For applicants planning to enroll in Ukrainian universities in 2026, a key factor for success is understanding the specifics of how the competitive score is formed. Admission requirements will depend directly on the chosen major, with a significant gap remaining between "budget" and prestigious fields of study.
How the Competitive Score is Calculated
The mechanics of calculating the passing score in 2026 are based on the results of the National Multi-Subject Testing (NMT). The scores for each subject are converted to a 200-point scale. However, the final figure is not a simple sum of points. Weighting coefficients, established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) for each specific major, are introduced into the calculation.
It is these coefficients that determine how strongly the result in the profile subject influences the final competition. This creates a natural gradation: the higher the prestige and demand for a field, the higher the requirements for testing results.
The Highest Entry Thresholds
An analysis of current trends shows that the highest requirements are imposed on traditionally elite and socially significant majors. Applicants dreaming of a career in medicine, law, or international relations will have to overcome the highest barrier.
At the same time, the entry threshold for other fields may be lower, making the admission system flexible but requiring careful planning on the part of students.
The Question of Lowering the Threshold: The Government's Position
Recently, the possibility of easing access to elite education has been discussed within the professional community. The Union of Rectors of Ukraine recently appealed to the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisov, with an initiative to lower the minimum competitive score for admission to the most in-demand majors.
The proposal involved lowering the bar from 150 to 130 points. The argumentation of the initiative's proponents was based on the need to expand access to quality education. However, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine took a firm stance: the department stated that it would not review the minimum competitive score.
Admission Rules and University Autonomy
According to the current Procedure for Admission to Higher Education Institutions, in 2026 universities retain the right to independently determine the minimum competitive score for participation in the selection process. This right is enshrined in the Admission Rules of each specific university.
Nevertheless, university autonomy is limited by state standards. Universities have the right to set their own internal requirements, but they cannot lower the minimum threshold below the level established at the state level. Thus, even if a university wishes to admit more students, the "floor" for admission remains fixed.
