The admissions campaign to Russian universities has concluded. This year, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University enrolled 2,355 new students. For the second year in a row, its applicants entered not bachelor’s programs, but programs of “Higher Engineering Education”, specifically designed to replace the now nearly abolished Bologna system.
However, the St. Petersburg University had already partially moved away from that system in 2023, when the overwhelming majority of first-year mining students, initially admitted under the “old” model, transferred to programs of basic higher education. Since 2024, all newly admitted mining students have been studying exclusively under this model. The first two years are devoted to acquiring basic engineering education, after which students begin their specialized disciplines. Ultimately, they receive their diplomas after 5.5–6 years (depending on their specialization). Over this period, they also master at least eight additional professional competencies and two working professions.
This approach not only allows students to acquire comprehensive theoretical knowledge but also reinforces it with practice, to which a total of 10 months is allocated. This is several times greater than what was provided in the former bachelor’s curriculum.
As a result, the quality of graduates’ training will increase significantly, making them more competitive in the labor market, according to Russia’s oldest technical university.
Alisa Repnitsyna is currently pursuing basic higher engineering education. She has advanced to the second year at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, majoring in Materials Science and Technology of New Materials. She noted that the first year of study followed a standard format: lectures and seminars. All students study the same subjects during the first two years. These include general education disciplines, such as History of Russia, Foundations of Russian Statehood, Russian Language and Culture of Speech, Foreign Language, as well as general technical disciplines — Higher Mathematics, General Chemistry, Descriptive Geometry, among others.
- The fundamental courses are very helpful later on, as they provide a strong foundation that makes it much easier to study in the following years, — says the student.
The university also offers a kind of “remedial program” for students — additional classes in core school subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics. This course is recommended for those who performed poorly on the entrance test (taken by all first-year students to confirm their school-level knowledge) or who simply feel uncertain about their abilities. In this way, students can fill in the gaps and pass exams without difficulty.
- My knowledge of physics was rather weak, as I did not particularly like it at school. As a result, the additional classes were extremely useful for me — now I have a solid understanding of the theory and have practiced solving problems. I am confident that this will help me in the second year, when physics becomes a compulsory subject - adds Alisa Repnitsyna.
According to the student, the new model is convenient because it encompasses different stages of education. Previously, in order to continue studies, one had to enroll in a master’s program. Now, students apply once to their chosen specialization, and after graduation, if they wish, they can proceed directly to doctoral studies.
This year, Alexandra Koval completed her bachelor’s degree, becoming a certified manager in mining enterprises. However, she decided that this was not sufficient for career advancement. Wishing to deepen her knowledge, she enrolled in a specialized higher education program in Economics and Subsoil Use.
- I understood that a bachelor’s degree would not be enough for me under today’s conditions of competitiveness, professional requirements, and my personal career ambitions. That is why I decided to pursue specialized higher education. And since our university provides such an opportunity, I, of course, took advantage of it - explains Alexandra.
Still, another person’s experience is one thing. But what expectations and plans do current first-year students have? Do they want to pursue basic higher engineering education instead of a bachelor’s degree, and do they understand the specifics of the program they will study under?
This year, Timofey Vanchugov enrolled in the Faculty of Geological Exploration. He recalls that as early as the 10th grade he had already chosen the subjects for his Unified State Exam — advanced mathematics, Russian language, and physics. In total, he scored 222 points. He wanted to enter a technical university, and ultimately chose the Mining University, selecting the specialty Technology of Geological Exploration.
- I asked my relatives and friends, and also looked for information on the Internet. A bachelor’s degree is not particularly valued by employers, since it provides rather superficial knowledge. It is great that we will have plenty of time for practical training — you gain experience, qualifications, and, in addition, two professional specializations during your studies. This is a significant advantage and will carry weight in the future, - reflects Timofey.
Among the other advantages of the new educational system, Dmitry Belov is particularly attracted by the fact that he will have the opportunity to change his specialization. The point is that he very much wanted to be admitted to the program Technology of Geological Exploration and even attended a geology club at the Mining University for several years. However, at the time of admission he fell short by just a few points. As a result, he enrolled in the program Mining Engineering.
- All of us, regardless of specialization, will spend the first two years receiving a basic engineering education, and only after that, or even earlier, it is possible to change one’s field of study. This is very convenient for those who, like me, did not enter exactly where they wanted, or later realized that their chosen specialty is not quite the right fit, - says Dmitry.
For Karina Gudozhnikova, the possibility of transferring is also relevant. She enrolled in the program Project Management at the Faculty of Economics but is unsure whether she made the right choice.
- I am considering the possibility of transferring to the program Economics of Oil and Gas Production. At the moment, I think this field interests me more. I suppose I will look around, ask upperclassmen, and then decide whether to remain in the program I initially chose or move to another, — she explains..
When asked about the length of study, Karina responds with confidence — a longer period of study is only an advantage.
-For me as an economics student, it is essentially a matter of just one extra year. Now I will study for five years, compared to four in a bachelor’s program. This will provide a higher quality of knowledge and shape my worldview as a future professional. Moreover, as I have heard, this reform will soon extend beyond our university to others as well. This means it is in demand, and it is a successful start, - believes the first-year student.
Veronika Zinovieva will study in the program Organization of Transportation and Management in Motor Transport. She admits that she was only pleased with this form of education.
- I've always dreamed of receiving the most comprehensive higher education possible, completing all stages of study. Therefore, the fact that I will study for six years is only a benefit. Many of my friends share this opinion. So do my parents — after all, it used to be the norm: everyone studied under a unified program during the first two years, and only then began to master specialized disciplines. So they are probably happy as well, — the student concludes.
