Ukraine is still a welcoming place for international students in 2026, making it a strong and affordable place to get a higher education. Despite the ongoing geopolitical challenges, the government and various international bodies have doubled down on financial support to maintain the prestige of Ukrainian degrees and support global academic exchange.
1. Scholarships from the Ukrainian government
The Ukrainian government has given students a lot more money for the 2026/2027 school year. Starting on September 1, 2026, academic scholarships will be worth twice as much, with a minimum value of about 4,000 UAH per month.
Who can apply and what it covers. Traditionally, these scholarships are given out based on agreements between Ukraine and other countries, like the Czech Republic, China, and some African and Middle Eastern countries. They usually include:
- 100% Tuition Waiver: For the whole time you are in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programme.
- Monthly stipend: access to the higher academic allowance for 2026.
- Preparatory Course: If the program is not taught in English, it covers a one-year Ukrainian language and foundations course.
- Housing: University dorms offer discounted rates that are the same as what local students pay.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine runs most places that receive government funding. International applicants usually have to apply through their home country’s Ministry of Education, which then sends the best candidates to the Ukrainian government.
2. Programmes for International and Partnering
Many students in Ukraine benefit from programmes that help them move around the world and get help, which will still be going strong in 2026.
- Erasmus+: Ukraine is still a very active member of Erasmus+. This means that students can get monthly grants for exchange periods or full degrees through certain partner universities in Europe.
- Chevening (UK-Ukraine Partnership): Chevening is mostly for studying in the UK, but it also supports leadership and resilience programmes that involve working together with Ukrainian schools.
- The Visby program is only for students from the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Partnership countries, like Ukraine. It offers full scholarships for master’s programmes.
3. Scholarships for merit at specific universities
Many of the best Ukrainian universities offer their own internal discounts to keep the number of international students up in 2026.
- V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University: Often gives high-achieving students in medicine and biology tuition discounts based on their grades.
- Kyiv’s Taras Shevchenko National University: Offers several internal grants to students who are working on certain research projects or who have outstanding academic backgrounds.
- The National Technical University of Ukraine (KPI) gives “Excellence Awards” to international students studying engineering and IT.
4. Cost of Study in 2026 (Not a Scholarship)
Even without a full scholarship, Ukraine is still one of the cheapest places in Europe to get an education in 2026.
- Medical programmes (MBBS or dentistry) cost between €1,500 and €5,000 a year.
- Engineering and IT: €1,200 to €4,000 a year.
- For business and MBA, it’s €2,000 to €6,000 a year.
- Living Expenses: Students can live well on €250 to €400 a month, which covers food, transport, and utilities.
5. Papers Needed for 2026
Ensure you have the following ready if you want to apply for a scholarship or general admission in 2026. Digital verification is becoming more common in today’s world.
School and Identity
- International Passport: Valid for at least 18 months.
- Your high school diploma or other degree, notated and translated into Ukrainian, is your education certificate.
- This is the official letter from the university that you need to obtain a student visa.
Safety and Health
- Health Certificate: A statement of general fitness and negative tests for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
- Insurance: When you get there, you have to buy a local health insurance policy.
6. Advice for applicants in 2026
First, safety Check the exact location of the university you want to attend before you apply. In 2026, many schools in Western and Central Ukraine, like those in Lviv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk, are fully on-campus, but some may offer a mix of on-campus and online classes.
Use Official Channels to Apply Always check the centralised state portal for international students studying in Ukraine to make sure the school and scholarship you want are real. This portal lets you get in touch with university admissions offices directly.
Flexibility in Language There are more than 500 programmes taught in English, but applying for a Ukrainian programme through a scholarship often comes with higher monthly stipends and a better chance to fit in with the local academic community.
Are you looking for a specific field of study, like medicine or engineering, or are you more interested in a general master’s research grant?