Ukraine

General principles of recognition of prior learning in the Ukrainian higher education system are established by the Law of Ukraine "On Education". General regulations for RPL are established by the national-level provision on the procedure of recognition of learning outcomes acquired through non-formal and/or informal education in higher education and pre-vocational education, adopted by the Order No 130 of 08.02.2022 of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

This provision was developed under the leading role of the Erasmus+ structural project 609995-EPP-1-2019-1-PL-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP "Qualifications Recognition Support for Ukrainian Universities" (QUARSU). In accordance with this provision, each Ukrainian higher education institution (HEI) is obliged to develop and implement its own institutional procedure for the recognition of learning outcomes acquired through non-formal and/or informal education. The implementation of RPL procedures is one of the criteria for the accreditation of higher education programmes. Currently most of HEI in Ukraine apply RPL procedures for awarding credits.

In order to expand the practice of RPL in Ukrainian higher education institutions, it is planned to provide institutions and students with more information on RPL principles and best practices, as well as to organise seminars and training events on a regular basis.

The Ukrainian RPL Network was established in November 2024 by the Ukrainian partners of the Erasmus+ Project “Qualifications Recognition Support for Ukrainian Universities“ (QUARSU). The Ukrainian RPL Network was founded by National University “Odessa Maritime Academy”, Mariupol State University, Kherson National Technical University, Sumy State University, Ukrainian National Forestry University and Federation of Employers of Ukraine with support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

The network is open for other members to join and organized on the voluntary base. At the initial stage it is not a legal entity. All types of higher education institutions as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations promoting the RPL can join the network.

The main purposes of the network are: 

- Development and promotion of agreed approaches, methodologies and criteria to the RPL; 

- Integration of RPL into the national education system through regulatory support and preparation of recommendations;  

- Support educational institutions in implementing RPL, including consultations, resources and training materials;  

- Dissemination of information about RPL to the public and employers. 

The network plans to organize conferences, seminars and other information events to support an integration of RPL into the Ukrainian higher education system.

National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” (NUOMA) is a higher education institution delivering education and training programmes of the levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the European Qualifications framework. NUOMA was a national coordinator of the Erasmus+ project “Qualifications recognition support for Ukrainian universities” (QUARSU) which initiated establishing the Ukrainian RPL Network.

Most of programmes are related to Maritime education and training, Law and Management. NUOMA has basic higher education institution in city of Odessa, and also has a number of subordinated subdivisions - Danube Institute in city of Izmail, Azov Maritime Institute in city of Mariupol (relocated to Odessa in 2022 because of the war), three professional colleges in Odessa and Izmail, and also two navy sub-divisions.