Ukraine’s education system, rooted in a strong tradition, has undergone major reforms to align with European standards, including a shift to a 12-year school model and adoption of the Bologna Process in higher education. It spans from non-compulsory preschool to compulsory primary and secondary schooling, and into a structured higher education system.
Preschool attendance was strong pre-war but has declined significantly due to the ongoing conflict, which has also caused massive disruptions across all education levels—damaging thousands of schools, displacing millions of students, and prompting widespread shifts to online or hybrid learning. Enrollment rates remain relatively high, and reforms such as the New Ukrainian School (NUS) continue, but war-related challenges, including infrastructure destruction, displaced learners, and learning loss, present substantial hurdles to educational continuity and quality.
The Ukrainian Education System: A Comprehensive Overview with Data
Ukraine’s education system, while evolving to align with European standards, has historically provided a robust framework for learning across various age groups. Recent reforms and the ongoing conflict have significantly impacted its landscape, but the commitment to education remains strong.
1. Preschool Education (Дошкільна освіта)
Ages: 0–6 years
Type: Kindergartens (садок or дитячий садок)
Compulsory: No, though there’s an emphasis on participation for early development. In May 2017, approximately 55% of preschoolers attended educational institutions, totaling around 1.3 million children. As of April 2025, due to the full-scale invasion, the number of children enrolled in preschool institutions has dropped by 25% compared to 2021, with over 157,000 children unable to attend kindergartens in person. In 2020, the preprimary school enrollment rate was 85.82%.
2. Primary Education (Початкова освіта)
Ages: 6–10 years
Grades: 1st to 4th grade
Compulsory: Yes
Focus: Basic literacy, numeracy, and general development.
The primary school enrollment rate in Ukraine was 92.77% in 2022. In 2016, there were approximately 1,599,250 primary education pupils. The student-teacher ratio in primary schools was 12.98 students per teacher in 2018.
3. Basic Secondary Education (Базова середня освіта)
Ages: 10–15 years
Grades: 5th to 9th grade
Compulsory: Yes
End Exam: State final exam after 9th grade (ДПА)
In 2019, the total enrollment for secondary education (which includes both basic and upper secondary) was 2.3 million students, with an enrollment rate of 97%. The secondary school enrollment rate was 84.65% in 2021.
4. Upper Secondary Education (Профільна середня освіта)
Ages: 15–17/18 years
Grades: 10th to 12th (transitioning to a 12-grade system)
Tracks: General academic (prepares for university) and Vocational (prepares for skilled jobs or further education).
End Exam: External Independent Testing (ZNO/НМТ)
Students who started school in September 2018 are part of the 12-year education system. Completion rates in upper secondary education have historically been high.
5. Higher Education (Вища освіта)
Ages: 17/18+ years
Degrees: Junior Bachelor (~2 years), Bachelor (4 years), Master (1.5–2 years after Bachelor’s), PhD (3–4 years after Master’s).
As of 2019, there were approximately 1.7 million students enrolled in higher education, with a tertiary enrollment rate of 83%. There were 664 universities/higher education institutions in 2019, with 520 public and 144 private.
As of the beginning of 2023, 332 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and 550 of their divisions were providing educational services in Ukraine.
In 2022, a survey of tertiary institutions reported 1,146,137 students (875,241 university students and 270,896 college students). Approximately 2% of students (23,223 students) had to drop out for various reasons, while 1.4% of academic staff (1,825 employees) were unable to continue their duties after February 24, 2022.
Before the full-scale war, over 76,000 foreign citizens from more than 150 countries were enrolled in Ukrainian HEIs.
Alternative and Vocational Education
Professional Technical Schools (ПТУ): For students after 9th or 11th grade, combining general education with vocational training.
In 2016/17, there were 285,800 students in vocational schools. In 2016, there were 186,191 vocational pupils, with 38.50% being female.
The dual education system is gaining traction, with 217 vocational education institutions providing dual education for 12,395 students as of July 2022.
Important Notes:
Compulsory Education: Education is compulsory up to age 18 since the 2017 education reform.
Language of Instruction: Ukrainian is the main language of instruction, with provisions for minority languages.
Reforms: The extension to a 12-year school system and alignment with the European Bologna Process for higher education are ongoing reforms.
Impact of the War: The full-scale Russian invasion has profoundly impacted the education system. As of March 2025, 3,373 educational institutions have been damaged, with 385 completely destroyed, representing over 10% of the education infrastructure at an estimated cost of $13.4 billion.
As of December 2024, 741,000 children were studying in a hybrid format, and 443,000 were learning entirely online in active hostilities areas.
Learning losses are significant, with a PISA survey in October 2022 showing a decline comparable to two years of missed schooling.
An estimated 4.6 million children in Ukraine face barriers to education, and 2 million have seen their schools close down.
More than 3 million children have been displaced since February 2022, leading to many being unable to attend school in person.
Approximately 665,000 higher education and school students (16% of the total) and 25,000 educators (6% of the total) have left Ukraine.
Frequent air raid alerts interrupt lessons; children in Kyiv alone have endured over 1,711 hours of alarms since the full-scale war began.
Despite these challenges, the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform continues, aiming to modernize education and align it with EU standards.
FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Ukraine
What age groups does Ukraine’s education system cover?
Ukraine’s education system covers all age groups, starting from preschool (0–6 years) to higher education (17/18+ years).
Is preschool education compulsory in Ukraine?
No, preschool is not compulsory, but participation is encouraged for early development.
What percentage of children attended preschool before the war?
In 2020, the preprimary enrollment rate was 85.82%.
How has the war affected preschool attendance?
As of April 2025, preschool enrollment dropped by 25% compared to 2021, with over 157,000 children unable to attend in person.
When does primary education start and is it compulsory?
Primary education starts at age 6 and is compulsory.
What subjects are emphasized in primary education?
Primary education focuses on literacy, numeracy, and general development.
What is the enrollment rate in primary education?
The primary school enrollment rate was 92.77% in 2022.
What follows after primary education in Ukraine?
Basic secondary education follows, covering ages 10–15 and grades 5 to 9.
Is secondary education compulsory in Ukraine?
Yes, both basic and upper secondary education are compulsory up to age 18.
What exam is taken after basic secondary education?
Students take the State Final Exam (ДПА) after 9th grade.
What options are available in upper secondary education?
Students can follow general academic or vocational tracks.
What is the purpose of vocational education in Ukraine?
Vocational education prepares students for skilled jobs or further education.
What is the current structure of higher education in Ukraine?
Higher education includes Junior Bachelor, Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs.
How many students were enrolled in higher education in 2019?
About 1.7 million students were enrolled in higher education in 2019.
What percentage of tertiary enrollment was reported in 2022?
Tertiary enrollment stood at 83%.
How many higher education institutions operate in Ukraine?
As of 2023, there were 332 HEIs and 550 branches operating in Ukraine.
What is dual education in Ukraine?
Dual education combines academic and vocational training, growing in popularity with over 12,000 students in 2022.
How many educational institutions have been damaged due to the war?
3,373 institutions have been damaged and 385 completely destroyed.
What are the estimated financial damages to education infrastructure?
The damages are estimated at $13.4 billion.
How many children are learning online or in hybrid mode?
As of December 2024, 741,000 were in hybrid mode and 443,000 fully online.
What is the extent of learning loss reported?
A 2022 PISA survey indicated learning losses equivalent to two years of missed schooling.
How many children are facing barriers to education?
An estimated 4.6 million children face educational barriers.
How many schools have closed due to the conflict?
About 2 million children have experienced school closures.
How many students and educators have left Ukraine?
Around 665,000 students and 25,000 educators have left Ukraine since the war began.
What is the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform?
NUS aims to modernize education, promote competence-based learning, and align with EU standards.
What is the main language of instruction in Ukrainian schools?
Ukrainian is the primary language, with accommodations for minority languages.
How often are lessons interrupted by air raid alerts?
In Kyiv alone, students have endured over 1,711 hours of air raid alerts since the war began.
What role do foreign students play in Ukraine’s higher education?
Before the war, over 76,000 foreign students from 150+ countries were studying in Ukraine.
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