Before the war, Ukraine was a study destination that hosted tens of thousands of international students, especially in medicine, dentistry and engineering. However, since 2022, security conditions in the country have been seriously affected by the ongoing war. For this reason, NGGlobal does not currently recommend that students study in Ukraine in person.
Students and families considering travel to Ukraine should always follow the latest travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. On this page, in addition to general information about Ukraine's higher education system, you can find out about distance learning options, transfer opportunities for students whose studies in Ukraine were interrupted, and alternative countries offering similar programs.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe on the coast of the Black Sea. Its capital is Kyiv, its official language is Ukrainian and its currency is the Ukrainian hryvnia. The country has candidate status for membership of the European Union.
Before the war, Ukraine was a popular study destination, especially among students from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, thanks to its affordable tuition fees and low cost of living. Many students from Türkiye also chose Ukraine, particularly for medicine and dentistry.
Higher education in Ukraine consists of public and private universities. Bachelor's programs usually last four years, and master's programs one and a half or two years. Medicine and dentistry are offered as five- or six-year single-cycle programs.
Ukraine is part of the Bologna Process. The language of instruction at universities is mostly Ukrainian, but there are English-taught programs for international students in some fields, particularly medicine. The academic year starts in September.
Ukraine has a long academic tradition, especially in medicine, engineering, aviation and IT. The country's medical universities have been teaching international students in English for many years. In engineering and aviation, there is a strong technical education infrastructure dating back to the Soviet era.
Wartime conditions have changed the way many universities operate. Some universities continue teaching partly or fully online, while others have relocated their campuses to safer regions. As a result, study conditions vary greatly from university to university.
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute are among Ukraine's oldest and most prestigious universities. V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Lviv Polytechnic National University are also among the country's leading institutions.
In medicine, Bogomolets National Medical University, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University and Odesa National Medical University are among the institutions most often chosen by international students. The National Aviation University is known for aviation education.
Before the war, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy were the most popular programs among international students in Ukraine. The opportunity to study medicine in English at affordable fees made Ukraine a popular country in this field.
Computer engineering, software, aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering and business were also among the fields that attracted international students. Despite wartime conditions, Ukraine stands out as a country that has largely sustained its IT sector.
Since the start of the war, many Ukrainian universities have begun offering distance or blended learning options so that international students can continue their studies online. This allows some students to follow their classes without traveling to the country.
However, there may be serious problems with the recognition of degrees obtained through distance learning in Türkiye and other countries, especially in fields that require practical training such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. That is why, before considering a distance learning option, you must check whether the degree can be recognized in Türkiye under YÖK's current rules.
Students whose studies in Ukraine were interrupted by the war can transfer to continue their education in another country. Many universities in countries such as Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Georgia consider applications from students coming from Ukraine and may recognize the courses they have completed as credits.
Transfer applications usually require a transcript, course descriptions, a certificate of enrollment and a language certificate. The amount of credit each university accepts and its requirements vary. At NGGlobal, we assess the documents of students whose studies in Ukraine were interrupted and work with them to find the most suitable country and university.
Students who were considering Ukraine for an affordable English-taught medical education can also find similar programs in European Union countries. Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic offer English-taught medicine, dentistry and pharmacy programs at fees that are more affordable than in Western Europe. Degrees from these countries are recognized in the European Union.
In engineering and IT, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary offer good options with their strong technical universities and growing technology sectors. Government scholarships such as Hungary's Stipendium Hungaricum can also significantly reduce costs.
The recognition of degrees obtained abroad in Türkiye depends on the recognition assessment of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). In fields such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, additional exams and requirements set by YÖK may apply for recognition.
Recognition conditions may be different for courses and degrees completed through distance learning during the war. That is why it is very important for students who are studying or considering studying in Ukraine to check YÖK's current rules before making enrollment or transfer decisions.
Since the war in Ukraine is ongoing, security conditions in the country have been seriously affected. NGGlobal does not currently recommend studying in Ukraine in person. We recommend that you follow the travel advisories of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest situation.
Some Ukrainian universities offer international students distance or blended learning options. However, degrees obtained through distance learning, especially in health fields, may not be recognized in Türkiye.
Yes, many universities in countries such as Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic consider transfer applications. How many of your completed courses will be recognized depends on the university.
Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic are European Union countries that offer English-taught medicine and dentistry programs at affordable fees. Degrees from these countries are recognized in the EU.
The recognition of degrees obtained abroad in Türkiye depends on YÖK's recognition assessment. You should check YÖK's current rules, especially for programs completed through distance learning during the war.
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