How to apply to the UK. How can a Ukrainian enroll in a university in Great Britain. Study at a university in your country

The price of higher education in UK universities ranges from £ 10,000 to £ 30,000 per year (for medicine and medical sciences).

How to apply to the University of England / UK? What documents and knowledge the applicant needs

In order to enter an English university, you will need not only a standard list of documents, but also certain linguistic and academic knowledge.

The main list of required documents for the submitting family:

copy of the passport
for a bachelor - a school certificate and passing the Foundation program, or the International Year One program
for master's degree - completed bachelor's degree +, if required, passing the pre-Masters program
IELTS certificate issued no earlier than 2 years before the date of application for a student visa
letters of recommendation from teachers of English and mathematics, sometimes from the headmaster / dean
motivation letter
Skype interview or personal visit to an educational institution

Benefits of Studying at Universities in England

Universities in Great Britain, including universities in England, have several advantages over other popular and prestigious educational institutions in the world. The first and foremost is the international status: highly qualified specialists are trained here, diplomas are recognized in most countries of the world. The most prestigious are Cambridge and Oxford, but diplomas from other educational centers make an equally impressive impression on international employers. The education received in the country becomes a competitive advantage of the applicant.

The TOP-10 of the best universities in the world includes institutions from two countries: these are universities in Britain, the list of which is presented in this section, and the United States. As practice shows, it is cheaper than the American one, the cost of education rarely exceeds 33,000 pounds per year, while at Harvard a student will have to spend at least 50,000 in the same currency. In addition, an undergraduate degree in England lasts 3 years, not 4 as in the United States.

Educational institutions (the list can be found on the pages of the Smapse catalog) are also distinguished by a first-class material and technical base, which makes the learning process more efficient. Educational institutions have all the necessary academic resources; here, both ancient libraries and ultra-modern laboratories are at the service of students.

Studying at renowned UK universities and internships for Russian students

Having chosen and determined with a university in England, Russian applicants and foreign students can count on practice in their specialty - each direction provides for such training. Studying at universities in the UK necessarily includes theoretical modules and practice-oriented programs, the latter taking place both on campuses and on the territory of partner organizations.

UK universities also offer cost optimization options for Russians and students of other nationalities. Foreigners have the right to apply for scholarships, grants - this requires academic, professional, creative, sports achievements.

Features of the choice of alma mater

How expensive are universities in England? As a rule, the first thing that interests an applicant is the cost of education. This question is undoubtedly relevant, but we recommend choosing an educational institution according to other parameters. First of all, this is specialization, the level of academic achievements, it is also worth considering the location (the regions of the country differ significantly in the cost of living).

Price is one of the defining criteria when choosing a UK university - but focusing only on it, you run the risk of missing other important points and making the wrong choice. To avoid costly mistakes, we recommend that you carefully study the presented catalog. If you need an individual consultation, SMAPS experts are always ready to help!

Notable British universities: a list for international students and Russian schoolchildren

Below in this section you will find a list of the most popular destinations for Russian and foreign applicants. By clicking on each option in the list, you can get acquainted with more detailed information about programs and specialties. As for the requirements and options for admission, you can familiarize yourself with them in the "" section or get a free consultation from one of our specialists.

5 categories of institutions in the UK

By the time of foundation, universities in Britain are conventionally divided into 5 main categories, this is important for foreigners to consider when choosing an educational institution. All UK higher education institutions have their own internal rules and traditions, but some common features in one category of institutions can still be traced.

The most prestigious group, which includes the oldest and most respected institutions in the world, founded before the 16th century, is Ancient Universities. It includes establishments with a unique structure and centuries-old traditions. The group includes:

University of Oxford (taught since 1117);
University of Cambridge (established in 1209);
University of St Andrews (established in 1413);
University of Glasgow (1451);
University of Aberdeen (founded in 1495);
University of Edinburgh (established in 1583).

The next type is Red Brick. It is a shorthand term for former colleges of applied or engineering that became universities in Great Britain before World War II. Their distinguishing feature is their location in large industrial centers and a practical (natural science) direction of education. Universities of Red Brіck include:

University of Liverpool;
University of Bristol;
University of Sheffield;
University of Birmingham;
University of Leeds;
University of Manchester.

Also in the RedBrick group are the Russell Group series of higher education institutions. These are 14 universities in Great Britain, which, in collaboration with the previous 6 educational institutions, form an integral educational group with common principles, training system and scientific values. Meetings of university representatives took place in an informal setting at the Russel Hotel, which gave the name to the association. The group includes:

University of Wales (Lampiter);
University of Nottingham;
University of Wales (Bangor);
University of Exeter;
Queen's University of Belfast;
University of Swansea;
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne;
Cardiff University;
University of Hull;
University of Wales (Aberystwyth);
University of Reading;
University of Leicester;
University of Dundee;
University of Southampton.

In the 1960s. Britain was swept by a new wave of university education and Plate Glass establishments emerged. The term is explained by the fact that instead of traditional bricks, buildings were built from large glass sheets. A new look at architecture emphasized a departure from the old view of the UK teaching system and the creation of a new modern order. This category includes: University of East Anglia; University of Surrey; University of Kent; University of Stirling; Aston University; Brunel University; University of Ulster; University of Bradford; Heriot-Watt University; University of York; Keele University; University of Bath; Loughborough University; University of Sussex; University of Essex; University of Strathclyde; Cranfield University; University of Salford; City University; Lancaster University; University of Warwick.

The next group of universities in England is characterized by a relatively recent time of foundation and a polytechnic orientation of training. The so-called New Universities received the right to be called universities only in 1992, although they were founded earlier and existed as colleges. The Further Education Act gave them the opportunity to compete in rights and government grants with classical British higher education institutions.

The group of "new UK universities" includes: Coventry University, University of Gloucestershire, Anglia Ruskin University, Bournemouth University, Kingston University, Napier University, Oxford Brookes University, Edge Hill University, Birmingham City University, London Metropolitan University, Sheffield Hallam University, University of the West of England, University of Derby, Bath Spa University, Liverpool Hope University, University of Wolverhampton, University of Bedfordshire, University of Huddersfield, University of Northampton, University of Greenwich, De Montfort University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Robert Gordon University, University of Abertay Dundee, Middlesex University, University of Teesside, University of Bolton, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University, Liverpool John Moores University, Northumbria University, University of Glamorgan, Staffordshire University, University of Brighton, Roehampton University, University of Cent ral Lancashire, London South Bank University, Thames Valley University, University of Plymouth, University of Lincoln, Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Westminster, University of Portsmouth, University of Hertfordshire, Southampton Solent University, University of East London, University of Sunderland, Nottingham Trent University.

In 2005, the British education system was replenished with another category - Recently Created Universities. It included higher institutions, which were previously called colleges and prepared mainly bachelors. This category includes: York St John University, Queen Margaret University, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Winchester, University of Chester, University of Cumbria, University of Chichester.

How to choose the right university in the UK?

Explore the profile and specialties offered by different universities and universities in England, and select from them those options that fit the direction.
Explore rankings from The Complete University Guide and The Times Subject Tables.
Determine your geographic location, travel ability, proximity to the airport and major cities.
Explore the scientific and material base, what opportunities it offers to students.
Find out what policy the institution adheres to in relation to foreign students, whether it is possible to receive a scholarship in your specialty.
It is worth inquiring about the results of an official audit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Find out what the admission requirements are, what you need to study additionally for students.
Find out about the cost of the courses.
Take care of the comfort of your stay, learn about the living conditions in the residence and the requirements for students.

General statistics on education in the UK - rankings, specialties, universities

Great Britain: items, stats and rankings

Statistics - education

Cost of living in the UK

Higher education - statistics

UK Student Accommodation Options

Estimated costs

Study Programs - High School and University Preparation Summary

Name	Translation	Equivalent	Min. age	Duration, years	Next stage	Price
	General secondary education certificate	incomplete secondary education	14	1-2	A-Levels	15,000 USD +
	Advanced level		16	2	the university	15,000 USD +
	Educated. business and technology council	secondary special education	14	2-3	university / work	15,000 USD +
Oxbridge Preparation	Preparation for Oxford and Cambridge	completed secondary education	17	1	the university	15,000 USD +
	International Baccalaureate	completed secondary education	16	2	the university	18,000 USD +
/ Year	Preparatory year	admission to the 1st year of the university	17	1	the university	14,000 USD +
NCUK	Northern consortium	2nd year university	17,5	1	2nd year NCUK University	13,000 USD +
Special Preparation (Medics / Math / Business)	Specialized training	No	14	optional	optional	4,000 USD +
Academic English	Academic English	Language school	8 +	6-12 months	school or university	8,000 USD +

Top 50 UK Universities

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Ways of admission to a British university: from high school to graduate

15-16 years old - iGCSE program

What is it
The iGCSE (International GCSE) preparatory program has been designed specifically for international students entering a British high school. You can only enter it at 15 or 16 years old - the 2-year British plan of preparation for high school takes place here in 1 year. As a rule, Russian schoolchildren go to this program after receiving a certificate of completion of the 9th grade or after graduating from school as an external student. As part of the program, students study 5-8 subjects, study intensively in English and take the iGCSE certificate exam.

Why apply
The earlier a child enters the English education system, the easier it is for him to adapt to a new environment. The student will already be focused on his academic results, without being distracted by learning the language and solving issues related to living in a new country.

It is important to note that the earlier the transition is made, the more gentle entrance requirements await the student. The iGCSE program has significantly less stringent requirements for applicants than the upper classes of the English school (A-Level or IB). This allows you to get an advantage, because it is quite difficult to go straight to high school in the UK. A child without preparation finds himself in conditions of increased load on a par with English schoolchildren - no one will give a discount to foreign students. iGCSE - has become a certain transition period from Russian to British school. In addition, the intensive study of English and the small size of the study groups allow the tutors to work with each student individually.

What is needed
As a rule, the more prestigious the school, the higher the requirements. Usually you need to take an English test, provide a certificate with grades. Many schools will also ask for a math test, some will ask for additional subject exams. It may also require an interview - via Skype or in person.

16-17 years old - high school English school (A-Level or IB)

What is it
The high school English program exists in several versions, the most famous are A-Level and IB (International Baccalaureate). These are two-year courses (from 16 to 18 years old), during which the student studies 3-4 subjects of his choice at an advanced level (A-Level) or 6 academic subjects (3 at an advanced level and 3 at a standard level) from six discipline groups (IB ).

A-Level is aimed at a narrow specialization and is more suitable for students who have already chosen their university and specialty, the IB program is more extensive and is considered somewhat more difficult. There is also a two-year Pre-U Cambridge program, which provides an in-depth study of 3 of the proposed subjects and is a kind of hybrid of A-Level and IB. In fact, these programs are a British high school diploma. They are recognized by all countries in the world as a university admission qualification. But which one is right for you, the secondary education consultant will help you determine.

Why apply
To enroll in Cambridge, Oxford or any of the top 5 universities in the UK, you need to have excellent academic background and references. Moreover, for all the complexity of admission, it will be even more difficult to study - British universities, unlike Russian ones, expel students very quickly and quite easily for academic failure. No one will convince a student to pass the test on time or to participate in a seminar - it will simply be taken into account in the assignment of grades. Two years of study at A-Level, IB or Pre-U Cambridge give students the opportunity to perfectly learn all the features of the British education system from the inside.

What is needed
To enter the A-Level or IB, you need to pass an exam in English and mathematics, as well as provide a certificate with grades and pass an interview. Some schools may have additional requirements.

17-18 years old - Foundation program

What is it
In Great Britain, students study at school for 12 years and enter university at the age of 18. In Russia, the school course takes 11 years, but nevertheless, you will not be admitted to a British university until your 18th birthday. Therefore, in the UK, especially for foreign students, they created a preparation program for entering the university - Foundation. The usual duration of this program is an academic year, that is, 9 months. But there are options for those who have a low level of English (12 months), and for those who are fluent in the language (6 months). Participants in the program learn the language, major academic subjects and purposefully prepare for admission to the university.

Why apply
The peculiarity of the program is that upon successful completion of the program, the student is guaranteed to enter one of the universities with which there is an agreement on the recognition of this Foundation program. This can be a specific university or several to choose from. You can, of course, wait for the 18th birthday and apply to the university on your own, but an applicant with a Foundation certificate will always have an advantage in admission. In addition, a year of study in the preparatory program is good practice and preparation for independent study at a British university, as well as the opportunity to pass the required language exam.

What is needed
It is necessary to provide a diploma of secondary education (Russian certificate of maturity) with a high average score and an intermediate level of English (IELTS 4.5-5).

18-19 years old - to a British university after the 1st year of a Russian university

What is it
The International Year One or International Diploma program, designed specifically for international students, corresponds to the first year of a British university. Education is carried out in small groups, in addition to subjects in the specialty, English as a foreign language is also taught. A dedicated mentor provides support to students throughout their studies, helping to address both academic and UK residency issues. The program itself is designed for 9 months of study, and for applicants with a low level of English, a program for 12 months is offered.

Why apply
The transfer from a Russian university to a foreign one has an important plus - it is the opportunity to change specialization. By changing the institution of higher education, the student can choose to study in a new field for himself. In addition, this opportunity is especially interesting for those who want to get a degree in a field that is not widely used in Russian universities.

Thanks to the International Year One or International Diploma program, Russian students can enter the University of England without losing a year of study. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is automatically transferred to the 2nd year of the university and continues to study in the general stream along with British students.

What is needed
Extract from the examination and record sheet, a certificate of complete secondary education and the results of the IELTS language exam not lower than 5-6 points. It is possible that in order to transfer to the chosen university, you will have to pass additional exams, write a letter of motivation, provide recommendations or pass an interview.

20-21 years - transfer to a British university after the 2nd or 3rd year of a Russian university

What is it
Students who have completed two or three courses at a Russian university may try to transfer to a second year at a British university. True, different universities have different policies in this regard. Somewhere transfer to the second and subsequent undergraduate courses is not practiced in principle - only to the first year. In some universities, transfer to the second year is not allowed for all specialties, while transfer to the third year, as a rule, is not practiced in any top university. Much depends on the availability of vacancies in senior courses - and in prestigious universities there are practically none.

Why apply
There may be several reasons. Some students, having completed 2-3 courses at a domestic university, understand that the quality of education and the amount of knowledge they acquire do not satisfy them. Someone gets the prospect of foreign employment, where an international diploma may be required. And someone decides to connect their plans for the future with life in the UK, which causes a quite logical desire to get a local diploma of higher education. In any case, we can say that the procedure for such a transfer is not easy, and the reason for it must be weighty.

What is needed
As well as after the first year, you must provide an extract from the examination and test sheet (the grades must be brought in line with the British system, and the Russian university must be officially recognized in the UK) and the results of the IELTS language exam are at least 6-7.5 ... It is possible that in order to transfer to the chosen university, you will have to pass additional exams, write a letter of motivation or go through an interview.

After 21 years - Graduate Diploma, pre-masters and master's degree

What is it
Holders of a bachelor's or specialist's degree who have completed 4 years of training at a Russian university can enter a British university and receive a master's degree in their specialty. Before entering the master's program, it is recommended to complete the Pre Masters preparatory program, within which language skills are improved and adaptation to the new education system is smoother.

If the new specialty is somewhat different from the one you have already received, then you should pay attention to the Graduate Diploma program. This program allows you to change the direction of study and enroll in the future for a master's degree in a specialty other than a bachelor's degree (but with certain restrictions - for example, an economist will not be able to enroll in a medical master's degree).

Why apply
The Pre Masters program provides an opportunity for 3-6 months to improve English to the level required for master's degree studies. The Graduate Diploma program will be useful for those who want to change their specialization before further admission to the master's program or who want to acquire additional training and a diploma from an English university in a field of interest.

What is needed
Higher education diploma (bachelor or specialist), document confirming proficiency in English at the IELTS 6.5-8 level, motivation letter, essay, resume, recommendations and results of GRE or GMAT exams. Requirements vary depending on the university and the chosen specialty. We are entering the best universities from January 2018 >>

The higher education system in the United Kingdom is one of the oldest, most developed and most prestigious. Currently, there are dozens of famous universities in the country and hundreds of lesser known ones. One way or another, they all provide a high level of education, with which only a few universities in the world can be compared. And in this article we will look at what higher education institutions are in England, what are the main features of the higher education system in Great Britain, and also what our average person needs to do in order to become a student at a university or institute in Foggy Albion.

The main features of universities in the UK

Universities in England have a thousand-year history of origins. The first universities in the country were Oxford, which was formed in the 12th century, and Cambridge, which was founded a little later. Since then, the UK higher education system has begun to improve, and over the centuries, its own educational methodology has been developed, universities have received hundreds of awards, and education in England has become a symbol of prestige.

How to enter an English university and what is needed for this?

The entire higher education system in the UK is represented by several categories of educational institutions - universities, colleges and institutes. Upon admission to them, no indulgences and discounts are given to either local applicants or foreign ones - equal conditions are created for everyone, and advantages in distribution are given only to those future students who have the highest scores in their certificates.

To submit documents and enroll in UK universities, you need to have a GCSE certificate, which is analogous to domestic certificates of high school graduation and secondary education. An important condition is the presence in the certificate of indicators in at least five subjects, two of which must be passed with excellent marks. In a word, if you want to go to universities in England, you will have to try on your own grades while still in school. For foreign applicants who have not studied in English schools, it is necessary to take a two-year course of pre-university education in special international schools in the UK, the result of which will be the passing of exams and obtaining an A-levels diploma.

Another equally important condition is perfect knowledge of the English language, which is confirmed by an IELTS certificate. The certificate is obtained based on the results of passing a special difficult test, which can only be passed if the study of the English language has been taking place for more than one year (ideally, in schools in Britain itself).

The collected documents (and this is the A-levels or GCSE certificate, IELTS certificate, as well as the applicant's personal documents) are collected in advance. Each UK university sets its own requirements for the content of the full package of documents. Direct submissions are made to UCAS, a dedicated University Admissions Service, from September 1 to October 15. Applicants can submit a package of documents to six different educational institutions at once. For those applicants who want to enter the best universities in England (for example, Oxford or Cambridge), you need to come to these universities on their own, submit documents, pass an interview and pass difficult entrance exams. Hard? Rather, it is natural, since studying at the most famous and prestigious universities in the world offers incredible opportunities.

What are the difficulties of studying in English universities?

The applicant passed all the necessary tests, exams, submitted documents, even passed interviews and can finally be considered a student at an English university. Did the difficulties end there? No, because all the difficulties are just ahead.

The first 3-4 years the student studies for a bachelor's degree. This is the first academic degree, and after training, the student can become a bachelor of law, medicine, technical, humanitarian and other sciences. In addition to the compulsory training program, the student must choose an additional one that best suits his needs and knowledge. For example, a required law course might include an additional course in International, Tax Law, or M&A. As in domestic universities, UK universities offer lectures and seminars.

Studying at the university is very difficult. The author of this article had to communicate directly with a teacher from England and draw a similar conclusion based on the following information: no more than 4-5 basic disciplines are studied in one semester, while every 3 months a most difficult control test is done for each of them and one comprehensive test for all disciplines. No usual cheat sheets - if they are found, then there will be no retakes, only expulsion from the university. English universities have earned their international prestige for centuries, so teachers carefully monitor the quality of their students' education. Of course, there can be no talk of any bribes.

After 4 years of study, the student is eligible for a Master of Science degree. And here, in addition to training, research and scientific work is connected. The difficulty in obtaining a master's degree is colossal, but after training the graduate becomes a high-class specialist in demand on the labor market of almost any country.

Tuition fees at universities in England

Tuition fees at universities in England are different in all cases. If we deduce the average, then the student will have to pay at least 10-12 thousand pounds a year for tuition (this is about 20 thousand dollars). In the most prestigious universities in Great Britain and in medical specialties, the cost of training is already from 20 thousand pounds per year or more. The calculation does not take into account the cost of accommodation, meals and other expenses.

Benefits of studying at universities in England

A graduate diploma from an English university is a real carte blanche, which allows you to practically freely enter any organization, institution and company in the world. Only some European universities and US universities can compete, and so - a graduate is out of competition. And this is ensured not only by the diploma itself, but also by the highest level of knowledge. And if a student was able to graduate from a British university (and we are now not even talking about Oxford or Cambridge), then his level of knowledge will be so high that employers will have no doubts when choosing an applicant for a place. This is the main advantage, in comparison with which the rest are simply leveled out. However, we will also note the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of one of the oldest countries in the world, and the possibility of perfect command of the English language, etc.

What universities are there in the UK?

Today, there are dozens of different universities, where hundreds of thousands of students are educated. We will consider only the most famous and significant both in terms of training qualified specialists and in terms of prestige and the possibility of further employment.

Information __________________________________________________________________________________________
The UK higher education system is a classic model:
Bachelor's (BA, BSc) + Master's (MA, MSc).
Duration bachelor riata- 3 years, BScHour programs - 4 years, including internship at a foreign university and internship at the enterprise.
Duration magistracy- 1 year.
Admission to the university for the bachelor's degree is carried out on the basis of a competition of certificates, which are submitted to the centralized UCAS commission, and from there they are sent to the universities chosen by the applicant. You can choose up to 5 universities. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Asking the question - "in the UK how to enter?" - remember that you immediately "kill two birds with one stone" - get an internationally recognized higher education and perfect your knowledge of the English language - absolutely necessary in the modern world.
How to enter such universities after the Russian school?
There is a simple way - and in particular in England, but we will not talk about this here, since we are talking about higher education now.

So what does a Russian student need to know about British colleges?

First of all, the fact that right away, from school, you will not be able to enter an English university. Why? Due to the difference in programs. In addition, Russian high school lasts 11 years, and British - 13. After 11 years of study, British students take and receive a certificate of secondary education.

Graduates wishing to obtain higher education go to the 2-year A Level program - a program of preparation for admission to a university. Therefore, one of the most common options for admission -

In theory, any Russian schoolchild who has reached the age of 16 who knows English at the required level and has a good certificate, can use the A Level program and then follow the standard path of a British applicant and, as a result, get .

Information ___________________________________________________________________________________________
A - Level- 2-year program "pretwo-way "training or the last stage secondary education in England.
Includes up to four items simultaneously. Subjects are chosen those that will be profiling in the educational institution.
At the end of the first year they surrender AS-level exams and at the end of the second year - A-Level... At both levels, 20-30% of marks are given during training, the rest - during exams. Passing grade - "BBC" - "AAA", depending on the college.
For certain specialties there may be a separate requirement "A" - in mathematics or "A" in foreign languages.
The program provides an opportunity for admission not only to British, but to educational institutions around the world.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________

Another "intermediate" option for preparing for admission to college of england - International Baccalaureate program, International Baccalaureate, IB.
IB certificates are recognized not only in the United Kingdom, but in 50 countries of the world, including some Russian educational institutions.
Bachelor's degree is a broader course than A level, although it lasts the same 2 years.

Within the framework of the bachelor's degree, up to 6 subjects are studied at the same time, including the native language, a foreign language, humanitarian and natural subjects, as well as a major subject for the future university.

For admission, you must be at least 16 years old and have an interview in English.

At the end of the program, 6 exams are taken and an essay is written; to obtain a certificate, you must score at least 24 points. It is clear that if you are planning to enter a prestigious university, the points must be higher (the grading system is from 1 to 6). Examination subjects are divided into standard and higher - the latter are profiling for the future specialty and it is also desirable to get the maximum marks for them.

But both A Level and International Baccalaureate are, strictly speaking, still secondary education.
A shorter and, accordingly, more popular "gateway", "bridge" between the Russian and British educational systems - the program which lasts 1 year.

Foundation is an undergraduate preparation program designed specifically for international students. As a rule, within the framework of the program, the student chooses one of the directions:
... business and economics,
... law and humanities
... art and design,
... mathematics and computer science,
... natural sciences and biology, etc.
and receives the basics of a future profession during this year of study.

Students who are at least 16.5 years old can enroll in the Foundation program, provided that they turn 17 in the year of admission. You also need knowledge of English at a level not lower than IELTS 5.0 - 5.5 (or TOEFL 70-80) points, a good certificate of secondary education.

Information __________________________________________________________________________
Requirements for admission to the undergraduate level:
End of the A-level program(on average, the BBC passing score is AAA, depending on the university, for certain specialties there may be a departmentnew requirement A- in mathematics or the presence of A in foreign languages), or
End of IB program(on average, a passing score of 33 - 38, an additional requirement may be mathematics among advanced subjects with a score of 7, the presence of foreign languages and economics)
End of Foundation program(for foreign students, duration 1 year).
Special requirements for admission have the specialties of medicine and law (at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, King's College)
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For admission to a master's program, you need either a Russian bachelor's degree or a fully completed higher education (if your university does not have a bachelor's degree) with an average score of at least 3.8.
And, of course, knowledge aEnglish not lower than IELTS - 6.5 - 7.5 (or TOEFL 90-110).
Students applying to management, finance, or quantitative economics may additionally require the GMAT (passing score 550-600 out of 800) or the GRE.

You can also prepare for admission to the master's program within the framework of special courses:

The Pre-Masters program focuses on training in academic English. The duration of such a program can be different - from one to three trimesters - depending on the initial level of the applicant. The minimum level is IELTS 4.5.

The Graduate Certificate / Diploma programs - certificate / diploma - last 9 months and are intended for university graduates whose English level is IELTS 5.5 and above.

What are they needed for?

These are academic programs that can be viewed as preparation for a master's degree without sufficient academic qualifications. The qualifications can vary within certain limits - they will not make an economist out of an art critic, the correspondence of qualifications is specified individually.
As part of the Graduate Certificate / Diploma course, students will take both general business course subjects: marketing, production management, financial management, and some professional subject, for example, the assessment of investment activities.