Education in Ukraine
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This article is about education in Ukraine.
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[edit] General information
Ukraine's educational system has produced nearly 100% literacy.[1]
Schooling is compulsory from the age of 7. Many children attend certain pre-school courses at 6.
Grades are named "younger", "middle" and 'senior' schools. 'Younger school comprises grades 1 to 3. A very few schools offer grade 4. Grades 5-8 are usually referred to as 'middle school', while 9-12 are 'senior' school. There are few differences between these "schools." Students usually attend the same school building throughout their primary and secondary education.
During grade 12, which is usually around the age of 17-18, students take various exams. The current examination system is undergoing change. At grades 10 and 12 students take Independent Government Tests, which allow twelfth graders to enter universities without taking separate entrance exams. At the same time, other students take separate graduation and university entrance exams.[2]
[edit] Major universities
- Kiev University (National Taras Shevchenko University of Kiev)
- Kharkiv University (Karazin Kharkiv National University)
- Lviv University (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv)
- Donetsk National University
- Chernivtsi University (Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University)
- Odessa University (I.I. Mechnikov Odessa National University)
- National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
- National Technical University of Ukraine (National Technical University of Ukraine "Kiev Polytechnic Institute")
- National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnical Institute"
- Lviv Polytechnic
- Ostroh Academy
[edit] Ukrainian educational system
The Ukrainian educational system is arranged into three major groups: secondary education, higher education, and postgraduate education.
[edit] School level
Since 2005, a twelve-year school system has been implemented in Ukraine: primary education takes 4 years to complete (starting at age six), middle education takes 5 years to complete, depending on the school. There are then 3 profile years. Full secondary education is compulsory for all Ukrainian citizens.
In the 12th grade students take the Government Tests, or separate graduation exams. The Government tests substitute for both the graduation exams and university admission tests.
By 2009 all who want to continue their education at the university level will have to take the Government Tests, instead of separate graduation exams and university admissions tests.
[edit] University level
Higher education can be obtained either at the expense of the state or for a fee. It is common practice that University candidates are not required to pass an entrance examination if they are willing to pay for their education.[3]
Students that study at state expense receive a standard scholarship if their average marks at the end-of-term exams and differentiated test is at least 4 (see the grade system below). In case of all 5 grades, the scholarship is increased by 25%. For most students the amount of government scholarship is not sufficient to cover their minimal living expenses. Most Universities provide subsidized housing for out-of-city students. Also, it is common for libraries to supply required books for all registered students.
There are two degrees conferred by Ukrainian universities: the Bachelor's Degree (4 years) and the Master's Degree (5-6 years). These degrees are introduced in accordance with Bologna process, in which Ukraine is taking part. Historically, Specialist's Degree (usually 5 years) was also granted. It was the only degree awarded by Universities in the Soviet times.
[edit] Postgraduate level
After obtaining a Master's Degree, a student may enter a university or a scientific institute to pursue postgraduate education. The first level of postgraduate education is Aspirantura that usually results in the Kandidat Nauk degree (Candidate of Sciences). Candidates must pass three qualifying exams (in the field of specialty, in a foreign language of their choice and in philosophy), publish at least three scientific articles, write a dissertation and defend it. This degree is roughly equivalent to the Ph.D. in the United States.[4].
After graduation a student may continue postgraduate education. This takes from two to four years of study in Doctorantura. Significant scientific results must be obtained and published, and a new thesis written. This produces a Doctor Nauk degree (Doctor of Sciences), but the more typical way is working in a university or scientific institute with parallel preparation of a thesis. The average time between obtaining Kandidat and Doctor degrees is roughly 10 years, and most of new Doctors are 40 and more years old. Only one of four Kandidats reaches this grade.
Kandidat Nauk may keep position of Assistant Professor in universities and of Researcher or Senior Researcher in scientific institutes. Doctor Nauk can hold position of full Professor, Head of Laboratory or equal or higher positions.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine consider changing the Soviet-like Kandidat Nauk and Doctor Nauk degrees by Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor Habilitation, as it was made by several post-Soviet countries.
[edit] Marks
Ukrainian universities use a traditional 5-point scale: "5" = "excellent", "4" = "good, "3" = "acceptable" (Satisfactory), "2" = "unacceptable" (Fail).
Students who get a "2", have three chances to retake an examination.
Since 2001 secondary schools use a 12-point scale, which could be transformed into the traditional five point scale:
- "12" = "5+"
- "11" = "5"
- "10" = "5-"
- "9" = "4+"
- "8" = "4"
- "7" = "4-"
- "6" = "3+"
- "5" = "3"
- "4" = "3-"
- "3" = "2+"
- "2" = "2"
- "1" = "2-"
[edit] Language of education
In 2000/01, 70% of students attended Ukrainian schools (where Ukrainian is the primary language of instruction), while 29% were studying in Russian schools. There are schools with instruction in Romanian, Tatar, Hungarian, and Polish in regions populated by those groups.
Historically, the language of instruction has often been changed in Ukraine. In the times of the Russian Empire, the Ukrainian language was proscribed, and Russian language predominated among elite, which had access to schools. The initial policies of the Bolsheviks were supportive of local languages, and many Ukrainian-language schools were opened, with the long-term goal of getting rid of illiteracy. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1980s, the Soviet government policies favored Russification. In the 1970s and 1980s, the number of Russian schools was constantly being increased at the expense of Ukrainian schools. In 1991/92, according to the Razumkov centre, 49% of high school students were receiving their education in Ukrainian, and 50% in Russian. After independence the trend was reversed. However, reintroduction of formal Ukrainian-language study has taken longer than expected. In some schools that had tried to switch to Ukrainian from Russian, part or most of the instruction is still given in Russian.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ukraine. CIA World Factbook (March 20, 2008).
- ^ Education Promotion Bureau - Ukraine
- ^ There are some exams for the paying candidate but they are a formality only.
- ^ Great Soviet Encyclopedia., 3rd ed. (in Russian), Moscow: Sovetskaya Enciklopediya, vol. 11.
[edit] External links
- (Ukrainian) Ministry of Education and Science of the Ukraine (official website)
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