Growing numbers of Chinese students in Russia
Last year’s Year of Russia in China and this year’s Year of China in Russia greatly promoted mutual understanding. As Russia’s economy recovers, government investment in higher education rises each year...
Last year’s Year of Russia in China and this year’s Year of China in Russia greatly promoted mutual understanding between the two peoples. As Russia’s economy recovers, government investment in higher education increases annually. University teaching equipment and living conditions have recently improved markedly. A favorable social climate, excellent teaching, low tuition and broad employment prospects have attracted strong interest among Chinese students, many of whom now choose Russia.
In recent years, Chinese student numbers in Russia have grown roughly tenfold, reaching 25,000 in 2006. Currently, besides the 15,000 Chinese students studying annually at their own expense in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities, over 100 study on state funding.
Growing Chinese student numbers allow Russia to raise admission standards. Under the Russian Education Ministry’s new policy, the Russian embassy and consulate in China have increased random checks and personal interviews of visa applicants. The student profile has also changed. Previously, most were unable to enter university or had failed entrance exams; now more Chinese students, dissatisfied with domestic universities, weigh the pros and cons and choose Russian institutions.
Leading Russian universities have also raised entry qualification requirements. Moscow State University, St. Petersburg University and others admit only graduates of upper-secondary general schools. This year, MSU standardized curricula and tuition, imposed stricter requirements and introduced unified entrance exams. Tuition is US$6,000–8,000 a year.
Many popular universities have also limited intake. For example, St. Petersburg Technological University, ranked first among Russian technical universities, will admit 25 students in 2007, choosing the best applicants. Some arts institutions have also raised standards. Some require applicants to submit relevant recordings; others require personal interviews with university representatives in China, and so forth.
Russia uses a particular approach to Russian-language instruction, so almost all Chinese students must take one-year preparatory courses. With help from specialist organizations, virtually all applicants can generally gain university admission. Although policy has changed significantly and requirements have risen somewhat, Chinese students’ interest in Russia remains undiminished.
In recent years, Chinese student numbers in Russia have grown roughly tenfold, reaching 25,000 in 2006. Currently, besides the 15,000 Chinese students studying annually at their own expense in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities, over 100 study on state funding.
Growing Chinese student numbers allow Russia to raise admission standards. Under the Russian Education Ministry’s new policy, the Russian embassy and consulate in China have increased random checks and personal interviews of visa applicants. The student profile has also changed. Previously, most were unable to enter university or had failed entrance exams; now more Chinese students, dissatisfied with domestic universities, weigh the pros and cons and choose Russian institutions.
Leading Russian universities have also raised entry qualification requirements. Moscow State University, St. Petersburg University and others admit only graduates of upper-secondary general schools. This year, MSU standardized curricula and tuition, imposed stricter requirements and introduced unified entrance exams. Tuition is US$6,000–8,000 a year.
Many popular universities have also limited intake. For example, St. Petersburg Technological University, ranked first among Russian technical universities, will admit 25 students in 2007, choosing the best applicants. Some arts institutions have also raised standards. Some require applicants to submit relevant recordings; others require personal interviews with university representatives in China, and so forth.
Russia uses a particular approach to Russian-language instruction, so almost all Chinese students must take one-year preparatory courses. With help from specialist organizations, virtually all applicants can generally gain university admission. Although policy has changed significantly and requirements have risen somewhat, Chinese students’ interest in Russia remains undiminished.
Source: People’s Daily
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