Simplified Access to Education for Young People from TOT: Key Comments from Yuliia Kishenko, Education Programs Manager at East SOS

The second stage of applications for admission to Ukrainian educational institutions for young people from the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) is currently underway. Yuliia Kishenko, Education Programs Manager at East SOS, shared insights on the procedure, its stages, and the main challenges applicants face.

We sincerely thank media representatives and journalists who cover this critical topic. Young people from TOT often have limited access to reliable information, so we urge the dissemination of accurate guidance to ensure that every Ukrainian, regardless of circumstances, can access quality education in their own country.

Check out a selection of publications and radio broadcasts to learn more:

• “Ukraine cares about its young people from the temporarily occupied territories and is working to create conditions for their smooth admission to Ukrainian higher education institutions. A simplified procedure is available for these applicants, taking into account their specific educational and residential circumstances,”– Yuliia Kishenko in an article by Real Gazeta.
• “Children and youth under temporary occupation are our children, and Ukraine is always waiting for them. To support applicants from the temporarily occupied territories, the state has created a simplified admission procedure, allowing them to enter Ukrainian universities either remotely or in person at their chosen educational institution,” Yuliia Kishenko stated on Ukrainian Radio.
• “We urge everyone who dreams of studying in Ukraine not to be afraid of obstacles, because the state provides all opportunities for children from the occupied territories to receive an education,” emphasized the East SOS Education Programs Manager in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
• “One of the challenges is that we need to reconsider one of the main documents—Order No. 271 of the Ministry of Education and Science. It regulates the admission of applicants from the temporarily occupied territories and was created before the full-scale invasion. The document is very helpful and has many advantages, but times are changing, and it also needs to be updated,” Yuliia Kishenko explained on Radio Kordon.
• “For applicants who do not have a Ukrainian school certificate, admission is only possible to the university where the process was initiated through the educational center. Applicants can submit up to five applications to one higher education institution through the center. They take four tests: two at a secondary education institution (Ukrainian language and History of Ukraine) and two at the university—mathematics and a subject of their choice, in the format of an interview,” Yuliia Kishenko told Skhidnyi Variant newspaper.

The second stage of applications will continue until September 23, 2025. During this stage, the educational institution enrolls applicants for training at the expense of individuals and/or legal entities (under a contract). If there are no available budget places, the institution applies to the state customer for the allocation of an additional state-funded place.

East SOS provides guidance and support at all stages of the application process:

• East SOS Charity Foundation: 0 800 332 614; +38 068 827 2895 (Telegram), +38 095 374 82 70 (Viber); [email protected];
• Hotline on education for TOT residents: 0 800 504 425;
• Telegram channel: Education of TOT.

All admission details are available on the website. Choose your future today!

Recently, East SOS prepared an analytical note on the activities of the educational centers Crimea-Ukraine and Donbas-Ukraine.