What is the history of Higher Education in Ukraine?
To know about the education system in Ukraine, let us go back to the days of the late 16th century during which the Ukrainian higher education system started its operation after understanding the need and importance of education in Ukraine. Ostrozka School or commonly known as Ostrozkiy Greek-Slavic-Latin Collegium is the first Ukrainian higher education institute that was established in 1565 in Ostrog town of Ukraine, while Kyiv Mohyla Academy is the oldest university was established in 1632 and later in the year of 1694 it was officially recognized by the government. And when talking about the oldest universities, you should also say the name of Lviv University which got introduced in 1661. Now coming to the 19th century world education, Ukrainian higher education system saw the emergence of several other higher education institutes which are Khariv in 1805, Kiev in 1834, Odessa in 1865 and Chernivtsi in 1875. There were also a large number of institutes that incepted in the following years such as the Nizhyn Historical and Philological Institute, a institute for Veterinary learning and Institute for Technological education (both of which were set up in Khariv). In Kiev a Polytechnic Institute was inaugurated in 1898 and a Higher Mining School was incepted in Katerynoslov in the year of 1899. In the next 100 years, the Ukrainian higher education system saw tremendous success as the number of higher education institute rose to 146 with over 850, 000 students opting for different courses. At present, the figure has gone up to 1,586,700 students and Ukraine is flourishing highly in the higher education departments.
Is It Affordable to Study in Ukraine?
The most possible questions that should be arising now are what are the advantages of studying in Ukraine? Is Ukraine education good? Is it worth to study in the Ukraine? If you go back to the early days of education in Ukraine and study the Ukrainian education facts, you would find that citizens who were a part of the Soviet Union had access to education and was provided to them for free. But after independence, the university programs started demanding tuition charges due to budget constraints and students who wished to enrol themselves in the university programs now have to take a placement test in the last year of their school which would determine if they could be exempted from tuition fees or not. Students also received a stipend of 750 UAH every month.
Those who want to pursue a doctoral degree are treated in similar manner like the US graduates and they are expected to assist the faculty against a certain pay.
Even though online education is not yet famous in Ukraine but students enrol in some extramural college for distance education. During their distance study students are provided with all the assignments much before each semester. Ukrainian people who are working also have the benefit of pursuing higher education at the cost of their company.
Structures of Higher Education in Ukraine
Higher education in Ukraine consists of a three level structure which are incomplete, basic and complete educational levels equivalent to Junior Specialist, Bachelor, Specialist and Master. This structure dates back in 2002 which is later replaced by the Ministry of Education to Junior Bachelor, Bachelor’s and Master’s, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences.
As a Junior Specialist, students go through a training period of 2.5 to 3 years of training. The Bachelor education comprises of 240 ECTC credits during the 4 year study of professional level in economy, science, engineering, culture, arts. During the study of master’s, students need to have pre proficiency in handling tasks and duties at professional level. The master’s training continues for one or one and a half year consisting of 60 to 90 ECTS credits. Often having a grip over any foreign language is essential.
What are the list of Universities in Ukraine?
As per the Ministry of Education and Science the universities of academies that have been recognized and accredited in the top level are classical universities, technical universities, technological universities of construction and transportation, pedagogical universities of humanitarian, physical education and sports, cultural universities of arts and design, health care universities, agrarian universities, universities of finance, administration, entrepreneurship, law universities of enforcement, civil protection and life safety and any other private universities.
National University in Ukraine
The fourth accreditation level of higher education institutions is given the status of ‘National’ in Ukraine because of their work in research and scientific activity. The Ukrainian government assures the financial requirement for the research activities in these universities and provides awards of professional status, symbiotic and material incentives and also guarantees reward for employees of the higher educational institutes.
Post Graduation Structure in Ukraine
The post graduation education system is a lifelong learning and training for research professionals of Ukraine depending on the previous theoretical and practical education during the master’s.
Certificates that could be acquired in Ukraine
The Dylom Molodshoho Spetsialista (diploma or qualification Junior Specialist), Dylom Bakalavra (Diploma or qualification of Bachelor), Dyplom Spetsialista (Diploma or qualification of Specialist) and Dyplom Mahistra (Diploma or qualification of Master) are the four academic degrees awarded in Ukraine which confirms a higher education qualification. Diploma serves both as educational certificate and professional licence and assures the educational qualification and guarantees an academic degree.
