In the face of the current situation in the country, which risked disrupting displaced students’ entry into higher education, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine created a dedicated online assessment platform to allow students to take tests remotely from wherever they are in Europe. The platform has been created with support from UNICEF and UNESCO’s Emergency Participation Programme. 

The UK’s Department for Education is supporting its Ukrainian counterpart in implementing the testing programme and UWL was chosen along with two other London universities to host students sitting the online tests.  

Minister for Skills, Further and Higher Education Andrea Jenkins said of the initiative:

I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work of the higher education sector in support of the people of Ukraine following Russia's criminal invasion of their country. The Ukrainian university entrance exams are just another example of the sector going above and beyond ensuring students affected by this terrible war can still fulfil their potential and progress to a brighter future.” 

The exams include the national multi-subject test (NMT), which consists of papers on Ukrainian language, mathematics and Ukrainian history, and is the standard qualification for enrolling on undergraduate courses. Those looking to access postgraduate courses can take the master’s test of educational competencies (MTEC) and the master’s complex test (MCT). Successful candidates will be able to study online with their chosen university until the situation in the country allows them to return and continue their courses with in-person teaching. 

A total of 700 young people took the NMT test in London, with 150 candidates sitting their exams at UWL over the course of three days – 22, 25 and 26 July.  Two sessions in August saw a further 132 candidates taking the MTEC and the MCT. 

Commenting on the initiative, Professor Anthony Woodman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWL said:

The University of West London is delighted to be able to assist our Ukrainian counterparts in this endeavour and support students in gaining access to higher education courses in their own country.  

We believe that nothing should impede young people’s ability to access higher education and we are eager to offer our support.  We are pleased to say we already have a number of Ukrainian students studying a variety of degree courses at UWL.” 

The University’s Ukrainian student ambassadors were on hand to welcome those taking exams and their families. 

Following the exams, we were humbled to receive a personal message of thanks from Volodymyr Vlasov, Director of the Donetsk Regional Centre for Educational Quality Assessment, on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine expressing his gratitude to all for their assistance and support in this difficult time:

Dear colleagues!

On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Centre for Educational Quality Assessment and the Donetsk Regional Centre for Educational Quality Assessment, we would like to thank each of you personally and the staff of your educational institutions for help, support, patience and for being with us on the same page in this entrance campaign.

From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to express our gratitude to the coordinators for their assistance and support in a difficult period for our country, and for creating ideal conditions for the participants.

We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for understanding us, even though it was not easy for you at times. We also thank the IT specialists for their help, quick response, and immediate resolution of non-standard situations. It is nice to know that there are so many awesome people willing to help! And we wish you to meet such responsive people in your life!

With deep gratitude and sincere regards,

Volodymyr Vlasov, Director of the Donetsk Regional Centre for Educational Quality Assessment"