After Russia signed the Bologna Declaration, the education system began to include several degrees of qualification.
Today, Russian students are to choose the first stage of higher education between a bachelor’s and a specialist degrees.

So, what is the difference?

The specialist degree is a traditional form of study at a Soviet university, preserved along with the bachelor’s programme. The programme trains students to work in a specific field. The duration of study is at least 5 years.
The weakness of this qualification is the inability to continue studying or working abroad in accordance with the rules of the Bologna Declaration.
However, if desired, one can enter a master’s programme as a second education after receiving the qualification of a specialist.