UPA, priorities, quotas: what’s changing in university admissions in 2026
25 March 14:42
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has published the Admission Procedure for Higher Education in 2026, which sets out the rules for the admissions process for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The document has already been approved by an order of the Ministry of Education and Science and takes effect on the date of its official publication, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The new procedure regulates the entire process for applicants: from registering an electronic account to enrollment. The document also specifies funding sources, quotas, special conditions for certain categories of applicants, and the rules for competitive selection.
What are the main admission rules for 2026?
The admission procedure applies to all higher education institutions that enroll students for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The basis for announcing an admission campaign is the possession of a license from the Ministry of Education and Science, and each university’s admission rules must comply with the ministry’s general regulations.
Admissions committees are responsible for organizing the admissions process, and to assist applicants, universities must establish consultation centers for registering applicants’ electronic accounts.
What levels of education does the admissions campaign cover?
In 2026, admissions will take place at the following levels:
- Bachelor’s;
- Master’s;
- Ph.D.;
- Doctor of Arts.
Admission is based on prior education: complete secondary education, vocational pre-higher education, a bachelor’s or master’s degree—depending on the level to which the applicant is applying.
How the bachelor’s program admission process will work
The National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) remains the basis for admission to bachelor’s programs. The Ministry of Education and Science’s regulations explicitly state that the NMT in 2026 will include three required subjects—Ukrainian language, mathematics, and Ukrainian history—and one elective subject: a foreign language, biology, physics, chemistry, geography, or Ukrainian literature.
The competitive score will be calculated based on the results of the entrance exams and other indicators specified by the procedures and rules of the specific university. It is calculated to an accuracy of 0.001.
What is application priority and why is it important
The document establishes the concept of application priority. This is the order that the applicant determines when submitting applications: 1 is the highest priority. It is this order that is taken into account in the algorithm for targeted placement on the state-funded quota.
This means that applicants need to carefully consider the order of their applications in advance, as it will directly affect their chances of receiving a recommendation for admission.
What forms of study will be available in 2026
In 2026, higher education in Ukraine will be available in the following formats:
- full-time;
- evening;
- correspondence;
- distance learning.
However, distance learning is not available for the third level of higher education.
What are the sources of funding
The procedure provides for two main sources of funding for education:
- the state or local budget;
- funds from individuals or legal entities.
The document also mentions state grants, vouchers, and other instruments that may cover all or part of the cost of education for contract students.
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Who is eligible for special admission conditions
Special admission conditions will apply to certain categories of applicants in 2026. This includes both special conditions for participation in the competitive selection process and special conditions for admission under state or regional quotas.
An applicant may take advantage of these conditions only if they submit the required supporting documents on time—before the completion of the specified stages of the campaign.
Quota-1 and Quota-2 are provided for separately. Quota-2 applies to applicants whose place of residence is registered or declared in a temporarily occupied territory or a territory of active hostilities, as well as those who relocated from there after October 1 of the year preceding the year of admission.
What will the admission process look like in 2026?
The Ministry of Education and Science has established a clear sequence for the admissions campaign. It includes:
- registration of an electronic account;
- submission of applications;
- competitive selection;
- recommendations for admission;
- fulfillment of enrollment requirements;
- enrollment itself.
In other words, the entire admission process is formalized and must be completed in stages.
What applicants should know right now
Applicants and parents should already carefully review the admission process, follow the rules of specific universities, and correctly select an elective subject for the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT). It is also important to prepare documents in advance, especially if the applicant is applying for benefits, quotas, or special conditions.
The new admission procedure for 2026 effectively sets the framework for the entire campaign and determines how the competitive selection process for Ukrainian higher education institutions will take place.
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