Latin "dropout". In addition, it is not easy to enter a master's program: there are quite a few budget places. In addition, it is not possible to enter graduate school after receiving a bachelor's degree: a master's degree is needed.

Advantages and disadvantages of a specialty

It is believed that specialists receive better training and are more valuable personnel than bachelors. In addition, after five years of study, it is possible to pass examinations for postgraduate studies and obtain a Ph.D.

However, a specialist on a budgetary basis cannot enter a master's program: this will be considered a second higher education. The only exceptions are those students who entered the university before the introduction of the two-tier system, that is, before 1999. In addition, if a specialist decides to go abroad, he will have to go through a difficult procedure for confirming a diploma.

What is a master's degree?

Master's degree allows you to continue your studies and master another profession or deepen your knowledge in the main specialty. Masters deeply master the theoretical and practical aspects of the specialty, receive high-quality training for both research and teaching activities. At the end of the training, a master student is obliged to defend a master's thesis, which is written under the guidance of a doctor of science. It is worth noting that masters have the right to teach at universities, which distinguishes them from bachelors.

Thus, in Russia at the moment there is a unique situation. Applicants can choose which system they prefer to receive higher education. When making a choice, it is worth considering your own goals. If you intend to work or continue your studies abroad, then the ideal option is a bachelor's degree. If you plan to stay in Russia or go to graduate school and study scientific activity, then your choice is a specialty.

What is a specialty

Specialty is a traditional form of higher education in Russia. Students in the specialist's program study at the university for 5 years, and after that they receive the degree of "graduate".

In 2003, Russia signed the Bologna Declaration and began the transition to the European system of higher education. Thus, a two-level system of higher education appeared in Russian universities: a bachelor's degree plus a master's degree.

How is a bachelor's degree different from a master's degree

Undergraduate - This is the first level of higher education, it lasts 4 years. During your studies, you will receive basic knowledge in your specialty and a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree is considered a completed higher education.

Master's degree - This is the second level of higher education, which lasts 2 years. Unlike a bachelor's degree, a master's degree makes it possible to choose a narrow specialization. For example, if you have a bachelor's degree in management, you can go to a master's program in management in trade or tourism.

Benefits of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

The diploma is recognized abroad.If you have completed your Bachelor's degree in Russia and want to further study abroad, foreign university validate your degree. With a bachelor's or master's degree, it is easier to get a job abroad than with a specialist diploma.

Easy to change profession. Bachelor's and master's programs are designed in such a way that you can study for 4 years and then enroll in a master's program in management. As a result, you will have two specialties. In addition, you can study for a master's degree at another university.

Departure from the army. If a student enters a master's program in the year of graduation from the bachelor's degree, he will receive a 2-year deferment from the army. A specialist when applying for a master's degree is not given such a delay.

Cons of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

employers' distrust.Some employers are wary of bachelors because they study 1-2 years less than specialists. Therefore, specialists are more often hired.

Paid master's degree.Not all bachelors who studied on a budget will be able to graduate from a master's program for free. There are state-funded places at the magistracy, but there are much fewer of them than at the bachelor's degree. If you do not have enough money for a master's degree, you can take a break from studying, work and save up for a second diploma.

Pros and cons of a specialty

Appreciated by employers.Employers are willing to hire specialists, because they study in a narrow profile, and bachelors receive general knowledge.

It's easier to get into graduate school.If you are going to do science or go to graduate school, choose a specialty. You can become a graduate student right after the specialty, and a bachelor will have to complete a master's program first.

Takes more time.A specialist studies for 1-2 years longer than a bachelor. If you feel sorry for this time and want to start working faster, choose a bachelor's degree.

It is difficult to confirm a diploma abroad.There is no specialty abroad, so it will be more difficult for you to confirm a specialist diploma for studying or working abroad.

Which type of training to choose

It is impossible to say unequivocally what is better to choose: a specialist or a bachelor's degree with a master's degree. To make it easier for you to decide and see the difference between them, we have collected the pros and cons of each form of training in a table.

	Specialty	Undergraduate	Master's degree
Diploma of Higher Education	Yes	Yes	Yes
Training period	5-6 years	4 years	2 years
Opportunity to study for free	many budget places	many budget places	few budget places
Attitude of employers	good	wary	good
Recognition of a diploma abroad	hardly recognize	easily recognize	easily recognize

Content

At the present time, young people have access to higher two-level education. Every student who in the future wants to become an excellent specialist in their chosen profile must clearly understand what bachelor's and master's programs are and how these degrees differ from each other. The difference between them is significant, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Find out what are the features of these academic degrees.

What is a bachelor's degree

This is the first, basic stage of academic education. The conditions for accessing it are simple. You need to get a secondary, secondary special or vocational education. You can enter after graduating from the 11th grade of a school, a specialized college, a technical school, a college. There is a misconception that a bachelor's degree is an incomplete higher education. This is not true. A bachelor's degree is the first full-fledged stage of higher education, in the presence of which a person has the right to get a job in his specialty.

How many study

Usually, educational process lasts four years, although there are exceptions. A student receives an academic bachelor's degree after passing exams. It should be noted that there are a number of specialties that even on basic level it is impossible to master in 4 courses, especially in the medical and technical fields. Education at such faculties is divided into other stages that do not fit into the general concept of the European educational standard.

Undergraduate program

The plan is focused on giving the student practical knowledge in their chosen specialty. Narrow disciplines in educational program Hardly ever. If they are enabled, then the minimum amount hours, and provide only basic knowledge. The bachelor's degree was originally conceived for the student to choose a narrow specialty and consciously continue his studies in it at the magistracy. In Russian practice, this stage has become relatively independent.

Bachelor's programs have recently been divided into two categories according to a number of characteristics and tasks assigned to students, although this innovation is not yet practiced everywhere. Types of the first stage of academic education:

Applied. For students who plan to get a job immediately after graduation educational institution. Practical training is underway. The form of study at the applied bachelor's degree is only full-time / full-time.
academic. Professional training bachelors who plan to enroll in the future for a master's degree. The emphasis is on research and development, theoretical courses. You can study both full-time and part-time.

Bachelor in Russia

The program began to be introduced into the practice of our country after the signing of the Bologna Convention. The reform implies the gradual creation of a single educational space of the European standard. Higher education in all countries should be two-stage: undergraduate and graduate. Previously, students received a specialist diploma after studying for 5-6 years. Now this practice is gradually being abandoned, but so far the “specialist” level has not been completely abolished, because not all professions can be mastered in 4 years, even at the basic level.

What is a master's degree

This is the second stage of higher education, but in order to gain access to it, it is necessary to obtain the first. A person is considered a master after he has completely completed studying proccess. Bachelors and persons who received a specialty before the introduction of the Bologna system can enter the master's program free of charge. The course of subjects is chosen so that the student is maximally immersed in practical and scientific activities.

The programs are led by teachers of the highest qualification, doctors of sciences. From the very first semester, each student is assigned a mentor from among them. Under the guidance of a teacher, a person chooses a direction scientific research and defended his master's thesis. Until the moment when the student defended his dissertation, he is a master's student. During the training, he receives pedagogical skills and at the end of the program he can work as a teacher.

Why do you need

Many people do not understand why attend lectures for some more time, if after a bachelor's degree you can immediately get a job. A master's degree is necessary for a person in order for him to have the right to occupy leadership positions. To get a job in a number of specialties, you also need to get a second stage of higher education. In addition, a master's degree can be completed in order to get an education not in the initially chosen one, but in another specialty.

What gives

Education is not easy, but it brings many benefits. After graduating from the master's program, you will receive the following opportunities:

You will be able to hold leadership positions, work in professions that require both levels of higher education.
Professional growth will be rapid even under conditions of high competition.
You will receive a lot of useful and in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
If you realize that you have chosen a specialization by mistake, then the master's program gives you the right to change it.
The scholarship and other social guarantees (a place in a hostel, etc.) will be extended for a certain number of years.
You will have an open road to graduate school and teaching.

Is it necessary to go to a master's program after a bachelor's degree?

This decision is made by each individual. It would be objectively unfair to argue that a bachelor's degree is an inferior education. However, before making a decision about whether to go to a master's program, consider the following opportunities that it provides to a university graduate:

the diploma is recognized internationally;
experience of working with foreign teachers;
conducting research and development for PhD work;
the equivalence of foreign scientific PhD qualifications.

How to apply for a master's degree

Obtaining the second stage of higher education is possible only after completing a bachelor's degree. It will be necessary to pass an oral comprehensive interdisciplinary exam in the field of study. Its content and procedure are determined by each university, so they differ everywhere. The results are evaluated on a 100-point scale in accordance with the requirements of the Bologna system. The training lasts two years. It is not necessary to act immediately, first you can work in your specialty for several years.

Who can apply

To apply, you must have a higher professional education. A bachelor's degree, a specialist's degree, a master's degree will do. Of the additional documents, you need an application, an identity card, a medical certificate and several photographs. To enter on a budgetary basis, you need to have either a bachelor's degree or a specialist obtained before the Bologna process. Master's education may not be connected with the direction of fundamental training chosen last time.

Master's degree in another specialty

In the process of obtaining higher education, you can change its direction. You can take any specialty, but practice shows that it is preferable to choose an adjacent one. However, if you are sure that you have the necessary knowledge to pass entrance exam in a completely different profession, there are no obstacles. A master's degree after a bachelor's degree in another specialty is available at any Russian university and even outside the country.

Paid by the employer

The labor legislation lists compensations and guarantees for employees who professional activity combined with education. For example, master's programs in a number of specialties, especially narrow scientific ones, are financed by the employer, to whom the funds will be transferred by the state. If the admission is a personal initiative of the employee, then he will have paid training, the company can only provide leave at its own expense.

If the second scientific stage is necessary for an employee for career growth in a particular organization, they do not have the right to dismiss him. In this situation, two scenarios are possible:

The employer pays all expenses related to education. This is done if the company is very interested in the employee.
The company gives days of paid leave to attend preparatory courses, lectures, and pass exams.

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

The difference between these levels of education is not only in the number of job opportunities. What is the difference between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, which is better? A few examples:

Only a bachelor's degree can enter the master's program.
Only a student who has an academic master's degree has the right to study in graduate school.
Undergraduate studies last four years. Master's degree - two.
The second stage of higher education can be obtained not in the specialty that you acquired at the bachelor's degree.
Who is a bachelor? It is focused on labor activity, practical use of acquired knowledge. In the magistracy, they prepare for work in the research field.
The second stage of higher education is not available in all educational institutions.

Bachelor's diploma

This document confirming that a person has the first qualification stage of higher education provides him with the right to employment in the specialty he has received, as a rule, in the social and economic spheres. Its owner has the full right to continue education and enter the magistracy. In foreign practice, most people after receiving a bachelor's degree immediately get a job. Only those who plan to engage in science and research continue their studies.

With such a document, a wide range of jobs is available to a person. A master's degree significantly increases your chances of finding a job in your specialty in analytical and research centers, large corporations. This diploma is a must-have for persons who plan to continue to enter graduate school or engage in teaching activities.

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Since 2009, Russia officially has a two-level system of higher education "bachelor's degree (4 years) - master's degree (2 years)", which corresponds to the principles of the Bologna system, common in Europe and North America. However, until recently, higher education in Russia (and the Soviet Union) was built according to a completely different system: all universities prepared students for specialty programs for 5–6 years, after which students could study in a master's or postgraduate program. But the specificity of the educational space of our country is such that many universities continue to train specialists even today, so the current education system can be called "three-level". Let's see what is the difference between the "old" and "new" systems.

Benefits of Master's and Bachelor's Degrees

Two-level system "bachelor's degree - master's degree" has a number of advantages. The main thing is the opportunity after 4 years of study in the bachelor's degree to more clearly outline your interests and needs and, based on this, choose a narrower specialty of the master's program, and in some cases even get two different specialties, which is an important advantage in the labor market. In addition, you can go to another university to study for a master's degree - admission conditions are the same for everyone.

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 a foreign university (in this case, however, you have to pay for the second stage of education).

Disadvantages of Master's and Bachelor's 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.

The problem could be solved if all bachelors who wish to continue their education could enter the master's program free of charge. But this is impossible, since the new two-tier system has significantly reduced the number of free places in the magistracy - and this is second. There are budget places, but the competition for them is several times greater than for free places in undergraduate studies, especially for prestigious specialties in well-known universities. Studying for money is quite expensive - the cost of a paid master's degree in Moscow varies from 50 thousand to 300 thousand per year. The way out here may be the opportunity to work for several years between undergraduate and graduate programs (this is allowed by law) and save money for the second level of higher education.

Advantages and disadvantages of a specialty

The main advantage of the specialty is its high prestige in the eyes of employers and full training (specialists study for at least 5 years, and sometimes 6). Also, a specialist degree 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.

What are the disadvantages of a specialty? The first is the difficulty of recognizing a specialist diploma abroad, where there is no such form of education. The problem is solvable, but it will take more effort. The second is the impossibility of studying at state-funded places in the magistracy, since according to the law for a specialist this will be the second higher education with all the ensuing consequences - paid education and the absence of a deferment from the army.

The conflict of transition from a specialist to a master's and bachelor's degree

Thus, it is impossible to unequivocally determine which is better - a specialist or a bachelor's degree with a master's degree. In Russia today, both the first and the second systems operate, but applicants to a university cannot choose which of these forms to study.

It was originally planned that the specialty would eventually give way to a two-level system, but after the introduction of the principles of the Bologna system, it became clear that in a number of specialties (primarily technical and medical specialties) it is impossible to prepare a full-fledged graduate in 4 years. Therefore, many technical specialties are still studied under the specialist's program, while most of the humanities and natural sciences have switched to "bachelor's - master's".

This state of affairs creates conflict situation. The bachelor's degree was intended to completely replace the specialty, but today it turns out that they exist in parallel, creating confusion in the educational market and the labor market. Moreover, the bachelor's degree in most universities has not become a new, more modern form of education (for example, few places have introduced a 100-point performance assessment system; with the exception of a few leading universities, students study at the bachelor's degree in the old fashioned way - getting from 2 to 5 points). In this way, most often a bachelor's degree is the same specialty, but without one year of study.

Ask all questions about master's programs in person

Company Start Group organizes and conducts educational exhibitions for both master's and undergraduate programs. At the exhibition, you will be able to personally communicate with representatives of both Russian and foreign universities and get advice on each of the programs of the educational institution presented at the event.

Go to the exhibition page and find out more when and where our next event will be held, as well as check out the list of our participants, because most likely we have exactly what you are looking for.