Schools

According to the Ukrainian Constitution, the access to Free State education is granted to all citizens. Complete general secondary education is compulsory in the state schools which constitute the significant majority. Free higher education in state and communal educational establishments is provided on a competitive basis. There is also a small number of accredited private secondary and higher education institutions.

Because of the Soviet Union's emphasis on total access of education for all citizens, which is still present in Ukraine today, literacy rate is estimated with 99.4%. Since 2005, an eleven-year school program has been the following: the complete primary education takes 4 years (starting at the age of 6), middle education (secondary) takes 5 years; upper secondary education - 2 years. In the 12th grade students have to take government examinations, which are also referred to as school-graduation exams.

 

Universities

The university admission procedure is based on the results of the final school examinations. The system of the Ukrainian higher education comprises higher educational establishments, scientific and methodological institutions in terms the law ruled by self-governing bodies. The organization of higher education in Ukraine is formed in accordance with the structure of education of the world's developed countries, defined by the UNESCO and the Organization of the United Nations.