The additional — second — wave of contract-based master's admissions has begun in Ukraine. As reported, higher education institutions independently determine the specific deadlines for document submission, competitive selection, and enrollment. The second wave is aimed at applicants who were unable to secure a place during the main campaign, giving them an additional chance to enroll at their own expense or with the funds of legal entities.
Who qualifies for the second wave
Two categories of applicants qualify for the second wave of admissions. The first — those who did not receive recommendations based on the priority applications submitted between August 7 and 22. The second — applicants who received a recommendation for a state-funded or contract place but failed to meet the enrollment requirements or did not confirm their wish to study under the provided recommendation. It is precisely for these groups that the additional intake is open.
Deadlines and submission rules
Applications can be submitted and participation in the competitive selection is possible until October 15. A key condition for participation is that the applicant must have unused applications remaining out of the ten possible. It is this limit that determines whether a candidate can enter the second wave or whether their attempts within the campaign have already been exhausted.
Which results are taken into account
For admission in the second wave, the results of the Unified Entrance Exam (UEE) and the Unified Professional Entrance Test (UPET), as well as the professional exam taken directly at the specific higher education institution, will be used. Thus, in most cases, retaking the tests is not required — the scores already obtained are taken into account.
How much does a master's degree cost in 2026
Enrollment for study funded by individuals or legal entities in the main campaign ended on September 14; to participate in the selection for a state-funded place, a minimum of 130 points was required. Meanwhile, the cost of study in 2026 varies significantly: prices for certain master's programs at some HEIs exceed 200,000 hryvnias per year. In particular, the "Data Science" program at the Ukrainian Catholic University costs 260,000 UAH per year.
At the same time, a master's degree in a number of other specialties will cost significantly less — under 50,000 hryvnias per year. According to available data, this is the cost of metallurgy, agronomy, and ecology. Thus, the second wave opens the opportunity to enter a university for both prestigious, expensive programs and relatively affordable technical and natural-science fields.
