On 1 September 2026, a meeting of the Academic Council of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv was held in the University Assembly Hall. During the meeting, Rector Roman Gladyshevskii, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Professor, welcomed the University community at the start of the new academic year, presented an overview of this year’s admissions and outlined the key priorities for the University’s further development.
At the beginning of the meeting, Roman Gladyshevskii presented PhD diplomas to this year’s graduates, wishing the young researchers inspiration and determination in bringing their ambitious ideas and plans to fruition and contributing to Ukraine’s development.
The Rector then presented an overview of the 2026/2027 admissions process, reviewing its progress and highlighting the key results. Ivan Franko National University of Lviv received 53,469 applications for bachelor’s programmes. As he emphasised, “This year’s admissions have been the most successful in recent years.”
Gladyshevskii also focused on the geographical distribution of applicants. The largest numbers of the University’s first-year students come from Lviv Region (3,053) and neighbouring regions. “We also have a significant number of newly enrolled students from other parts of Ukraine, including 190 from the frontline Dnipropetrovsk Region,” he added. Overall, 6,031 students were admitted to bachelor’s programmes at the University in 2026.
“B11 Philology was the clear leader in terms of enrolment, with 858 students admitted to the programme. The top ten most popular programmes also included D8 Law (530), C1 Economics and International Economic Relations (478), D3 Management (345), D2 Finance, Banking, Insurance and Stock Market (316), C3 International Relations (295), D5 Marketing (273), A4 Secondary Education (232), C4 Psychology (223), and F3 Computer Science (222),” the Rector concluded.
Roman Gladyshevskii also addressed admissions to master’s programmes, noting that the University had received 8,029 applications. The highest enrolment figures were recorded for D8 Law (248), B11 Philology (200), C1 Economics and International Economic Relations and C4 Psychology (105 each), F3 Computer Science (101), A4 Secondary Education and D3 Management (78 each), C3 International Relations (77), D2 Finance, Banking, Insurance and Stock Market (62), and D5 Marketing (49). Admissions to master’s programmes are still ongoing.
Later in his report, Gladyshevskii presented the new academic programmes introduced at the University across all three levels of higher education. He also provided updates on staff professional development and programme accreditation, as well as the University’s ongoing efforts to expand dual education and its wide-ranging work with school students.
The Rector outlined the University’s key priorities in education. These include introducing a teaching workload allocation framework and standards governing research activities among academic and teaching staff, launching new academic programmes and fields of study, and revising course content. Other priorities include developing interdisciplinary programmes, expanding the number of programmes taught in English, including double-degree programmes, and working with employers to introduce dual study programmes.
According to the Rector, the University also plans to offer an internal professional development programme entitled “Enhancing Teaching Excellence” («Вдосконалення викладацької майстерності»), complete employees’ professional development e-portfolios in the Dekanat system and the Unified State Electronic Database on Education (ЄДЕБО), and provide state-funded professional development opportunities for public-sector employees under programmes commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The University will also continue to conduct regular surveys of students, academic and teaching staff, employers, and graduates on the content of academic programmes, in cooperation with student government bodies.
The report also mentioned the University’s key research achievements, including its 5 research and education centres and 80 teaching and research laboratories.
Gladyshevskii spoke about funding for research projects and highlighted the University’s strong publication record, presenting both the current figures and projections for the end of 2026. The Rector also addressed the training of early-career researchers. “In the first two quarters of 2026, 111 researchers successfully defended their PhD (Candidate of Sciences) dissertations. It is particularly encouraging that 52 PhD graduates have taken up positions at Lviv University. By the end of 2026, we expect to see the strongest dissertation defence figures in recent years,” the Rector emphasised.
Gladyshevskii also presented the latest data on the University’s performance in higher education rankings, noting that in the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Europe, Lviv University is placed 428th in Europe and fourth among Ukrainian universities.
Among the research priorities outlined by the Rector are monitoring and analysing the University’s research performance to improve the effectiveness of its research and prepare for future state evaluation procedures; actively participating in calls for research proposals; and preparing and submitting at least five project proposals under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and other international programmes. The University also plans to commercialise research and innovations in cooperation with its Science Park, business partners and startup incubators; ensure that its academic journals operate fully in an electronic Open Access format and are indexed in international citation databases such as Scopus and Web of Science; and improve and monitor key research indicators that affect the University’s position in national and international rankings.
Turning to the University’s international activities, the Rector mentioned that 1,247 members of the University community had participated in academic mobility programmes during the reporting period. Gladyshevskii also highlighted the involvement of international students and academics in University life, the implementation of international projects and initiatives, as well as the development of key partnerships.
Going forward, the University’s international activities will focus on institutional preparations for Ukraine’s associate membership in the Erasmus+ programme from 2028 and on expanding and strengthening strategic international partnerships. This will involve developing the University’s network of academic mobility partners, pursuing joint educational, research and project initiatives, and deepening cooperation with European University Alliances. Other key areas include strengthening the University’s capacity to participate in international projects by developing project management skills among staff and students and building interdisciplinary teams, as well as introducing flexible mechanisms for attracting international lecturers and students.
The report also covered the University’s key areas of activity in the social and cultural spheres. The Rector focused in particular on support for veterans and their families, volunteer and socio-cultural initiatives, and the important role of the Veteran Support and Social Initiatives Centre as well as the Psychological Service in providing effective psychological support to war veterans, University staff and their families. Gladyshevskii also highlighted the University’s vibrant cultural life and the notable sporting achievements of its academic community.
The Rector also addressed the ongoing improvements to the University’s catering system and opportunities for summer recreation at the Karpaty Sports and Recreation Camp and other recreational facilities. He also noted the importance of the numerous charitable initiatives undertaken by Lviv University students.
Priorities in this area include cooperation with the Azov Brigade and other stakeholders to implement rehabilitation programmes for war veterans and their families, as well as the introduction of new educational programmes for service providers working with veterans and their families. The University also plans to complete the reorganisation of the canteen in the University’s Main Building and continue developing its infrastructure.
Concluding his report, the Rector provided an update on the University’s efforts to promote inclusion and accessibility, energy-saving initiatives, facilities and equipment, and its financial performance, including increases in staff pay.
“We have a great deal of important and demanding work ahead of us as we seek to strengthen the University’s academic capacity and bring new ideas to life. I am confident that our unity, professionalism and dedication will enable us to overcome the challenges ahead and achieve our goals,” Gladyshevskii said.
The Academic Council then proceeded with the remaining items on the agenda. Its members considered admissions to Doctor of Sciences programmes, approved the organisational structure of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and its work plan for the 2026/2027 academic year, and reviewed a revised version of the Regulations on the University’s Supervisory Board.
The Council members voted to approve the Regulations on the Academic Integrity Commission, as well as revised versions of the Regulations on the Academic Integrity Assurance System and the Regulations on the Internal Quality Assurance System.
