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ENIC UKRAINE
National Information Centre
of Academic Mobility

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HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS AND DEGREES

The new Law of Ukraine «On Higher Education» in 2014 introduced changes to the structure of higher education levels and degrees. The degrees of Junior Specialist, Specialist and Сandidate of Science were replaced by the degrees of Junior Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Art. These changes have been gradually implemented. So the last admission to the Junior Specialist’s programs took place in 2019, to the Specialist’s programs – in 2016, to the Candidate of Science’s programs – in 2015..

The structure of modern higher education system includes the following higher education levels:

  • initial level (short cycle / junior bachelor’s) of higher education
  • first (bachelor's) level
  • second (master's) level
  • third (doctoral educational-scientific/educational-artistic) level.

Obtaining higher education at each level implies successful completion of the requirements of the higher education program, which is the basis for awarding the appropriate higher education degree:

  • Junior Bachelor
  • Bachelor
  • Master
  • Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Art.

Junior Bachelor`s degree degree is an educational or professional degree obtained at the initial level (short cycle) of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution after successful completion of higher education program of 120 ECTS credits. If the Junior Bachelor’s degree is obtained after professional pre-higher education, a higher education institution may transfer the ECTS credits, the maximum amount of which is determined by the state standard of higher education approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.

The entry level to the Junior Bachelor's degree is complete general secondary education.

Bachelor's degree is obtained at the first level of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution upon successful completion of a higher education program of 180-240 ECTS credits. If the entry qualification to the Bachelor's degree is the Junior Bachelor’s or Professional Junior Bachelor’s degree, a higher education institution may transfer the ECTS credits from these programs, the maximum amount of which is determined by the state standard of higher education.

The entry level to the Bachelor's degree is complete general secondary education.

Master's degree is an educational degree obtained at the second level of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution (scientific institution) upon successful completion of the relevant educational-professional or educational-scientific program. The volume of the educational-professional Master's program is 90-120 ECTS credits, the volume of the educational-scientific program is 120 ECTS credits. The Master's educational-scientific program shall include a research (scientific) component of at least 30 percent.

The entry qualification to the Master's degree programs is Bachelor's degree.

The master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained on the basis of complete general secondary education, junior bachelor degree, professional junior bachelor, or junior specialization is obtained after complete general secondary education, Junior Bachelor or Professional Junior Bachelor in the relevant specialty. If the Master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained after complete general secondary education, the volume of the program is 300-360 ECTS (integrated Master’s degree). In cases when the Master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained after Junior Bachelor or Professional Junior Bachelor, a higher education institution can transfer the ECTS credits, the maximum amount of which is determined by the higher education standard.

Doctor of Philosophy Philosophy is an educational and scientific degree obtained at the third level of higher education after Master's degree. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by a specialized scientific council of a higher education institution or scientific institution based on the results of successful completion of the relevant educational-scientific program (four years) and public defense of dissertation. The volume of the educational component of the program of the Doctor of Philosophy is 30-60 ECTS credits.

Doctor of Art is an educational and creative degree obtained at the third level of higher education after Master's degree. The degree of Doctor of Art is awarded by a specialized higher education institution’s council in the field of art after successful completion of the relevant educational program (three years) and public defense of the art project. The volume of the educational component of the program of Doctor of Art is 30-60 ECTS credits.


Historical profile:

"The system of higher education levels and degrees before 2014 and during the transition period"


This information has been produced with the financial assistance of the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the Council of Europe.