National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport is the main higher educational institution in Ukraine for training personnel in various sports disciplines, upgrading the qualifications of physical education professionals, and preparing specialists in the field of “Tourism” to obtain qualifications as “Bachelor of Tourism” and “Tourist Service Specialist”.
History
The history of the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport dates back to 1930, when the State Institute of Physical Culture of Ukraine was established in Kharkiv (then the capital of the Ukrainian SSR). In 1944, the institute was relocated to Kyiv and renamed the Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture. A fundamentally new stage in the university’s development began after Ukraine gained independence in 1991. The university became the leading institution in the country in the field of physical education and sport and gained the ability to significantly influence the entire system of specialist training in this domain.
In 1993, the Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture was reorganized into the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport, and in 1998, it was accredited at the highest (fourth) level. That same year, considering the university’s significant contribution to education, scientific research, the promotion of physical culture, and the training of highly qualified professionals and elite athletes, as well as its national and international recognition, the institution was granted the status of national university.
The university proudly celebrates its students and graduates who have become champions and medalists at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, World and European Championships, and World Universiades.
Between 1952 and 2015, students, postgraduates, and alumni of the university (under its various names: KDIPhC, USUPES, NUPESU) won a total of 299 Olympic medals of various distinctions: 113 gold, 91 silver, and 95 bronze. During the period of independent Ukraine (1994–2012), the university’s representatives earned 57 Olympic medals, including 13 gold, 19 silver, and 26 bronze.
University Today
The National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport operates 21 departments, organized under four faculties and one institute:
- Faculty of Sport and Management
- Faculty of Coaching
- Faculty of Health, Physical Education, and Tourism
- Faculty of Distance Learning
- Educational and Research Olympic Institute
NUUPES (National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine) is home to several scientific schools, as well as postgraduate and doctoral programs. The university boasts a strong academic and teaching staff capable of successfully addressing the challenges it faces as a national educational institution. It hosts two permanent specialized academic councils for the defense of doctoral dissertations in physical education and sport, as well as temporary specialized councils for the defense of PhD dissertations in the same field.
The National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport offers professional training in the following fields of knowledge:
- Education/Pedagogy
- Biology
- Service Sector
- Culture and Arts
- Healthcare
The International Centre for Olympic Studies and Olympic Education and the Olympic Academy of Ukraine work on the basis of the University. They maintain fruitful relations with the International Olympic Committee, the International Centre for Olympic Education, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, the International Olympic Academy.
The university structure includes:
- Ivano-Frankivsk Vocational College of Physical Education
- Ivan Piddubny Olympic Vocational College
- Center for Sports Traumatology and Rehabilitation Medicine (with a clinic equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment)
- Research Institute
- Center for Olympic Studies and Olympic Education
- Specialized publishing house “Olympic Literature”
- Training and Wellness Complex “Olympic Style”
- Cycling and skiing base in Holosiiv Forest Park
- Rowing base on the Dnipro River
The National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport maintains active international cooperation, working closely with the International Olympic Committee, International Olympic Academy, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, and many other global organizations. It is a member of the European Network of Sport Universities and maintains partnerships with leading institutions and research centers in the fields of physical education and sport in Spain, Germany, Italy, China, France, Canada, Poland, Brazil, Belarus, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, the UK, Iraq, Iran, Latvia, Mexico, Moldova, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Japan, and more. As of early 2022, National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport had signed over 40 cooperation agreements with institutions from around 30 countries.
Accommodation
The student campus of the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport includes four residence halls, providing a comfortable and supportive living environment for students. Each dormitory features study rooms and reliable high-speed Internet access to support academic needs.
The rooms are fully furnished, including beds, desks, wardrobes, and other necessary furniture for daily living. Students have access to a fitness gym equipped with modern exercise machines and sports equipment, as well as a tennis club for recreation. A laundry facility operates within the dormitory, ensuring convenience for residents. Additionally, a canteen is available on campus, offering affordable and nutritious meals.
The campus is designed to foster both academic success and personal well-being, creating ideal conditions for student life.