National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv

The National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (KNU), also known as Kyiv University, Shevchenko University, is a public research university located in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It is the oldest and most prestigious university in Ukraine, and is ranked among the top universities in Eastern Europe.

The history of the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (KNU) dates back to 1834, when it was founded as the Kiev Imperial University of Saint Vladimir. The university was established by the Russian Tsar Nicholas I, but it was largely the work of a group of Ukrainian intellectuals who were eager to promote Ukrainian culture and education.

In its early years, KNU was a small university with only a few faculties. However, it quickly grew in size and stature, and by the late 19th century it was one of the leading universities in the Russian Empire. KNU was also a center of Ukrainian nationalism, and many of its students and faculty members were active in the Ukrainian independence movement.

After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, KNU became the national university of the newly independent Ukrainian People's Republic. However, the Ukrainian government was short-lived, and in 1920 Ukraine was conquered by the Soviet Union. Under Soviet rule, KNU was subjected to strict ideological control, and many of its professors and students were persecuted for their nationalist beliefs.

In 1991, Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union, and KNU once again became the national university of Ukraine. The university has since undergone a number of reforms, and it is now a modern university that offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. KNU is also a major research university, and its faculty members are actively engaged in cutting-edge research in a variety of fields.

KNU is a prestigious university with a long and distinguished history. It is a leading center of education and research in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The university is a major contributor to Ukrainian society, and its graduates play important roles in all sectors of the economy and government.

National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv is ranked as the #1 top university in Ukraine during 2026. This is the same rank as last year.