Kandidat (Russian: кандидат) or Candidate of Science (кандидат наук) is a holder of first post-graduate scientific degree in former USSR since 1934 and in some post-Soviet states, awarded on dissertation (the Doctor of Science is the next higher degree). It is roughly translated into the Ph.D., but not always recognized internationally as such, and in some official cases an additional certification is requested. This article is about the thesis in dialectics and academia. ... D.Sc, Sc. ... Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. ...

The work on a dissertation is commonly carried out during a postgraduate study called aspirantura (аспирантура) in Russian. It is performed either within an educational institution (such as a University) or a scientific research institution (such as an institute of the Academy of Sciences network). It may be also carried without direct relation to Academia. In outstanding cases the Kandidat degree may be awarded by the sum of published scientific works. Quaternary education or postgraduate education is the fourth-stage educational level which follows the completion of an undergraduate degree at a college or university. ... Academy of Sciences can refer to a national academy or another learned society dedicated to sciences. ...

A necessary prerequisite is passing an examination called kandidat minimum. In the Soviet Union, kandidiat minimum exams included exams in the special field of the dissertant, in foreign language of choice and in Scientific Communism.

The dissertation is presented in accredited educational or scientific insitutions before a Higher Attestation Commission or Higher Attestation Commission (высшая аттестационная комиссия, ВАК). The all-union one was the "Higher Attestation Commission under the USSR Council of Ministers"; every Union republic had its own HAC. The seeker of the degree must have an official "scientific supervisor" (научный руководитель), sometimes a formal issue. The presentation is literally called "defence of dissertation" in Russian. The dissertation must be delivered together with official references of several reviewers called "opponents" (оппоненты) In a procedure called the "defence of the dissertation" the dissertation is summarized before the Commission, followed by speeches of the opponents or reading of their references.

There were two forms of presentation: "open defence" and "closed defence". "Open" means that general public is admitted to the session. "Closed" means nobody is admitted but the immediate participants. The latter one is performed when topic is declared to be a matter of national security. It is widely recognized that "closed" dissertations were often below real scientific merits and arranged for Soviet apparatchiks that were to hold an office that by statute required a scientific degree. Security measures taken to protect the Houses of Parliament in London, England. ... See Apparatchik (disambiguation) for other meanings. ...