From 1 October 2026, Ukrainian universities and vocational pre-higher education institutions will begin teaching the subject «Fundamentals of National Resistance». For Ukrainian citizens enrolled on full-time or dual-track programmes in designated courses, this is a compulsory subject. The law provides for expulsion for refusing to study the subject or for failing the final assessment.
Briefly about the main points
- The course will be introduced as a compulsory component of the educational programmes.
- The rule applies to certain categories of full-time and dual-study students.
- For some students, exemptions or adjustments to practical modules are available.
- The course does not automatically lead to a military registration speciality.
Who is covered by the new rules?
The new procedure has been introduced Law No. 4826-IX. The subject will be included in the curricula of educational institutions of all forms of ownership for Ukrainian citizens who are studying for a pre-higher vocational qualification or a bachelor’s degree on a full-time or dual-track basis.
It also applies to Master’s programmes in medicine, pharmacy and veterinary science. At some universities, courses may be organised for first- or second-year students — this will depend on the degree programme and the approved timetable.
Withdrawal from a course constitutes legal grounds for expulsion
The law provides for the right to opt out of studying «The Foundations of National Resistance» and failure to pass the final assessment are grounds for expulsion from the educational institution. Consequently, the subject is not an optional one that a student may choose to drop at their own discretion.
At the same time, the provision does not provide for automatic expulsion on the first day of term or after missing a single class. The legal consequence relates specifically to a refusal to undertake a compulsory module or to a fail in its final assessment.
Who is eligible for exemption and adaptation of their studies?
The law provides for a complete exemption from disciplinary action for several categories of students.
- students who have completed military service or have previously successfully completed this course;
- persons holding a certificate confirming completion of basic general military training and the award of a military speciality;
- those who are not enrolled on a full-time or dual-track programme, and who reside in the temporarily occupied territory.
What is included in the course syllabus
For students whose religious beliefs preclude the use of weapons, the relevant components may be replaced with other forms of training. Students with a disability or partial incapacity for work, as documented in medical records, may be exempted from practical sessions that could be harmful to their health.
The Ministry of Education and Science approved the standard programme by Order No. 1002 of 30 June 2026. The full course is worth five ECTS credits, or 150 hours. It covers first aid, mine safety, orientation and navigation, psychological resilience, information security and crisis management.
Separate topics include the basics of tactical and marksmanship training, modern military technologies and UAV. The programme combines these modules with the skills required to act in dangerous situations.
The course replaces compulsory military training for students, but does not entail mobilisation
«Fundamentals of National Resistance» replaces the previous model of basic general military training for students. The Ministry of Education and Science has emphasised that the new course is not a mechanism for automatic preparation for mobilisation.
Simply completing the course does not automatically confer a military speciality and has no legal implications, unlike the previous full basic military training programme.
