International Master’s Degree in Intelligent Systems – 10 years of success!
Hardly a few decades ago children wouldn’t hesitate to go into teaching, medicine or choose an astronaut career when confronted with a question “What do you want to be?” But ever since successful, promising and sought after information technologies have started to take hold in our lives, more and more young people opt for an IT career.
Double Degree Master’s program in ‘Intelligent Systems’ which is run by the Higher School of Cyber-physical Systems and Control affiliated to the Institute of Computer Science and Technologies of SPbPU has been successful over the last 10 years. It is no surprise that IT technologies are rapidly evolving, that is why technology-related programs should be modified to keep pace with the latest developments and technology updates which are mostly presented in English. The Master’s degree program in question covers all these aspects, and studies are conducted in English.
Upon the graduation students are entitled to one more diploma, besides that of SPbPU, - either the diploma of City, University of London or Leibniz University of Hannover. They spend their first year of studies in Saint Petersburg then they go to Great Britain or Germany to complete the course. Besides the diplomas, students gain valuable international experience, improve their language skills and acquire knowledge in the field of advanced information technologies, which makes them more competitive on the job market.
One of the advantages of the program is its stability. The partnership with City, University of London has been maintained since 2007, the alliance with Leibniz university of Hannover began in 2012. Over this time diplomas have been awarded to 34 students. Currently, there are 23 people taking double degree course who come from different parts of the wide world: Russia, China, Spain, Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Greece, Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Syria, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, and many other countries. It should be said that taking the 2-year course of ‘Intelligent Systems’ in English students can choose to spend both years at SPbPU and be awarded the SPbPU Master’s degree diploma.
Today, the Polytechnic university is offering more than 30 double degree programs which are taught by best professors and academics from abroad. As Vice-Rector for International Relations Mr. D. G. Arseniev pointed out, putting heads together with the leading universities to bring about the creation of new education programs enables students to have a unique curriculum by means of implementing the best teaching practice and methods provided by the partner-universities, increase their general knowledge and gain new competencies.
The programs specifications merit special attention: top-level preparation process that preceded the launch of “Intelligent Systems” has often been remarked on by experts and proved by the wide range of job opportunities available to the university graduates. For years in a row the High School of Cyber-physical Systems and Control has been inviting the best Russian and foreign professors to teach the course. The list of the participating countries is growing longer every year – courses were taught by prof. Arto Kaarna of Lappeenranta University of Technology, prof. Alonso Fernandez Eduardo of SUL, Franck Leprévost, professor at the University of Luxembourg.
High-tech laboratories available at the High School of Cyber-physical Systems and Control are the product of the university cooperation with the overseas companies like Siemens, FESTO, Schneider Electric, SAP, etc. According to acting director of the High School of Cyber-physical Systems and Control Mr. V.P. Shkodirev, the state-of-the-art laboratories are the signature brand of both the program and the university. All of the above only adds up to the list of the program’s competitive advantages – a strong brand at its service. That is the reason for the strict control of the student academic performance.
Besides the academic involvement international students have an opportunity to become familiar with Russian cultural values. For example, in May 2017 they joined Russian Polytechnics for the Sändäm Patriotic Reunion in Karelia where they saw the historical reenactment of everyday life of Soviet soldiers during the Second World War.
More information on the application process is available on the English version of the website. To apply students must send a motivation letter and a CV. The required documents are sent to the International Student Office for the consideration of the program supervisor. Later applicants will be required to take entrance examinations. For more details, please, contact the High School of Cyber-physical Systems and Control by phone +7 (812) 329 47 45 or via e-mail at cst@icc.spbstu.ru.
In order to apply for the double degree at SUL or Hannover university students must show good academic results after the first year and have no exam failures. To apply for a British student visa a language proficiency certificate is required (IELTS).
Rigidness and close attention to the student academic performance are bearing fruit: as long as the program exists, it has been successfully completed by all students whose skills later succeed in the job market. The program’s graduates are employed by top Russian and overseas companies, among which are SAP AG, KPMG and Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP. Many of them have been offered financial assistance for their PhD studies at the partner-universities abroad.