Ukraine has virtually a 100% literacy rate with nearly 15% of the adult population having completed higher education. Of the remaining 85%, 7% have completed only elementary school, and 78% have completed secondary education.

While Ukrainian is the most commonly taught language and medium of instruction, other languages, such as Russian, Hungarian, Polish, Moldovan, or Crimean-Tatar, are offered based on the ethnic composition of the particular school district. Most schools are state run. In the 21,720 general primary schools, there were 2,658,800 students enrolled in 1994. There were 4,731,200 students enrolled in secondary schools in the same year. The pupil-teacher ratio at the primary level was estimated at 21 to 1 in 1999. In 1996, institutions of higher learning enrolled 1,541,000 students. As of 1999, public expenditure on education was estimated at 4.4% of GDP.

Higher education in Ukraine

Higher education in Ukraine is managed by the Ministry of Education which coordinates the activities of higher schools and supervises the higher schools which are under other ministries. According to the "Law on Education", higher education includes the following levels and categories of establishment: level I -  vocational schools and other HEIs of a corresponding level; level II - colleges and other HEIs of a corresponding level which teach Bachelor and junior specialist courses; level III - institutes, conservatories,academies and universities that teach Bachelor's and Specialist, as well as junior specialist courses; and  level IV - institutes, conservatories, academies and universities which teach Bachelor's, Master's and Specialist courses. The degree system is under reform: The old system had only one stage of undergraduate studies, the degree of "Specialist", awarded after 5 years of study. The new system comprises two stages: undergraduate and graduate, with several degree levels. A Union of Rectors was created in 1993.

Academic year:
Classes from: September to June
Long vacation from: July, 1  to: August, 31
Languages of instruction: Russian, Ukrainian, English
Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Since 1992 the whole system of Ukrainian postsecondary education is considered "higher education". According to the "Law on Education", the following levels and categories of establishments offer higher vocational education: level I - technical and vocational schools; level II - technicums and colleges. They award the qualification of Junior Specialist. Level III institutes are university-level institutions. Graduates from post-secondary vocational schools must sit for final examinations and defend a graduation thesis/work. The Diploma confers a right to employment at a pre-set level or the right to continue training in institutions of a higher level.

University level studies:

University level: Bakalavr (Bachelor), Specialist:

The academic and professional diploma of Bakalavr (BA, BEd., BMed.) is generally awarded after four years of successful study (six years for Medicine). The Bakalavr programme comprises basic higher education and professional training in a given field. It is an intermediate degree. The degree (Diplom) of Specialist is awarded after five or six years of study, depending on the type of institution.

University level: Magister (Master):

The Magister (Master's Degree) is awarded on the basis of a Bachelor's Degree or Specialist's qualification generally one to two years after the first degree. Students must pass final examinations and defend a thesis.

Acedemic Proficiency Level : Doctoral Degree-1:

Ukraine keeps a two-degree system at doctoral level: Kandydat nauk (Candidate of Sciences, comparable to the Ph.D.), and Doctor nauk. The first qualification is obtained after three or four years of study by submitting and publicly defending a thesis and passing the required examinations. The candidate's thesis can be prepared while following various forms of post-graduate studies.

Academic Proficiency Level: Doctoral Degree-2:

The  "Doctor nauk" is the highest scientific degree in Ukraine, comparable to "Habilitation" in some Western countries. It is awarded to candidates already holding a "Kandidat nauk", on the successful presentation and defence of the "Doctor nauk" (habilitation) dissertation. The Habilitation dissertation should represent a major contribution to the development of a given field or branch of learning, and has to be published entirely or at least its main parts.

Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Atestat/Matriculation School Certificate
Minimum score/requirement: satisfactory
For entry to: all institutions of higher education
Entrance exams required: Entrance examination, qualification test or qualifying interview for some university level studies. The marks are determined by each institution or department.
Numerus clausus/restrictions: Specific ability requirements are set for artistic studies, physical education and architectural preservation studies. A certain age limit is also set.
Other admission requirements: Physical and mental predisposition of candidates to work in a certain professional field must first be ascertained.

Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A person not having Ukrainian citizenship.
Admission requirements: Students must hold a secondary school leaving certificate giving access to higher education.
Entry regulations: The possession of a student visa is necessary. Students must be officially admitted by the Rector of the chosen institution.
Health requirements: Candidates seeking admission to higher studies should submit a health certificate.
Language requirements: Students must be proficient in Ukrainian or Russian. A 9 to 10 month course is offered in each university or institution.They  then sit for an examination which gives entry to the institution.

Application procedures:
Apply to individual institution for entry to: Institution selected (for addresses see List of institutions) and all academic programmes of this institution.
Apply to national body for entry to: All higher education institutions and all academic programmes.

Application closing dates:
For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 1 March
For university level studies: 1 March
For advanced/doctoral studies: 1 March