Russian word «подфак», what is it? This is a word formed by the abbreviation of the phrase «подготовительный факультет» (preparatory faculty). In the Russian education system, there are special preparatory departments for applicants from around the world - these are group university courses in specialized subjects. These are mainly paid programs designed for a year. The main subject of these courses is the Russian language. Basic Russian can be learned quite quickly if you study on an intensive program for about 4-6 hours a day. His knowledge will allow you to enter the Russian-language bachelor's and master's programs. Their cost is lower than in English. In addition to Russian, the preparatory department also studies specialization subjects - history, mathematics, biology and others, the knowledge of which is necessary for passing the entrance exams. The programs of the preparatory departments may differ among themselves and in their specifics - it can be preparation for a bachelor's or master's degree.