The State Duma explained the changes in the order of admission to universities

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Oleg Smolin said that Russian universities from 2025 will get additional days to work on enrollment of students, applicants will have additional days to choose a higher education institution.

In a conversation with Lenta.Ru on Thursday, December 5, the parliamentarian explained that this is necessary, because in a number of specialties universities are experiencing problems with enrollment. We are talking, for example, about a number of technical, engineering specialties and a number of specialties related to science.

Smolin noted that the increase in the term of admission of applicants for paid places until September 30 is likely to affect the learning of these students, and they will have to catch up on missed material on their own.

The deputy pointed out that in Russia there are also universities that accepted applicants during the academic year. This is especially characteristic of those educational institutions that offer distance learning. He admitted that "the new rules will close such an opportunity."

According to Smolin, the problems with enrollment at universities lie far beyond the admission deadlines and are related to the distribution of students after the ninth grade. It is this, he said, that complicates the problem of enrollment in technical and some other specialties.

"Because it is one thing to choose universities from 70% of the entire age cohort and another to choose from 40%. Those guys who now go to the system of vocational education, in the system of vocational education receive lower training in general education subjects. The emphasis is placed on professional subjects, on vocational training," the deputy said.

In this regard, he said, there is a shortage of those who can pass exams for admission to technical universities and some other specialties.

Smolin expressed the opinion that in the case of training engineers it would be worthwhile to think in parallel about changing the attitude to the USE. According to him, one bill on the possibility of transferring the USE to a voluntary mode - on the right to choose for school graduates and university applicants between the USE and the classical exam - is under consideration in the State Duma.

Earlier on December 5, the Ministry of Education and Science changed the procedure for admission to universities and adjusted the rules of target enrollment. The new rules will take effect from March 2025 to September 2029, says IA Regnum. According to the innovations, admission to paid places universities should finish no later than September 30, reports Life.ru. When enrolling in bachelor's and specialty courses within the framework of the main admission, universities must finish the admission of budgetary applicants entering by priority on August 2-3, the main stage must be completed on August 6-7, and the additional stage - on August 10-11, RT notes. Enrollment in the master's program should be completed on August 29 within the framework of the main admission and no later than September 20 within the framework of the additional admission, kp.ru writes. Admission for paid places should be completed no later than the end of September, NSN reports.