Since 1917, the higher education system in the Soviet Union has been developing as a completely democratized system. All citizens have equal rights to education, and secondary and higher education are accessible to all citizens of the Soviet Union regardless of property, social status, nationality, sex, religion, or political convictions. Such democratization of education leads inevitably to certain problems, especially the problem of space and funds for quality education for all who might desire a higher education. Thus, careful planning is needed to anticipate the numbers of students who will wish to enroll in the higher education institutions of the Soviet Union. This document presents some guidelines and principles of educational planning as are used in Russia, and a description of the types of institutions that are now in existence and their various functions both in terms of serving students and in terms of research. (HS)