In this conference paper we aim to look at the impact of international and European reforms of Higher Education (HE) systems – especially the Bologna Process – on higher education provision for adults in the Russian Federation.

Over the past decade the European Commission has encouraged Member States to make lifelong learning the basic principle underlying education and training, and within this framework to develop the Adult Learning sector (as set out in the “Action Plan on Adult Learning”, 2007). Opening up higher education to those who have not previously engaged in studies at this level, including adults, is seen as crucial in this context. Flexible provision has been identified as one of the main elements needed in order to attract more non-traditional learners into higher education while overcoming barriers faced by this group of learners. In spite of this, progress on the benchmark for adult learning participation has been low.

The paper reports on one strand of the completed project “HEAD – Opening Higher Education to Adults”, covering a representative range of the 25 countries (20 European and 5 non-European) Higher Education Research Centre in DCU was overlooking 3 country studies on the adult higher education provision – UK Ireland and one non-European country (Russia) within this international collaborative project. The overall objective of this work was to collect information contributing to a knowledge base which will inform a number of future activities within the framework of European Cooperation on Adult Learning Policy.

In this conference paper we present our the finding on Russia as a country case- mapping and analysis of recent developments in Russia with regard to quality approaches in the field of Adult Learning. Specifically we will discuss the case study of one university in Moscow.  We report on the work which involved a mix of desk-based research and analysis, as well as fieldwork, few expert interviews and fact-finding visits: a mapping of national regional policies, frameworks/legislation with regard to quality approaches, innovative teaching methods and other developments in the field of Adult Learning. I will also discuss some of the issues and challenges which are specific to the adult learning sector in relation to assuring quality of its providers and provision.

Memorandum on Higher Education (1991) Amsterdam Treaty (1997) Communication ‘Making a European area of lifelong learning a reality’ (2001) Communication from the Commission ‘Adult learning: it is never too late to learn’ (2006) Action plan (2008-2010) on ‘Adult learning: It is always a good time to learn’ Bologna Process Stocktaking Report (2009) Strategic Framework for European cooperation in education and training (updated 2009) Final Conference on the first Adult Learning Action Plan(2011)