September, 1st is the official start of the academic year in Russia. This is also a state official celebration of the annual Day of Knowledge.
The academic year in Russian universities lasts 10 months (between September, 1 and June, 30) and consists of two terms:
| Autumn term/semester | 1st September – 31st January | 17 academic weeks and 2 examination weeks |
| Spring term/semester | 1st February * – 30th June | 18 academic weeks and 3 examination weeks |
*Commencement of the second term (spring term) varies depending on a study programme, but usually it is in early February.
Winter holidays are between January 25th and the beginning of the spring term. Most students have summer holidays during July and August, however, depending on the curriculum, students may have internships during this time.
If official holidays fall on a weekend, an additional holiday on a weekday is usually declared.
| Official Arrival Date: | Autumn term/ Full year 25th August | Spring term 1st February |
| Orientation week | last week of August | first week of February |
| Formal Registration at UdSU | during the Orientation week | |
| Classes Begin | 1st September | 1st February* |
| Classes End* | 30th December | 31st May |
| Examination Period* | 10 January –31 January | 1 June – 30 June |
The dates may vary depending on a study programme, please check with the host institute before making travel arrangements.
The national grading system is based on a 2 to 5 scale where 5 corresponds to excellent performance; 4 − good performance; 3 − satisfactory performance; 2 − failure. The assessment can be also made in terms of “passed” (zachteno), “not passed” (ne zachteno) or “attended” (proslushano). Grades are assigned according to the scores that students receive when completing particular tasks according to the curriculum. Students are expected to master not less than 61% of the course material during the term. This is the weakest possible result which a student may achieve to get a credit. The points are assigned in three stages: during the 6th, 11th and 17th week of the semester. This is when tests, control papers and interviews are held to evaluate students’ efficiency in mastering the course. In case of failure, students have the right to re-take the exam or test.
The university grade scale corresponds with ECTS grades: “excellent” – A; “good” – C; “satisfactory” – D; “fail” – F.
