Branches of study

Higher education institutions (HEIs) offer the second-cycle programmes in 11 branches of study and 86 specialities within them set in the List of Branches of Studies and Specialities (Про внесення змін).

The volume of the educational programme for the Master's degree is:

•  for the educational-professional programme – 90-120 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits;

•  for the educational-scientific programme – 120 ECTS credits;

•  based on complete general secondary education, for medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary specialities – 300-360 ECTS credits.

   

The second (Master's) level may have interdisciplinary educational and scientific programmes, if they do not contradict the relevant higher education standards (HESs). The interdisciplinary educational (educational and scientific) programmes (IEESPs) at higher levels of education should train specialists capable of solving complex problems under uncertainty. They should ensure the further development of scientific knowledge. 

The IEESPs for Master’s level must comply with the standards for the respective level and speciality within the subject area. The IEESP does not guarantee the achievement of all learning outcomes defined by the HESs of the relevant levels for all specialities defining its subject area.

The IEESP should ensure that students develop four special (professional) competences, as outlined in each of these standards. Their levels must be sufficient to achieve comprehensive competence in a particular subject area. It should also develop general competences that are common to the standards that define its subject area. 

In order to facilitate individual tracks and ensure students' right to choose academic courses within the IEESP, it has optional educational components. These components ensure the improvement of training and the level of special professional competences in one of the specialities that define its subject area. 

They offer an in-depth study of specific aspects of an interdisciplinary field or integrate it into a comprehensive world-view. They also contribute to the development of general competences. 

The right of students to choose their academic courses should facilitate the acquisition of comprehensive competence as defined in the educational and scientific programme. The programme serves as a generalised characteristic of their qualification level.

Admission requirements

A person has the right to obtain a Master's degree, if he/she has a Bachelor's degree.

After Junior Bachelor's degree or professional pre-higher education, a HEI may recognise and accept ECTS credits for obtaining a Master's degree. It covers medical, pharmaceutical, or veterinary branch of study. The HES determines their maximum number.

Admission to HEIs is on a competitive basis by the Terms of Admission for Higher Education Studies. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) approves the Terms. The terms of the competition must comply with human rights in the field of education. 

The MESU publishes the conditions for admission to HEIs on the official website no later than 15 October of the year preceding the year of admission. Citizens have the right to receive free higher education in state and communal educational institutions on a competitive basis. 

Learners may get Master's degree in medicine, pharmacy, or veterinary after several possible degrees. They include complete general secondary education or the Junior Bachelor or Professional Junior Bachelor degrees, or Junior Specialist in the relevant speciality. A HEI awards Master’s degree upon the successful completion of the corresponding educational programme.

Curriculum

To obtain a Master’s degree the individual must successfully complete the educational programme. A Master's degree is a second-cycle higher education degree. The HEI awards it on successful completion of the curriculum. A Master's degree has an educational-professional or an educational-scientific programme. A Master's educational-scientific programme must have a research component comprising at least 30% of the programme.

Curriculum (educational programmes) in all HEIs comply with the content requirements outlined in the HESs for the corresponding level of education. The Methodological Recommendations for the Development of Higher Education Standards establish the principles of HESs. 

Since 2024, Ukraine has established HESs for the Master's degree programmes in almost all specialities, except 014 Secondary Education (by subject specialities). In general, the educational programme defines the following:

•  The requirements for the level of education of persons who can start studying under this programme;

•  The list of academic courses and the logical sequence of their study;

•  The number of ECTS credits required to complete this programme;

•  The expected learning outcomes (competences) that a student must master for the relevant higher education degree.

   

Master's programmes may vary in their focus but must align with the profile of the HEI and the needs of the labour market. The relevant HESs and the description of the Master's degree programme must set the nature of the educational programme. 

It is mandatory to clearly formulate learning objectives and link them to the learning outcomes. They include knowledge, competencies, and skills acquired by a student after this educational programme. 

The learning objectives and the goals for developing the learner's competencies must reflect the orientation of the educational programme. The objectives and content of the courses, teaching methods, and admission requirements must comply with the goals of the educational programme.

The educational content of second-cycle (Master’s) educational programmes should prepare students for independent research, artistic, or educational activities. It should facilitate any other work requiring scientific knowledge and analytical competence. HEIs offering Master's-level studies should conduct scientific (artistic) activities relevant to the branch of study.

A Master's educational-scientific programme must have a research component comprising at least 30% of the programme. At least 35% of its volume must lead to acquiring general and specialised professional competencies in the branch of study. The HES defines it further (at least 50% for medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary branches).

For educational programmes for training specialists for regulated professions, the relevant professional standards may establish additional requirements. As of the beginning of 2024, Ukrainian HEIs offer 26 specialities within 9 branches of study.

Teaching methods

There are diverse forms of Master's degree studies in Ukraine. They include in-person classes, hours of independent studies and practical sessions, distance, dual, and/or blended learning formats, etc. 

A variety of learning and teaching methods are used during the training. They include lectures, practical work, laboratory work, project work, seminars, independent work, library work, group assignments, research work. There is also a combination of all these methods. Consultations can be group or individual.

 It is important that the qualifications of the academic and research staff of the Master's degree programme are sufficient to achieve its objectives. The HEI should have sufficient learning resources as well. If a second-cycle educational programme includes a practical activity component, the academic staff must have relevant professional practical experience. The HEI must work with social partners and other stakeholders regarding practical work for students with corresponding qualifications. 

The duration of lessons is in academic hours. Each academic hour lasts 45 minutes. At HEIs, educators may use different teaching methods. Lecture materials or notes are often accessible to students through the virtual environment of the HEI. HEIs use information technologies in the learning process.

Students carry out fundamental and applied research, engage in applied scientific activities. They also participate in scientific programmes in their own country and abroad. In addition to its scientific activities, the HEIs also organise educational, sporting, cultural and artistic activities for teachers and students. They promote public art education and foster the integration of artistic practice with learning.

Students may buy textbooks and other educational materials or use the resources available in the HEI libraries.

Progression of students

Each student's curriculum must have a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 80 ECTS credits per academic year. The individual curriculum complies with the requirements of the educational programme for its mandatory components. It follows the educational policy of the HEI and the student's personal choice of optional educational components.

Each HEI sets the criteria for student progression. 

The reasons for the expulsion of a student include:

•  Completion of studies under the relevant educational programme;

•  Personal will;

•  Transfer to another educational institution;

•  Failure to follow the individual curriculum;

•  Breach of the terms of agreement between the HEI and the student or the individual (legal entity) paying for such education;

•  Other cases specified by law.

   

A person expelled from the HEI before completing the educational programme receives an academic certificate. It contains information on learning outcomes, titles of courses, received grades and number of obtained ECTS credits. The MESU sets the academic certificate template. 

The students may interrupt their studies due to circumstances preventing them from completing the educational programme. These circumstances may include health reasons, military conscription with no right to deferment, family circumstances, etc. Such students get academic leave in accordance with the established procedure. 

Studies or practical training at educational and scientific institutions, including foreign ones, may be a reason for study interruption. International acts or contracts between the HEIs set the exceptions to this. Students conscripted for military service during mobilisation, or from among reservists during a special period, retain their place of study and scholarship. 

During their studies, students participating in learning mobility, practical training or scientific activities at another HEI in Ukraine or abroad retain their place and scholarship.

Such persons are not to be expelled from the HEI. A person expelled from the HEI before completing their studies under the relevant educational programme may renew their studies within the HEI's licensed scope. 

The renewal of persons expelled from HEIs or on academic leave, as well as the transfer of students is typically conducted during breaks. The MESU approves the procedure for expulsion, study interruption, academic leave, renewal and transfer of students. Renewing and transferring students follows the requirements of relevant educational programmes.

The accreditation certificate for the educational programme may expire and the HEI may fail to receive a new accreditation certificate. Its students studying at the expense of the state (local) budget may transfer to another HEI with accredited relevant programme. They may complete their studies at the expense of the state (local) budget. 

Employability

Graduates from military HEIs, HEIs with specific training conditions, and military institutes may continue as military personnel or officers. Graduates from medical and pedagogical HEIs may have an agreement on working for at least three years in villages or towns. In that case the state shall give them free of charge housing with heating and electricity within the established standards.

Persons with an agreement on working for at least three years in villages or towns after graduation have preferential admission. It covers educational programmes in medical care, arts and teaching. They enrol on a competitive basis and within the applicable quotas, their education is funded under the state (regional) order.

In addition, HEIs have Career Centres that provide students with both general and individual consultations. They offer a variety of employment training courses and assist students in securing internships and subsequent employment. They also facilitate the recruitment of employees by employers.

Civil representatives, including employer representatives, may apply for positions on collegial, working, and advisory bodies, as well as on the HEI's supervisory board.

Student assessment

The HEI sets the procedure for students’ assessment. An examination commission conducts students’ assessment. The commission may include representatives of employers and their associations. The Academic Council of the HEI approves the regulations on the examination commission. Based on the decision of the examination commission, the HEI awards the Master's degree and the corresponding qualification. For that the student must successfully complete a second-cycle educational programme.

 The assessment of individuals at the Master’s level may include a unified state qualification exam (USQE). The USQE is a standardised form of assessment for graduates of Ukrainian HEIs. It is mandatory for many professions involving high levels of responsibility, safety, or human health. 

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine sets the procedure for the USQE and the attestation at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

Differences in learning objectives between educational-professional and educational-scientific Master's degree programs may be a reason for different forms of assessment for students.

Educational programmes with professional qualifications must comply with the requirements of the relevant professional standards (if available).

An educational programme may offer several additional professional qualifications stemming from its optional educational components. Based on the results of the educational programme, an applicant may receive no more than two professional qualifications.

Certification

After the second cycle educational programme, the student receives a Master's diploma and its addendum with qualification degree. The Master's diploma indicates the name of the HEI that issued this document. If it was a separate unit of a HEI, the name of such a unit is also included. 

Additionally, the diploma includes the name of the educational programme, and a qualification. It has the information about the obtained higher education degree, speciality (except for interdisciplinary educational programmes). It also includes specialisation, subject specialisation (if applicable) and professional qualification (if assigned).