Double your success with double degrees at St. Petersburg Polytech

Students at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) can enroll in a double degree program, providing them the opportunity to study at SPbPU and a partner university at the same time. A student can simultaneously earn two degrees, once they fulfill the requirements of both universities.

Double degree programs are an important instrument for boosting a university’s international credentials. “The development and implementation of joint education programs together with leading foreign universities allows our students to pursue a unique curriculum making use of our partners’ best practices and methods, expand their knowledge and acquire new competencies,” Dmitry Arseniev, SPbPU vice-rector for international relations, told RBTH.

SPbPU has been offering international education programs in English since 2012. Last year, it launched an international professional and public accreditation of its double degree programs, involving both a Russian and a European accreditation agency (AQUIN).

SPbPU currently has 29 double degree programs, with academic partners such as Leibniz University (Germany); Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland); City University of London; Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany); Jiangsu University (China), and others. The programs cover a wide range of studies in technology, natural sciences and economics.

How is a double degree program implemented?

SPbPU currently runs 29 double degree programs: seven undergraduate, 14 graduate and four postgraduate. Most of the programs are in English; however, there are also programs that are delivered partially in Russian and partially in other languages, depending on the partner university.

Double degree programs use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), a single system for tracking academic modules a student has completed. Studies follow a single integrated education plan developed along common standards, with an agreed description of disciplines accepted by partner universities, and without duplications. In the course of their studies, students also gain international work experience.

A student's schedule of studies entails a large amount of independent work. Students attend an intensive course of lectures and are then given a task, followed by online grading and videoconferences. The moodle platform for distance learning is used extensively. At the end of each study period, SPbPU and the partner university exchange students' results. Graduation papers are written and presented both at SPbPU and partner universities. Once a full course of studies has been completed and end-of-course assessments given, students are awarded degrees from both universities.

What are the advantages of double degree programs?

Double degree programs give SPbPU additional competitive advantages, make it possible to attract talented foreign students as well as leading foreign professors. These programs also allow the best Russian students at SPbPU to acquire the valuable competences at partner universities without going abroad for a whole course of studies, all while continuing studies at their home university.

Advantages of double degree programs:

• Earning two degrees in a shorter period of time

• Gaining versatile and comprehensive knowledge

• Broadening one’s career opportunities

• Improving one’s foreign language skills

• Acquiring valuable life skills while studying abroad

Read more: SPbPU named Russia’s top polytechnic for international students

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