The State Service of Education Quality of Ukraine (SSQE) has published an updated list of higher education institutions classified as high risk. Following the 2026 assessment, this group includes 45 universities out of 292 inspected. RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing SSQE data. Thus, compared to the previous reporting cycle when 20 institutions out of 262 fell into the red zone, the number of high-risk universities has more than doubled, while the total number of inspected institutions has also grown.
Calculation Methodology and Seven Evaluation Criteria
The 2026 risk degree calculations were performed in the Unified State Electronic Database on Education (USEDE) using the specialized module "Risk Degrees (for Higher Education)." The algorithm automates the calculation of final scores based on criteria approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 982 of November 21, 2018. Overall, the assessment is based on seven indicators: universities fill in two of them independently, four are automatically retrieved by the system from USEDE data—namely, student enrollment dynamics over the last three years, the number of academic and pedagogical staff by primary employment, the presence of separate structural units, and the share of foreign students. The seventh criterion—the number of violations of higher education legislation detected during state supervision over the past five years—is entered by authorized SSQE personnel.
Inspection Deadlines and Adjustments Due to Martial Law
In 2026, due to the ongoing martial law in the country, universities were allowed to extend the deadline for entering information into the "Risk Degrees" module until August 31. From September 1 to September 30, SSQE employees verified the institutions' performance indicators against established criteria. Following the automated score calculation, each educational institution had the opportunity to review the results, check the indicators, and request clarifications through the service's official communication channels.
What the "High Risk" Status Means
It is important to emphasize that classifying an institution under a specific risk degree is the result of a formal evaluation against set criteria and does not in itself imply automatic confirmation of poor-quality education or the invalidity of issued diplomas. The status serves as a signal for increased monitoring by the regulator, not a verdict on a specific university or its graduates. The SSQE emphasizes that the final score is calculated based on a combination of quantitative indicators and is not an expert conclusion on teaching quality.
Dynamics: Comparison with 2025
In the previous reporting cycle, the SSQE classified 20 institutions out of 262 assessed as high risk. The maximum score of 70 was then received by the International Academy of Ecology and Medicine. The top five risk-level leaders also included the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Open International University of Human Development "Ukraine," the "Beit-Hana" Institute, and the Taurian Christian Institute. In 2026, the full list of 45 universities with the highest risk scores was published on the official SSQE website; the calculation was performed using the same methodology as the previous year.
Context: State Grants for First-Year Students
Against the backdrop of tightened control over the quality of higher education, RBC-Ukraine reminds that students enrolled in the first year of bachelor's or master's programs in 2026 can apply for state grants to cover contract tuition fees. The amount of assistance is determined by entrance exam results and the chosen specialty. This year, the deadlines for sending certificates have been postponed, which, according to the publication, is due to general logistics under martial law conditions.
