Moscow ladies’ university

Higher education became accessible for female in Russia only at the end of the XIX century, the first educational institution transformed into the Pedagogical University later on. The building was constructed in 1914 as a school building of Moscow Ladies’ University. The main complex was located at the beginning of Malaya Tsaritsynskaya (now Malaya Pirogovskaya ) street. Moscow Higher Ladies' Courses (aka women's courses of Guerrier) were opened in 1872 according to Vladimir Ivanovich Guerrie, historian, professor at the Moscow University, who became Courses Director later on. The basis of this private school was associated with an increasing desire of Russian ladies to acquire higher education, which they had been deprived of. Women in Russia were not given the right to enroll in universities or other higher education institution. However, the Higher Women's Courses initially received only the status of a general education institution, and their graduation did not give them the right to obtain a university degree. The diploma given to the students allowed only the right to teach certain disciplines in women's gymnasiums. First courses were located in the building of the 1st Men gymnasium on Volhonka, then - in the building of the Polytechnic Museum. Curriculum was originally calculated for two years and was extended for another year later. Courses taught a liberal arts education: basic subjects were history, literature, art history, philosophy. Also, girl students were taught math, physics, astronomy - but on a smaller scale. Lectures were conducted mainly by Moscow University professors. It was specifically stated in the charter of the course. Course was supervised by Teachers Council, headed by Professor Sergei Mikhailovich Soloviev. Course gave a paid education, some girl-students’ education was financed by charitable donations. In 1886, due to the tightening of state policy in regard to educational institutions for courses reception was banned, and in 1888 it was closed down completely. After 12 years, in 1900 it was decided to revive the Moscow Ladies's Higher Courses, and Professor V.I. Guerrier became the Director again. Partially Course budget was allocated by the Ministry of Education. The term of the courses was increased to 4 years, and curriculum was divided in two departments (faculties) - the history of philosophy (later renamed the History and Philology) and physics- math departments. Courses were taught by the best teachers of the Moscow University. New medical faculty appeared in 1906 and so the structure of courses was almost close to the structure of classical university education. Finally, the course was given a status of a higher education institution in 1915. Then the Course was given the right to issue the high education diplomas to female students. Thus, the courses became in fact Moscow Ladies’ University. All this contributed to the popularity of the Higher Ladies’ Courses: by 1918 the number of students was more than eight thousand. Only the Moscow University taught more students at that time in the city. As the number of girl students only increased from year to year, soon there was need to construct a separate Course building. Moscow Council allocated land for courses of the Devichye pole (Virgin's Field), where the construction of new school buildings began in 1907. Course got a new director - Professor Sergey Chaplygin. The main auditory building was built on the corner of Malaya Tsaritsin street and Trubeckoy lane (now - Kholzunov lane ), designed by architect Sergei Solovyov Ustsinovich. Nearby is a medical building with an anatomical theater and physics and mathematics building. The last auditorium designed by architect Otto Wilhelm von Dessin was built at the end of the street Malaya Tsaritsin street (29 Malaya Pirogov Street). The building was equipped with an observatory - one of the few in Moscow. After the revolution of 1917 the Moscow Higher Ladies's Courses were converted in the 2nd Moscow State University. In 1919, the History and Philology and Mathematics and Physics departments were included in the Moscow State University (the 1st MSU). Faculty of Education, the new department was created in the 2nd Moscow State University in 1921. Later, on the basis of the faculty Moscow State Pedagogical Institute (University) was founded, which now occupies the former main building of the Ladies’ courses (1 Malaya Pirogov Street) and academic building on 29 Malaya Pirogov.