Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Київський національний університет імені Тараса Шевченка
Kyiv's classical university, founded in 1834, still teaching and admitting international students through the war.
- Students
- 25,696
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.2:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- UAH 54,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1834
About KNU
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv opened on 15 July 1834 as the Imperial University of Saint Volodymyr, with 62 students in its first year. Its classical main building, designed by Vincent Beretti and still in use, and its botanical garden date from those early decades; the poet Taras Shevchenko, whose name the university now carries, taught painting there in the 1840s. Ukraine made it a national university in 1994 and, in 2009, a self-governing, autonomous national research university.
KNU describes itself as the leading academic and educational hub of Ukraine. It has about 26,000 students plus around 1,660 postgraduate and 130 doctoral students. It is organised into faculties and educational-scientific institutes covering the sciences, IT, economics, law, international relations, journalism, philology and medicine, along with an astronomical observatory, museums and the Maksymovych Scientific Library.
The war shapes daily life. For 2026/27 KNU's baseline is in-person teaching for full-time students, with timetables planned around the capacity of air-raid shelters, but it switches to remote teaching for set periods when the security situation in Kyiv worsens. In autumn 2026, for example, it taught mostly online from 25 September, and on 28 September 2026 it announced that all teaching and work would be remote from 29 September to 16 October 2026. KNU is still admitting international students, who apply through the national Study in Ukraine portal, and it runs a Preparatory Department for foreigners that dates back to 1969.
Utilitas, honor et gloria
“Utility, honour and glory” — university motto
Why students choose KNU
Founded in 1834, KNU is one of Ukraine's leading classical universities, with degrees across the sciences, humanities, law and economics.
English-taught Bachelor's programmes include International Law, International Commerce and Investment, English Studies and Two Foreign Languages, and Economics (English/Ukrainian).
The Preparatory Department for International Students offers a year of Ukrainian or English plus subject courses, preparing foreigners for any Ukrainian university.
Dormitory places for international students cost 1,296 UAH a month (rate listed by KNU in September 2026), and full-time Bachelor's contract fees for 2026/27 run from 54,600 to 119,300 UAH a year.
Admissions
2027 entry (the 2027 foreign-student timetable was not yet published; dates below are from the 2026 campaign)
Selectivity
KNU does not publish an acceptance rate for international students. Foreign applicants are admitted on the basis of their school certificate and KNU's own entrance exams: first a language exam (Ukrainian or English, depending on the programme), then an exam in a competitive subject such as Mathematics, World History or Biology, with a minimum of 100 points to enter the competition.
Typical entry requirements
| Complete secondary education (foreign certificate) | School certificate and transcript, legalised or apostilled and translated into Ukrainian with notarisation in Ukraine; qualifications are recognised by KNU before or during the first month of study. |
|---|---|
| KNU entrance exams for foreigners (Bachelor's) | Language of instruction (Ukrainian or English) plus one competitive subject, e.g. Mathematics for Computer Science, Software Engineering and Psychology, World History for International Law and International Relations, Biology for Biology; minimum 100 points in each. |
| English language | Bachelor's applicants must know the language of instruction (Ukrainian or English) at B1 level, tested by KNU's own language exam; graduates of KNU's Preparatory Department can be exempted with its certificate. No IELTS or TOEFL minimum is published. |
Deadlines
- Invitations for foreign Bachelor's and Master's applicants (2026 campaign, past) Non-binding Passed15 September 2026
In 2026 KNU issued study invitations from 18 May to 15 September.
- Applications and documents at faculties and institutes (2026 campaign) Non-binding Next deadline · In 15 days21 October 2026
Documents accepted from 1 July 2026; entrance exams run 1 July to 23 October 2026 and fee-paying enrolment 14 July to 31 October 2026.
- Preparatory Department for International Students Non-bindingRolling, during the year
Enrolment of fee-paying students in the Preparatory Department takes place throughout the year.
KNU had not published its 2027 foreign-student dates when checked on 30 September 2026. If the 2026 pattern repeats, invitations would open in mid-May 2027 and close in mid-September, with late-summer and autumn entrance exams. Allow time for the student visa, which you apply for only after receiving the invitation.
How to apply
Register on the national Study in Ukraine portal (apply.studyinukraine.gov.ua), choose KNU, your level and language of instruction, upload your passport and school certificate, and pay the 3,100 UAH (about 74 USD) application fee. If approved you receive a study offer; after accepting it and adding a photo, you download an official invitation and apply for a Ukrainian student visa at a consulate. On arrival you submit original documents with notarised Ukrainian translations, take KNU's entrance exams, sign a contract, pay within 10 days and apply for a temporary residence permit.
What admissions looks for
- A recognised complete secondary education certificate with properly legalised documents.
- B1-level command of the language of instruction, shown in KNU's Ukrainian or English exam.
- A pass of at least 100 points in the competitive subject exam linked to your chosen programme.
- Completed Preparatory Department training, if your language or subject background needs it.
Tips for applying to KNU
- 1 Start on the Study in Ukraine portal early: KNU's invitations for 2026 entry closed on 15 September, and you need an invitation before you can apply for a visa.
- 2 Check which exam your programme uses: World History for International Law, Mathematics for IT and Psychology, Biology for Biology.
- 3 If your Ukrainian or English isn't yet at B1, consider KNU's Preparatory Department, which can exempt you from the language entrance exam.
- 4 Follow KNU's news page before travelling: teaching switches between in-person and online at short notice because of the security situation in Kyiv.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in UAH
KNU does not publish its own scholarship scheme for self-funded international students. Foreigners holding Ukrainian state scholarships under international agreements are admitted within quotas set by the Ministry of Education and Science, and foreigners permanently resident in Ukraine (including Ukrainians abroad) can compete for state-funded places on the same terms as Ukrainian citizens.
- 3,100 UAH (about 74 USD)
- Application fee (Study in Ukraine portal)
- 1,296 UAH a month for students; 1,438 UAH for prospective students
- Dormitory fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters; the first semester of 2026/27 began in September.
International Law (BA, taught in English)
Offered by the Institute of International Relations; at 119,300 UAH a year it is the priciest full-time Bachelor's in KNU's 2026/27 fee table.
International Commerce and Investment (BA, taught in English)
An English-taught economics and international relations degree from the Institute of International Relations.
English Studies and Two Foreign Languages (BA, taught in English)
An English-taught philology degree from the Institute of Philology, which also teaches languages from Arabic and Chinese to Korean and Swedish.
Economics (BA, English/Ukrainian)
Taught by the Faculty of Economics at 97,400 UAH a year (2026/27).
Medicine
Foreigners are admitted to I2 Medicine at the Institute of Biology and Medicine; for graduates of the English-language preparatory programme, a Biology exam taken there can count as the subject entrance exam.
Preparatory Department for International Students
Running since 1969: 1,134 hours a year of Ukrainian or English plus subjects, in humanities, engineering, economics or medical-biological tracks.
Research
- KNU runs an Astronomical Observatory, a Geological Museum, a Zoological Museum and the Maksymovych Scientific Library.
- The university botanical garden, laid out by Professor E. Trautfetter in the 19th century, is still in use.
- In 2009 the Cabinet of Ministers gave KNU the status of a self-governing, autonomous national research university.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Computer Science and Cybernetics
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Information Technology
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of History
- Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Law
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology
- Educational and Scientific Center "Institute of Biology and Medicine"
Student life
KNU's historic red main building stands on Volodymyrska Street in central Kyiv, while student accommodation is on a campus with halls of residence, computer clubs, sports facilities and cafeterias; the university also has sports and health facilities on the Dnipro. International students deal with a dedicated Office for International Students for housing, visas and residence permits. Wartime rules are part of daily life: buildings and dormitories have shelters, classes follow shelter capacity, and teaching moves online during periods of heightened danger. There is a Student Parliament, a Young Scientists' association and an ESN Kyiv section.
- The 19th-century red main building by architect Vincent Beretti is still the university's main building.
- Dormitory places for international students at 1,296 UAH a month (rate listed by KNU in September 2026).
- Student Parliament and ESN Kyiv for international and exchange students.
- Round-the-clock shelter access in university buildings and dormitories.
Housing. International students apply to the Housing Commission of the Office for International Students for a dormitory place (1,296 UAH a month for students, as listed in September 2026); places depend on availability, with a waiting list if full.
Location
Kyiv is Ukraine's capital and largest city, spread across both banks of the Dnipro. KNU's red main building is at 60 Volodymyrska Street in the historic centre. The security situation caused by Russia's armed aggression directly affects study: for example, on 28 September 2026 KNU announced that all teaching would be remote from 29 September to 16 October 2026. International students should follow official travel advice and the university's announcements closely.
Notable alumni
- MB Mikhail BulgakovNovelist, author of The Master and Margarita; graduated in medicine in 1916
- MH Mykhailo HrushevskyHistorian and head of the Central Rada of the Ukrainian People's Republic; studied history
- ML Mykola LysenkoComposer; studied natural sciences
- NB Nikolai BerdyaevPhilosopher; entered the university in 1894
- LK Leonid KravchukFirst President of independent Ukraine; graduated in political economy in 1958
- PP Petro PoroshenkoFifth President of Ukraine; economics degree from the Institute of International Relations, 1989
- OM Oleksandra MatviichukHuman rights lawyer, head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Centre for Civil Liberties; LL.M. 2007
Frequently asked questions
Is Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv admitting international students during the war?
Yes. KNU ran a full 2026 admission campaign for foreigners, issuing study invitations through the Study in Ukraine portal from 18 May to 15 September 2026, and its rules allow admission and entrance exams to be held remotely.
Is teaching at KNU in person or online?
For 2026/27 the baseline for full-time students is in-person teaching, planned around shelter capacity (KNU order announced 13 August 2026). When the security situation worsens KNU switches online for set periods; for example, on 28 September 2026 it announced fully remote work and teaching from 29 September to 16 October 2026. Check KNU's news page for the current format.
Does KNU teach in English?
Some Bachelor's programmes are taught in English, including International Law, International Commerce and Investment, English Studies and Two Foreign Languages, and Economics (English/Ukrainian); most others are taught in Ukrainian.
What entrance exams do international students take at KNU?
A language exam in Ukrainian or English (B1 level) and then an exam in one competitive subject linked to the programme, such as Mathematics or World History, with a minimum of 100 points.
How much does KNU cost?
KNU's 2026/27 full-time Bachelor's fees range from 54,600 to 119,300 UAH a year, with English-taught International Law at the top of the range. A dormitory place costs 1,296 UAH a month, and the Study in Ukraine application fee is 3,100 UAH.
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 KNU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.