At present, the FAAS is one of the world's major centres for the study and teaching of languages, literatures, cultures, international relations, economics, religions and history of the Asian and African Countries. 170 highly qualified specialists including 2 academicians, 33 professors and 56 associate professors are on the teaching staff of the Faculty. The vast regions of the Middle and the Far East, Central Asia and the Caucasus, Southeast Asia and Africa are subject matters studied at the Faculty. The number of Asian and African languages taught here is unparalleled at universities elsewhere in the world. Within the general programme “Asian and African Studies” students have ample opportunities to choose from almost 100 Asian and African languages and dialects to study. 17 departments making up the FAAS provide training in а wide range of academic disciplines related to history, literature, linguistics, ethnography, and area studies, thus covering 50 degree specialisations. Every year admission is open to 14-15 degree programmes depending on the Faculty’s admission scheme for a particular academic year. The average group is of 7-9 students. Graduation requirements include proficiency in two or three Oriental languages as well as in some of European languages (English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish are the most common).