Boasting affordable and quality education, Ukraine ranks among the top study destination in Europe. From better job prospects to internationally accredited faculties, there are several benefits to studying in Ukraine. India, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Turkmenistan and Nigeria are the top five countries with the highest number of students in Ukraine. Based on the 2019 statistics, over 4300 Nigerian students are studying in Ukraine. The continuous increase in the number of students clearly shows that Ukrainian universities offer quality education and academic value.
Essential things to know about studying in Ukraine
More than half of international students apply for Medical courses
Ukraine has some of the best universities in the world. The country also offers affordable and quality education. It’s no wonder half of the international students choose to study medical-related courses in Ukraine.
Increased acceptance rate
Provided prospective students meet all the requirements, Ukraine accepts the most eligible students who apply to study in the country.
Language proficiency isn’t required
If you’re proficient in the language of study, you won’t need to do a language proficiency test like TOEFL or IELTS. Nevertheless, you can apply for language support programs to improve your language proficiency.
There are over 800 tertiary institutions in Ukraine
Ukraine ranks among the countries with the highest number of tertiary institutions in Eastern Europe. The country records more than 800 higher education institutions.
Ukraine has a conducive environment
While Ukraine is usually the coldest in January, it experiences rain and warmth in the remaining months of the year.
Steps to study in Ukraine as a Nigerian student
Choose a course
Course selection is the first step in your study plans. Discover your interest and existing skills. This will help you choose the right course. Most undergraduate courses and programs are usually completed within 3 years or more. Hence, you must be dedicated to studying your course of choice. Explore the list of courses on the university’s website and choose a suitable option. Consider reading reviews about your preferred course and university. This will enable you to make informed decisions. Also, check if the course is accredited. You can as well attend university fairs and forums. Through this, you will have first-hand knowledge of the course and university.
Find out about the admission requirements
After choosing a program and university, find out about the admission requirements. These requirements include all the documents needed to gain admission into a university. The documents are:
- Duly completed application form
- A copy of the international passport
- High school diploma/Bachelor’s degree
- Academic Transcripts
While the list mentioned above is the general requirements for most institutions, some universities may have additional requirements. Ensure you find out all the necessary information from the university before applying.
Note: All documents must be legalised and translated into the Ukrainian language. These documents are often notarised to determine the authenticity of academic certifications. Though some universities insist on the nostrification process before granting admission to applicants, other institutions may require that you notarise your documents once you arrive in Ukraine.
Apply to the university
After gathering your documents, proceed to submit your application to the prospective university. Find out when the application opens and when it closes. Ensure you turn in your application on time to avoid late time submission. If you have good grades and an impressive motivation letter, it’s best you apply to multiple schools, like 2 or 3. This increases your chance of acceptance.
Receive the invitation letter
Once your application is successful, the university will issue you an acceptance letter sent to your mail. The letter will bear the applicant’s name, date of birth, course of study and semester of admission. Furthermore, the acceptance letter may include additional details about admission.
Process Ukraine study visa
After receiving your acceptance letter or letter of admission, you’ll need to obtain a Ukraine study visa.
General visa application requirements for Nigerians
For your visa application, you’ll need to submit the following documents at the embassy:
- Duly completed application form
- An international passport which is valid for at least 3 months with about 2 blank pages.
- Coloured passport photographs
- Original admission/ invitation letter from the institution.
- Medical certificate indicating that the applicant is in good health (legalised and translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The medical certificate is only valid for 2 months. Applicants can use this report during this period for their enrollment.
- Original academic results/certificates (legalised by the Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs).
- Recent bank statement of sponsor (amount should be sufficient to cater for daily expenses and tuition for the first year).
- Academic transcripts
- Payment receipt for visa fees
- Notarised sponsorship letter with a court affidavit, including the full name of the sponsor, their address, and phone number. The letter should indicate the sponsor’s interest in covering your school expenses.
- Photocopy of sponsor’s ID and passport
Typically, the above documents are usually needed for visa processing. The embassy may ask for more documents. Ensure you meet all the requirements.
Get accommodation
Make sure you sort your accommodation before leaving for Ukraine. This will save you lots of hassle. After you’ve obtained your visa and made travel plans, go ahead to get a room. Generally, new students stay on campus in their first year. But, if you don’t want to live on campus, you can check here for accommodation options.
Build network
Your travel plans are in progress. Why not connect with students going to study in Ukraine like you? Make your trip to Ukraine exciting and fun by connecting to fellow students from your school. This will help you adjust quickly to the educational system, lifestyle and more.
Welcome to Ukraine
Now you’re in Ukraine; it’s about time you get on with registration and the likes. The first week in Ukraine may be stressful as you have to do your course registration, among other things. Universities often organise orientation courses for new students so they can get acquainted with the school activities. Besides studying in Ukraine, you get to experience the culture, food, historical heritage, etc.
