The admission campaign to Ukrainian universities in 2026 has undergone significant changes aimed at supporting applicants from risk zones. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) has officially abolished the strict date restriction for relocation for those wishing to use special admission conditions.

Abolition of the departure date requirement

Previously, access to Quota-2 — specially reserved budget places — was available only to applicants who left temporarily occupied territories (TOT) or areas of active hostilities after October 1 of the previous year. Now, this rule is no longer in effect.

According to updated data, applicants can claim the quota regardless of when exactly they left the danger zone. This decision aims to expand higher education opportunities for those who were forced to relocate at different stages of the conflict.

How Quota-2 works

Quota-2 represents a separate competition for budget places. Applicants whose place of residence is registered or declared in temporarily occupied territories or areas of active hostilities do not compete with the general flow of applicants. This significantly increases their chances of admission.

The procedure for participating in the competition depends on the applicant's current situation:

  • If the applicant left the TOT or combat zone before October 1, 2025, they are admitted based on the results of the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT), but participate in the competition within the framework of Quota-2.
  • If the applicant is still in the occupied territory or relocated after October 1, 2025, they have a choice: use NMT results or take subject interviews for the NMT directly at the chosen university.

Registration and document submission

Before submitting an application, the applicant must register their right to special conditions in the Unified State Electronic Database on Education Issues (USEDE). This can be done by contacting the admissions committee of any higher education institution.

After registration, access to the applicant's electronic cabinet is opened, where you can:

  • Register for creative competitions and interviews;
  • Submit applications for admission;
  • Track the status of documents;
  • Confirm the choice of study place after receiving a recommendation for admission.

Deadlines and new rules

Submission of applications for bachelor's degrees and medical master's programs will begin on July 19 and last until 6:00 PM on August 1. The Ministry of Education and Science has also updated the Admission Procedure to universities for 2026, including new regional coefficients to support universities in border areas, expanded opportunities for remote admission testing, and a new algorithm for distributing budget places.

These changes aim to make the higher education system more flexible and fair under the conditions of the ongoing conflict, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of their current location.