The second (Master's) level of higher education presupposes that the higher education applicants acquire the ability to solve research and/or innovation tasks in a particular field of professional activity.
Attainment of higher education at this level necessitates the successful completion of an educational programme that serves as the basis for awarding a Master's degree. A Master's degree is an educational degree obtained at the second level of higher education and granted by a HEI or scientific institution. A Master's degree is obtained under the auspices of an educational professional or educational and scientific programme. The Master's educational and scientific programme must include a research (scientific) component of at least 30%.
A Master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary medicine is awarded by a HEI upon successful completion of the relevant educational programme. This degree can be obtained on the basis of complete general secondary education or a Junior Bachelor's degree, professional Junior Bachelor's degree, or Junior Specialist's degree in the relevant speciality.
Scientific institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the national Branch Academies of Sciences may train Masters according to their own educational and scientific programmes, provided they have obtained the necessary licenses for relevant educational activities. These institutions may also offer Master's training through educational and scientific programmes agreed with the HEI. In such cases, the scientific component of the programme is conducted at the scientific institution, while the educational component is carried out at the HEI. This aligns with the Law on Higher Education (Закон України ‘Про вищу освіту’).
In accordance with the content of training, educational programmes of the second (Master) cycle are designed to prepare students for independent research (artistic, educational) activities or any other work that requires scientific knowledge and analytical competence. Master's studies are conducted at HEIs where scientific (artistic) activities corresponding to the speciality are carried out. Upon completion of the educational programme, students receive a Master's degree in the relevant field of education (speciality).
Master's programmes may cover different knowledge branches, but must align with the HEI's profile and the needs of the labour market. The educational programme concept should be defined and justified in the HEI's profile higher education standard (HES), as well as in the description of the Master's programme. It is imperative to clearly articulate the learning objectives and link them to the learning results (knowledge, competences, and skills) acquired by students who have completed the educational programme. The applicant's learning objectives and competence development should align with the educational programme's focus. The objectives and content of the disciplines studied, teaching methods, and admission requirements should be based on the educational programme objectives.
The qualification level of academic and research staff involved in the Master's programme must be sufficient to achieve the objectives of the educational programme. In the case that the second-cycle educational programme incorporates practical activities, teachers must possess experience in relevant practical work. In addition, HEIs should collaborate with social partners and other stakeholders to facilitate the organisation of practical work for applicants seeking relevant qualifications.
Branches of study
The second (Master's) cycle of study is offered in 29 knowledge branches and 122 specialities within them, as set out in the List of Knowledge Branches and Specialities in which Higher Education Applicants are Trained (Постанова Кабінету Міністрів України ‘Про затвердження переліку галузей знань і спеціальностей, за якими здійснюється підготовка здобувачів вищої освіти’).
At the second (Master's) level of higher education, interdisciplinary educational and scientific programmes may be created, provided that they do not contradict the relevant HESs. The introduction of interdisciplinary educational and scientific programmes at higher education levels is intended to prepare professionals capable of addressing complex tasks under uncertainty, thereby ensuring the further development of scientific knowledge.
The interdisciplinary educational and scientific programme at the second (Master's) level of higher education should meet the standards of this level of higher education in the relevant specialities regarding its subject area. However, it does not provide for the achievement of all learning results defined by the HESs at the relevant levels in all specialities that define its subject area in full.
The interdisciplinary educational and scientific programme should ensure that students develop four special (professional) competences, as outlined in each of these standards, at levels 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 educational trajectories and ensure the exercise of students' right to choose academic disciplines within the interdisciplinary educational and scientific programme, optionaleducational components have been developed. The implementation of these components ensures the improvement of training (namely, an increase in 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 worldview while contributing to the development of general competences.
The right of students to choose their academic disciplines should facilitate the acquisition of comprehensive competence, as defined by the educational and scientific programme, which serves as a generalised characteristic of their qualification level. These conditions are specified in the Requirements for Interdisciplinary Educational (Scientific) Programmes (Наказ Міністерства освіти і науки України ‘Про затвердження вимог до міждисциплінарних освітніх (наукових) програм’).
Admission requirements
A person has the right to obtain a Master's degree, provided that he/she has a Bachelor's degree.
To obtain a Master's degree in medicine, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine based on a Junior Bachelor's degree or professional non-tertiary education, a HEI may recognise and re-account ECTS credits, the maximum number of which is determined by the HES.
Admission to HEIs is carried out on a competitive basis according to the Terms of Admission for Higher Education Studies approved by the Central Executive Authority for Education and Science. The terms of the competition must ensure the observance of human rights in the field of education.
The conditions for admission to higher education should be published on the official website of the Central Executive Authority for Education and Science no later than 15 October of the year preceding the year of admission to the HEIs. The citizens of Ukraine have the right to receive free higher education in state and communal educational institutions on a competitive basis.
Curriculum
The curriculum (educational programme) in all HEIs complies with the content requirements outlined in the HESs for the corresponding level of education. The HESs are developed according to the current legislation using the provisions of the Methodological Recommendations for the Development of Higher Education Standards, including any updates (Наказ Міністерства освітиі науки України ‘Методичні рекомендації щодо розроблення стандартів вищої освіти’). As of the beginning of 2024, Ukraine has established HESs for the Master's degree programmes in almost all specialities, with the exception of 014 Secondary Education (by subject specialities).
In general, the educational programme defines the following:
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The requirements for the level of education of persons who can start studying under this programme;
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The list of academic courses and the logical sequence of their study;
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The number of ECTS credits required to complete this programme;
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The expected learning results (competences) that a student must master for the relevant higher education degree.
The curriculum for a Master's degree encompasses the following:
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90-120 ECTS credits for the educational professional programme,
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120 ECTS credits for the educational scientific programme,
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300-360 ECTS credits for programmes based on complete general secondary education for medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary specialities.
The Master's degree programme must include a research (scientific) component of at least 30%.
A minimum of 35% of the curriculum should be dedicated to ensuring general and specific (professional) competences in the speciality, as determined by the HES (at least 50% for medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary specialities).
In the case of educational programmes designed to prepare specialists for regulated professions, additional requirements may be established by the relevant professional standards. For access to certain professions, a certain level of education is required, subject to additional regulations. As of the beginning of 2024, the List of specialities comprises 26 specialities within 9 knowledge branches.
Educational programmes that include professional qualifications must meet the requirements of the relevant professional standards (if available).
An educational programme may offer the possibility of awarding 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.
Teaching methods
The forms of study for a Master's degree in Ukraine are quite diverse: full-time study, hours of independent study and practical sessions, as well as distance, dual and/or blended learning, among others. The course of study employs a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, practical training, laboratory classes, project assignments, seminars, independent study, library research, group projects, research work, and other methods, as well as a combination of all these methods. Consultations can be conducted in groups or individually.
The duration of lessons is measured in academic hours, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. At HEIs, teachers may use different teaching methods. Lecture materials or notes are often accessible to students through the virtual environment of the HEI. Also, information technologies are widely used and integrated into the learning process.
Students engage in fundamental and applied research, as well as applied scientific activities and participate in scientific programmes in their own country and abroad. In addition to its scientific activities, the HEIs also organise a range of educational, sporting, cultural and artistic activities for teachers and students. These events are designed to 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
HEIs outlines in its statute the criteria for student progression in their studies.
Each student's curriculum must comprise a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 80 ECTS credits per academic year. The individual curriculum is formed based on the requirements of the educational programme for its mandatory components, the educational policy of the HEI and the student's personal choice of optional educational components.
The reasons for the expulsion of a student include:
- Completion of studies under the relevant educational (scientific) programme;
- Personal desire;
- Transfer to another educational institution;
- Non-fulfillment of the individual curriculum;
- Breach of the agreement (contract) concluded 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 containing information on learning results, names of disciplines, received grades and number of obtained ECTS credits. The academic certificate template is established by the Central Executive Authority for Education and Science.
Higher education applicants have the right to interrupt their studies due to circumstances preventing them from completing the educational (scientific) programme. These circumstances may include health reasons, military conscription with no right to deferment, family circumstances, etc. Such students are granted academic leave in accordance with the established procedure.
Studies or practical training at educational and scientific institutions (including foreign ones) may serve as grounds for study interruption unless otherwise provided for by international acts or contracts between the HEI. Students enrolled in higher education who are called up for military service during a period of mobilisation, or who are conscripted for military service from among reservists during a special period, are guaranteed the retention of their place of study and scholarship.
Students who exercise the right to academic mobility during their studies, practical training or scientific activities at another HEI (scientific institution) in Ukraine or abroad are guaranteed that their place of studies and scholarship are retained in accordance with the Provision on Exercising the Right to Academic Mobility. Such persons should not be expelled from the HEI. Persons expelled from the HEI before completing their studies under the relevant educational programme have the right to renew their studies within the HEI's licensed scope. The renewal of persons expelled from HEIs or granted an academic leave, as well as the transfer of higher education applicants, is typically conducted during vacations.
The procedure for the expulsion, interruption, renewal and transfer of students enrolled at the HEI, as well as the procedure for granting them academic leaves, is determined by a provision approved by the Central Executive Authority for Education and Science. The process of renewing and transferring students is carried out in accordance with the requirements of relevant educational programmes.
If the accreditation certificate for an educational programme expires and the HEI does not receive a new accreditation certificate, the higher education applicants studying at the expense of the state (local) budget have the right to transfer to another HEI, where the relevant programme is accredited. They may complete their studies at the expense of the state (local) budget following the procedure approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
Employability
Servicemen (commanding staff) graduates from military HEIs, HEIs with specific training conditions, and military institutes are directed for further service in accordance with the legislation. Graduates from medical and pedagogical HEIs who have concluded an agreement on working for at least three years in villages or towns are entitled to free housing with heating and lighting within the established standards, provided by the state.
Preferential admission to higher education in medical care, arts and teaching on a competitive basis and within the applicable quotas is accessible to persons who have concluded an agreement on working for at least three years in villages or towns and whose education is funded under the state (regional) order.
In addition, HEIs have Career Centres that provide students with both general and individual consultations. These centres 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.
Representatives of civil society, including employer representatives, may apply for positions on collegial, working, and advisory bodies, as well as on the HEI's supervisory board.
Student assessment
Students are assessed according to the procedure established by each HEI. Persons obtaining a Master's degree are attested by an examination commission, which may include the representatives of employers and their associations, in accordance with the Provision on examination commission approved by an academic council at the HEI (scientific institution).
Based on the decision of an examination commission, the HEI grants a relevant higher education degree and assigns an appropriate qualification to a person who has successfully completed the second-cycle/level of higher education.
Attestation of persons on the second (Master's) level of higher education may include a unified state qualification examination conducted in the specialities and following the procedure approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
The difference in educational objectives between educational professional and educational scientific programmes at the Master's level may justify the use of different methodologies for student assessment.
Certification
Certificationmay include a unified state qualification examination, which is conducted for certain specialities and in accordance with the procedure established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
Upon completion of the second-cycle educational programme, the graduate receives a Master's degree and an addendum to the diploma indicating the qualification awarded. The Master's diploma indicates the name of the HEI (scientific institution) that issued this document. In the case of a separate unit of a HEI (scientific institution), the name of such a unit is also included. Additionally, the diploma contains the name of the educational programme, as well as a qualification comprising the information about the obtained higher education degree, speciality (except for interdisciplinary educational programmes), any available specialisation, and the assigned professional qualification.