What is IUFS?
IUFS stands for the International University of Fundamental Studies, which is dedicated to fundamental research. It is also a non-profit public association; by its very nature, it is a research university, which is important to emphasise, as there has recently been much discussion about the need to establish research institutes. And one such institution has existed for over 28 years.
Let us explain what the International University of Fundamental Studies 5 (IUFS) is.
Internationalmeans that our academic staff are internationally recognised authorities. Secondly, they address issues of international significance. We train world-class specialists in a wide variety of fields of knowledge and activity. And finally, the results of the university’s work are of international significance.
University. The IUFS is truly a universal institution. We offer and develop a wide variety of specialisms, including those not yet recognised by modern science. Such as energy psychology, integrative psychology and others.
Fundamental. Our university is based on a fundamentally new philosophical foundation — the philosophy of interaction and spirituality, which stems from the premise that the world as a whole represents the interaction of material and spiritual principles, and that all phenomena are the interaction of various components, where the crucial role — and in some cases the dominant role — of the spiritual principle is emphasised.
Education. The fact is that in English, the word ‘study’ has a dual meaning. It refers not only to education in the academic sense, but also to study as research. In other words, we train staff for research work. This is the specific nature and uniqueness of our university of fundamental education.
IUFS is the only university in the world dedicated to fundamental education, or in other words, to research. We do not teach from scratch nor do we award first-level higher education qualifications. We invite people who already hold higher education qualifications and provide them with training to an international standard.
When was IUFS founded?
IUFS was founded in 1998. I had been working on establishing the university since 1992. Initially, there was an institute based at state universities, which was registered in Russia and carried out preparatory work. IUFS based its programmes on those of the University of London, universities in the USA and Russia. I am currently the Rector and permanent head of IUFS.
How did you obtain international accreditation?
Since 1999, we have held a State Licence to deliver and train specialists under the Russian State Programme. There are many state universities, but none of them can award an international degree. They do not have the authority to deliver an international programme, unlike the universities of London — Cambridge and Oxford. I have also received accreditation from the Oxford Educational Network, the Spanish Accreditation Association, and the British and American educational networks to conduct international educational activities and award international diplomas.
In 2007, I received accreditation from the Intergovernmental higher Academic Council, International Parliament of Security and Peace to train international specialists and award Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor of Science degrees. To this end, the Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council was established under IUFS, which reviews academic work and awards Doctoral and Grand Doctoral degrees. The IHAC comprises over 1600 academics from around the world. IUFS is currently a partner of the UN Global Compact, the United Nations Academic Impact..
Which countries recognise your university and its degrees?
We have received accreditation from the International Parliament of Security and Peace, which oversees the Vienna Convention. It was signed by 155 countries, including the USSR. At present, all 155 countries recognise the Vienna Convention, under which the law of diplomacy applies. MUFO diplomas are also valid under the Vienna Convention.
Does Russia recognise it or not? Was the Vienna Convention signed by Russia?
The USSR signed the convention in 1963 and 1965. The final treaty on international law was signed by the last president, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev. Therefore, the Vienna Convention recognises Russia as the legal successor to the USSR.
What research programmes are being conducted at IUFS?
IUFS is ready to consider any research work within the framework of the Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council (IGHAC) at IUFS, where IGHAC stands for Intergovernmental Higher Scientific Council. It comprises several State Programmes in any field of research. Such as the ‘State Programme for National Health’, the ‘State Programme for National Security’ (Sri Lanka), the ‘State Programme for Information Security’ and others. Including programmes from African and Latin American countries.
What is the IGHAC?
The IGHAC is the Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council, which operates under the IUFS. The latter also comprises several educational networks of state universities, schools and research institutes, where a PhD student can undertake research work in a specific field in any country. For example, a doctoral student from Sri Lanka may conduct research in their own country at a state university or hospital. They may then travel to St Petersburg to defend their thesis before the Grand Council of the IGHAC. There is also a Small Council, through which it is possible to defend a thesis at a location convenient for the doctoral student. The research supervisors of the Grand Council will work with the research supervisor of the Small Council and advise the doctoral student until the completion of their research.
The IUFS, as a legal entity, coordinates the IGHAC. In various countries, we have the right to establish a Small Council of the MVUS, where a research base will also be located.
How to enrol at IUFS?
To enrol at the University, you need a Bachelor’s degree or to have completed at least the fourth year of undergraduate study at a Russian university. Following this, upon completion of your chosen research topic within one year, you can obtain a Bachelor of Science (1st class). For a Master’s thesis, research must be conducted over a period of one and a half to two years. To apply for a Doctor of Philosophy degree, you need to study the topic for more than two to three years. Throughout this time, the academic supervisor advises and coordinates the candidate’s work.
What advantages does a person with a IUFS degree have?
Having a IUFS degree means having the right to work and establish your academic career in any country in the world. Let me give a specific example. If a person holds a law degree from Russia or India, they come to us with their dissertation in the field of International Law. Upon receiving a Doctor of Law degree, they are entitled to join the International Bar Association of Europe, Asia and other countries. They are also granted the right to appear before the International Court of Justice and to pursue further studies in the field of international law.
The IUFS has an International Committee for Secondary Education (ICSE), which allows students to enrol at any university in the world without having to retake exams. The IUFS runs a school programme — the ICPE — where students can obtain an International School Certificate, which enables them to enrol at any university in the world to pursue higher education abroad.
Holders of a IUFS Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can obtain international recognition and membership of the MBA Association of the USA or the Chartered Management Institute in the UK.
How does one defend a doctoral thesis?
A doctoral thesis may serve as either a continuation and development of the topic of a Master’s thesis or a specialist’s dissertation. The applicant submits an application directly to the IUFS Rector stating their intention to defend a thesis in their chosen field and specialisation — for example, a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology. They then complete a form, provide a copy of their passport and Master’s degree certificate along with the application, and submit all documents to the IUFS administrator. The topic and title of the thesis, subject to any necessary amendments, are finally approved by the IUFS. The IUFS also appoints a supervisor and enrols the candidate in the faculty for further research. Over the course of 2–3 years, the candidate writes the thesis. Upon completion of their work, the candidate informs the MVUS of their readiness, after which they are admitted to the thesis defence. At the same time, the candidate must have at least two professional publications in recognised academic journals.
The doctoral thesis must reflect the level of fundamental and specialised training in accordance with the requirements of international educational standards for the field of study and the doctoral programme, as well as the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in scientific practice.
How should a thesis be written correctly? What is the required length of the thesis?
At our university, the dissertation is not limited to a specific number of pages, but it must be a scientifically significant piece of research. You may present your research ideas in either 130 or 150 pages. Information on how to write and format a dissertation correctly is available on the website mvus.ru.
In which language should the dissertation be submitted?
In Russian or English.
How does the defence take place?
The candidate delivers a presentation lasting 20–25 minutes, after which the professors of the Academic Council ask questions. The candidate must answer them clearly and promptly. If there are any comments or suggestions regarding the presentation, the professors will voice them. Several members of the Academic Council will write a review of the work. Finally, the Counting Committee will vote on the protocol for the academic degree sought.
What is KNID?
KNID is the Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Diplomas of the International Academy of Security and Peace (IAS). KNID is accredited by the International Parliament of Security and Peace. Its official location is the city of Saint Petersburg. The Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications has full authority to review and evaluate academic works before the Special Commission, where it may award the relevant degrees. The International Certificate of Recognition is valid in 155 countries under the Vienna Convention.
How does the nostrification procedure work?
Let us examine the procedure for nostrifying a degree using the example of a Doctor of Philosophy. The first thing the applicant must do is submit an application for the nostrification of their International Doctor of Philosophy degree to an equivalent degree in the chosen country. They then submit a copy of their Doctor of Philosophy degree and their Master of Science degree from their previous qualification. Following this, the KNID reviews their thesis and issues a report requesting the issuance of a certificate equivalent to the Russian Candidate of Sciences degree. Finally, the IUFS issues a Candidate of Sciences Diploma.
It is possible to have a Russian Doctor of Philosophy diploma recognised.
In Russia, the Candidate of Sciences degree is awarded. Can an applicant obtain a Candidate of Sciences degree at the IUFS?
Not at IUFS. First, they must obtain a IUFS Doctor of Philosophy degree, and only then submit their degree for recognition to the KNID. The commission reviews the thesis at a special council and classifies the Doctor of Philosophy degree as a Candidate of Sciences degree. A certificate confirming the Candidate of Sciences degree is then issued. Both the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (MVUS) and the Higher Attestation Commission (VAKK) issue Candidate of Sciences diplomas in accordance with the Vienna Convention, which are recognised abroad.
How is the degree of Grand Doctor of Philosophy awarded?
This is the highest degree, equivalent to a Doctor of Science. For example, a Grand Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology is equivalent to a Doctor of Psychological Sciences. After obtaining a Candidate of Sciences degree, a candidate with more than 100 serious academic works and research papers defends a thesis for the Grand Doctorate. The field of study can be viewed in the MVUS nomenclature. More detailed information is available on the website mvus.ru
What are the next steps for someone who has defended a Grand Doctorate diploma? How can one obtain the title of University Professor?
A IUFS Grand Doctor is entitled to the full title of Professor and to head a department in their field, to supervise doctoral students in Russia and abroad, and to organise thesis defences before the Small Academic Council. Their powers also include the ability to establish a Research Institute within a department or scientific centre.
What is the World Scientific Congress?
The World Scientific Congress (WSC) brings together scientists from all over the world. During the Congress, global scientific issues are addressed, such as environmental concerns and the resolution of natural disasters and cataclysms. From 2009 to 2025, the Congress was held in St Petersburg.
What is the Register of the World’s Intellectual Elite?
It is an encyclopaedia comprising renowned figures from across the globe — researchers and pioneers of scientific and creative endeavours. A database is being compiled containing autobiographies, reviews of scientific works and discoveries. This encyclopaedia assists researchers in obtaining copyright through the Special Expert Council, where they are included in the Register of Scientists of the Whole World. Possession of this status allows one to obtain a ‘Scientist’s Passport’, thanks to which a professor can teach all over the world. The passport is registered under the Vienna Convention and is valid in more than 155 countries.
Who is awarded Laureate certificates and diplomas of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees?
Diplomas of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees are awarded to outstanding scientists and talented masters in the fields of piano, vocal music, ballet, pedagogy, spirituality and others. Diplomas are issued on behalf of the Parliament and UNESCO under the auspices of the World Union of Scientists. A Laureate Certificate is awarded to those who have more than 10 years of continuous service and have made a significant contribution in their field. Holders of a Laureate Certificate may be nominated for the Nobel Prize. The ‘Awards Committee’ has around 7 orders and medals in its arsenal.
The MUFO has a faculty of distance learning. What is it, how does one enrol, and what subjects can be studied?
This faculty is based in Russia and abroad. The State Education Centre of the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka has transferred the rights and licences to manage IUFS’s educational activities. You can study any subject except medicine. In the field of medicine, it is possible to obtain a Master’s or Doctorate in Public Health. Students complete an online application form, enrol at IUFS and undertake their studies via the internet through the Distance Learning programme. Exams are taken after the material has been studied. Once the dissertation has been written, it is submitted for defence, which takes place via an online conference.
In the near future, IUFS plans to issue electronic diplomas with digital signatures. Signatures are currently being registered for this purpose. We will have a sort of small electronic state.
An ‘Awards Committee’ has been established at IUFS. What is this?
The committee was created specifically to award IUFS academics with orders, medals and prizes.