Ukraine
Although some UK companies operate in Ukraine, opportunities for new graduates may be rare. Finding work with a Ukrainian company, although not impossible, is unlikely.
Application in response to an advertisement is usually by CV, but speculative applications and word of mouth are also means of finding work. If you do approach a company speculatively, ensure you explain why you want to move to Ukraine and what you hope to achieve. You should target your application to their specific organisation. They need to understand why employing you, rather than a Ukrainian citizen, would be beneficial to them. It may be useful to supply certificates or other documents relating to your qualifications at the time of application, so the potential employer can see how suitable you are.
It is also possible to find jobs on Ukrainian job websites. Although usually targeted at Ukraine nationals, they do include some jobs for foreigners and English native speakers. When answering these adverts it is usually possible to send in your CV electronically or use an online application form. Check to see if applications are accepted in English and if not stated, assume a Ukrainian-based CV or application is required.
CVs are similar in content and layout to those used in the UK. Keep information brief and target the CV at the employer you are approaching. See CVs and covering letters for more information on constructing a CV.
Interview processes depend on the type of job applied for.
Interviews usually involve at least two stages: an initial interview with someone from Human Resources, then a further interview with the potential line manager.
Some recruiters use combinations of several interviews (perhaps with the HR manager, potential line manager, senior manager and the company director), psychometric testing, assessment centre, collection of references and security service checks.
Ukraine is a member of ENIC-NARIC, a network of national centres that aims to improve recognition of qualifications and periods of study in European Union (EU) member states, EEA countries and associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The website includes information on current issues in international, academic and professional mobility, and on procedures for the recognition of UK (and other European) qualifications.
If you are planning to live and work in Ukraine, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any pension rights.
The below websites are in Russian or Ukrainian:
More links are available through:
You may be able to find networking opportunities through the Ukrainian-British City Club (UBCC), the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) or the British Ukrainian Society.
Openings are more likely with UK or multinational companies operating in Ukraine.
An employment fair for recent graduates and young professionals is held twice a year in Kiev. See the Kyiv Post for details. Attending this fair could be useful if you are a graduate with language skills seeking work in Ukraine.
Some vacancies can be found through speculative applications or word of mouth. Use the company contacts listed under job market to make speculative applications.
AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) arranges paid and voluntary placements for students and recent graduates to 100 countries, including Ukraine. Placements lasting from 8 weeks to 18 months take the form of traineeships in management, technical and development roles. Accommodation and support are provided.
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) arranges practical and relevant traineeships for science and engineering students. Placements are available in Ukraine.
Since independence in Ukraine, there has been a growing demand for teachers of English. Although it is possible to enter the country and then find employment as an English teacher, it is strongly recommended that you arrange your teaching post through a UK-based organisation. They will usually help you with your visa and accommodation and may also offer support when you are in post.
A teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) qualification is sometimes preferred and is required for many positions in schools.
Opportunities are available through:
You can get more ideas from:
Universities and other educational providers in Ukraine recruit UK graduates to teach not only English as a foreign language, but other courses in English, so contacting universities or non-governmental organisations directly may be useful.
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.
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.
Links to higher education institutions in Ukraine are available at:
Most major universities have a website in English with specific information for international students.
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 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.
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.
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.
EU nationals do not need a visa to enter Ukraine if they wish to stay for up to 90 days. Citizens of non-EU countries may be required to have these documents. See the Ukrainian Embassy website for more details.
If you are planning to work or study you will need a visa. Contact your nearest Ukrainian embassy for details of the application process. Contact details for embassies are available from Embassy World .
EU nationals do not need to apply for a visa to enter Ukraine but will need one if they are planning to work or study there.
If you wish to work in the Ukraine, your potential employer will need to apply for permission from the Ukrainian Ministry for Work and prove that the job could not be filled by a Ukrainian national.
Your employer will then send you a work permit which you will need to include in your visa application.
For a student visa, you will need a letter of invitation from the university or Ministry of Education of Ukraine.
If you are not a UK national, contact the Ukrainian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to Ukrainian Embassy.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Ukraine.
For details of requirements for a permanent residency application, see the Ukrainian Embassy website.
The Ukrainian State Employment Office provides general information in English about employment in Ukraine and offers a job application service accessible by mobile phone. You will also find links to the web pages (in Ukrainian) of local employment offices.
Some Ukrainian universities offer careers support; check with individual universities to see what help is available and who is able to access it.
The British Embassy Ukraine can help British citizens with issues such as lost or stolen passports, falling victim to a crime and serious illness or death:
Other emergency telephone numbers:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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