Higher educational opportunities, language courses, and state-funded enrollment: advantages for Ukrainian recruits and their families

Service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including those who enlisted via the Recruitment Centers of the Ukrainian Army, benefit from a wide range of educational opportunities.

“We aim to recruit motivated and skilled individuals for the Defence Forces. The role of the Ukrainian Army Recruitment Centers is essential in this process. These Centers offer citizens comprehensive information about vacancies in the Defence Forces, social benefits, and the opportunities available through contract service. Education is one of these opportunities. Military service provides an opportunity to pursue higher education, professional military education, learn a foreign language, undergo training in NATO countries, and advance professionally through career development courses,” stated Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Brigadier General of Justice Serhii Melnyk.

Currently, the Ukrainian military, which Ukrainians actively reinforce through Recruitment Centers, grants the following rights and educational opportunities:

• Choose a military profession and gain career advancement opportunities tailored to personal preferences;
• Enroll in pre-higher military education institutions, military academies, and military training units within higher education establishments to earn a bachelor's degree and gain tactical-level military education.
• Enroll in higher military education institutions or military training units within higher education establishments to earn the first level of higher education (bachelor's degree) in a civilian-related field without leaving active duty, after signing the second contract;
• Study foreign languages for free as needed;
• Be granted priority admission to training centers and military academies in NATO member states;
• Be entitled to professional adaptation assistance upon discharge from military service;
• By the commander’s decision, participate in qualification enhancement programs and specialized training courses to obtain new military specialties at training centers.

The families of military personnel are provided with the following social guarantees, among other forms of support: 

• Children of military personnel have priority enrollment in general education and preschool institutions, as well as children's health camps, regardless of the type of ownership of these institutions and facilities;
• Military personnel’s family members studying in state educational institutions may transfer to the nearest state institution following a change in their military family member’s service location or residence;
• Military personnel's family members attending state educational institutions have the option to switch to state-funded placements, provided they were previously self-funded.