About Associate Degree Program

Key Details

Tentative application deadline: August 5, 2025

Language of instruction: English & Russian

Start date: August 17, 2025

Program duration: Two years

Diploma awarded: Bard College Associate Degree

Who Can Apply?

The program is designed for Russian-speaking displaced students from the Eurasian region who have been affected by the war in Ukraine or by authoritarian regimes in former CIS countries, regardless of nationality.

Due to Bard College’s designation as an “undesirable organization,” we cannot accept students currently residing in Russia or Belarus.

Additionally, students based in North America are encouraged to consider applying to Bard College in Annandale or its U.S.-based programs instead.

Those not eligible for the Associate Degree Program may still apply to Smolny Beyond Borders open courses, where they can earn Bard College credits upon successful completion.

We welcome applications from students who are currently unable to attend international universities due to financial, logistical, or personal challenges. Individuals who already hold a degree but wish to experience a liberal arts education are also encouraged to apply.

English Language Proficiency

Students are expected to have a B2 level of English proficiency.

Applicants may be provisionally accepted without a language test score, but must submit a passing result before full admission and enrollment.

We accept all major English proficiency exams, including the Duolingo English Test. A score between 105 and 125 is considered acceptable for admission.

Do I need a high school diploma or transcript to apply?

Yes. You must have a high school diploma, and your transcript must be translated into English. A self-prepared (unofficial) English translation is acceptable, along with a scanned copy of the original document.

Language of the Motivation Video

We expect the motivation video to be recorded primarily in English. However, if you would like to include a part in Russian, feel free to do so.

What is the Associate of Arts Degree in the context of higher education?

This Associate of Arts Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Graduates may continue their studies at Bard Network institutions (starting in the third year, subject to admission at the respective institution) or seek to transfer their credits to other universities.

Admission procedure

After filing out the application form and supporting documents as described in the admission requirements, selected students may be invited to an interview with Admission Committee members. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  The application deadline is August 5.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The total tuition cost is $5,000 per year before financial aid. We encourage all interested and eligible students to apply, regardless of their financial situation.

Students who are provisionally accepted and require financial assistance must complete a financial aid form outlining their circumstances. Applicants may submit additional supporting materials if they wish.

The Bard Global Degree finance office will review each request and respond promptly. Based on financial need, students may receive tuition discounts of up to 90%. In exceptional cases, full tuition coverage may also be granted.

Program Curriculum

Students in the Associates degree program will enroll in 5 courses per semester and a total of 10 courses per year. Courses will meet weekly, with an average of 10 class sessions per week for a student in the Associate degree program. Of those courses, the following are required

Fall Semester

• Language and Thinking: An intensive two-week online introduction to the liberal arts and sciences, with a strong emphasis on writing. This course runs before the academic year begins (August 17–27, 2025), with three classes per day, five days a week.
• First-Year Seminar I: Two classes per week.
• English Composition (an intensive English-language course): Two classes per week.

Total weekly class load: 10 classes.

Spring Semester

• Citizen Science
• First-Year Seminar II

All required courses are taught in English, except for one group of Language and Thinking, which is taught in Russian.

Students enrolled in the Associate Degree Program receive priority enrollment in electives. Note: We do not recommend that Associate Degree students enroll in 300-level elective courses in the first year of the program..

Students’ Legal Status

Enrollment in the Smolny Associate Degree Online Program does not confer official student status in the European Union or any other jurisdiction.

As part of the Bard Global Degree, the program is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Can I transfer previously earned academic credits and only take the remaining courses required for the Associate’s Degree?

In general, we do not encourage this approach, as it limits the experience of a liberal arts education, which is central to the program. However, credit transfers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What a Liberal Arts and Sciences Education Is — and What It Is Not

If you’d like to learn more about the liberal arts and sciences, we recommend reading an article by Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President of Bard College. A Russian translation is also available on our website.   

More questions? 

Write to us at [email protected].