Young people view positively the quality of the Russian higher education, however they think that education abroad is better.

MOSCOW, September 25, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to how Russian respondents view Russian and foreign higher education.

Respondents aged 18-24 have favorable opinions about Russian higher education (33%), whereas older respondents are more skeptical (the 45-59-year-olds (29%) and those aged 60 and over (31%) give low assessments). Russians tend to consider the quality of the Russian education as average (39%). Twenty-two percent of respondents gave high scores; 29%, low scores.

Twenty-six percent of Russians believe that education abroad is the same as in Russia. Another one-third of respondents are confident that education abroad is better (27%); they are mainly young Russians aged 18-24 (52%). Every tenth respondent opposes this stance (11%). At the same time, an overwhelming majority (36%) fail to compare Russian higher education and education abroad (36%).

Most of Russians have not thought of an idea to send children/grandchildren to get higher education abroad (74%), especially respondents aged 45-59 (80%) and those over 60 (84%). Persons who have considered this opportunity are mainly respondents aged 18-24 (35%) and 25-34 (41%).

Low percentage of Russians believes that it is important for their children/grandchildren to get higher education diplomas abroad (78% say it is not important). Those who appreciate the idea are basically young people aged 18-24 (31%). Young people also say that among their friends or relatives there are those who have a foreign higher education diploma (40% of the 18-24-year-olds and 48% of those aged 25-34 (48%). A total of 33% of Russians have friends with foreign diplomas.

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 15, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.