The second wave of contract enrollment has begun in higher education institutions in Ukraine. This is the last chance for applicants who failed to secure a coveted spot in their desired university or wish to obtain a second higher education. The enrollment process will continue until August 30, 2026, after which available spots will be closed until the next academic year.

New rules and priorities for applicants

The second stage of contract admission opens opportunities for a wide range of applicants. In particular, documents can be submitted not only by those who did not receive recommendations in the first stage, but also by students who already have one higher education and wish to obtain a second. It is important to note that applications submitted during the main competition automatically participate in the contract selection. However, such applicants will no longer have priority in the second wave — they will be considered on equal terms.

Multiple recommendations and competition for spots

Applicants may receive recommendations from several universities at once if there are available spots and their competitive score allows them to claim them. Universities form recommendations within the licensed volume, starting with applicants with high competitive scores. This means that chances of admission are higher for those who scored more points on entrance exams.

Grants and restrictions for those who declined budget places

Applicants who declined a contract place by priority in the first stage may be eligible for a grant if they enroll on a contract during the second wave. However, there is an important restriction: if an applicant declined a budget recommendation, they will not be able to receive a grant upon contract enrollment during the second wave. This rule aims to prevent abuse and ensure fairness in the distribution of state funds.

Rising tuition costs and popular majors

The cost of contract education in Ukrainian universities in 2026 has increased significantly, especially for popular majors in IT, law, economics, and management. In Lviv, for example, tuition fees have been updated, and some master's programs in certain institutions have exceeded 200,000 UAH per year. At the same time, the cost of some majors remains within 50,000 UAH, making them more accessible to applicants with limited budgets.

Contradictory data

There are discrepancies in information regarding how exactly applicants' scores are taken into account when forming recommendations in the second wave. Some sources indicate that priority is given exclusively to new applications, while others claim that old applications also participate in the competition, but without priority. This uncertainty may affect applicants' document submission strategy.

Recommendations for applicants

Applicants who have not yet decided on a place of study or wish to enroll in another major should check if there are still available contract spots in their chosen universities. To do this, it is recommended to visit the official websites of the universities or contact the admissions committees. It is also important to consider document submission deadlines and requirements for the necessary package of papers to avoid missing the last chance for admission.