Candidate of Sciences

A Candidate of Sciences or Candidate of Science (Russian: кандидат наук, romanized: kandidat nauk, Ukrainian: кандидат наук, romanized: kandydat nauk, Belarusian: кандыдат навук, romanized: kandydat navuk) is the first of two doctoral level scientific degrees in Russia and some of the Commonwealth of Independent States and was the first of two doctoral level degrees in some other countries (Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, etc.). It is formally classified as UNESCO's ISCED level 8, "doctoral or equivalent." It may be recognized as a Doctor of Philosophy, usually in natural sciences, by scientific institutions in other countries. Former Soviet countries also have a more advanced degree, Doctor of Sciences.