Over a million students began the new academic year at Ukrainian universities: nearly 300,000 are first-year students

On September 1, 2026, Ukraine's higher education institutions began the new academic year. According to the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), more than one million students are starting their studies across the country's universities in total. Of these, nearly 300,000 are incoming students admitted this year to bachelor's and master's programs, i.e., those beginning a new stage of their education at Ukrainian universities. The ministry emphasized that all of them "choose to receive a Ukrainian higher education."

Scale of admissions and quota categories

Within the framework of the admissions campaign for bachelor's programs, as well as for medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary master's programs, as of September 1, 2026, 6,132 applicants made use of so-called quota-2 — special admission conditions provided for certain categories of citizens from temporarily occupied territories (TOT) and territories of active hostilities. This indicates that the preferential admission system for residents of the most affected regions continues to function in full.

Geography of choice: major centers and frontline regions

An analysis of competitive applications showed that more than half of first-year students — 57.2% — will be studying in the country's five largest educational centers. At the same time, there remains significant and sustained demand for education in frontline regions: competitive applications to higher education institutions in these areas accounted for 29% of all admission applications. According to the MES, this distributed interest of applicants reflects both logistical and motivational factors in choosing a university.

State support for priority fields

This academic year, every second newly admitted state-funded student will be studying in a specialty with special state support. Specifically, 49,475 incoming students admitted on a state-funded basis are pursuing fields that the ministry identifies as important for Ukraine's recovery and development. In total, this amounts to 50.2% of all newly admitted students studying under the state order. Thus, state policy in the field of higher education in 2026 maintains its course on targeted funding of personnel for key industries.

Admissions campaign continues until October 20

The MES reminded that the main stage of admissions has been completed, however the admissions campaign will formally continue until October 20, 2026. Applicants who did not pass the main competition or did not submit their documents within the previously set deadlines can still take part in the competitive selection for vacant contract places. The ministry had also previously explained which parameters the NMT procedure should take into account under wartime conditions, as well as which admission options without the NMT are available, so that applicants do not lose a year of study.