The Candidate of Sciences (Russian: кандидат наук - Kandidat Nauk) is a first post-graduate scientific degree in some former Eastern Bloc countries, such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, which is awarded for original research that constitutes a significant contribution to a scientific field. The degree was first introduced in the USSR on January 13, 1934, by a decision of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. According to par.262 International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) UNESCO 2011, for purposes of international educational statistics Candidate of Sciences is equivalent to PhD as awarded in many English-speaking countries as it allows its holders to reach the level of the Associate Professor (Docent).
However, in order to become a full Professor, a Doktor Nauk degree is required, in the same way that the Habilitation is required in Germany, as well as the PhD dissertation and a second book in the United States and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, Immigration New Zealand places both Candidate of Sciences and Doctor of Sciences at "Level 10" (Doctors Level, which is the highest level there). Only holders of master's and specialist's degrees are eligible for Candidate of Sciences programs.
In the United States the Candidate of Sciences degree in physics, chemistry, biology, and other natural sciences is recognized as an equivalent of PhD, and holders of this degree awarded in countries of the former Soviet Union and Russian Federation work as postdoctoral fellows in most state and private universities and research establishments of the Federal government. AcAccording to "Guidelines for the recognition of Russian qualifications in the other countries", in countries with a two-tier system of doctoral degrees, the degree of Candidate of Sciences should be considered for recognition at the level of the first doctoral degree. In countries with only one doctoral degree, the degree of Candidate of Sciences should be considered for recognition as equivalent to this degree.
In Azerbaijan the Masters degree replaced the old Candidate of Sciences.
The highest attainable degree, one level higher than the Candidate of Sciences is the Doctor of Sciences, which is roughly analogous to the Habilitation in Germany, Poland, Austria and Switzerland, the Ph.D in the United Kingdom and the Habilitation à diriger des recherches in France, as it is required for the rank of the full Professor, because one can only become a lecturer with a Kandidat degree (and not a full professor.)
Read more about Candidate Of Sciences: Procedure For Attaining The Degree
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