Benefits for Applicants from Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT) and Quota-2 in 2026

Ukraine is waiting for children and young people from the temporarily occupied territories and is creating conditions to make this path real, accessible, and safe.

Here is the essential information: how to apply in 2026, what benefits are available for applicants from TOT, and how Quota-2 works.

Admission conditions depend on the date of departure from the TOT.

• If you are still in the TOT or left after October 1, 2025, you can apply without the National Multi-subject Test (NMT) — through an interview at the university.
• If you left before that date, NMT results are required; however, Quota-2 still applies.

Quota-2 provides separate state-funded (budget) places for applicants from TOT and areas of active hostilities. Admission is conducted through a separate competition, which significantly increases the chances of securing a state-funded place. In most universities, this quota accounts for about 10% of places, while in relocated or frontline institutions it can reach up to 40%.

Applicants who are still in the TOT or left after October 1, 2025, may choose whether to apply based on NMT results or through an interview. Please note that if you choose to enter via an interview for a self-funded (contract) place, you will not be eligible for a state educational grant. Even if an applicant is not admitted to a state-funded place under Quota-2, it is still possible to apply for transfer to a state-funded place later after enrolling as a self-funded student.

Support with admission is provided by the “Crimea-Ukraine” and “Donbas-Ukraine” Educational Centres, which operate from June 1 to September 30. They offer full assistance at every stage: from completion of necessary assessments to document submission and interviews. Some procedures can be completed remotely, even before leaving the TOT.

During the admission process, free accommodation is provided, along with additional state support, scholarships, and assistance with adaptation after relocation.

If you are currently planning to leave the TOT, support is available. Within the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, safe, confidential, and fully assisted evacuation is provided (even if you do not possess all the necessary documents). A safe route will be arranged individually.

If you are not ready to apply yet, preparatory programmes are available (including a “zero-year course”). These programmes are designed to help improve the Ukrainian studies component, support adaptation, and prepare for your future studies in a stress-free way.

You do not have to go through the admission and learning process alone — support and guidance are available at every stage.

For detailed information regarding admission to Ukrainian universities, application procedures, or educational opportunities, please contact the relevant organisations and state institutions via the links available in the profile bio.

#BringKidsBack

osvita.tot@bringkidsback.org.ua

“Donbas–Ukraine” and “Crimea–Ukraine” Educational Centres

The “Donbas-Ukraine” and “Crimea-Ukraine” Educational Centres have been established at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts to provide support for applicants from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The Centres operate as structural units of the Academy’s Admissions Committee.

Advantages of applying through the Educational Centres:

• Simplified admission procedure (interview instead of NMT);
• Assistance with document submission;
• Individual support throughout the admission process;
• Possibility of remote communication;
• Full support at all stages of the admission campaign.

The “Donbas-Ukraine” Educational Centre serves applicants whose place of residence is in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy regions.

The “Crimea-Ukraine” Educational Centre serves applicants residing in the TOT of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Main Objective of the Centre

To provide citizens of Ukraine living in temporarily occupied territories or areas of active hostilities with the opportunity to enter higher education institutions through a simplified procedure:

• Without NMT or EIT (ZNO) certificates;
• Without a passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a state-standard certificate of secondary education (if unavailable);
• Through entrance examinations in the form of an interview (available both in person and remotely).

Legal Framework

The activities of the Educational Centre are regulated by the current legislation of Ukraine, in particular:

• Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 1364 dated December 6, 2022

“Some Issues of Forming a List of Territories Where Hostilities Are (Were) Conducted or Temporarily Occupied by the Russian Federation”;

• Order of the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine № 376 dated February 28, 2025

“On Approval of the List of Territories Where Hostilities Are (Were) Conducted or Temporarily Occupied by the Russian Federation” (as amended);

• Order of the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine № 748 dated April 23, 2025

“On Amendments to the List of Territories Where Hostilities Are (Were) Conducted or Temporarily Occupied by the Russian Federation”.

The current versions of these documents incorporate updates as of June 2025, in accordance with the security situation in the regions.

The right to apply through the Educational Centres is granted to applicants who:

• Have a state-standard document of education;
• Do not have a state-standard document of education at the time of admission;
• Have taken the NMT and hold valid certificates from 2022, 2023, or 2024;
• Have not taken the NMT.

We are here to support everyone striving to obtain a high-quality Ukrainian education despite all challenges!

Authorised Institution: Kharkiv Scientific Lyceum “Obdarovanist”

E-mail: Obdarovanist@ukr.net