In 2025, Ukrainian applicants wishing to obtain a master's degree must take the Unified Entrance Examination (UEE). However, the law stipulates that certain categories of people may take an individual oral interview instead of the UEE.
Who can enroll in a master's program without the Unified State Examination based only on the results of an interview – read in the ICTV Facts article.
What is an oral interview for admission in Ukraine 2025
The Unified Entrance Examination (UEE) in 2025 will contain two sections: a test of general academic competence and a test in a foreign language of the applicant’s choice (German, English, Spanish, French).
Now watching
However, in certain cases, instead of the results of the Unified Examination (all components), the results of the interview may be taken into account. That is, applicants entering a master's program and having the right to special conditions for participation in the competition take entrance examinations in a simplified format. In particular, instead of the Unified Examination, they take an interview in a foreign language.
An individual oral interview is an in-person entrance examination during which the applicant’s level of knowledge, skills and abilities in one or several subjects (up to three components) is assessed.
Who can take an interview instead of taking the Unified State Examination for admission?
Applicants who, due to health reasons, cannot take the Unified Examination, have the right to undergo an alternative form of assessment. This opportunity is provided for by current regulations and is regulated by a list of diseases approved by a joint order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health.
For people who, for medical reasons, cannot take written exams, oral interviews are provided.
According to the Rules for Admission to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), some categories of applicants also have the right to undergo alternative forms of assessment instead of the Unified Examination.
In particular, preferential categories of applicants can undergo an interview instead of the Unified State Examination:
- People with disabilities due to war (requires appropriate confirmation).
- Participants in military operations, war veterans, victims of the Revolution of Dignity or the Chernobyl disaster.
- Military personnel, rescuers, police.
- Persons located in temporarily occupied territories or living in territories where the Unified Examination is impossible (a certificate is required for confirmation).
- Applicants for certain master's programs where an oral interview is provided instead of the Unified State Examination, according to special conditions.
Thus, admission to a Master's degree program without the Unified Examination is possible only in certain cases.
In order to take advantage of the right to special conditions upon admission, it is necessary to provide documents confirming the corresponding status of the applicant. These may be medical certificates, a combat veteran's certificate, or other official documents.
It is worth familiarizing yourself with the requirements of a specific higher education institution in advance and taking care to submit all necessary documents on time.
When an interview is held instead of the Unified Examination
The main session of the EEE in 2025 will be held from June 21 to July 12, and the additional session from July 29 to August 18.
The dates for the interview in 2025 are determined by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The acceptance of applications for participation in the interview, which is held instead of the Unified Examination, started on July 1.
However, applicants should check the exact dates on the website of a specific higher education institution, since each university can independently create a schedule of interviews for preferential categories.
How is an oral interview conducted instead of the Unified State Examination (USE)?
You must submit documents for participation in the interview as part of the main admissions campaign, indicating the reasons for exemption from testing.
The interview is conducted in person or online, depending on the situation. In most cases, it involves answering questions on a foreign language (just like when taking the Unified State Exam), which confirms the level of language proficiency required for study.
The result of such an interview is taken into account during the competitive selection. Based on the interview results, each subject is assessed on a scale from 100 to 200 points with a step of 1 point. In case of insufficient level of preparation, a negative assessment may be given – unsatisfactory .
