V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.

About V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

The university history page says it was founded in November 1804 on the initiative of the educator Vasyl Karazin and formally opened on 29 January 1805. In October 1999 it gained the status of a national university and was named after its founder; in 2003 it received self-governing (autonomous) status and in February 2010 the status of a research university.^[1]

The homepage reports more than 16,000 students and trainees, 301 graduate and doctoral students, 115 specialties and specializations, 217 educational programmes and 26 faculties and institutes (its statistics block says 27).^[3] Other pages of the university site give different student and school counts, so treat these numbers as approximate.

Study during the war

The university’s international admissions site says that applicants can apply and study entirely online from anywhere in the world, without travelling to Ukraine.^[4] Its FAQ adds that for distance learning no visa is required, but the invitation is still required for admission.^[8] We found no statement on the history page about damage or relocation, so we do not describe any here; ask the admissions office for the current teaching arrangements.

How is Karazin University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the university is in the 851–900 band. It describes itself as retaining second place among Ukrainian universities, shared with Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.^[2] Ukrainian media report that this is 70 places lower than a year earlier, and that Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv leads the Ukrainian list in the 791–800 band.^[7]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one band as one view. How we compile rankings. More universities in our Ukraine guide.

What can you study at Karazin University?

The university offers programmes in 115 specialties and 217 educational programmes across 26 faculties and institutes.^[3] The international admissions site lists programmes by level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD), degree field, language of instruction and study form, and offers a search by those filters.^[4]

That site says it offers programmes in English across “more than 200 specialties”, a figure higher than the 115 specialties on the main site, so we cannot tell how many English-taught degrees are open to you. Check the programme list for your level and language.^[4] Its FAQ says that teaching is in Ukrainian with selected programmes in English.^[8]

How much does Karazin University cost?

We could not confirm an amount. On 19 May 2026 the university announced that “the tuition fees … have been published”, with a link to a PDF that covers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. The announcement gives first-year and full-period prices but no amounts in its text and no academic year, and we could not read the PDF.^[5] The international admissions site says tuition is “significantly lower than in most European universities” but also names no figure.^[4]

The state application portal charges a one-time application fee of UAH 3,100 and allows up to 20 applications.^[6] For the exact fee for your programme, language and study form, write to the Center for International Education at inter@karazin.ua.^[4]

How do you apply to Karazin University?

The international admissions site lists six steps:^[4]

1. Choose the degree level, specialty, language of instruction and study form.
2. Register in the state system, submit the application and pay the fee. The electronic invitation is issued only after the university accepts you.
3. Legalise your educational documents and have them translated and notarised into Ukrainian.
4. Take the entrance exams, which are held online, and go through the competitive selection.
5. Sign the education and payment agreements and pay within the period set in the agreement.
6. After enrolment, submit the original documents and complete the recognition (nostrification) of your foreign documents.

Documents for bachelor’s and master’s programmes include your passport with a notarised Ukrainian translation, the legalised educational document and transcript, the electronic invitation, an application form, consent to personal data processing and a questionnaire.^[4] The 2026 campaign for international applicants covers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes.^[9]

The state portal adds that the digital Invitation for Study is valid for 6 months and that a Type D student visa may be needed.^[6] We give no deadlines because they change every year; the dates for your intake are on the university’s page.

Which language do you need at Karazin University?

Applicants choose Ukrainian or English as the language of instruction.^[4] The university’s FAQ says that teaching is in Ukrainian with selected programmes in English, that the team supports applicants in English and Ukrainian, and that it offers preparatory courses for international students.^[8] The international site adds that you can study without knowing Ukrainian.^[4]

The pages we read name no minimum English level or accepted test. Ask the international admissions office which proof it expects for your programme.^[8]

More about studying in Ukraine

• Ukraine: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

More university profiles in Ukraine

• Bogomolets National Medical University
• Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
• Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv