Ukrainian Catholic University is one of the leading higher education institutions in Ukraine and the only Catholic university in Eastern Europe. UCU inherited and continues the scientific activities of the Greek-Catholic Theological Academy, founded in Lviv in 1928 by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky and initially led by its first rector, Fr. Dr. Josyf Slipyj. The modern history of the educational institution begins with the restoration of the Lviv Theological Academy in Independent Ukraine in 1994. In 2002, the institution was reorganized into the Ukrainian Catholic University. One of the founders and the first rector was Bishop Borys Gudziak.
The Ukrainian Catholic University is an open academic community living in the Eastern Christian tradition and educating leaders of society, professionals, for service in Ukraine and beyond – for the glory of God, common good, and human dignity. The university relies on Christian values, innovation, and an entrepreneurial approach to make its significant contribution to the creation of Ukraine and new meanings for the world through a wide network of international and national partnerships. The management and control of the educational institution are carried out by the Senate (authorized collegiate body of management and control of UCU). The Ukrainian Catholic University does not receive state funding and carries out its activities and development through the support of benefactors, as well as tuition fees from students. The university was one of the first to start developing the culture of fundraising in Ukraine.
UCU is a university oriented towards the holistic development of individuals and the success of students, faculty, and all members of the community. UCU students live in Collegiums, where they undergo a formational program under the guidance of curators, have the opportunity to develop their abilities, engage in social life and various initiatives. As a Catholic university, UCU offers its students, regardless of their chosen specialty, a unique worldview program that acquaints them with the world of Christianity, reveals the importance and nature of interpersonal relationships, and develops the ability to live in a family and community. Students learn to responsibly approach the world, global processes, and challenges that their generation will face, become acquainted with the Christian understanding of social development and progress, and the importance of holistic personality nurturing. The goal of this program is to develop a universal set of competencies for work in any field, as well as a worldview and values foundation that will complement the profile of a UCU graduate. This program distinguishes UCU from other universities and is considered its competitive advantage over other educational institutions.
The university has 5 faculties (Philosophy-Theology Faculty, Faculty of Health Sciences, Humanities Faculty, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences) and the UCU Business School. Today, the educational institution offers applicants 11 bachelor’s, 17 master’s programs, 3 programs for obtaining a PhD degree, and a number of certificate programs. In 2021, UCU became the best private educational institution in Ukraine (the average passing score of this year’s applicants was 189.8 and was one of the highest among Ukrainian universities).