A record number of applicants have registered for the 2026 National University Entrance Exam
28 April 18:16
More than 355,000 students have registered for this year’s main session of the national multi-subject test in Ukraine. That is 43,000 more than last year. This was announced by Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, the increase in the number of participants reflects an important trend: more and more graduates are planning to stay in Ukraine to pursue higher education.
“This year, over 355,000 participants will take the test—that’s 43,000 more than last year. We are seeing an important trend: the number of those planning to continue their studies at home is growing,” the minister noted.
At the same time, some applicants will take the test abroad. According to the ministry, there are over 18,000 such applicants.
Which subjects are popular
Among the subjects, the most popular are those that applicants consider practical for their future professions. These include foreign languages, geography, biology, and Ukrainian literature.
In contrast, interest in the natural sciences remains lower. Approximately 11,000 students chose physics, and about 3,000 chose chemistry.
The ministry acknowledges this problem and is trying to address it.
“This is a trend we are consistently trying to change,” explained Lisovyi.
According to him, interest in such subjects depends on learning conditions.
“A child’s interest in these subjects arises from access to research, modern equipment, and real-world experiments,” he added.
This year, they plan to allocate 700 million hryvnias for the modernization of science classrooms. Last year, over a hundred schools received this opportunity.
Registration for the tests began on March 5. The main testing period will run from May 20 to June 25, with an additional session in July.
As a reminder, registration for entrance exams to master’s and doctoral programs began in Ukraine on April 23 and will continue until mid-May.
