According to subsection 2 of clause 2 of Chapter XV of the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” dated 03/21/2017 No. 1958-VIII, higher education at the educational and qualification level of a specialist (full higher education) is equated to higher education with a master’s degree. Therefore, the educational and qualification level of a specialist obtained by foreign citizens in medical universities and academies, including in the specialties “Medical business”, “Dentistry” and “Pharmacy”, is a confirmation of the acquisition of a full higher education.
The educational and qualification level of a specialist in the field of health care obtained by foreign citizens in medical universities and academies corresponds to full higher education, but does not allow a foreign citizen to work in health care institutions in Ukraine.
In order to obtain the right to carry out practical activities after receiving a diploma, graduates of medical universities and academies must undergo postgraduate training in higher medical educational institutions or institutions of postgraduate education in order to obtain a certificate of a specialist doctor.
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 27.02.1992 No. 96 “On Changes in the Organization of Specialization (Internship) of Graduates of Medical and Pharmaceutical Institutes, Medical Faculties of Universities”, graduates who are citizens of Ukraine after obtaining a diploma must undergo specialization (internship) at universities, academies, institutes, which lasts from one to three years.
In accordance with current legislation, foreign citizens are not sent to an internship immediately after graduating from a higher primary institution.
The issue of postgraduate training of foreign citizens is regulated by the Regulation on clinical residency, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 29.01.1998 No. 12. Postgraduate training of foreign citizens is carried out at the expense of legal entities and individuals in clinical residency in all medical specialties for two or more years in accordance with national requirements for the qualification of medical workers in the country from where the foreigner came to study.
To obtain a permit to practice medicine in health care institutions on the territory of Ukraine, foreign citizens who have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine apply to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and, with the permission of the Ministry, undergo a several-month specialization in a medical specialty that must correspond to the specialty of the completed clinical residency. After the completion of specialization, these foreign citizens receive a specialist doctor’s certificate in accordance with the established procedure and are employed in health care institutions independently.