How to Study in Ukraine for International Students

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From affordable tuition and living costs to many accredited programs, Ukraine is an excellent destination to pursue your studies abroad. Not only that, the mild climate in the country can be enticing to many international students, as well as the possibility of obtaining permanent residency status. Finally, universities in the country offer preparatory courses, allowing students to learn the Ukrainian language.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Ukraine currently has 167 universities, from which 156 universities are a part of the public sector and 11 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Ukraine you should definitely check out are Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

Being able to study in Ukraine as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Ukraine, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Ukraine

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Ukraine, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 5,000 UAH to 196,400 UAH, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 8,000 UAH and 470,800 UAH.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Ukraine

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Ukraine, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
National Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine 62,400 UAH 66,000 UAH
Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University 58,400 UAH - 77,200 UAH 65,700 UAH - 73,000 UAH
Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University 44,100 UAH
Rivne State Humanitarian University 55,300 UAH - 73,800 UAH 59,000 UAH - 73,800 UAH
Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design 44,000 UAH - 71,500 UAH 58,700 UAH - 80,700 UAH
Odessa National Maritime University 44,700 UAH - 69,900 UAH 55,900 UAH - 69,900 UAH
State University of Infrastructure and Technology 33,900 UAH - 58,000 UAH 53,600 UAH - 62,400 UAH
Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport 13,800 UAH - 21,000 UAH 15,700 UAH - 27,300 UAH
Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology 59,000 UAH 64,700 UAH
Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding 86,400 UAH 99,200 UAH
Donetsk National Medical University 129,200 UAH - 136,600 UAH
South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University 55,200 UAH - 62,500 UAH 55,400 UAH - 73,900 UAH
Oles Honchar Dnipro National University 55,000 UAH - 73,400 UAH 55,000 UAH
National University of Ostroh Academy 29,900 UAH - 46,400 UAH 38,900 UAH - 54,800 UAH
Kharkiv National University of Arts 147,800 UAH 147,800 UAH
National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture 196,400 UAH 117,700 UAH - 470,800 UAH
Lugansk State Medical University 5,000 UAH
Odessa National Medical University 146,900 UAH 162,500 UAH
National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine 50,600 UAH 53,300 UAH - 59,900 UAH
Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University 117,700 UAH - 132,400 UAH
Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University 54,700 UAH 73,000 UAH
Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University 73,500 UAH - 91,900 UAH 73,500 UAH
Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas 66,100 UAH - 80,800 UAH 71,700 UAH - 84,500 UAH
Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University 54,700 UAH - 59,300 UAH 38,300 UAH - 47,400 UAH
Zhytomyr State Technological University 62,000 UAH 62,000 UAH
V.I. Vernadsky Taurida National University 55,400 UAH - 96,000 UAH 62,800 UAH - 96,000 UAH
Lutsk National Technical University 39,000 UAH 39,000 UAH
National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute” 82,700 UAH - 117,700 UAH 82,700 UAH - 123,200 UAH
Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics 44,300 UAH 57,500 UAH
Odesa State Agrarian University 29,800 UAH - 39,100 UAH 18,000 UAH - 23,800 UAH
Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture 58,600 UAH - 62,300 UAH 62,300 UAH - 69,600 UAH
Stepan Gzhytsky National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies of Lviv 45,000 UAH - 46,000 UAH 58,000 UAH - 70,000 UAH
Oleksandr Dovzhenko Hlukhiv National Pedagogical University 35,100 UAH - 40,400 UAH 40,600 UAH
Kyiv National Economic University 58,800 UAH 91,800 UAH
Ukrainian National Forestry University 55,100 UAH 62,500 UAH
National Transport University 66,100 UAH 68,300 UAH
Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University 58,700 UAH 58,700 UAH
Dnipro University of Technology 71,700 UAH - 79,100 UAH 75,400 UAH - 82,700 UAH
Lviv University of Trade and Economics 55,400 UAH 66,400 UAH
Nizhyn Gogol State University 49,800 UAH - 53,300 UAH 50,500 UAH - 52,500 UAH
Kherson State Maritime Academy 31,900 UAH - 35,500 UAH 35,700 UAH - 40,100 UAH
Vinnytsia National Agrarian University 8,000 UAH - 13,500 UAH 8,000 UAH - 13,500 UAH
Cherkasy State Technological University 55,200 UAH 58,800 UAH
Lviv State University of Physical Culture 36,300 UAH 46,700 UAH
Dnepropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs 44,100 UAH - 45,800 UAH
Poltava State Medical University 85,100 UAH - 100,500 UAH 141,800 UAH - 167,600 UAH
Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University 110,200 UAH
National University of Pharmacy 104,700 UAH 136,000 UAH - 158,000 UAH
Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University 76,000 UAH
Bukovinian State Medical University 106,500 UAH - 158,000 UAH
O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University 147,000 UAH - 172,700 UAH
National University Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic 55,000 UAH 65,000 UAH
National University of Food Technologies 36,500 UAH - 44,600 UAH 40,100 UAH - 46,800 UAH
Uzhhorod National University 40,800 UAH - 48,200 UAH 74,200 UAH - 92,700 UAH
National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute 47,000 UAH - 68,600 UAH 56,000 UAH - 71,400 UAH
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy 111,300 UAH
Kharkiv National Medical University 128,700 UAH 165,500 UAH - 239,000 UAH
Kharkiv National University of Radioelectronics 51,700 UAH - 62,800 UAH 55,400 UAH - 73,900 UAH
National Pedagogical Dragomanov University 64,300 UAH 73,100 UAH
Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University 66,200 UAH - 73,600 UAH 91,900 UAH - 110,300 UAH
Sumy State University 66,500 UAH - 73,900 UAH 73,900 UAH - 81,300 UAH
Ivan Franko National University of Lviv 47,300 UAH 60,100 UAH
Lviv Polytechnic National University 59,200 UAH - 77,700 UAH 74,000 UAH - 92,500 UAH
National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” 74,000 UAH - 111,000 UAH 85,100 UAH - 129,600 UAH
Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University 129,200 UAH - 195,600 UAH 232,500 UAH

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Ukraine

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya 146,700 UAH - 190,800 UAH
KROK University 51,000 UAH - 83,600 UAH 52,800 UAH - 91,400 UAH
European University 55,400 UAH - 76,400 UAH 66,800 UAH - 84,000 UAH
Alfred Nobel University 81,200 UAH - 110,700 UAH 84,900 UAH - 147,600 UAH
Ukrainian Catholic University 75,000 UAH - 315,000 UAH

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Ukraine, check out the Cheap Universities in Ukraine!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Ukraine for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Ukraine, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Ukraine, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Ukraine may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Ukraine are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Ukraine and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Kyiv National Economic University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Dnipro State Medical University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Ukraine

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Ukraine have online applications available on their websites, like Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Ukraine.

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”

V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Ukraine differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Ukraine.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Ukraine

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Ukraine. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Ukraine as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Ukraine. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long Stay Visa (Type D).

To start your student visa application in Ukraine, you will need to present the following:

  1. Passport or travel documents with at least 3 months validity after intended departure from Ukraine
  2. Printed and signed application form
  3. 1 photo
  4. Proof of valid medical insurance
  5. Proof of sufficient funds
  6. Application fee payment receipt

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Ukraine is 65 USD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Consult with the nearest embassy or consulate about additional requirements to apply for a student visa.
  2. Submit a complete application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the nearest embassy or consulate, or any of Ukraine’s Visa Application Centers near you.
  3. Await visa application decision.
  4. Receive your student visa once approved.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Ukraine. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!