The National University of Pharmacy holds a central role in advancing pharmaceutical education and scientific progress within Ukraine. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1805 as the pharmaceutical department of the Kharkiv Emperor University, it has evolved into the primary higher education center for pharmacy in the country. Having been the sole educational institution dedicated to pharmaceutical studies in Ukraine, the university has played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s pharmaceutical landscape. Its establishment paved the way for the development of national pharmaceutical schools, scientific research, production, and the overall pharmaceutical industry.
In 1921, responding to the proposal of esteemed Kharkiv scientists, the National University of Pharmacy was established under the auspices of the Health Care Narkomat and Golovnauk Resolution. Throughout its history, the university has been home to notable figures in pharmaceutical academia and research, including M.O. Valyashko, M.S. Bokarius, and A.D. Rozenfeld, among others. Through its commitment to fostering collaboration between education and scientific inquiry, the National University of Pharmacy continues to provide an environment conducive to the comprehensive training of highly skilled professionals and the development of innovative scientific solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
History
The initiation of higher pharmaceutical education in Kharkiv lands goes back to 1805 when the National University of Pharmacy was founded. This year, the Kharkiv Academic Council of Medical Faculty gets the right to carry out experiments to get pharmaceutical titles and pharmacist’s assistant, pharmacist, and chemist degrees according to these experiments’ results. In 1812, on the basis of the University’s chemical laboratory, the new pharmaceutical laboratory was opened, thus students and those who had been preparing for examinations to get a pharmaceutical degree had an opportunity to obtain training in pharmacy, pharmacognosy, forensic medicine analysis, and physiological chemistry.
During 1812-1815, the founder of the laboratory M. P. Bolgarevskyi, was at the head of it. He was one of the best young scientists at the National University of Pharmacy and gave lectures in Pharmacy. In 1813 more than 100 karbovanets (the official currency of that time) were spent on purchasing manifold instruments and manuals for the laboratory. The laboratory was accepting sponsors’ presents; for instance, in 1814, an iron reverberating furnace was ordered. The laboratory accepted the crystal and glass utensils intended for experiments total cost of which was 63 karbovanets in silver from Maltsov an honorable supervisor of schools in the Bryansk district. Professor Y. S. Gordienko had made a considerable contribution to the laboratory’s development having bought expensive equipment.
In 1837 according to the statute of the National University of Pharmacy, the Department of Medical Substance, Pharmacy, and Medical Terminology was founded (later in 1859 it was divided into Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Department and Pharmacology Department). Since 1860, they were actively given training in mineral and organic substances analysis and pharmaceutical chemistry in the laboratory and carried out toxicologists Since 1865, the laboratory was used for physiological chemistry Some of them were carrying out scientific research in the forensic chemistry field under their tuition to medical research students. teachers’ guidance.
Since the middle 1880s, there were regularly given training in Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy in students Medicine Department in the laboratory. The program of practical training for pharmacists, who attended lectures in order to receive a druggist status, was significantly improved. In 1903 the pharmaceutical laboratory had its own library, which numbered 346 books, 1029 various instruments, a herbarium, a pharmacognostical collection, four collections of microscopic preparations, two mineralogical collections, and two collections of pharmaceutical preparations. In 1908, the property of the laboratory was estimated at 11.269 Karbovanets.
University Today
The National University of Pharmacy stands as a modern beacon of European higher education, boasting an impressive history dating back to its establishment in 1805. Celebrating its bicentenary in 2005, the university has evolved into a prestigious institution with a robust material and technical infrastructure spanning an impressive 105,000 square meters. Comprising six university buildings and five hostels, the National University of Pharmacy provides a conducive environment that adheres to the highest standards of global education quality.
With ten departments covering diverse fields such as Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Clinical Pharmacy, Perfumery and Cosmetics Drug Technology, Marketing, and Economy of Enterprises, the university offers a comprehensive range of educational opportunities. Its curriculum is enriched by collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and chemical factories in Kharkiv and across Ukraine, ensuring that students receive practical, hands-on training aligned with industry standards. The university’s contribution to academia extends beyond its classrooms, with a prolific publishing record that includes numerous magazines and textbooks widely esteemed within Ukraine and abroad. Currently serving over 17,000 students, including 1,000 international students, the National University of Pharmacy continues to uphold its reputation for excellence, with its diplomas recognized and respected worldwide.
Faculties
- Faculty of Foreign Citizens’ Education;
- Pharmaceutical Faculty;
- Faculty of Pharmaceutiсal Technology and Management;
- Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Technologies.
University’s Structure
The educational process at the National University of Pharmacy is supported by 52 departments, staffed by 830 lecturers, 85% of whom hold scientific degrees. Among them are 72 Doctors of Sciences, approximately 400 assistant professors and candidates of sciences, 15 academicians and associate members of National and branch Academies of Sciences of Ukraine, 5 members of the New York Academy of Sciences, and 14 Honoured Scientists and Technicians of Ukraine. The esteemed faculty plays a crucial role in training scientific professionals for foreign countries, inviting individuals interested in pursuing further scientific research to join post-graduate studies.
Post-graduate training at the National University of Pharmacy is conducted under contract for a duration of three years and is offered in both full-time (3 years) and part-time (4 years) formats. Upon successful completion of post-graduate training and defense of a scientific thesis, individuals are conferred the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the field of pharmacy. The university publishes journals such as “Clinical Pharmacy,” “News of Pharmacy,” and “Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry,” which are recognized by the highest attestation commission of Ukraine.
Foreign Students Training
Nowadays more than 16,000 students study at the University, among them approximately 100 foreigners. Foreign students have been trained since 1965, and for these years University has prepared more than 4,000 professionals in the field of pharmacy for 73 countries of the world. In the NUPh foreign citizens can get an education in Russian, Ukrainian, or English. The duration of study in Russian and Ukrainian is 6 years (the 1st year of study at the preparatory faculty). The duration of study in English is 5 years.
Specialties:
- Pharmacy, industrial pharmacy:
- Pharmacy
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Technologies of medical diagnostics and treatment
- Laboratory Diagnostics
Accommodation
The National University of Pharmacy possesses 5 hostels with a total area of 28431 sq.m for the accommodation of 2220 students. The International Office provides a guarantee of accommodation placement services to all international students who receive an academic offer. There are several accommodation options for international students and it is important to consider whether you prefer an independent lifestyle or enjoy living in a community. Combine the convenience of living on or near campus, access to programs and services to help you excel academically, the opportunity to build lasting friendships, and comfortable, affordable living and you have the life of a University.
The territory of the National University of Pharmacy and the main students’ routes from the hostels to the educational buildings are protected and patrolled by officers of guard service. All rooms in hostels are provided with internet facilities. Hostel No.5 is provided with a free internet facility. Hostel No.5 is equipped with a wi-fi zone. Students have the opportunity to use a laptop, wifi phone, or other suitable portable device to access the wireless internet connection provided. Rooms on campus are available to students. All hostel rooms are furnished and vary in size and number of conveniences. Dormitory rooms at a hostel can accommodate 2 or 3 students to a room.