Psychology in Ukraine: studies in English, the master’s and registration in the UK and Ireland

Psychology studies in Ukraine: who they are for

A psychologist helps people through difficulties and carries out psychological assessment and research. Psychologists work in healthcare, schools, companies and non-governmental organisations, among other places. In Ukraine, psychology is studied in two stages, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and at some universities in English.

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology has 240 ECTS credits, or 4 years after secondary school.
• The master’s degree has 90 to 120 ECTS credits, or 1.5 to 2 years, and ends with a Master of Psychology diploma.
• Some universities teach psychology in English.
• The studies end with a final assessment at the university: in the example programmes, a thesis defence and a qualification exam.

In most countries, you need a master’s degree to work as a psychologist; a bachelor’s degree alone is not enough. Some countries require a master’s programme of at least two years. That is why we plan both stages with you from the start and choose a master’s programme suited to the country where you want to work.

The programme, placements and the end of studies

In Ukraine, a bachelor’s degree in psychology has 240 ECTS credits. In the example programmes of Ukrainian universities, the master’s degree has 90 or 120 ECTS credits. In one of these programmes, the placement accounts for 14 ECTS credits.

1. Bachelor’s degree Over 4 years, you pass the subjects of the programme, complete the final assessment and receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
2. Master’s degree Over 1.5 to 2 years, you pass the subjects and placements set out in the master’s programme.
3. Final assessment At the end of the master’s, you complete the final assessment at the university. In the example programmes, this is a public thesis defence and a qualification exam.
4. Master’s diploma You receive a Master of Psychology diploma. With it, you start the recognition of your diploma in the country where you want to work.

How much do psychology studies in Ukraine cost?

Among our partner universities, psychology in English is taught by the university in Kyiv. A year of study costs USD 2,900:

University	City	Psychology
Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University	Kyiv	$2,900

Tuition depends on the university and on the language of instruction. On top of tuition, you need to budget for accommodation, food, document translations and travel. We go through the current figures with you in a free consultation.

Registering as a practitioner psychologist in the UK

In the UK, practitioner psychologists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The protected titles are practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, and clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, and sport and exercise psychologist.

The training expected depends on the title: a professional doctorate for clinical psychologists, a doctorate or equivalent for counselling and educational psychologists, and a master’s degree plus a qualification of the British Psychological Society, or equivalent, for the other specialist titles. If you qualified outside the UK, you apply through the HCPC international route. With a Ukrainian master’s degree, further training is usually needed for these titles, so we check your route individually.

Psychologists in Ireland

In Ireland, psychologists are to be regulated by CORU, through its Psychologists Registration Board. The first registers will be for clinical, counselling and educational psychologists, and the Board expects to open them during 2027. Qualifications obtained outside Ireland will go through recognition by CORU.

Start in Ukraine, finish in the EU if you wish

For many students the simplest option is to finish the degree in Ukraine and have the diploma recognised after graduation. If you prefer an EU degree, you can start in Ukraine and transfer during your studies to a psychology programme at a university in the EU, for example in Poland.

1. Completed years You pass each year and collect your syllabuses, transcript and placement certificates.
2. Several universities Together we choose several EU universities that accept transfers that year.
3. Documents We prepare the application, translations and a comparison of the programmes.
4. EU degree You finish your psychology studies at the EU university and receive its degree.

Transfers from universities outside the EU are part of our everyday work. In our experience a transfer always works out, although not always to the first-choice university, so we always choose several. Ask about a transfer.

Frequently asked questions

How long do psychology studies in Ukraine take?

The bachelor’s degree has 240 ECTS credits, or 4 years. The master’s degree has 90 to 120 ECTS credits, or 1.5 to 2 years, and ends with a Master of Psychology diploma.

How much do psychology studies in Ukraine cost?

At our partner university in Kyiv, a year of psychology in English costs USD 2,900. Tuition depends on the university and on the language of instruction, and living costs come on top. We give you the current figures in a free consultation.

Can I work as a psychologist in the UK or Ireland with a Ukrainian diploma?

In the UK, you apply to the HCPC through its international route, and further training is usually needed for the protected titles. In Ireland, CORU expects to open the first registers of psychologists in 2027, with a recognition route for qualifications from abroad.

Is a bachelor’s degree enough?

Usually not. In most countries, you need a master’s degree to work as a psychologist, and some countries require a master’s programme of at least two years. That is why we plan the bachelor’s and the master’s together.

Can you study psychology in Ukraine in English?

Yes, at some universities. At one of them, all subjects of the psychology programme are taught in English. Our partner university in Kyiv also teaches psychology in English.

Do I need to speak Ukrainian?

No, if you study in an English-taught group. Basic Ukrainian is useful on placements and in everyday life, though.

Where should I start?

With a conversation about where you want to work after graduation and what your budget is. On that basis we draw up a plan, with recognition of your diploma in your chosen country in mind from day one.

University in Ukraine offering psychology

Read also: Studying medicine in Ukraine: is it a good idea?. You will find more on the Ukraine page, on the Psychology programme page and in our university catalogue. Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation.