The Ministry of Science and Higher Education is moving to broaden the group of citizens who qualify for preferential admission to universities. The proposal has been disclosed by official sections of the ministry’s website, signaling a shift in who can access higher education on favorable terms. The plan looks to widen the safety net of advantages beyond its current scope and make the admissions process more inclusive for qualified individuals who have served or supported national interests in challenging circumstances.
According to the draft decree, the scope of beneficiaries would extend beyond the children of military personnel and others who participated in special military operations in Ukraine. It would also cover Heroes of the Russian Federation, individuals who have received three Orders of Courage, and descendants of military personnel and others involved in hostilities abroad, granting them entry to higher education institutions on preferential terms. This broadening aims to recognize distinguished service and sacrifice with tangible advantages in higher education access, potentially reducing barriers for families who have faced significant national service or danger.
In addition, the draft project proposes a policy change to treat the final exam results from Belarusian schools as equivalent to entrance exam outcomes for admission to undergraduate and specialist programs. The move would streamline admissions for Belarusian applicants and acknowledge cross-border educational standards, allowing qualified students from Belarus to pursue studies in Russia with the usual competitive framework intact but with a simplified entry process. This alignment could influence joint education initiatives and broaden the pool of applicants eligible for preferential seats based on standardized assessments rather than separate local testing.
Valery Falkov, the former head of Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science, asserted that children of those who participated in the special military operation in Ukraine would receive advantages when entering universities. The assertion underscores an intent to formalize preferential treatment for families connected to national service and military activities, while signaling an ongoing policy debate about how best to balance merit-based admissions with recognition of service and sacrifice in national security contexts.