The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has issued Order No. 373, approving the Procedure for Admission to Higher Education Institutions in 2026. The document defines the key procedures, timelines, and requirements for applicants planning to enter bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral (PhD) programs.

Admission to Master’s and PhD programs

In 2026, admission to master’s and doctoral studies will be based on entrance examinations conducted using external independent evaluation (EIE) technologies.

A mandatory requirement is the Unified Entrance Exam (UEE), which includes:

• a General Academic Competency Test (GACT)
• a foreign language test

In addition:

1. Applicants for master’s programs in specialties defined in Section 12 of the Admission Procedure will take a Unified Professional Entrance Examination (UPEE). In addition, applicants for master’s programs who are not required to take the UPEE and/or the Unified State Qualification Exam (USQE) will take a professional exam at their bachelor’s institution.

2.Applicants for doctoral (PhD) programs will take an exam in research methodology. Additionally, candidates across all specialties will take a subject-specific entrance exam at their higher education institution, as well as other entrance assessments if required by the institution’s admission rules.

Note: applicants may also use UEE results from 2026, 2025, or 2024. Master’s applicants may use UPEE results from 2026 or 2025.

3.Key changes and digitalization of the process

Applicant electronic account

Applications are submitted exclusively online via a dedicated web portal. The applicant’s electronic account allows users not only to submit documents but also to confirm their choice of institution and sign a study agreement remotely.

4.Military registration

Applicants subject to military registration must enter their record number from the Unified State Register of Conscripts into their electronic account and upload a QR code of their military registration document.

5.Cancellation of the motivation letter

In 2026, the motivation letter is no longer mandatory and does not affect the competitive selection results.

6.Format of examinations

Interviews and creative entrance exams will mostly be conducted in person. A remote format is allowed only in exceptional cases — for applicants from temporarily occupied territories, military personnel, and individuals representing Ukraine abroad.