Now we move on to the main part of the episode, to our main topic.
How the education system in Russia is structuredThe Russian education system has a clear stepped structure. That is, education can be imagined as a ladder with steps. It includes several levels:
The first level — preschool education — kindergarten for children from 2 to 7 years old.
The second level — general education — school, which is divided into primary education (grades 1–4), basic education (grades 5–9), and secondary education (grades 10–11).
The third level — professional education — colleges and technikums, where a working specialty is obtained.
The fourth level — higher education — universities, institutes, and academies, where specialists with higher education are trained.
Kindergarten — the first step in educationKindergarten is the first level of the education system in Russia. Children attend it from 2–3 years old to 6–7 years old. This is not just a place where a child plays while parents are at work. It is an important stage of development.
What they do in kindergarten:
- They play. Play is the main way of learning at this age. Through play, children learn about the world, learn to communicate, and solve small tasks.
- They study. They have simple lessons: they draw, sculpt from plasticine, make appliqués, learn letters and numbers.
- They go for walks. Every day children go outside — they play on the playground and observe nature.
- They learn poems and songs. They prepare for holidays.
- They celebrate holidays. Parents, grandmothers, and grandfathers are invited to the kindergarten, where children read poems, sing songs, and dance.
Primary school (grades 1–4)The turn of the second level of education comes — school. Children go to first grade at 6–7 years old. This is the beginning of school life. The first teacher, the first bell, the first textbook — all of this is remembered for life.
What happens in primary school:
- Children learn to read, write, and count.
- They study Russian language, mathematics, the world around us, and reading.
- There are often lessons in music, drawing, and physical education.
- One teacher leads almost all subjects. That same teacher is also the class teacher.
- Children get used to the schedule, discipline, and homework.
In primary school, grades are given starting from the 2nd grade. But the main thing is not grades, but the ability to learn.
Basic school (grades 5–9)From the 5th grade, basic school begins. Students move to the middle level. Now they have many different teachers — a separate teacher for each subject.
What is added:
- New subjects: history, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, foreign languages.
- A new class teacher — a teacher who is responsible for the class and helps solve problems.
- Exams after the 9th grade — the OGE (Basic State Exam). These are the first serious exams in a student's life.
After the 9th grade, the student receives a certificate of basic general education.
Senior school (grades 10–11)In grades 10–11, students prepare for adult life. The main goal is to pass the EGE (Unified State Exam) and enter a VUZ (Higher Education Institution).
What happens in senior school:
- Students choose a profile of study — for example, physics and mathematics, humanities, chemistry and biology. That is, they will study subjects in their chosen profile more intensively.
- Students prepare for the EGE in their chosen subjects.
- They learn to write projects and research papers.
After the 11th grade, the student receives a certificate of secondary general education.
Grades in schoolIn Russian schools, a 5-point grading system is used. This means that a student can receive a grade from 1 to 5. 5 — is excellent (super), 4 — good, 3 — satisfactory (normal), 2 — bad, 1 — very bad. Grades are given for answers in class, for tests, for homework, and for work in class. All grades are recorded in the student's diary and in the electronic journal, which parents can see. At the end of the quarter (or trimester) and at the end of the year, a final grade is given for the subject. If a student receives only fives — they are called an excellent student. If a student receives only fours and fives — they are called a good student. If there are threes — that is a C student.
It is important to make a decisionAfter the 9th grade, a student has a choice: go to a college or technikum and get a profession in 2–4 years, or continue studying in senior school (grades 10–11).
The EGE — a key element of admission to a VUZOne of the most discussed aspects of Russian education is the EGE (Unified State Exam). It is taken by graduates of the 11th grade.
The EGE is taken in various subjects: Russian language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, foreign languages, and others. The results of the EGE serve as the main basis for admission to a VUZ.
Why is this important? The EGE made the admission process more transparent and objective. Previously, each university had its own exams, and this created difficulties. Now a graduate takes the EGE once and can submit documents to several institutes at the same time.
Institute — years of study and scholarshipAfter school or college, one can enroll in an institute or university. This is higher education. Study there lasts 4 years (bachelor's degree) or 5–6 years (specialist degree). After that, one can continue studying in a master's program — another 2 years.
Students who study well and are on a state-funded place (that is, free for themselves) receive a scholarship. This is small money from the state that helps cover daily expenses.
How much they pay in 2026:
Minimum scholarship amount
- Academic scholarship (for good academic performance): minimum 2,296 rubles per month — that is approximately 27 dollars or 24.5 euros per month.
- Social scholarship (for students from low-income families): minimum 3,448 rubles per month — that is approximately 41 dollars or 37 euros per month.
It is important to understand: these are the minimum amounts. In many universities, scholarships are higher, especially if a student studies with "excellent" grades or receives an increased scholarship for achievements in science, sports, or creativity.
Opportunities for foreign studentsMany Russian universities actively work with foreigners. There are special preparatory departments for studying the Russian language. Exchange programs and joint projects with foreign universities are in operation.
Recognition of diplomasOne of the advantages that foreigners often highlight: diplomas from Russian universities are recognized in many countries around the world. This means that after studying in Russia, one can work in other countries.
Personal storyIn my childhood there was no EGE. I took regular exams: several mandatory ones — I think Russian language and mathematics — and several subjects of choice. I remember that I chose physical education because I liked doing sports. It was the traditional system: first exams at school, then entrance exams at the institute.
And my sons already take the EGE. Honestly, I don't know — is it better or worse.
ConclusionToday we learned:
- How the education system in Russia is structured.
- What grades students receive in school.
- What the EGE is and why it is important.
- What a technikum and a college are.
Friends, let's repeat the new words: education, preschool education, certificate, EGE, VUZ, college, technikum, diploma, scholarship.