In brief
- Students’ Day is celebrated in Ukraine on 17 November. In 2026, this date falls on a Tuesday. It is an official public holiday that coincides with International Students’ Day.
- There is only one official date in Ukraine: there is no separate legislative act regarding ‘Ukrainian Students’ Day’ on 29 January in the state register, and 29 January remains the Day of Remembrance for the Heroes of Kruty. However, 17 November is not a public holiday.
- In this article, we examine the calendar of dates up to 2028, provide 15 ready-made greetings, and analyse labour law provisions and the new scholarship amounts.
When is Students’ Day in 2026?
The date of the holiday is fixed and remains the same every year — it was established by Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 659/99 of 16 June 1999:
‘In support of the initiative of Ukraine’s student youth, I hereby decree: To establish Students’ Day in Ukraine, to be celebrated annually on 17 November.’
The decree contains no provisions for rescheduling, so the date does not change. The status of the decree is ‘In force’.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 November | Monday |
| 2026 | 17 November | Tuesday |
| 2027 | 17 November | Wednesday |
| 2028 | 17 November | Friday |
17 November or 29 January: what the register of acts says
The applicable act is one
There is no separate legislative act designating 29 January as ‘Ukrainian Students’ Day’. Presidential Decree ‘On Honouring the Memory of the Heroes of Kruty’ No. 15/2007 of 15 January 2007 concerns the declared events to mark the anniversary of the battle and does not establish an annual date for the student holiday.
Where did 29 January come from?
On 29 January, Ukraine commemorates the Day of Remembrance for the Heroes of Kruty. Around 500 Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers took part in the battle of 1918, the majority of whom were students and grammar school pupils. Because of this historical connection, the Ukrainian Students’ Association and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance proposed establishing Ukrainian Students’ Day specifically on 29 January. However, as of now, no relevant legislation has been adopted.
What about 25 January?
25 January is Saint Tatiana’s Day (Tatiana’s Day). Under Ukrainian law, this date is not officially recognised as a student holiday. Only 17 November is officially recognised.
Background: why 17 November in particular
On 28 October 1939, students took to the streets in Prague to demonstrate on the anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s independence. During the crackdown, medical student Jan Opletal was wounded and died on 11 November. His funeral on 15 November turned into a mass protest.
On 17 November, the Nazi occupiers closed all Czech universities, sent over 1,200 students to concentration camps, and executed nine students and lecturers without trial. It is this date that the international community has commemorated as International Students’ Day, and Presidential Decree No. 659/99 enshrined it in Ukraine.
Is 17 November a public holiday?
No, it is a working day.
The list of public holidays and non-working days is set out in Article 73 of the Labour Code of Ukraine (LCU). Students’ Day is not included in this list, as it was established by a Presidential Decree rather than by amendments to the Labour Code.
Martial law and public holidays
In accordance with Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law’ dated 15 March 2022 No. 2136-IX, during the period of martial law, the provisions of Article 73 of the Labour Code concerning public holidays and non-working days do not apply at all.
Two popular myths about the calendar for 17 November
According to the calendar, 17 November coincides with World Cervical Cancer Action Day (WHO) and the Czech-Slovak Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy. However, errors are often found in online calendars:
| What the calendars say | What the original source says |
|---|---|
| 17 November — International Philosophy Day | UNESCO marks it on the third Thursday in November (in 2026, this will be 19 November). |
| 17 November — World Prematurity Day | The date does indeed fall on 17 November, but this is a separate international day which is not linked to Students’ Day. |
Student Day greetings
Official greetings — from the management and lecturers
Congratulations on Students’ Day! You have chosen a field of study that the country desperately needs right now. May every successfully completed exam bring you closer to your first professional achievements.
Dear students, happy Student Day! The university measures its success not by rankings, but by the quality of your dissertations and your first successful steps in your careers.
Happy Students’ Day, future colleagues! May your studies provide a solid theoretical foundation, and practical experience give you the opportunity to put it to the test.
From your fellow students and the Students’ Council
Congratulations to our year group! This semester, we’ve learnt the most important thing — to ask questions before looking for answers in other people’s lecture notes.
First-year students, happy first Students’ Day! The main piece of advice from the Students’ Council: get to know the Dean’s Office before the exam period, not during it.
Keep it short — send it via messenger
Have an easy exam period and get your grant on time! Happy Student Day!
You’re halfway to your degree – the hardest bit is behind you! Stick with the lecturers who explain things clearly and your classmates who share their notes.
Everything you’re learning now will undoubtedly form the foundation of your career. Good luck!
A free slot in your timetable, peace and quiet in the hall of residence, and no outstanding credits on your transcript — that’s the perfect day for a student!
Happy celebrations, future colleague! Remember: your degree is just the start of your CV.
Funny — for those in the know
May the lectures you slept through turn out to be the very ones that won’t be covered in the exam!
I hope you pick the very question you just managed to learn last!
Coffee keeps you going, the Wi-Fi in the building’s working, and the deadline’s been pushed back a week — that’s the perfect Students’ Day!
Happy Students’ Day! May your lecture notes be the very ones that the whole year copy just before the exam.
May ‘passes’ come more often than rescheduled classes! Happy Student Day!
Working whilst studying: what the law allows
Age and working hours: You can be employed from the age of 16 (Article 188 of the Labour Code). For employees aged between 16 and 18, working hours are reduced to 36 hours per week (Section 51 of the Labour Code).
Full-time study: According to the State Labour Service, full-time students work outside their study hours (in the evenings, at weekends or during holidays). Payment is made in proportion to the time worked. Such work is not considered to be secondary employment.
Study leave: Article 15 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Leave’ provides for additional paid leave during exam periods for those who are successfully studying whilst continuing to work:
| Type of study | Years 1–2 | Year 3 and beyond |
|---|---|---|
| Evening classes, accreditation levels I–II | 10 calendar days | 20 calendar days |
| Evening classes, accreditation levels III–IV | 20 calendar days | 30 calendar days |
| Correspondence, regardless of level | 30 calendar days | 40 calendar days |
Restrictions during martial law: In accordance with Article 12 of Law No. 2136-IX, an employer has the right to refuse to grant study leave to employees involved in work at critical infrastructure or defence facilities.
Scholarships from 1 September 2026
Academic scholarships have been increased by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1052 of 19 August 2026. The new payment amounts apply from 1 September 2026 to students on state-funded places.
| Scholarship | Previously | From 1 September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum academic scholarship, universities | 2,000 UAH | 4,000 UAH |
| Minimum academic, colleges | 1,510 UAH | 3,020 UAH |
Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance. The institution’s Academic Council sets the limit on the number of scholarship recipients within the range of 40–45 per cent of the number of state-funded students on the year group and course (CMU Resolution No. 1050 of 28 December 2016).
Student jobs on Injobe
Open the Injobe job catalogue and filter it by timetable.
How to find part-time work that fits your timetable
- Set the ‘remote’ filter — this eliminates the need to travel between your university building and the office.
- Look for vacancies that don’t require experience.
- Mention your class timetable straight away in your application.
- Ask about an employment contract: without one, you won’t be entitled to study leave or work experience.
More tips for beginners can be found in the section for job seekers.
