Postgraduate studies will become separate professional education level

The Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced plans to introduce postgraduate studies as a separate level of professional education in the new higher education system.

It is reported that in 2025, the number of defended candidate dissertations completed by postgraduate students increased by 9%, to 4,680. The total number of defended candidate dissertations increased by 10.2%, rising from 8,205 in 2024 to 9,044 in 2025.

Analyzing applicant preferences, the Ministry identified the top five research areas most popular among applicants to postgraduate programs. These include systems analysis, information management and processing, statistics, regional and sectoral economics, vocational education methodology and technology, automation and management of technological processes and production, general pedagogy, and the history of pedagogy and education.

Author: Alfiya Agliullina