Siberian Federal University

The Bologna Declaration was signed in the Italian city of Bologna on June 19, 1999 by ministers in charge of higher education from 29 European countries 10 years ago.

The Bologna process aimed at creating the European Higher Education Area based on international cooperation and academic exchange that is attractive to European students and staff as well as to students and staff from other parts of the world by 2010. The main aspects of the Bologna process are:

• a three-cycle structure (bachelor-master-doctorate);
• ECTS credits;
• Mobility of students, graduates and higher education staff;
• European Diploma Supplement which can be acknowledged in any country involved in the Bologna process;
• Quality assurance of higher education, the unique European research area;
• Distance learning technologies and development.

Russia became a full member of the Bologna Process in 2003. National qualifications frameworks consist of two cycles (Bachelor's programme - 3-4 years, Master’s programme - 1-2 years). The two-cycle structure of education offers broad access to high-quality higher education. For example, Bachelor's programme provides students with a splendid opportunity to choose Master’s programme of any academic area of study thus helping to build the career they deserve. Bachelor’s degree in mechanics can be complemented with Master’s degree in economics and law.

At the present time, there are 20-30% of bachelors and 10% of masters in Siberian Federal University. More than 70% of prospective students are planned to get Bachelor’s degree as well as 20% of them are expected to get Master’s degree by 2010.
There are more than 100 Master’s programmes-2009 of different scientific areas of study in Siberian Federal University such as: Mathematical Physics, the Humanities, Economics and Management, Power Engineering, Power Engineering Industry, Electrical Engineering, Metallurgy, Machinery, Metal Processing, Ground-based Transportation System, Instrument Engineering, etc. It should be noted that students of ANY higher education institutions can get Master’s degree in Siberian Federal University.

It is a well-known fact that the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation passed a regulation concerning study-for-fee form of getting Master’s degree next year. Consequently, alumni shouldn’t miss out on an opportunity to get Master’s degree free of charge. Moreover, SibFU students can get joint degrees which are developed and approved jointly by foreign institutions.