Russian Medical syllabus/Curriculum: Study Medicine in Russia
- Curriculum prescribed by the State Educational Board on High Professional Education, Russian Federation Ministry of Health
- Course: Doctor of Medicine (MD Russia)
- Duration: 6 years
- The medium of teaching: English/bilingual/Russian
The academic year
- Consists: 2 semesters
- Autumn term: starts on the 1st of September
- Winter vacation lasts for around 2 weeks
- The winter term: starts on the 2nd of February.
- Summer vacation lasts for around 2 months.
Russian Medical syllabus/Curriculum
- Emphasis on the CIS curricula/syllabi: It’s wise to emphasize that this Curriculum/syllabus is tentative & the subject’s distribution or teaching hours or exams might vary in different universities and CIS. All the curricula & syllabi in CIS are derivative of the original one from the USSR however the various universities and CIS use their own modified versions of the curricula/syllabi.
- Subjects distribution: the distribution of the subjects differ as per the version of the university or CIS.
- Subjects to be taught per academic year might vary: Anatomic Pathology is taught in 3rd academic year in Russia however can be taught in 2nd year in other CIS.
- Subjects to be stacked & separated: FM is a separate subject in Russia however FM & Pathology might be stacked together in other CIS. Endocrinology or Neurology are separate subjects in Russia however they might be part of Internal medicine (Therapy).
- Teaching hours: teaching hours also differ as per the version of the university or CIS.
- Exams: the pattern, distribution & weightage of the exams differ as per the version of the university or CIS.
- Subjects distribution: the distribution of the subjects differ as per the version of the university or CIS.
- Semester 1 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Latin language | 36 | 36 | /2 | ||
| 2 | Chemistry | 10 | 18 | 18 | /1,3 | |
| 3 | Biology, basics of ecology | 22 | 72 | 14 | /3 | |
| 4 | Anatomy | 8 | 54 | 46 | /3 | |
| 5 | History | 6 | 54 | 48 | Credits/3 | |
| 6 | Economics | 8 | 36 | 28 | Credits/2 | |
| 7 | Culturology | 36 | 36 | Credits/2 | ||
| 8 | Physics, maths | 10 | 54 | 44 | Credit/3 | |
| 9 | Life safety | 10 | 36 | 26 | /2 | |
| 10 | Physical culture and sport | 72 | Credits/2 | |||
| 11 | Basics of scientific work in medicine | 36 | 72 | Credit/3 |
- Semester 2 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/
number of credit units |
| 1 | Foreign language | 72 | 36 | Credit/3 | ||
| 2 | Latin language | 36 | Credit/1 | |||
| 3 | Nursing process | 10 | 36 | 62 | Credit/3 | |
| 4 | Philosophy | 28 | 36 | 44 | /3 | |
| 5 | Chemistry | 36 | 26 | Credit/1,7 | ||
| 6 | Biology, basics of ecology | 14 | 54 | 40 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 7 | Anatomy | 16 | 108 | 20 | /4 | |
| 8 | Histology, embryology, cytology | 18 | 54 | /2 | ||
| 9 | Medical informatics | 10 | 54 | 44 | Credit/3 | |
| 10 | Life safety | 18 | 18 | Credit/1 | ||
| 11 | Health and a healthy lifestyle in the preventive work of a doctor | 6 | 36 | 30 | Credits/2 |
- Semester 3 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Histology, embryology, cytology | 18 | 54 | 72 | 1 | Exam/5 |
| 2 | Anatomy | 12 | 54 | 78 | 1 | Exam/5 |
| 3 | Philosophy | 36 | 36 | 1 | Exam/3 | |
| 4 | Psychology, pedagogics | 12 | 36 | 24 | /2 | |
| 5 | Biological chemistry | 34 | 54 | 56 | /4 | |
| 6 | Normal physiology | 30 | 54 | 60 | /4 | |
| 7 | Foreign language as a means of professional communication of a doctor | 36 | /1 | |||
| 8 | Jurisprudence | 10 | 36 | 26 | /2 | |
| 9 | Elective courses on physical culture and sport | 36 | 46 | / |
- Semester 4 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Immunology | 12 | 54 | 42 | Credit/3 | |
| 2 | Bioethics | 10 | 36 | 62 | Credit/3 | |
| 3 | Psychology, pedagogics | 18 | 18 | Credit/1 | ||
| 4 | Biological chemistry | 14 | 54 | 40 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 5 | Normal physiology | 18 | 54 | 36 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 6 | Foreign language as a means of professional communication of a doctor | 36 | Credit/1 | |||
| 7 | History of medicine | 10 | 18 | 80 | Credit/3 | |
| 8 | Jurisprudence | 18 | 18 | Credit/1 | ||
| 9 | Microbiology, virology | 18 | 54 | 72 | /4 | |
| 10 | Hygiene | 16 | 54 | 38 | /3 | |
| 11 | Elective courses on physical culture and sport | 36 | 46 | Credit/ | ||
| 12 | Micronutrients in medicine | 24 | 48 | Credit/2 |
- Semester 5 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1. | Microbiology, virology | 18 | 54 | 36 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 2. | Pharmacology | 18 | 54 | 72 | /4 | |
| 3. | Pathological anatomy | 18 | 54 | 36 | /3 | |
| 4. | Pathological physiology | 18 | 54 | 36 | /3 | |
| 5. | Propaedeutic of internal diseases | 36 | 72 | 72 | /5 | |
| 6. | General surgery | 18 | 54 | 108 | /5 | |
| 7. | Hygiene | 12 | 54 | 42 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 8. | Elective courses on physical culture and sport | 36 | 46 | / |
- Semester 6 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Radiodiagnostics | 12 | 48 | 48 | Credit/3 | |
| 2 | Pharmacology | 18 | 51 | 39 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 3 | Pathological anatomy | 18 | 51 | 39 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 4 | Pathological physiology | 18 | 51 | 39 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 5 | Propaedeutic of internal diseases | 18 | 68 | 94 | 1 | Exam/6 |
| 6 | General surgery | 18 | 51 | 75 | 1 | Exam/5 |
| 7 | Topographic anatomy and operative surgery | 12 | 34 | 26 | /2 | |
| 8 | Elective courses on physical culture and sport | 34 | 46 | Credit/ |
- Semester 7 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Topographic anatomy and operative surgery | 12 | 42 | 18 | 1 | Exam /3 |
| 2 | Public health and healthcare, health economics | 14 | 48 | 10 | /2 | |
| 3 | Urology | 12 | 36 | 24 | Сredit/2 | |
| 4 | Medical rehabilitation | 8 | 42 | 22 | /2 | |
| 5 | Dermatovenerology | 10 | 48 | 14 | 1 | Exam/3 |
| 6 | Neurology | 10 | 24 | 38 | /2 | |
| 7 | Obstetrics | 18 | 72 | 18 | /3 | |
| 8 | Faculty therapy | 18 | 60 | 30 | /3 | |
| 9 | Faculty surgery | 14 | 48 | 10 | /2 | |
| 10 | Tropical pathology | 18 | 18 | /1 |
- Semester 8 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1. | Neurology | 8 | 24 | 4 | 1 | Exam/2 |
| 2. | Public health and healthcare, health economics | 14 | 36 | 22 | 1 | Exam/3 |
| 3. | Medical rehabilitation | 22 | 14 | Credit/1 | ||
| 4. | Faculty therapy | 18 | 60 | 30 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| 5. | Otolaryngology | 6 | 24 | 6 | /1 | |
| Ophthalmology | 6 | 24 | 6 | /1 | ||
| 6. | Endocrinology | 4 | 24 | 80 | Credit/3 | |
| 7. | Faculty surgery | 14 | 24 | 34 | 1 | Exam/3 |
| 8. | Obstetrics | 16 | 24 | 68 | 1 | Exam/4 |
| Phthisiology | 16 | 36 | 20 | /2 | ||
| 9. | Pediatrics | 14 | 36 | 58 | /3 | |
| 12. | Tropical pathology | 18 | 18 | Credit/1 |
- Semester 9 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ total number of credit units |
| 1 | Otolaryngology | 10 | 24 | 38 | Credit/2 | |
| 2 | Phthisiology | 24 | 48 | 1 | Exam/3 | |
| 3 | Psychiatry, medical psychology | 16 | 48 | 44 | Exam /4 | |
| 4 | Ophthalmology | 8 | 24 | 40 | Credit/2 | |
| 5 | Outpatient therapy | 16 | 36 | 2 | /1,5 | |
| 6 | Hospital therapy | 18 | 48 | 6 | /2 | |
| 7 | Genetics, medical ecology | 10 | 36 | 26 | /2 | |
| 8 | Hospital surgery | 18 | 36 | 18 | /2 | |
| 9 | Traumatology, orthopedics | 18 | 48 | 42 | /3 | |
| 10 | Gynecology | 18 | 48 | 42 | /3 | |
| 11 | Pediatrics | 14 | 36 | 22 | /2 | |
| 12 | Physiotherapy | 4 | 24 | 8 | Credit/1 |
- Semester 10 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ total number of credit units |
| 1 | Clinical pharmacology | 10 | 24 | 2 | /1 | |
| 2 | Psychiatry, medical psychology | 10 | 24 | 2 | Credit /1 | |
| 3 | Outpatient therapy | 14 | 36 | 4 | 1 | Exam /2,5 |
| 4 | Hospital therapy | 18 | 48 | 6 | 1 | Exam /3 |
| 5 | Genetics, medical ecology | 20 | 16 | Credit /1 | ||
| 6 | Hospital surgery | 18 | 36 | 18 | /2 | |
| 7 | Traumatology, orthopedics | 10 | 36 | 26 | 1 | Exam /3 |
| 8 | Gynecology | 18 | 48 | 42 | 1 | Exam /4 |
| 9 | Pediatrics | 48 | 60 | 1 | Exam /4 | |
| 10 | Infectious diseases | 18 | 60 | 30 | /3 | |
| 11 | Tropical diseases | 18 | 36 | 18 | Credit /2 |
- Semester 11 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | General medical practice | 16 | 56 | /2 | ||
| 2 | Oncology, radiation therapy | 18 | 60 | 66 | 1 | Exam/5 |
| 3 | Dentistry | 8 | 24 | 40 | Credit/2 | |
| 4 | Clinical pharmacology | 36 | 27 | Credit/1,75 | ||
| 5 | Infectious diseases | 22 | 132 | 17 | 1 | Exam/5,75 |
| 6 | Hospital therapy. Occupational diseases | 24 | 72 | 84 | /5 | |
| 7 | Clinical immunology | 12 | 48 | 48 | Credit/3 | |
| 8 | Hospital surgery | 48 | 42 | 1 | Exam/3,5 | |
| 9 | Anesthesiology, reanimation, intensive therapy | 16 | 48 | 80 | /4 | |
| 10 | Actual issues of internal diseases | 18 | 9 | /0,75 |
- Semester 12 in Russian medical university
| № | Discipline | Lectures (hours) | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Number of credits units per exam | Form of control/ number of credit units |
| 1 | Clinical pathological anatomy | 16 | 20 | Credit/1 | ||
| 2 | Epidemiology | 16 | 38 | Credit/1,5 | ||
| 3 | Hospital therapy. Occupational diseases | 48 | 24 | Credit/2 | ||
| 4 | General medical practice | 48 | 24 | Credit/2 | ||
| 5 | Practical training course on basic manipulation techniques | 24 | 30 | Credit/1,5 | ||
| 6 | Obstetric and gynecological care | 36 | Credit/1 | |||
| 7 | Clinical endocrinology | 8 | 36 | 19 | Credit/1,75 | |
| 8 | Neurosurgery | 8 | 16 | 48 | Credit/2 | |
| 9 | Anesthesiology, reanimation, intensive therapy | 36 | 18 | Credit/1,5 | ||
| 10 | Medical ecology | 20 | 52 | Credit/2 | ||
| 11 | Forensic medicine | 12 | 48 | 48 | Credit/3 | |
| 12 | Children surgery | 8 | 36 | 64 | Credit/3 | |
| 13 | Actual issues of internal diseases | 24 | 48 | Credit/2 |
Clinical Practice in Russian medical university
| N | Practice | Practical sessions (hours) | Individual work (hours) | Form of control/number of credit units | Semester |
| 1 | Educational practice in obtaining primary professional skills in general patient care, including primary research skills. | 36 | 72 | Exam/3 | 2 |
| 2 | Educational clinical practice “Care for patients of therapeutic and surgical profile. First aid” | 36 | 72 | Exam/3 | 2 |
| 3 | Work practice in obtaining professional skills and experience in professional activity “Assistant ward and procedural nurse” | 120 | 60 | Exam/5 | 4 |
| 4 | Work clinical practice “General clinical practice of a physician” | 96 | 48 | Exam/4 | 6 |
| 5 | Work practice in obtaining professional skills and experience in professional activity “Assistant physician. Therapy” | 72 | 36 | Exam/3 | 8 |
| 6 | Work practice in obtaining professional skills and experience in professional activity “Assistant physician. Surgery” | 72 | 36 | Exam/3 | 8 |
| 7 | Work practice in obtaining professional skills and experience in professional activity “Assistant physician. Obstetrics” | 72 | 36 | Exam/3 | 8 |
| 8 | 1. Work clinical practice “Assistant physician of the intensive care unit”
2. Research work |
144 | 72 | Exam/6 | 10 |
- NB: There are minor inter-university differences in the distribution or sequence of the subjects, teaching hours, credits & reference textbooks.
Exam in Russian medical university
- Testing theoretical proficiency: Viva/Cases/MCQs & written (in some universities)
- Testing practical proficiency: spotters & skills in the appropriate lab setup
- Testing Clinical proficiency:
- Clinical skills at the patient’s bedside
- Procedures in the appropriate setup in manikins or simulated models or real patients.
Scores
- The score ranges from 5 to 1:
- 5 is “excellent” → Otlichno
- 4 is “good” → Khorosho
- 3 is “satisfactory” → Udovletvoritel’no
- 2 is “unsatisfactory” → Neudovletvoritel’no
Indian vs Russian medical syllabus/curriculum
| Russian Curriculum | Indian Curriculum |
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| Year 1 | 2 semesters |
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| Year 2 & 3 | 3 semesters |
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| Year 4-6 | 4 semesters |
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Indian vs Russian medical education in a nutshell
| Russia | India | |
| Duration | 6 years MD | 4.5 years MBBS (Competency-based curriculum) |
| Medium of teaching | English/bilingual/Russian | English |
| Discipline/strictness | Moderate | High (Govt colleges) |
| Textbooks | Only in few universities provide at their libraries | Students should purchase as per the recommendation |
| Proficiency of faculties | Higher | Higher |
| Language barrier | Many students have | Some students have in the states with different spoken languages |
| Exam | Mainly viva +/- computerized tests in few universities | Written (MCQs + short & long questions) + Viva |
| Patient flow | Low | High |
| Clinical exposure | Medium | High |
| Hands-on clinical training | Medium | High |
| Internship | Not approved in India | + |
| Research exposure | Low | Low |
| Tuition fee | Cheaper | Very expensive |
Also read:
- Study Medicine in Russia: Russia in a student’s Perspective
- Overview of Russian medical universities
- Comparison between Indian & Russian Syllabus
- Pros & cons of Russian medical education
- How should I choose a Medical University in Russia?
