Ukraine : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

International students can study in universities, academies and institutions which have special licences to teach foreign students. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine controls the quality of educational services given to foreign students.

After four years of studying, a Bachelors degree is awarded, a specialist degree is awarded after five years (which is the most popular qualification) and a Masters degree is achieved after five-and-a-half to six years.

International students must complete a foundation year in which they will learn Russian or Ukrainian. However, some courses are available in English.

What courses are available?

A wide range of subjects are available, ranging from medicine to business administration.

A list of courses which are available in English can be found at Living and Studying in Ukraine  and Study in Ukraine also has further details on available courses.

Where can I study?

Links to higher education institutions in Ukraine are available at:

• Living and Studying in Ukraine 
• Universities Worldwide 

Most major universities have a website in English with specific information for international students.

Applying for postgraduate study

Entry requirements vary between courses and institutions. Contact the institution you wish to apply to for details.

It is essential to obtain a formal offer of a place on a course, known as an ‘invitation letter’, and produce evidence that you can pay the fees before a visa is granted. You should therefore apply well in advance, as it may take two months to get a visa once you have been offered a place on a course. Universities begin to issue their invitation letters by March/April each year.

You should make your application by contacting the institution where you wish to study, or enquire at your nearest Ukrainian embassy. The embassy will be able to provide details of the procedure. The usual process is to fill in an application form and send it off together with copies of your passport and qualification certificates.

You can also apply for courses taught in English through Study in Ukraine , who will charge a fee to make all the arrangements.

Fees and scholarships

Fees vary widely, depending on the course and institution. Courses taught in English are usually more expensive than courses taught in Ukrainian or Russian.

In addition, international students pay a health insurance fee of around $100. You should allow at least a further $2,000 for living expenses (based on accommodation in a student hostel).

At the time of writing, no details of scholarships for international students were available. Consult your nearest Ukrainian embassy for up-to-date information.

Some help may be available through Erasmus Mundus, depending on your course of study.

Are there any exchange programmes?

At the time of writing, no details of exchange programmes were available. Consult your institution's Erasmus representative (usually based in the international office or careers service) for help in finding out about possibilities.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

For information on whether your qualifications from Ukraine will be recognised in the UK, contact UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) . It is the national agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries.