University Preparatory Courses
intensive Russian for the degree-orientedUniversity Preparatory Courses (UPC) are highly-intensive Russian language courses combined with area studies. They are intended to prepare students who are absolute beginners in Russian to pass university entrance exams in Russia, usually in a year's time. The programs deliver the subject classes, specialized language, and terminology the student will need to pass these and the TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) and any other exams that will be needed to enter the university program. Is UPC in Russia Right for you?UPC is required of most foreign students who hope to enter degree programs in Russia. If this is your plan, UPC is right for you. UPC is intensive and rigid. Students will take classes from between 20-38 hours per week. This is twice the normal schedule that most American students are used to. UPC does not allow for many outside activities. Students hoping to partly fund their studies with teaching or supplement their studies with travel or cultural excursions will find those plans very difficult under UPC. UPC is designed for students who are absolute beginners. Most intermediate and advanced students of Russia will find themselves bored for the first months. UPC is specifically intended for those hoping to enter Russian universities. Those who are not planning on doing so may find themselves marginalized or even pushed out of their programs by university administrators who may wish to free up spaces for other students who wish to use the program for its intended purpose. UPC is most popular among students from Asia and Africa. These continents have languages very different from English, and students from these continents generally have different assumptions about language. Not surprisingly, the Russian language courses taught to UPC students tend to be optimized for these students. English speakers can feel marginalized in this environment. UPC programs begin, with rare exception, in September. Other start dates are generally not available. Students must study for a minimum of one academic year. Classes are not available during summer sessions.
UPC not for you? Most students who are interested in UPC programs, who are not planning to actually enter degree programs in Russia, will find Russian as a Second Language a much better arrangement. This program is far more flexible and still allows students to intensify and diversey their studies with individual Russian lessons that can focus on specific subject matter and terminology. Students may also add independent study to research specific subjects while in Russia. 
I have questions about...
|
University Preparatory Enrollment and Support Semester (up to 5 months) - Cost: $1275
Includes visa and registration, health and accident insurance, enrollment costs, consultation during the course selection process, pre-departure safety and orientation guides, access to SRAS cultural events, and full SRAS support during your stay. Full Academic Year (up to 10 months) - Cost: $1875
Includes all services and items listed above. Tuition and housing - Cost: Varies
Tuition can range from $3600-5000 per academic year and dormitory housing from $150-$300 per month. This is an estimate based on Fall 2007. Most universities do not announce their new prices until spring of the relevant academic year and housing costs can be adjusted more frequently for inflation. ***All prices are subject to change without notice.
Prerequisites: There are no GPA or previous Russian language study requirements for UPC if you do not intend to matriculate into the university. Beginners will need to start studies at the beginning of the fall semester. If you do plan to matriculate, you should apply to the degree program first, indicating that you will need the related UPC. In that case, prerequisites are minimally a degree (High School, BA/BS, etc.). GPA and other requirements will vary by faculty and university.
Locations: The following universities offer extensive UPC systems with a wide range of technical and humanitarian subjects. Depending on the subject matter you wish to study and your preferred location, a SRAS consultant will suggest an appropriate program. Entry into UPC is limited almost exclusively to the fall semester. UPC is not offered during the summer. Minimum study period of one academic year, beginning September 1.
Class size: Class size can range from 4 to 12. As UPC is comprised primarily of students planning to enter degree studies in Russia, at the moment you will find that the majority of your classmates are from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with only a few students from the USA and other countries.
Program objectives: A full academic year of UPC is at least the equivalent of three years of college-level Russian at home. You will certainly have the language skills to be a strong candidate in many career opportunities in and related to Russia. If you finish a year of UPC study, we recommend continuing your studies in more specific courses related to your academic or professional objectives.
Application deadline: May 1 Apply For This Program!
|
