National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute
Національний технічний університет «Харківський політехнічний інститут»
One of Ukraine's oldest engineering universities, founded in Kharkiv in 1885 as a practical technological institute.
- Founded
- 1885
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About NTU KhPI
The National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute (NTU KhPI) traces its history to 16 April 1885, when the Russian Empire approved the regulations of the Kharkiv Practical Technological Institute, the second of its kind after St Petersburg. Its first student intake came in August 1885. It is a public university under Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science and, according to its website, received the status of a research national university in 2010.
Academically it is organised into institutes and faculties: Power Engineering, Electronics and Electromechanics; Chemical Technologies and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Transport; Computer Sciences and Software Engineering; Social and Humanitarian Technologies; and Economics, Management and International Business. It also has a Military Institute for Tank Troops and an Institute of International Education, which has admitted foreign citizens since 1946 and has taught some programmes in English since 2004. The university says it trains specialists in more than 100 specialties.
NTU KhPI suits students interested in engineering, energy, chemical technology, computing or industrial management who can handle a demanding entry process for foreigners. Check your government's current travel advice for Kharkiv before making plans (see the Location section).
Why students choose NTU KhPI
A long engineering tradition: the university dates to 1885 and covers more than 100 specialties.
Some programmes are taught in English, and there is also a Ukrainian-German double bachelor's programme (DSG:2) with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
Admission runs twice a year for foreign students, with a main intake from 1 July and an additional intake from 15 January in the 2026/27 cycle.
Dedicated hostels for international students, a Palace of Students and a sports complex.
Admissions
2026/2027 academic year (2027 dates not yet published)
Selectivity
NTU KhPI publishes no acceptance rate. Foreign applicants are assessed on their previous-education documents, then take an interview and language check on arrival.
Typical entry requirements
| Complete general secondary education (bachelor's) | Previous-education documents legalised (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ukrainian embassy) or apostilled, and recognised in Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (master's) | Same legalisation rules; master's admission follows the same windows |
| Citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus without a residence permit in Ukraine | Admitted only with the individual permission of Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science |
Deadlines
- Main admission, 2026/27: applications and documents Next deadline · In 28 days1 July to 30 October (for applicants taking entrance tests)
Enrolment 11 July to 1 November. Applies to bachelor's and master's programmes, in Ukrainian and English.
- Additional admission, 2026/27 In ~9 months15 January to 30 June
Entrance tests and enrolment run 15 January to 30 June.
These are the published dates for the 2026/2027 academic year. Dates for the 2027/28 cycle were not published when we checked.
How to apply
Foreign students receive an 'Invitation to study' from the university, registered at Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science, then apply for a type D education visa at a Ukrainian consulate (unless from a visa-free country, who must carry the invitation at the border). Admission can be in person in Kharkiv or at the regional office in Chernivtsi, or remotely through partner companies in the applicant's country. Documents must be legalised or apostilled; originals are brought in person on arrival.
What admissions looks for
- Recognised and legalised previous-education documents.
- Performance in the interview assessing knowledge of the chosen major.
- Language proficiency in Ukrainian, Russian or English; a preparatory department may be offered otherwise.
- A valid invitation to study registered with the Ministry and a visa where required.
Tips for applying to NTU KhPI
- 1 Use only registered agents: the university lists its agents and warns against sending copies of passports to companies you do not trust.
- 2 Never pay a company before you have an 'Invitation to study' from the university you chose and all financial terms are agreed.
- 3 Keep your temporary residence permit valid: extension documents are due at least 15 days before it expires.
- 4 Ukrainian migration law does not allow international students to be employed while studying, according to the university.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
No tuition fee schedule was found on the university's English or Ukrainian admission pages (2026/27 admission plans for bachelor's and master's list specialties and study forms, not fees). The 'Expenses for arrival, accommodation and education' page only links a one-page PDF dated September 2016 with ancillary costs in US dollars, which may be out of date. The university says tuition in Ukraine is lower than in most other countries and that foreign students study at the expense of individuals and/or legal entities; ask the Institute of International Education for the current fee list.
- Foreign students study at the expense of individuals and/or legal entities; enrolment happens twice a year
- Fee payment
- Dormitory about USD 50 per month; food about USD 200 per month; medical insurance about USD 70 per year; document translation USD 30 to 50; nostrification about USD 40
- Ancillary costs in the university's 2016 PDF (may be outdated)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two admission periods a year for foreign students (from 1 July and from 15 January)
Power engineering, electrical engineering and electromechanics
A large institute with departments from turbine construction to electric power stations.
Biotechnology and bioengineering
Part of the DSG:2 Ukrainian-German double bachelor's programme with OVGU Magdeburg.
Electronics
Listed in the DSG:2 double-degree programme.
Applied mechanics and industrial engineering
Also offered through the double-degree programme (Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering in Magdeburg).
Chemical technology and engineering
Institute with a DSG:2 track in Chemical Engineering.
Computer sciences and software engineering
Has a faculty of its own.
Research
- Research national university status awarded in 2010, per the university.
- Participates in Erasmus+ KA1 and KA2 projects and a European educational scientific technological centre.
- Runs a Ukrainian-Turkish scientific and technological research coordination centre.
Schools & faculties
- Institute of Education and Science in Power Engineering, Electronics and Electromechanics
- Institute of Education and Science in Chemical Technologies and Engineering
- Faculty of Computer Sciences and Software Engineering
- Institute of Education and Science in Mechanical Engineering and Transport
- Faculty of Social and Humanitarian Technologies
- Institute of Economics, Management and International Business
- Military Institute for Tank Troops
- Institute of International Education
Student life
International students live in university halls of residence, such as hall No. 3 (built 1971; rooms with bathroom and shower, two communal kitchens per floor, video surveillance) and hall No. 4 (built 1962). The university also lists a Palace of Students, a students' centre, a students' trade-union organisation, a sports and recreation complex and Eduroam Wi-Fi.
- Hostels for international students in Kharkiv (Nos. 3, 4 and 6).
- A Palace of Students and a students' centre.
- Sport and recreation facilities.
- A students' trade-union organisation.
Housing. International students live in halls of residence 3, 4 and 6.
Location
The university is at Kyrpychova Street 2 in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. As of 30 September 2026 (still current at that date; page updated 15 September 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to all regions of Ukraine except some western regions, for which it advises against all but essential travel (Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi and Lviv, and parts of others). Kharkiv is not among the western regions listed, so it falls under the advice against all travel. Teaching format: the university's international pages do not state one for the regular programmes. They show that admission can be done remotely through partner companies, that the Ukrainian admission plans list full-time and part-time forms of study, and that the first two years of the DSG2 double-degree programme with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg are in an online study format (page undated). Ask the Institute of International Education which format applies to your programme. Check current travel advice from your own government before planning.
Notable alumni
- HK Hnat KhotkevychUkrainian writer, playwright and cultural figure; per Wikipedia he completed engineering studies at Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute in 1900 (earlier expelled from it)
- KC Konstantin ChelpanChief designer of the T-34 tank engine; graduated with honours in 1924 from Kharkiv Technological Institute (the institution's earlier name)
- SV Sergiy VilkomirUkrainian-born computer scientist; PhD from Kharkov Polytechnic Institute (1985-90)
- AO Aleksei OleinikMixed martial artist; Wikipedia's infobox lists Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute as his university
Frequently asked questions
How do foreign students apply to NTU KhPI?
They obtain an 'Invitation to study' registered with Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science, then apply in person in Kharkiv, at the Chernivtsi office, or remotely through partner companies, with legalised documents.
When are the application deadlines?
For 2026/27, the main intake runs 1 July to 30 October and the additional intake 15 January to 30 June. Dates for 2027/28 were not yet published.
Are programmes taught in English?
Yes, some. The university has taught foreign students in English on selected specialties since 2004.
Is it safe to study in Kharkiv?
Government advice should guide your decision. As of 30 September 2026 (page updated 15 September 2026) the UK FCDO advises against all travel to most of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, and against all but essential travel to some western regions; check your own government's advice.
What is the QS ranking of NTU KhPI?
It is in the 1001-1200 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027 and the 1501+ band in THE 2026.
Are classes at NTU KhPI in person or online?
The university's international pages do not state one format for all programmes. Admission can be done remotely, and the first two years of the DSG2 double-degree programme with Magdeburg are described as online (page undated); ask the Institute of International Education about your programme.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to NTU KhPI in the QS World University Rankings 2027.