The paper is focused on the problem of estimating costs which are incurred by customers, suppliers and regulators in the Russian system of public procurement. In this paper we adapted the methodology elaborated by PwC for research on 30 countries in European Commission in 2011 for Russian conditions. On this methodological basis we estimated procurement costs of one big Russian public customer - Voronezh state university (VSU). We showed that in absolute terms cost of procurement in VSU is comparable with average level in EU. However as a percentage of purchased goods and services cost of procurement in EU is 8 times lower. We explain the reasons for this large gap and formulate policy recommendations both for public customers and relevant authorities in the context of the Russian Federation.

The article contains a review of papers which analyse and criticise the methodology of the main world university rankings presented in the English-language literature. It is preceded by a brief description of structure of the three largest rankings: ARWU, QS, THE. The main directions of criticism are: specifics of the set of rating system indicators; problems of using the main types of indicators: the bibliometric ones and the peer review ones; problems of weighting indicators and their aggregation into one index. A number of researchers conclude that the opportunities of using the results of university rankings are quite limited.

Increase of independence of higher educational institutions leads to increased responsibility for efficiency of their activity. The orientation of many higher education institutions on a survival in the conditions of the market demands serious changes in management of them as in some cases traditional methods of management in modern conditions of development of the Russian higher education are insolvent. In this regard there is a need for studying problems of formation and management of reputation of higher education institution as one of competitive advantages in the market of the higher education.

General and specific determinants of scientific research development in higher education are accentuated as an essential prerequisite for transition of higher education institutions to a breakthrough stage. The article outlines methodology defects in higher education institutions reform which is based on the use of mainly formal instruments and methods. Based on the proposed system of essential characteristics of a researcher's creative potential and his status, the article formulates the necessity of dialectical contingency of a researcher's creative potential reproduction, his status and an efficient contract system. A proposition for advisability of academic teaching staff (researcher) status Concept development is brought forward.

The article considers matters of connecting National System of Qualifications basic components with the higher education connection sphere. It analyzes the problem of developing professional standards and gives recommendations for HEI-employer social partnership in the aspect of forming competence-oriented educational programs.

The article starts with reviewing of major sociological approaches to higher education (education as accumulation of professional capital, education as class distinction, education as age moratorium, etc.). We then derive hypotheses from each of the theories on how the process of choosing between specialties is organized. Each of the models of student choice is then tested against objective data on application to different specialties of a large university using multiple regression and social network analysis. It seems that the model of opportunistic professionalism fits the data best: the prospective students choose their preferred specialty early, probably on the basis of projected financial returns, and prepare for them purposefully for a long period of time. When it proves unavailable, however, they easily shift to less attractive options. Paid education programs serve as inferior goods to the public-funded ones.

The article considers the role of management in implementing qualitative changes in the instructional process that meet present-day challenges on the example of managerial education. The article presents key areas of improvement for the education paradigm of professional training of managers, with the core being a fundamentally new instructional method.

The paper highlights the main trends and the most common problems of the implementation of joint (double) degree programs (JDP) in Russian and foreign universities. Analysis focuses on the strategic decisions and the organizational approaches to development and implementation of JDP in the context of internationalization and competitive growth strategy on the example of Kazan University. The analysis is based on a systematic approach and a lifecycle model of JDP, developed by the JOIMAN Network experts. The authors provide recommendations for further development of the emerging system of JDP in Russian universities.

An article focuses on the experiences of leading exporting countries, Great Britain and Germany in recruiting foreign students and competition at the global education market.