Within the years of independence of Ukraine there have been taken the major steps in the development of the national education system, as evidenced by the entry of Ukrainian education into the European and world educational system, the Bologna process.

Today, the educational potential of Ukraine has allowed us to hit top 10 countries in the sector of international education, as evidenced by the current demand for higher education in Ukraine by citizens of other countries.

The Ukrainian diploma has a wide international recognition, and the level of professional training is highly evaluated by foreign employers.

Every year the number of foreigners getting education in Ukraine is increasing. Thus, in the 2013/2014 academic year, the contingent of foreign citizens in the higher educational institutions of Ukraine was about 70 000 students from 145 countries around the world.

In Ukraine, there are higher educational institutions of the state, communal and private ownership forms of the following types: university, academy, institute, conservatory (Academy of Music), college, training school (college).

The preparation of foreign citizens is carried out by about 240 higher educational institutions, among which there are mainly state institutions, and about 20% of private universities.

The education of foreigners is carried out on full-time, part-time and online study modes.

In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” Ukrainian universities provide the following levels of higher education:

Pre-university level:

– Bachelor Junior – period of education 2 – 4 years (colleges, training schools).

University level:

– Bachelor – period of education 4 years;

– Master – period of education 1 – 2 years;

– Doctor of philosophy – period of education 3 years;

– Doctor of Science – period of education 3 years.

The admission of foreign citizens in the institutions of higher education in Ukraine is carried out based on the results of the interview and on the basis of examining the previous education documents by the committee of the university. The requirements for the performance level of foreign applicants are determined by each institution separately.

The education of foreigners is carried out in Ukrainian or Russian, but currently universities actively offer English-language programs.

Foreign citizens, who do not speak Russian or Ukrainian languages, have an opportunity to learn them within a 10-month training at the preparatory department of the universities, after the successful completion of which they can continue their education at the basic faculties of higher educational institutions of Ukraine.

At the preparatory department foreign citizens can gain not only linguistic skills, but also the knowledge of the basic disciplines, which are necessary for further education according to the areas/specialties you have chosen.

Education of foreigners in higher educational institutions of Ukraine is carried out on a contract basis. The approximate cost of education for foreigners ranges from $ 1000 to $ 3000 per year and from $ 2,000 to $ 6,000 per year in medical specialties.

Education at the preparatory department of the universities ranges from $ 1,000 to $ 2,000. Foreigners, for whom Ukraine provides state scholarships under the international treaties, government programs of Ukraine or other international obligations of Ukraine, are accepted for education on the basis of the referrals of the Ministry of Education and Science as it is required by these agreements and programs.

Foreigners, who have got complete secondary education in foreign schools with studying the Ukrainian language, and foreign Ukrainians, whose status is confirmed by the certificate of foreign Ukrainians, can also get free education on the basis of quotas for foreign Ukrainians, established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

Foreigners permanently residing in Ukraine legally have the right to get higher education on equal terms with the citizens of Ukraine.