Research students

The BSU: Research and Development
The BSU which has recently celebrated its 95^th anniversary is a top-ranked university in the national system of education. According to QS WUR (QS World University Rankings), the BSU ranks 354 among the best universities in the world, it has reached the top three among the universities of the CIS. It is a large academic, scientific and manufacturing complex. Since its foundation in 1921 in Minsk, the BSU’s goal has always been to provide quality education to young people. The University trains elite personnel in social, humanitarian and natural sciences, carries out fundamental and applied research in the main fields of science. To a great extent it shapes the national image of the country.
At first, there were 5 University faculties, nowadays there are 16 faculties within the University structure. Considerable contribution to the University shaping was made by the first Rector, academician Vladimir Ivanovich Picheta. Today the BSU is the Alma Mater for 30 thousand students. The University hosts foreign students from different countries, most of them being from China, Turkmenistan and Russia.
The Belarusian State University offers a variety of educational programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Training for the first degree lasts 4 years and provides students with the expertise, qualification and Specialist’s Diploma. The curriculum is diversified and includes a wide range of subjects which help students not only obtain knowledge but develop their personality. Every year new specialties and specializations are introduced to meet the challenges of life.
Training for a higher degree (Master’s degree) is exercised by two types of programmes: research and professionally oriented Master programmes and lasts one year. The program’s goal is to provide the students with comprehensive knowledge and special skills for professional, pedagogical and research activity.
The third level is a postgraduate research course which lasts three years. It is aimed at training highly qualified researchers working towards a candidate of science degree (equivalent of PhD).
There also exists a postdoctoral level that leads to the degree of a full Doctor of Science (this level has no equivalent in the European standardized system of postgraduate education).
Research activity at the BSU is conducted at numerous research institutions, research centers, laboratories and University departments. More than 3000 lecturers and university researchers are engaged in different scientific projects. Candidates of Science, Doctors of Science, Academicians, Corresponding members of the National Academy of Sciences work at the BSU. Thousands of publications are issued and a great number of scientific and practical conferences, symposia and seminars are held annually.
High level of teaching and research facilitates the process of integration of the University into a broader educational environment. The BSU takes part in 80 international programmes, including INTAS, TEMPUS, COPERNICUS¹ as well as those developing under the auspices of the UNO, CERN², etc.
The BSU enjoys a perfect reputation among applicants. It offers the best start for a successful career since BSU diplomas are highly valued in the world. The University can boast of new modern hostels, a modern sports complex, one of the largest university libraries in the country, advanced education techniques, dynamic development. It is worth mentioning that University students are being actively involved in the University management.


Notes

1. 
   TEMPUS – Trans-European Mobility Programme for University Studies
   

INTAS – The International Association for the Promotion of Co-operation with Scientists from the New independent States of the Former Soviet States
COPERNICUS – Copernicus, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), is the European Programme for the establishment of a European capacity for Earth Observation.

2. 
   CERN – Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research)
   

- Discuss pros and cons of post-graduate education in Belarus (Resource: e-book forum).