Ukraine to Hold Master's Entrance Exams Abroad in 2026

What Happened

In a significant development for Ukrainian education, the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment announced that entrance examinations for master's programs, known as ЄВІ/ЄФВВ, will be held abroad in 2026. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for Ukrainian youth living outside the country to access higher education in Ukraine.

Key Details

The exams will take place during the main session and will be available in 22 cities across 10 countries. The planned locations include major European cities such as Valencia in Spain, Riga in Lithuania, Lisbon in Portugal, and several cities in Poland, Germany, the UK, and France.

The initiative reflects the Ukrainian government's efforts to ensure that students abroad can exercise their right to education in their home country. Registration for the master's entrance exams abroad will occur between April 23 and May 14, 2026.

The registration process will be managed by the admissions committees of higher education institutions in Ukraine. Participants will be provided with examination sheets containing essential information for logging into the online examination portal, known as the ‘Participant’s Cabinet.’ The examinations conducted overseas will have a limited capacity, dependent on quotas set by the Ukrainian authorities.

Once the predefined number of spots is filled, students will be unable to choose a different testing location. Financing for the modernization of the software used for entrance exams is being provided through a joint project with the World Bank aimed at improving higher education in Ukraine.

This effort, part of the UIHERP initiative, seeks to enhance educational outcomes in the country.

Why It Matters

This development is significant as it expands access to Ukrainian higher education for students forced to live abroad due to current circumstances. It represents a proactive step by educational authorities to adapt to the needs of displaced students while maintaining academic standards.

Background

The Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment has been working on reforms aimed at enhancing the accessibility and quality of higher education. The decision to hold entrance exams abroad aligns with these reforms and is part of broader educational initiatives.

The exams will conform to existing standards set for assessments in Ukraine and will be closely monitored to ensure fairness and integrity throughout the process.