Around 85,000 foreign students from 148 countries study in Ukraine, and half of them study in the Ukrainian language. Almost half are students from post-Soviet countries, but every year we can see an increasing number of students from India, Nigeria, and other African countries.

Why do foreigners still choose Ukrainian universities?

Many high-ranking officials in Asian and African countries were educated in Ukraine during the Soviet era
– Traditionally, since Soviet times, they know that Ukraine has had quality education, and many high-ranking officials in Asian and African countries received their education in Ukraine during Soviet times. They know that if they get a quality education, they can get a good job in their country. Also, the conditions offered to them are interesting, in particular, English-language programs really attract foreigners. That is, they want to get an education that is recognized in the world.

Who are foreign students in Ukraine?

Foreigners in Ukraine can study at 185 universities. The largest number of students in Ukraine are from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, India, Nigeria, Morocco, Georgia, Jordan, Iraq, China, Uzbekistan, and others. Most foreigners study at universities in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odesa.

The most popular majors among foreign students:

• Medical specialties 30%
• Management 6.51%
• Dentistry 5.38%
• Finance and credit 5.29%.

According to the QS World University Rankings-2023, as many as 11 Ukrainian universities were included this year, which is three more than last year. Next, about which Ukrainian universities are the best in 2022, what specialties are there, and how much tuition costs.

TOP-10 Ukrainian universities

Karazin Kharkiv National University

According to QS World University Rankings, Kharkiv University named after V. Karazin took 541-550 position, which is slightly worse than the previous year, when it had 511-520 place.

Founded in 1805, Karazin University is one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe and currently has 17 faculties, namely:

• biological;
• geology, geography, recreation, and tourism;
• economic;
• foreign languages;
• historical;
• computer sciences;
• mathematics and computer science;
• International economic relations and tourism business;
• medical;
• psychology;
• radio physics, biomedical electronics, and computer systems;
• sociological;
• physical;
• philological;
• philosophical;
• chemical;
• legal.

The university also has 7 educational and scientific institutes, among which are the “Karazin School of Business”, the Institute of Ecology, Physics and Technology, Computer Physics and Energy, etc.

Currently, the website does not have updated data on the cost of education for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, however, in the 2020 — 2021 academic year, the amount for full-time students was approximately UAH 12,000 — 25,000 for bachelor’s degrees and UAH 16,000 — 28,000 thousand hryvnias for the master’s degree (around $500-$1000).

National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”

The second place in our rating was taken by the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, which ranks 651-700 in the world. The university remained at the same level as last year but overtook Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko.

The university, which was founded in 1885, is the founder of six currently known universities, including the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute”, Kharkiv National Technical University of Radio Electronics, Kharkiv State University of Construction and Architecture, East Ukrainian National University, Sumy State University. Currently, it is possible to obtain engineering and technical, IT, social and humanitarian, and business education at KhPI. The university has a military institute of tank troops; an educational and scientific institute of energy; an Institute of Electronics and Electromechanics; mechanical engineering and transport; computer modeling; applied physics and mathematics; chemical technologies and engineering; economics, management, and international business; medical institute; Institute of Social and Humanitarian Technologies; computer sciences and information technologies, etc.

The cost of studying at “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”

As for the cost of education, in the 2022 — 2023 academic year it reaches UAH 19,960 — 33,520 and UAH 11,760 — 18,020 for full-time and part-time bachelor’s degrees, respectively, and UAH 24,700 — 39,380 for full-time master’s degrees and 14 780 — 21,460 UAH for correspondence education.

Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko

The third place in our rating is occupied by the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, which is ranked 651-700 in the world, having worsened its position last year from 601-650.

KNU, founded in 1834, is one of the leading universities in Ukraine and often ranks first in national rankings. Currently, 13 faculties work here: geography, economics, history, information technology, computer science and cybernetics, mechanics and mathematics, sociology, psychology, radiophysics, electronics and computer systems, physics, philosophy, chemistry, and law. The university also has 8 educational institutes:

• military;
• high technologies;
• journalism;
• international relations;
• postgraduate education;
• philology;
• Department of State Security of Ukraine, etc.

The cost of studying at KNU named after Taras Shevchenko

The cost of studying at the university in the 2022 — 2023 academic year ranges from UAH 31,800 to UAH 58,800 for a full-time bachelor’s degree and from UAH 23,000 to UAH 35,700 for a correspondence course. As for the master’s degree, the cost of education reaches UAH 36,200 – 63,800 for full-time and UAH 25,500 – 38,200 for correspondence form of education.

Kyiv Polytechnic Institute named after Igor Sikorsky

National Technical University “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute named after Ihor Sikorsky” took fourth place in our ranking, while in the world ranking it was ranked 701-750, just like last year.

The university, which was founded in 1898, is among the 4% of the best universities in the world according to the QS and Webometrics international rankings. KPI has 9 educational and scientific institutes, including publishing and printing; aerospace technologies; nuclear and thermal energy; energy saving and energy management; materials science and welding named after E.O. Paton; applied system analysis; telecommunication systems; mechanical engineering and physical and technical institutes, as well as the Institute of Special Communication and Information Protection.

KPI also has 14 faculties, namely:

• engineering and chemical;
• instrument building;
• radio engineering;
• biomedical engineering;
• biotechnology and biotechniques;
• electrical engineering and automation;
• informatics and computer technology;
• linguistics;
• management and marketing;
• physical and mathematical;
• applied mathematics;
• sociology and law;
• chemical and technological.

The cost of studying at KPI

The cost of undergraduate studies this year ranges from UAH 16,600 to UAH 43,800 for full-time studies and from UAH 11,300 to 25,000 for extramural studies. As for the master’s degree, the cost is UAH 20,200-45,000 for full-time courses and UAH 11,300-35,000 for correspondence form of education.

Lviv Polytechnic National University

“Lviv Polytechnic” took fifth place in our ranking with indicators of 801 — 1000th place in the world, just like last year. The establishment is the oldest technical educational institution in Ukraine — its history begins in 1816, and now it has 19 institutes, including:

• administration and postgraduate education;
• architecture and design;
• construction and engineering systems;
• geodesy;
• humanities and social sciences;
• public administration;
• economics and management;
• energy and management systems;
• computer sciences and information technologies;
• computer technologies, automation, and metrology;
• mechanical engineering and transport;
• entrepreneurship and promising technologies;
• law, psychology, and innovative education;
• applied mathematics and fundamental sciences;
• telecommunications, radio electronics, and electronic equipment;
• chemistry and chemical technologies.

The cost of studying at Lviv Polytechnic

The cost of full-time tuition for a bachelor’s ranges from 15,500 to 45,000 UAH and from 10,500 to 27,000 UAH per year for extramural studies. As for masters, the price for full-time education ranges from 22,500 to 50,000 UAH and from 13,500 to 27,000 UAH for correspondence.

Sumy State University

Sumy State University, like Lviv Polytechnic, was ranked 801-1000 in the QS World University Rankings, but it worsened last year’s performance when it was in the seventh hundred.

The university, which was founded in 1948, currently has three educational and scientific institutes, three faculties, professional colleges, and other divisions. In particular, you can enter the educational and scientific institute of business, economics, and management; rights; medical institute, as well as the faculty of foreign philology and social communications; of electronics and information technologies and technical systems, as well as the faculty of energy-efficient technologies.

The cost of studying at Sumy State University

The cost of full-time education ranges from UAH 9,645 to UAH 23,305, and correspondence education costs from UAH 4,290 to UAH 8,800.

Lviv Ivan Franko National University

Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko was founded in 1661 and is the oldest in Ukraine, last year, it was located on the 1001-1200 steps of the world ranking. Currently, the university has a Pedagogical College and 19 faculties, namely:

• biological;
• geographical;
• geological;
• economic;
• electronics and computer technologies;
• journalism;
• foreign languages;
• historical;
• culture and arts;
• mechanical and mathematical;
• international relations;
• pedagogical education;
• applied mathematics and informatics;
• financial and business management;
• physical;
• philological;
• philosophical;
• chemical;
• legal.

The cost of studying at LNU named after Ivan Franko

The cost of tuition in 2022 — 2023 for a bachelor’s degree is from UAH 26,006 to UAH 42,081 for full-time education and from UAH 18,204 to 29,457 for part-time education. As for the master’s degree, the cost of studying for this educational degree is UAH 29,907 – 48,393 for full-time study and UAH 20,935 – 33,875 for correspondence.

Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics

The Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, whose history begins in 1930, was ranked 1001-1200 in the QS World University Rankings, although last year it was not in the ranking at all. The university is one of the profile universities of Ukraine, in which the main attention is paid to applied information technologies and innovations for the benefit of sustainable development.

Now it has 8 faculties, namely:

• computer sciences;
• computer engineering and management;
• information and analytical technologies and management;
• information radio technologies and technical protection of information;
• information communications;
• automation and computerized technologies;
• electronic and biomedical engineering.

The cost of studying at KhNUR

The cost of a year of studying for Bachelor degrees is from UAH 14,900 to UAH 17,900 for full-time education and from UAH 9,000 to 13,900 for correspondence education.

National University “Kyiv Mohyla Academy”

National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” is one of the oldest higher education institutions of Ukraine after “Ostroh Academy” and Lviv University, and this year it was placed on the 1001 – 1200 steps of the world ranking, just like last year. NaUKMA is a member of the European Association of Universities. Currently, the university has 27 scientific centers and laboratories, as well as 6 faculties, namely:

• humanities;
• economic;
• social sciences and social technologies;
• computer science;
• legal sciences;
• natural sciences.

The cost of studying at the “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”

The cost of studying for the Bachelor’s degree in the 2022-2023 academic year ranges from UAH 23,100 to UAH 62,000, and for the Master’s degree – from UAH 21,000 to UAH 61,000.

Odesa National University named after Ilya Mechnikov

Odesa National University named after Ilya Mechnikov is ranked 1001-1200 in the world ranking. It is important that last year it did not make it to the QS World University Rankings at all. The university is the first higher educational institution in the southern region of Ukraine — it was founded in 1817. He was one of the first in the country to become a member of the European Association of Universities, the World Association of Universities, and the Supervisory Board of Magna Charta.

Now the university has 11 faculties, namely:

• biological;
• geological and geographical;
• economic and legal;
• Faculty of History and Philosophy;
• journalism, advertising, and publishing;
• mathematics, physics, and information technologies;
• international relations, political science, and sociology;
• psychology and social work;
• Romano-Germanic philology;
• Faculty of Philology;
• chemistry and pharmacy.
  
   

The cost of studying at Ilya Mechnikov National University

The cost of education in the 2021 — 2022 academic year (latest updated data) is UAH 16,628 — 29,990 for a full-time bachelor’s degree and from UAH 9,836 to 18,144 for correspondence, as well as UAH 23,968 — 33,024 and UAH 14,580 — 27,758 — master’s degree on full-time onsite and correspondence forms of education, respectively.

FAQ

How much does it cost to study in Ukraine?

Studying in Ukraine can be an affordable option for international students. Tuition fee varies depending on the university and program of study but generally range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. This is significantly lower than tuition fees in many other countries.

Can international students work in Ukraine while studying?

Yes, international students are allowed to work in Ukraine while studying. However, there are certain restrictions and regulations that must be followed.

In order to work in Ukraine as an international student, you must first obtain a student visa or residence permit. This will allow you to legally work in the country for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer holidays.

How do you compare which university is the best in Ukraine?

We use qs world university ranking as well as Ukrainian university ranking and student reviews to provide you with top Ukrainian universities.

What are the universities located in Poltava, Ukraine?

Poltava is a city located in the central part of Ukraine and is home to several higher education degrees and universities. The most prominent include: 

• National Technical University “Poltava Polytechnic” – This university was founded in 1817 and is one of the oldest technical universities in Ukraine. It offers a wide range of programs, including engineering, economics, and law.
• Poltava State Agrarian Academy
• Poltava National Medical University
• Poltava State Pedagogical University
• Poltava University of Economics and Trade, etc.

What is the best university in Sumy, Ukraine?

Sumy State University (SSU) is one of the best universities in Ukraine for international students. Located in the city of Sumy, SSU is a public university that was founded in 1948 and has since become one of the leading higher education institutions in the country.

The university offers a wide range of degree programs across its 11 faculties, including economics, law, engineering, medicine, and other education. 

What are the cheap universities and top in computer science in Ukraine?

You can see the price range of tuition fees in our list, however, the best in computer science and engineering is the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (KPI) in Ukraine. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science, including artificial intelligence, software engineering, information systems, and more. The tuition fees are quite affordable compared to other universities in Europe.

What is the highest education level in Ukraine?

Ukraine is a country with a long and rich history of higher education. It is home to some of the oldest universities in Europe, such as Kyiv National University (founded in 1834) and Lviv National University (founded in 1661).

The highest level of education in Ukraine is the Doctoral Degree, which requires at least three years of study beyond a Master’s Degree. To obtain a Doctoral Degree, students must complete a dissertation and pass an oral examination.