The full-scale Russian invasion and Ukraine’s extraordinary resilience captured the world’s attention, sparking a wave of interest in the country’s language, history, and culture. As global curiosity grew, Ukrainian studies programs at Western universities saw a surge in popularity, while other top institutions began developing full-fledged courses to meet the rising demand.
In partnership with Language Lab, we’re spotlighting some of the standout academic programs abroad where Ukraine enthusiasts can dive deep into the country’s identity — whether in university halls or online.
Ukrainian studies in Europe
University College London, United Kingdom
University College London (UCL) — home to 32 Nobel Prize laureates — offers a deep dive into Ukraine through its renowned School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES). Its comprehensive four-year program takes an interdisciplinary approach, weaving together courses on Ukrainian language, history, politics, and culture. The program stands out for its sharp focus on contemporary Ukraine and the post-Soviet space, offering modules on post-Soviet transitions, Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, and questions of Ukrainian identity in a globalised world.
Originally founded with the support of the Ukrainian diaspora, the program partners with scholars and cultural institutions, giving students a rich framework to understand Ukraine’s place in Eastern Europe. What’s more, students have the opportunity to spend a year in Ukraine, experiencing the country not just from the outside, but from within.
Oxford University, United Kingdom
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Oxford University offers a rich selection of courses on Ukraine, especially within its Slavonic Languages and Literatures program, where students can explore Ukrainian literature, history, political science. A standout feature of Oxford’s program is its focus on archival research, giving students access to rare materials from Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
The university actively promotes academic dialogue by hosting regular lectures and seminars with leading Ukrainian scholars — a reflection of its long-standing commitment to Ukraine and its academic community. In 2024, Oxford took this commitment a step further by launching the Oxford Ukraine Hub. This initiative connects Oxford researchers with scholars and experts on Ukraine worldwide, seeking to foster new collaborations and enhancing public knowledge through workshops, a podcast series, and launching the open-access Global Ukraine website.
Jagiellonian University, Poland
Poland’s Jagiellonian University — whose alumni include Nicolaus Copernicus and Pope John Paul II — offers one of the most extensive programs in Ukrainian language, culture, and history in Europe. Set in the historic city of Kraków, the university is an ideal place for students interested in the long and complex relationship between Ukrainians and Poles.
A standout feature of the program is its focus on the Halychyna region, exploring the layered history of Polish-Ukrainian relations there and how it continues to shape modern Ukraine. Notably, Jagiellonian University is home to Poland’s only specialist program for training professional Ukrainian language translators, equipping graduates with the skills to work at the highest professional standards.
Beyond academics, the university boasts one of Poland’s largest libraries, with over 5 million books and periodicals, and maintains active partnerships with academic institutions in both Ukraine and the West.
Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
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Freie Universität Berlin is another EU-based university that leads the way in Ukrainian studies, offering students a unique lens on Ukraine’s relationship with the European Union and its shifting role in global geopolitics.
The university’s Ukrainian Studies Program, housed at the Institute for East European Studies, provides tailored master’s courses focusing on topics like Ukraine’s wartime resilience, Soviet legacy, conflict studies, and EU-Ukraine relations. Additionally, the program offers Ukrainian language training from beginner to intermediate levels.
Freie Universität Berlin is also a key member of the Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies (KIU), a consortium of German universities working to advance Ukraine-focused programs, including the development of Germany’s first structured PhD program in Ukrainian studies, launching in April 2025.
In 2024, the university expanded its offerings with the launch of a beginner-level Ukrainian summer program, followed by more intensive courses in the winter semester, further cementing its leadership in the field.
North American leaders in Ukrainian Studies
Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Massachusetts (United States)
Harvard University — one of the world’s top academic institutions — is home to the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI), a global leader in Ukrainian studies. Founded in 1968 on the 50th anniversary of Ukraine’s first modern independence, HURI was created with the support of the Ukrainian-American community to spotlight a nation whose identity was long suppressed by Soviet rule.
At a time when Ukraine’s voice was silenced, HURI became the first academic center in the West dedicated to preserving and promoting Ukraine’s history, language, and culture. It quickly became a vital Cold War-era bridge between Ukraine and the world, launching intensive summer programs and publishing Harvard Ukrainian Studies, now the world’s leading academic journal on Ukraine.
Today, HURI remains a global hub for Ukrainian scholarship, drawing students from across continents — from Mexico to Taiwan. After Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, HURI responded by launching Ukraïnica: The Primary Database of Ukrainian Studies in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This growing archive gathers Ukrainian literature, historical records, films, and firsthand war testimonies, making them accessible in English to scholars, educators, and the public.
Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (United States)
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Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. — a training ground for U.S. diplomats and global leaders, including President Bill Clinton and former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso — offers one of the most dynamic spaces in America for studying Ukraine. Its location, just steps from major think tanks and embassies, makes it a top choice for students eyeing careers in international affairs.
Georgetown’s specialized courses like “Ukraine: Politics and Society” and “Ukrainian Literature and Culture” dive deep into Ukraine’s journey from independence to today’s frontline democracy. The Department of Slavic Languages offers Ukrainian language instruction from beginner to advanced levels, while the Georgetown Ukrainian Society amplifies Ukraine’s presence on campus and in US policy circles — advocating, lobbying, and elevating Ukrainian voices where decisions are made.
Columbia University, New York (United States)
Columbia University’s Department of Slavic Languages offers an extensive selection of courses focused on Ukrainian history, literature, and politics. Although part of a broader Slavic studies program, Columbia has made strategic investments in Ukraine, recognising its crucial role in Eastern Europe.
In 2004, the university established the Ukrainian Studies Program, underscoring Ukraine’s growing importance in the region. The program provides specialized courses in Ukrainian history, politics, and culture, along with one of the leading Ukrainian language programs in the U.S., ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
Students can dive deep into contemporary issues through unique courses like “Ukraine: Power Politics and Diplomacy”, taught by former Ukrainian ambassador Valerii Kuchynskyi, and “War and Peace: Exploring Contemporary Ukraine”, which analyzes post-Soviet politics and Russia’s invasion. The program also offers creative insights into Ukrainian art with courses like “Fin de Siècle Ukrainian Literature”, exploring modernism and feminism, alongside opportunities to engage in film through the Ukrainian Film Club.
In 2024, Columbia co-launched the Translating Ukraine Summer Institute, with prestigious universities like Harvard and Cambridge, addressing the need for more translators between Ukrainian and English.
Online courses
Ukrainian Institute London
The Ukrainian Institute in London offers a rich mix of online courses, lectures, and workshops dedicated to Ukrainian culture, history, and language — providing an accessible way for people around the world to deepen their understanding of Ukraine. From Ukrainian cinema and literature to the country’s path to democracy, its initiatives cover it all.
Founded in 1979 by Josyf Slipyj, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in exile, the Institute originally served as the London branch of the Ukrainian Catholic University of St. Clement in Rome, a cultural haven abroad when Soviet rule sought to erase Ukraine’s identity. Since becoming an independent charity in 2016, it’s evolved into one of the UK’s leading voices for Ukrainian culture and history.
Today, the Institute runs online Ukrainian language courses at every level, alongside lectures, book talks, and film screenings. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, it dramatically expanded its activities — with website traffic surging 3,000% and new programs like “Ukrainian for Hosts”, designed to help British families welcoming refugees.
Lessons from Timothy Snyder’s Lectures on Ukraine
Photo by Dmytro Vaga / Babel.ua / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images.
In 2022, Yale University launched The Making of Modern Ukraine, a landmark course created in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. Taught by renowned historian Timothy Snyder — one of the leading Western voices on Ukraine — the course quickly became a global hit. Within just two months, the series amassed over 2.5 million views from more than 70 countries, while its podcast version topped Apple and Spotify charts.
Available for free on YouTube and major podcast platforms, Snyder’s lectures offer one of the first comprehensive overviews of Ukrainian history since the Middle Ages. The series sheds light on underrepresented episodes like the Holodomor and Ukraine’s role in World War II — crucial for understanding the roots of today’s war and Ukraine’s place in global politics.
Language Lab, Kyiv
For those who want to go deeper and learn the language upon which Ukrainian culture and history is built, we would also like to highlight our partner, Language Lab. They offer Ukrainian courses for both adults and children — from diplomats and journalists to humanitarian workers and families preserving their Ukrainian heritage — both online and in person. Operating since 2016, the school combines structured language instruction with a strong community and cultural immersion, including language and cultural events alongside social meet-ups that connect learners with Ukrainian life beyond the classroom. Learners can join online or in Kyiv, and new students can start with a free trial lesson to find the right fit before committing.
