Higher Education in Ukraine

Higher education is considered to be one of the main human values in Ukraine. The structure of the higher education of Ukraine is built up according to the structure of education in the developed countries of the world as determined by UNESCO, UN and other international organizations.

The higher education includes two major educational levels, namely basic higher education and full higher education. The higher education constitutes integral part of the system of education in Ukraine as provided for by the Law of Ukraine "Of Education". It ensures the fundamental scientific, professional and practical training by the following educational and qualification degrees: "Junior Specialist", "Bachelor", "Specialist”, “Master", - as well as scientific degrees of Candidate of Sciences (associate Professor) and Doctor of Sciences.

Training of specialists in higher educational institutions may be carried out with the interruption of work (full-time department), without interruption of work (correspondence department).

Admission of citizens to higher educational establishments is made on the competitive basis according to skills and regardless of the form of an educational institution ownership and sources of payment for education. If applicants want to have a good command of the subjects in which they will take examinations, they attend preliminary courses. Ukraine numbers a total of 1.5 million college-and-university students.

Most students receive grants. The amount depends on the results of the previous set of examinations and the students’ social activity.

The first two years of study are generally the most difficult as the new students have a lot of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Apart from major subjects and its allied subjects, students follow courses in Philosophy and Economics. Sport is also compulsory during the first years of study. Many higher educational establishments have stadiums, gymnasiums, swimming pools and games areas. Most higher schools have their own student dormitories and recreational complexes.

Ukraine is a party to intergovernmental agreements on education with 32 countries and our country cooperates with more than 50 international educational organizations, programs, and foundations. Through international contacts, the Ukrainian higher schools contribute a great deal to strengthening friendship and cooperation among different countries and to mutual enrichment.

Higher education in Ukraine has a long and rich history. Its students, graduates and scientists have long been known and appreciated worldwide. The pioneering researches of scholars working in the country’s higher education institutions and academies, such as Dmytro Mendeleyev, Mykola Zhukovsky, and Yeugeny Paton, are important part of the universal history of scientific progress. Ukraine’s higher educational system fulfils important social functions creating intellectual potential of Ukraine as a new independent state entering the world community.

Comprehensive check

1. How is the structure of the higher education of Ukraine built up?

2. What educational levels does the higher education in Ukraine include?

3. What forms of teaching are there in the higher schools of Ukraine?

4. Why do applicants attend preliminary courses?

5. What does the amount of student grant depend on?

6. What subjects do students study at higher educational establishments?

7. Is sport compulsory during the study?

8. Where do students live while studying?

9. What do you know about international cooperation of Ukraine in the field of higher education?

10) What role do the Ukrainian higher schools play in the international contacts?