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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Overview
Ukraine

Ukraine

Overview

Last update: 16 February 2025
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The Ukrainian education system offers comprehensive learning opportunities at various levels. It provides accessible, high quality and inclusive education with a focus on equity and modernisation to align with European standards. Key priorities include improving infrastructure, integrating digital technologies and reforming curricula to ensure alignment with European frameworks. Ukrainian education aims to promote critical thinking, creativity and competency-based learning at all levels.

Key features of the education system

Governance 

The education system of Ukraine is based on centralised governance, diverse educational pathways and a strong commitment to reform in line with European standards. At the national level, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) sets the legislative framework, while the Cabinet of Ministers develops and implements education policy. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the system, including curriculum development and quality assurance. Other central authorities manage specific areas.

At the regional level, local education authorities handle the administration of schools, resource distribution and local decision-making according to national policy. Local self-governments, including oblast and city councils, are responsible for managing schools, ensuring compliance with national standards and responding to local educational needs. This regionally decentralised structure allows local authorities to tailor education provision to local contexts while maintaining national goals.

Funding principles

Ukraine's education system is primarily financed through public funds, with a legal mandate to allocate at least 7% of GDP to education. Over one-third of total education expenditures go toward teachers' salaries in general secondary education (GSE). Other targeted budget programmes support the New Ukrainian School reform, inclusive education, modernisation of educational infrastructure, free school meals (1-4 grades of GSE), the construction of shelters, the provision of equipment, etc.

Local budgets play a significant role, contributing about 80% of the consolidated education budget, mainly funding early childhood education, general secondary education, and vocational education and training. The state budget predominantly finances higher education institutions (HEIs), while communal HEIs receive local funding. Private contributions supplement public financing, as educational institutions can offer paid services.

The allocation of funds by education level reflects national priorities. Funding is regulated by the Budget Code and other legal frameworks to ensure equitable distribution and alignment with national and regional educational goals.

Organisation and structures

In Ukraine, education follows a clear path from early childhood to adult education. Early childhood education and care is available in various forms up to the age of six, depending on parental choice, with one year of pre-primary education compulsory. It focuses on play-based learning, social development and early cognitive skills. Primary education begins at the age of six and lasts four years, covering core curriculum subjects such as the Ukrainian language, mathematics, science and physical education. This is followed by five years of compulsory lower secondary education, where learners study a broader curriculum, including history, foreign languages and STEM subjects. Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education includes specialised secondary education (which is compulsory and lasts two to three years), vocational education and training and professional pre-higher education. Higher education follows the framework of the Bologna process and offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees through universities, academies, institutes and colleges. Adult education and training support lifelong learning in Ukraine, helping individuals to develop professionally and adapt to changes in the labour market.

Main characteristics of the Ukrainian education system:

  • Quality assurance: To maintain high educational standards, Ukraine has implemented a quality assurance framework at all levels of education. It includes regular assessments, accreditation processes and the establishment of standards to drive continuous improvement.

  • Educational support and guidance: Support services are available to assist learners throughout their educational journey. This includes provision for special educational needs (SEN), counselling services and guidance to help learners make informed decisions about their education and career pathways.

  • Mobility and internationalisation: Ukraine actively promotes educational mobility and international cooperation. Various initiatives support student and staff exchanges, participation in international projects and the integration of global perspectives into the curriculum.

  • Ongoing reforms and policy developments: The Ukrainian education system is undergoing continuous reforms aimed at improving quality, accessibility and relevance. Current policy developments focus on aligning with European educational standards, enhancing vocational education and training, and integrating modern technologies into teaching and learning processes.

Key challenges

The main challenge for Ukrainian education is Russia's armed aggression: Ukraine's education system faces significant challenges due to the ongoing war with Russia, which has disrupted traditional learning environments and displaced many learners and educators. The MESU has taken proactive steps to address these issues by introducing legislative amendments that enable the education system to adapt to the realities of martial law.

  • Modernising infrastructure: Many schools are in need of renovation, and digital technologies need to be more widely integrated.

  • Regional disparities: Urban schools often have better facilities and teachers than those in rural areas.

  • Implementation of reforms: Aligning all sectors with the European framework remains a challenge.

  • Access to education: Displaced persons and learners with SEN face certain barriers.

  • Teacher retention: Low salaries and heavy workloads affect the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers.

Main aspects of teaching profession 

  • Qualification requirements: Teachers must hold a higher education degree and meet professional standards and other qualification requirements set by the MESU.
  • Continuous development: Regular training programmes help teachers adopt modern pedagogical methods and integrate digital tools.

  • Support and incentives: Policies are in place to improve salaries, reduce workload and provide career development opportunities.

     

Stages of the education system

The Ukrainian education system provides comprehensive learning opportunities across various levels, ensuring accessibility and quality for all citizens. It consists of the following stages:

Early childhood education and care (ECEC). ECEC serves children from birth until they enter primary school. It includes both centre-based and home-based provision and focuses on the holistic development of children. Access to ECEC is widespread, with various organisational structures in place to accommodate different needs. One year of pre-primary education is compulsory before entering primary school, though parents may choose whether to enrol their child. The focus is on foundational development.

Primary and lower secondary education. Primary education is compulsory and provides basic literacy, numeracy and essential life skills. Lower secondary education offers a broader curriculum to prepare learners for specialised studies.

Ukraine has a single-structure education system, combining primary and lower secondary education. This structure ensures a seamless transition for learners within the framework of compulsory education. The curriculum is designed to provide basic knowledge and skills, and assessments are used to monitor learners' progress.

Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education. This stage includes specialised secondary education, which represents a level of complete general secondary education and offers both academic and vocational programmes tailored to learners' career aspirations. Additionally, it encompasses vocational education and training, as well as professional pre-higher education. Post-secondary non-tertiary education provides specialised programmes designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and either higher education or employment.

Higher education. It provides advanced academic, professional and research training. Programmes follow a three-cycle structure: Bachelor's (first cycle), Master's (second cycle) and Doctorate (third cycle). The system emphasises both academic and professional development in line with European standards. 

Adult education and training. Lifelong learning plays an important role in Ukraine's education policy. Adult education and training programmes aim to support personal and professional development, helping citizens to adapt to the changing demands of the labour market.

 

Structure of the national education system

Please refer to the Eurydice Data and Visuals for a display of the Structure of the National Education System (Ukraine will be included in the forthcoming edition). 

 

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