Успех магистратуры: Почему вторая ступень высшего образования захватила весь мир?

Вып. 6(98). M. : National Research University Higher School of Economics, 2026.

Tikhonov E., Асманская М. А., Balzhinimaeva V., Gryazeva L., Knyaginina N., Линская Ю. В., Puchkov E., Terentev E.

Under the general editorship: Линская Ю. В.

Master’s education is now an integral part of higher education systems in almost every country. Yet this common designation encompasses a wide variety of programmes serving different purposes. Why has the two-cycle bachelor’s–master’s model become so widespread and enduring? The report argues that the key to the success of master’s education lies in its institutional flexibility. Master’s programmes can serve as instruments of professional specialisation and changes in educational pathways, research training and the regulation of access to professions, workforce planning, the development of new fields of study, talent attraction, and the export of educational services. However, these different functions are not always compatible: expanding participation may conflict with selectivity, professional orientation with research training, and standardisation with opportunities for educational experimentation. Drawing on the historical development of master’s education, academic research, international experience of higher education reforms, and data from Russia, the authors examine how different countries and universities adapt this level of education to their particular objectives. Special attention is given to master’s education in Russia and to a question that has become particularly relevant in the context of higher education reform: not so much whether master’s education is needed at all, regardless of its formal designation, but rather which models of master’s education are best suited to different purposes and how the rules governing their organisation should differ.

Keywords: образовательная политика, магистратура, высшее образование, кадровая политика, education policy, internationalisation of higher education, реформы высшего образования, institutional design, образовательная мобильность, higher education reforms, educational mobility, Master’s education, higher education, модели магистратуры, research training, интернационализация высшего образования, models of master’s education, functions of master’s education, workforce policy, функции магистратуры, профессиональная специализация, исследовательская подготовка

Publication based on the results of: The formation of a national higher education system: key changes and their effects (2025)