Completing school abroad: how to obtain a Ukrainian diploma in 2025

Ukrainian graduates who complete their studies abroad can obtain a diploma or certificate of education without returning to Ukraine. Find out more about the step-by-step instructions, the list of required documents, options for obtaining them, and important advice for parents and students

Legal advice on education issues for Ukrainians

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The 2024–2025 academic year is coming to an end, and for thousands of Ukrainian schoolchildren who are forced to stay abroad, the issue of obtaining educational documents is relevant. This applies not only to certificates after the 9th grade, but also to diplomas after the 11th grade.

We explain in detail how to do this without visiting Ukraine, what documents are required, and what deadlines are important to consider.

Do you dream of studying abroad, but don't know where to start? Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you choose a country, university, and complete all the documents - contact us for a consultation!

Who is eligible to obtain Ukrainian documents abroad?

According to the Ministry of Education, as of September 1, 2024, more than 335,000 Ukrainian schoolchildren abroad continued to study remotely or externally in schools with Ukrainian licenses.

Graduates of such institutions have the full right to receive a certificate of basic or complete secondary education.

Since 2022, there has been an official Procedure for Interagency Cooperation on the Issuance of Such Documents Outside Ukraine, approved by a joint order of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It allows certificates to be delivered through diplomatic missions or by a third party in Ukraine.

Option 1: obtaining through a foreign diplomatic mission

How to apply:

1. Write an application stating:

- the name of the diplomatic institution to which the documents will be sent;

- level of education (9th or 11th grade, vocational school diploma, etc.);

- full name of the graduate, date of birth;

- address of residence in Ukraine and country of residence;

- contact information: phone number, email, messengers.

2. Who can submit an application:

- adult graduate;

- one of the parents, guardian or other legal representative;

- person authorized by a relative.

3. Method of submission: by email, fax, in person or by other convenient means.

What happens next?

1. The school principal compiles the documents and submits them to the local education authority.

2. The authority forwards them to the regional department, then to the Ministry of Education and Science, and then to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends the documents to the relevant diplomatic mission abroad.

4. Upon receipt of the documents, the diplomatic mission staff will contact the graduate to deliver them for signature.

If the documents are not collected within 6 months, they will be returned to Ukraine.

📌 Important: Each stage of the process takes up to 3–5 days, so the entire process may take several weeks.

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Option 2: receipt through a representative in Ukraine

Another option is to draw up a notarized power of attorney for a relative, acquaintance, or other person residing in Ukraine.

What you need:

The graduate or their parents must draw up a power of attorney:

- through a notary abroad (an apostille may be required);

- through the local government authority at the place of residence;

- through the Ukrainian consulate.

The representative with the power of attorney must contact the school or the relevant education authority to obtain the documents.

Useful tips for graduates

Do not delay in submitting your application — it is better to submit it by the end of June.

Check whether there is a Ukrainian consulate or embassy in your country of residence — documents are transferred through them.

Check that the information in the application is correct — an error in your name or address may delay the receipt of your certificate.

If you do not have time to prepare the documents, contact your school or local education authority for advice on extending the deadline.

Obtaining a Ukrainian certificate abroad is a completely realistic and well-established procedure. The main thing is to follow the formalities, choose a convenient method, and not leave everything to the last minute. This will ensure that graduates receive their education documents on time and can continue their studies in Ukraine or abroad.

Visit Ukraine offers professional legal services, including full support for educational emigration - from program selection to assistance in document preparation and obtaining a visa.

Get advice from a qualified lawyer today. Our experts will help you avoid common mistakes and successfully go all the way from choosing a university to starting your studies abroad.

Reminder! In 2025, more and more Ukrainians are choosing to study abroad, not only because of the quality of education, but also because of their desire to live and work in a stable environment. Find out how much it costs to study in different countries, what the admission requirements are, what the prospects are for free education, and get useful advice on visas, documents and legal support.

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