ADMISSION POLICY FOR THE ADMISSION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS AND STATELESS PERSONS

1. Admission of foreign nationals and stateless persons to Odessa State Agrarian University (hereinafter referred to as OSAU) for the purpose of obtaining higher education is carried out in accordance with the Laws of Ukraine “On Higher Education,” “On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons,” “On Ukrainians Abroad,” “On Refugees and Persons in Need of Supplementary or Temporary Protection,” “On the Establishment of Additional Legal and Social Guarantees for Citizens of the Republic of Poland Residing in Ukraine”; Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 729 of September 12, 2018, “Issues Concerning the Acquisition of Higher Education by Certain Categories of Persons”; The Procedure for Organizing Admission to Institutions of Vocational (Vocational-Technical, Pre-Higher, and Higher Education in Ukraine and the Training (Internship) of Foreigners and Stateless Persons Using the Unified Interagency Information System of Ukraine for Foreigners and Stateless Persons Who Wish to Study at Institutions of Vocational (Vocational-Technical), pre-higher, and higher education institutions of Ukraine, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 758 dated June 28, 2024; Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 1541 of November 1, 2013, “Certain Issues Regarding the Organization of Enrollment and Training (Internships) of Foreigners and Stateless Persons,” registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on November 25, 2013, under No. 2004/24536; Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 1498 dated December 2, 2019, “On Approval of the Procedure for Establishing Quotas for Higher Education for Foreigners and Stateless Persons Within the Limits of the State Order in Accordance with Ukraine’s International Treaties,” registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on February 10, under No. 153/34436, Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 373 dated February 26, 2026, “On Approval of the Procedure for Admission to Higher Education in 2026.”

2. Individuals admitted to higher education programs on an equal footing with Ukrainian citizens may follow the admission process for higher education and exercise their right to free higher education in accordance with the procedures established for Ukrainian citizens.

Foreign nationals and stateless persons (including stateless persons who have applied for refugee status, persons who have sought protection in Ukraine and provided a certificate of having sought protection in Ukraine, a sample of which was approved by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine No. 649 dated September 7, 2011, registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on October 5, 2011, under No. 1146/19884) (hereinafter referred to as “foreign nationals”) may be admitted to study for a higher education degree at the expense of individuals and/or legal entities, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of Ukraine, the binding nature of which has been approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, by legislation, or by agreements between higher education institutions on international academic mobility. The admission of foreign nationals to study for a higher education degree under state-funded quotas is carried out within the quota for foreign nationals, which is allocated based on referrals from the Ministry of Education and Science to applicants who are awarded state scholarships under international treaties, national programs, other international obligations of Ukraine, and those recommended for admission by the competent authorities of foreign states with which international agreements have been concluded, and/or the diplomatic missions of these states.

Ukrainians living abroad whose status is certified by a certificate of a Ukrainian living abroad (except for persons permanently residing in Ukraine) may be admitted to study under the state-funded quota within the established quotas for foreign nationals.

Citizens of the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Belarus, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea who do not hold a permanent residence permit in Ukraine may be admitted to study upon individual authorization from the MESU. Citizens of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus who defended the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine and were granted the status of combatant in accordance with the Procedure for Granting and Revoking the Status of Combatant and Person with a War-Related Disability to Foreigners and Stateless Persons Who Defended the Independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 719 of June 18, 2025, as well as the children of such citizens, may be admitted to study without individual permission from the MESU.

3. The admission of foreigners to higher education programs (except for those admitted to higher education on an equal footing with Ukrainian citizens) is conducted for accredited educational programs.
4. The admission of foreign nationals for study may be conducted in-person and/or remotely. The enrollment of foreign nationals is carried out using the Unified Interagency Information System of Ukraine for foreign nationals and stateless persons wishing to study at institutions of vocational (vocational-technical, pre-higher, and higher education in Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the “Unified System”) (except for persons admitted to study for a higher education degree on an equal footing with citizens of Ukraine). An invitation to study is issued OSAU by the Regional State Administration upon a prior application by the foreign national through the Unified Interdepartmental Information System of Ukraine for Foreigners and Stateless Persons https://apply.studyinukraine.gov.ua/home.

The validity period of an electronic invitation to study issued through the Unified System is no more than six months from the date it is affixed with the electronic qualified seal of the higher education institution or the qualified electronic signature of an authorized representative of the higher education institution.

Foreign nationals who have received an electronic invitation to study and have completed the procedure for certifying their educational documents in their country of origin in the manner officially used in that country for such certification (consular legalization, including legalization in accordance with a foreign institution of Ukraine, or affixing an apostille for a country that is a party to the Convention abolishing the requirement for legalization of foreign official documents), or the affixing of an apostille for countries that are parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents), except for documents issued in Ukraine.

To organize remote enrollment of foreign nationals for higher education, the higher education institution conducts identity verification and entrance examinations (upon admission to higher education) remotely, ensuring video recording of the process (including from the applicant’s device screen). The video recording of the entrance exam is retained for five years at the higher education institution following the administration of the entrance exam for foreign nationals, and a link to this recording is entered into the Unified Database.

Admission of foreign nationals to higher education programs is based on documents certifying previously obtained levels and degrees of education and academic rights to continue studies, as provided by these documents in their country of origin, taking into account the academic grades that entitle the applicant to continue studies at the next level of higher education, if so provided by the legislation of the country that issued the document certifying the obtained degree (level) of education.

In the case of remote admission, the foreign national shall send, by mail, to the institution of higher education, legalized copies of documents certifying previously obtained education and their notarized translations into the Ukrainian language. Upon first crossing the state border of Ukraine and upon arrival at the educational institution, the foreign national must submit the original documents in person. Educational documents used for admission to OSAU are subject to a validation procedure-an analysis of educational documents to verify compliance with the educational level, admission requirements, and documentation standards. Validation is carried out by the relevant admissions committee of the University or by the institution designated as the national information center for academic mobility, and the results are entered into the Unified Database.

To organize the remote recruitment of foreign students for higher education programs, as well as for postgraduate education, an agreement is concluded with a partner organization that is a resident of the applicants’ country of origin, or directly with the applicant if there is no partner organization in the applicant’s country of citizenship.

Ukrainian educational institutions may enter into agreements with organizations that meet the following requirements:

– compliance of the area of ​​premises for remote submission of documents, consultations and entrance tests with the established norms of quarantine restrictions in the country where the recruitment is carried out;

– provision of personal protective equipment to applicants;

– implementation of an applicant identification procedure using facial recognition technology, including verification of personal data (last name, patronymic (if applicable), biometric data, and their verification;

– ensuring compliance with academic integrity requirements during the administration of the entrance exam for international students;

– providing a secure storage area for applicants phones, tablets, and other electronic devices confiscated during the entrance exam;

– providing a device to block cellular and internet networks;

– providing video surveillance around the perimeter of the auditorium where the entrance exam for foreign applicants takes place by installing at least two video cameras;

– providing technical equipment for real-time video communication with the educational institution’s examination committee (computer, video camera, microphone, television, or projector with a screen;

– having at least two staff members present in the auditorium to monitor compliance with academic integrity requirements and provide technical support during the entrance exam for international students;

– providing all applicants with individual computers connected to the institution’s online platform through which the entrance exam for international students will take place;

– providing consultations and training sessions prior to the entrance exam for international students to familiarize them with the rules for taking the exam remotely and using the online platform;

– ensuring video recording of the entrance exam, transmission of the video material to the educational institution via the online platform, and storage of information and video materials for five years at a partner organization following the entrance exam for international students.

In the case of in-person admission, the applicant must personally verify their identity, which includes verifying personal data, specifically: the applicant must demonstrate, via video conferencing, a document proving their identity (passport/foreign passport), as well as state their last name, first name, and patronymic (if applicable).

Exams are conducted remotely exclusively in real-time with video recording (including from the applicant’s device screen).

During remote entrance exams, interaction between committee members and applicants takes place via a video conference organized on the Zoom or Moodle platform.

Each applicant — a participant in the Zoom video conference – must be logged into the system under their first and last name. After all applicants have been identified, the examiners grant access to the tasks in the Moodle system.

During remote entrance exams, the applicant must:

– independently ensure the technical capability to access the exam from any device capable of simultaneous video and audio communication, using all available means (wired and mobile internet). The video quality must allow the examiner to identify the applicant, and the audio quality must ensure clear two-way communication (questions and answers) throughout the entire exam; the applicant’s video camera and microphone must remain on at all times;

– adhere to academic integrity requirements during the entrance exam for international students; place any additional electronic devices (phones, tablets, and other electronic devices belonging to the applicant) in an inaccessible location;

– ensure video surveillance around the perimeter of the room where the entrance exam is taking place by installing at least two video cameras;

– provide technical equipment for real-time video communication with the OSAU examination committee (computer, video camera, microphone, TV, or projector with a screen);

– provide consultations and training sessions prior to the entrance exam to familiarize applicants with the rules for taking the exam remotely and using the online platform, if necessary.

If examiners determine that an applicant has violated academic integrity requirements, the applicant will receive a failing grade for the exam. Examiners will prepare a corresponding report regarding this.

A video recording of the entrance exam is retained by the university for five years following the administration of the entrance exam for international students, and a link to this recording is entered into the Unified Database.

OSAU has entered into cooperation agreements with domestic and foreign firms to facilitate remote recruitment of foreign citizens, provide consultations, and organize and conduct entrance exams and tests remotely.

Agreements with partner organizations may also be concluded at any time.

5. The admission of foreign applicants for study funded by individuals and/or legal entities may be carried out by OSAU.

– throughout the year for enrollment in the preparatory department;

– for the corresponding level of education within the following timeframes:

You can also get online consultations by emailing foreign@osau.edu.ua

OSAU calculates the applicant’s scores/grades based on documentation of their previous level of education and sets the minimum required score/grade for admission in general education subjects covered by the entrance exam for international students.

Enrollment of foreign students into the corresponding level of higher education is based on their prior educational credentials, the results of the entrance exam for foreign students in specified subjects and the language of instruction, and their academic eligibility to continue their studies, as evidenced by the document certifying their educational level in their country of origin, and taking into account the academic grades that entitle the applicant to continue their studies at the next level of higher education in accordance with the legislation of the country that issued the document certifying the degree (level) of education.

List of competitive subjects for admission to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree (veterinary specialization) based on the PZSO and NRK 5:

6. The competitive selection of foreign applicants for higher education (except for those admitted on the same terms as Ukrainian citizens) is based on the results of the entrance exam for foreign applicants, taking into account the specifics of the educational program (specialization) for which admission is being granted. The entrance exam score for foreign applicants is the sole component of the competitive score for this category of applicants.
7. Foreign nationals arriving in Ukraine to participate in academic mobility programs or to pursue higher education under educational programs agreed upon between Ukrainian and foreign higher education institutions are admitted to study in accordance with the contractual obligations of the respective higher education institutions.
8. All categories of foreign applicants are enrolled at OSAU based on enrollment orders. Proof of enrollment may be a certificate generated in the Unified State Electronic Database on Education (EDBO).