Abstract:

Ph.D. programme has always been and still is the main institute for academic degrees holders training. At the same time this institute is being developed in accordance with the society request. Ph.D. programme in Russia has been transformed for the last years in accordance with the Federal law adoption № 273-FL “On education of the Russian Federation”. Earlier Ph.D. programme was simply a level of post-graduate education and aimed at both Ph.D. thesis writing and defense. In accordance with the federal law “On education of the Russian Federation” Ph.D. programme is a third level of higher education in Russia.

Second factor influencing Ph.D. training is a dissertation councils reorganization in 2014-2015 which resulted in dissertation councils’ one-third reduction as well as their redistribution in accordance with educational and research organizations.

Third factor influencing Russian Ph.D. institute is a universities outlining with special status. There are 2 leading classic universities in Russia – in Moscow and St.Petersburg, 10 federal universities – 1 at each federal district and 29 national research universities. One of the main indicators for university activity with special status is a proportion growth of Ph.D. and Master degree programmes up to 45% out of total full-time students’ contingent.

In 2014-2015 a number of Ph.D. thesis has diminished twice in accordance with 2011-2013 and amounted to 12 000. At the same time the proportion of defended thesis after Ph.D.programme graduation has increased from 54% to 75% for the last 5 years.

Federal Law statute “On education of the Russian Federation” limiting the opportunities of research organizations hasn’t influenced Ph.D. training current indicators since the statute will be only enforced in 2016. Ph.D.programmes’ graduates defending their thesis in research organizations right after graduation has increased from 5% to 10% for the last 5 years. At the same time key enrollment figures for Ph.D.programmes have increased from 9% to 13% for the period 2014-2016.

State support of Ph.D. fellows is an important precondition expressed in key enrollment figures (public finances) for various educational and research organizations dealing with programme implementation for scientific-pedagogic staff training within the Ph.D.programme. In 2014 key enrollment figures amounted to 18 400, in 2016 they diminished till 16 300. Main state support deficit concerned educational organizations subordinated to Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. In total, 290 educational organizations are engaged in master students and Ph.d.fellows training. Key enrollment figures for Ph.D.training diminished from 10 600 in 2014 till 8 400 in 2016.

Key enrollment figures for 10 federal universities and 29 national research universities subordinated to Ministry of Education and Science of Russia have increased from 5 000 till 5 400 (47% till 65% correspondingly) for the same period. It is a pity but such key enrollment figures redistribution have mostly affected 250 regional universities which faced enrollment reduction for the Ph.D. programmes twofold and more.

The paper is financially supported within the project framework 2.108.2016/НМ in terms of state contract under Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.

Keywords:

PhD programme, universities, PhD thesis.