Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) will conduct the winter examination session for the 2026/2027 academic year in a remote format using information and communication technologies. As reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a publication by the KNU Communications Center, the decision applies to students of all years and all modes of study. The session format is established by Rector's Order No. 1275-32 dated November 11, 2026, which sets uniform requirements for organizing all types of semester assessments.
Legal Basis and Motivation for the Decision
According to the university's press service, the shift to an online format is driven by martial law conditions and the need to ensure the safety of all participants in the educational process. The rector's order establishes common rules for all exams, and specific schedules will be approved before the start of the session. During pre-exam consultations, instructors are required to inform students of the established procedure and requirements for taking the tests.
Exam Format: Oral Interview and Written Assignments
A mandatory part of every exam is an oral interview based on the curriculum. If a written assignment or test is required, the interview takes place after its completion. Students are given at least 30 minutes to prepare their response during an oral exam, and no more than three hours to complete written or hybrid assignments. The total duration of the exam for an academic group must not exceed six hours. Written assignments can be submitted to the examiner via email or uploaded to a designated educational platform.
Identity Verification and Academic Integrity
During the exam, students must remain on a video call. Instead of mandatory video streaming from two angles, the policy requires streaming a live feed of the student with the possibility of inspecting the technical devices being used. Before the assessment begins, the examiner verifies the student's identity via student ID or other identification document and may, at their discretion, record the audio or video of the exam. The grade is assigned after the oral interview. Requirements for academic integrity remain mandatory: documented violations are grounds for disqualification from the exam with a failing grade, which the examiner must report to the department administration. At the same time, connection interruptions due to technical reasons beyond the student's control are not considered a violation.
Technical Failures and Alternative Locations
Procedures for technical malfunctions are regulated separately. If an exam must be interrupted due to power outages, loss of internet connection, or other circumstances beyond the student's control, the student must notify the administration within the day via any available channel. Upon agreement with the department administration, the student may resume the exam at another time, including with the next academic group; such a resumption is not considered a retake, and technical failures cannot be grounds for a failing grade. For students and faculty lacking adequate conditions or technical equipment, KNU will ensure the possibility of conducting and taking exams online within university building facilities, which will be provided with heating, power, and internet access to the extent possible. The use of such facilities is subject to prior agreement with the faculty or institute; by November 20, departments must determine the list of available locations, booking procedures, and disseminate this information to students and faculty.
