UKRAINIAN STATE CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Territory: 603,700 sq. km

Border countries: Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova.

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The state of Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe. It borders on Poland, Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. In the south Ukraine is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
With its territory (603,700 sq. km.) and population (48 million people) Ukraine is one of the largest European countries; also it is the nearest neighbor of the European Union.

Climate generally is moderate continental, only the South Crimea has subtropical climate. The longest river in Ukraine is the Dnipro; the Carpathians are the highest mountains.

In 1991 Ukraine became an independent (from the Soviet Union) state. It includes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and 24 oblasts (administrative regions). The official language is Ukrainian.

The head of the state is the President. Legislative power belongs to Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers (the Government of Ukraine).

The population of Ukraine amounts to 46 million people. The majority of the population are Ukrainian (77, 8%), other nations are Russian, Byelorussian, Jew, Moldavian, Polish, Tatar, Bulgarian and other.

There are different religious confessions in Ukraine. The majority of the population are Christians: Orthodox and Byzantine-Catholic. But German Evangelical Lutheran church and other religious communities such as Judaists, Moslems, Baptist-evangelic and many others also exist here.

Ukraine is an industrial and agricultural country. Metallurgy, power, metal-working, electronic, chemical, engineering, instrument making industries are well-developed in the country. Ukraine has 30% of the world black soil resources, favorable soil and climatic conditions for plant growing, cattle breeding and food industry.

Ukraine is a member of the UNO, Council of Europe, UNESCO and almost 40 other influential international organizations, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, International Labor Organization, etc.

Ukrainian capital is Kyiv - about 3 million citizens - ancient and modern city at the same time. Since early 13'^ century it became one of the largest European cities. Today Kyiv is a huge modern city, an important political, administrative, cultural and scientific center of the country.

Higher education in Ukraine has always been and still is defined to be of high quality. During 16 years of independence the country has built a well-developed and ramified system of national education that is competitive in the European educational space.

Ukraine entered into the 3-rd millenium having its own policy and strategy in the sphere of education, whose main principles coincide with tendencies of typical highly developed countries.

At the moment Ukraine has nearly 1000 higher educational institutions of all accreditation levels and forms of ownership: universities, academies, institutes, conservatories, colleges, technical and specialized schools.
Ukraine has signed the Lisbon Convention on the mutual recognition of qualifications in the sphere of higher education in European region; in May 2005 it became an equal member of the Bologna Process and is an active participant in the development of Common European area in the sphere of higher education.

Diplomas, especially in mathematics, physics, medicine, aviation and naval professions, engineering and chemical technologies enjoy virtually global recognition and prestige. Those who graduated from Ukrainian universities are becoming presidents, heads of parliaments, ministers, bankers, businessmen, etc in their countries of origin.

Today Ukraine is the place where one can study and work, have a good time and rest, see thousand year old monuments.

Ukrainian cuisine is one of the best in Europe. It has its own traditions and is famous for its variety and high taste qualities.

In Ukraine functions a ramifide transport system able of bringing you any point inside and outside the country by air, train and coach. City public transport network includes trams, trolleybuses, buses and taxi. Big cities have underground railway.

The training of specialists for foreign countries is conducted according to the Law of Ukraine "About the Legal Status of Foreigners" and Ukrainian Government decisions concerning the education of foreigners in Ukraine.

Today about 40 thousands of foreigners from 131 countries study in Ukraine.

The academic year in the higher educational institutions of Ukraine starts on the 1^' of September and is divided into two terms followed by an examination period.

Foreigners as well as Ukrainian students have opportunity to use all available leisure, welfare and sports facilities of the institutions. Tuition, residence and other facilities fees are fixed by corresponding agreements. As compared with Western countries education and residence fees in Ukraine are not so high thus being quite affordable for all strata of population. Accommodation for students is not a problem. Practically every educationall institution offers residence at a moderate price. You can also rent a separate apartment.

Monetary unit Ukraine Is hryvnia. All payments on the territory of Ukraine are conducted in nationall currency, but one can change any foreign currency hryvnia and back in any bank and exchange office.
Higher educational institutions of Ukraine welcome everybody who wants to study and give an opportunity to get education of international level.

Ukrainian people are well-known as a hospitable nation and we are sure that any visit to our country will be useful, interesting and impressive.