No National Exam Required: Metinvest Polytechnic Opens Admissions for School Leavers and Veterans

Metinvest Polytechnic Launches Its 2026 Admissions Campaign

According to Главком: Metinvest Polytechnic has begun accepting applications for its professional higher education programs. High school graduates can now enroll in junior bachelor’s degree tracks without taking the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). In addition, veterans and internally displaced persons are eligible for retraining initiatives. Vadym Pukhalskyi, the university’s director of development, announced this at the HR Wisdom Summit 2026.

Applicants can already register their electronic accounts, with submissions for professional higher education programs open until the end of July. These three-year programs let 11th-grade graduates gain a qualification without sitting for the NMT. Students can receive scholarships of up to 10,000 hryvnias. Through the 'First Job' program, graduates also earn a 50,000 hryvnia bonus upon employment.

“We have recent school leavers making their first career choice. In just three years, they earn a profession and can start working. We also have veterans transitioning back to civilian life through our educational programs. And there are internally displaced people starting over in a new place. These are the groups we work with at Metinvest Polytechnic, together with the Metinvest Group.”

- Vadym Pukhalskyi

Programs and Fields of Study at the University

Metinvest Polytechnic is Ukraine’s first private mining and metallurgy university, founded by Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest company. The institution offers eight specializations:

• Metallurgy
• Mining
• Production Automation
• Electrical Engineering
• Applied Mechanics
• Computer Science
• Management

Pukhalskyi stressed the need for a clear development pathway for students: 'The university shouldn’t just wait for applicants-it should offer a straightforward trajectory from enrollment to the first job. From the start, students should know what role they’ll fill after graduation, their career prospects, and their financial opportunities.'

The university also actively involves businesses in shaping its curricula, allowing instructors and industry specialists to work with students during their studies. According to reports, around 50 former military personnel are already enrolled at Metinvest Polytechnic, including participants in the 'Heart of Azovstal' project.

Metinvest Polytechnic’s admissions campaign creates new opportunities for young people, particularly given the challenges veterans and internally displaced persons face. Programs that bypass the NMT requirement can significantly ease these groups’ reintegration into civilian life and boost their employability. Involving businesses in the educational process may also enhance the quality of specialist training to better match labor market demands.

As Metinvest Polytechnic opens its doors to school leavers and veterans without requiring entrance exams, it's essential to recognize the broader trend in higher education accessibility. For more insights on how veterans can now enroll in university without standardized tests, check out this article on new enrollment opportunities for veterans.