HEIs Began Accepting Applications from Hopeful Freshmen

Thursday, 15 July 2010

Starting on Thursday, July 15th, applications can be submitted to establishments of higher education (HEIs) in Ukraine.   The Admission Commissions will accept applications for two weeks.  Starting on July 23rd, HEIs will begin internal selection contests which will last up to several months.  Finalized lists of those who have been admitted should be announced by August 10th. 

Komsomol’s’ka Pravda in Ukraine reports that this year practically all universities in Kyiv protected themselves from an onslaught of privileged students by raising the minimum grades required to apply.  Instead of using the minimum grade of 124 that was set by the Ministry of Education some HEIs have set minimum grades at 150 or even 180.  Last summer, in some HEIs there was a large infusion of privileged students—up to 90% compared with students from non privileged categories.  This largely affected the HEIs and Departments that taught hard sciences. 

This year’s rules intend on weeding out the weakest students, and those who hide behind falsified health reports or other documents that include them in privileged categories.   For example the Kyiv Mohyla Academy is raising the minimum grade needed to apply from 124 to 180 for those wishing to enter legal studies, and 160 for those wishing to study physics or computer sciences.   In the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University a minimum score of 170 is required for students wishing to apply for legal studies or journalism.   

As a reminder, an individual can only apply to 5 HEIs this year and to no more than three majors in each. 

On a related note, the Ministry of Education is opening a hotline on Thursday that will assist and provide information to citizens throughout the 2010 admission campaign.  Hopeful freshmen can call (044) 486-28-49 to not only receive HEI specific requirements for admissions but also to register complaints about individual admission commissions.  Sehodnya reports that the hotline will operate from 9am to 6pm. 

“The hotline will be able to answer a large array of questions.  For example they will be able to provide information on the number of full scholarships available in various specialties or to confirm what exams are needed to apply to a specific HEI,” explained Dmytro Tabachnyk, the Minister of Education.  “Personal information including full name and a contact telephone number will be required of those filing complaints so that the matter can be followed up on.  However, reporting irrelevant details, such as the name of the admission commission member spoken to is not necessary because reporting every little detail will transform hotline into a general emergency hotline,” he added.  Starting on July 15th students were able to visit the Headquarters in person at the following address: Kyiv, Prospect Peremohy 10.  The hours of operation are from 8am to 9pm. 

“Headquarters will also be created within all Ministries that are involved with higher educational establishments, and will be established in every regional center at the Department of Education and Sciences,” explained Mr. Tabachnyk. 

The hotline and office will close sometime between September 1st and 5th. 

Ukrayins’ka Pravda