An important stage has begun for future students in Ukraine: as of June 25, registration for electronic cabinets has opened for applicants to institutions of professional higher education based on 9 years of schooling. For other categories of applicants, access to the system will be available from July 1.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing the Ministry of Education and Science (MES). The ministry clarified that the registration process will last until October 15, however, applicants are strongly advised not to delay the procedure, keeping in mind specific deadlines for submitting applications.

Key dates for 9th-grade graduates

For those finishing the ninth grade, the application period will take place from July 1 to July 20. This is why creating a personal account needs to be completed in advance. The registration procedure is carried out on the official website "Admissions-2026" (ZNO/UNBT) in the "Applicant's Electronic Cabinet" section.

After activating the profile, the user will need to add a contact phone number and their own photo. An important clarification from the MES: there is no need to upload scanned documents to the electronic cabinet.

What needs to be done before July 1

The Ministry has provided a number of recommendations for applicants to ensure the enrollment process goes without glitches. Before July 1, applicants should:

  • Familiarize themselves with the competitive offers of educational institutions;
  • Clarify with the chosen college whether a motivation letter is required;
  • If eligible for preferences, submit supporting documents to the educational institution in advance for data entry into the ZNO/UNBT system;
  • Check whether a creative competition or a physical abilities competition is provided for the chosen specialty.

Who can enroll in college

Institutions of professional higher education are open not only to schoolchildren. The right to study is granted to:

  • Graduates of 9th and 11th grades;
  • Applicants with a diploma of a qualified worker;
  • Individuals who already hold a diploma of professional junior bachelor, bachelor, or master and wish to obtain a new specialty.

In case of technical problems with the registration of the electronic cabinet, applicants can seek help from the admissions committee of any institution of professional higher education.

New rules and system modernization

Previously, RBK-Ukraine reported on fundamental changes in the admission rules for colleges for 2026. The basis of the competitive selection will now be interviews, creative competitions, and a mandatory motivation letter. In addition, 11th-grade graduates will be able to enroll based on the results of the NMT (National Multidisciplinary Testing) from 2023–2026.

Parallel to the change in admission rules, there is a massive update of the colleges themselves. The MES confirmed that institutions are modernizing their technical base, reviewing educational standards and programs. From 2027, they will be adapted to the real needs of employers and the modern labor market.