Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University is one of Ukraine’s oldest classical universities. Situated in a remarkable architectural complex in modern Chernivtsi, the university’s buildings were constructed between 1864 and 1882 as the residence of the metropolitans of Bukovina and Dalmatia. This complex was designed by the renowned Austrian architect Josef Glavka. The interiors were crafted by Viennese artists K. Iobst and I. Klein; Czech artist K. Svoboda; Bukovyna artists E. Buchevsky and E. Maksymovich. The architectural style is eclectic, dominated by Byzantine and Romanesque motifs.
In 1868, the Bukovyna Diet proposed establishing a law academy in Chernivtsi. On November 28, 1872, Dr. Kostyantyn Tomaschuk presented a proposal to establish a university. By decree of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph on March 31, 1875, Chernivtsi University was founded, including the Greek-Orthodox Faculty of Theology, the only Orthodox faculty in the Austrian Empire. The university, named Franz Joseph University of Chernivtsi, was ceremonially opened on October 4, 1875. Throughout the 20th century, the university underwent several name changes: Franz Josephs University (1875–1918); King Ferdinand I University (1920); Universitatea Regele Carol I din Cernăuţi (1933); Chernivtsi State University (1940). Since 1989, it has been named after Yuriy Fedkovych. In 2000, it received national status, becoming Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.
University’s History
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, originally founded as “Francisco-Josephine University” on October 4, 1875, by decree of Emperor Franz Joseph I, is one of the oldest classical universities in Ukraine. The university was established on the foundation of a theological institute that had existed since 1827, offering instruction in German with departments for Ukrainian and Romanian languages and literature. Throughout its history, the university has undergone several name changes: Universitatea Regele Carol I din Cernăuți (1919-1940) and Chernivtsi State University (post-1940). In 1989, it was renamed after Yury Fedkovych. On September 11, 2000, Chernivtsi State University was granted national status by a decree from the President of Ukraine.
Under Austrian rule, the university had three faculties: Orthodox Theology, Law, and Philosophy. The Ukrainian language department at the Faculty of Philosophy was led by Klymentiy Hankevich (1875-1876), I. Onyshkevych (1876-1882), S. Smal-Stotsky (1885-1918); the Slavic Languages department by O. Kaluzhnyatsky (1875-1898) and Yevhen Cossack (1899-1919); and the Practical Theology department by D. Yeremiychuk (1899-1919). The university attracted many students from Bukovina and Galicia, including notable figures like I. Franko and Les Martovych.
The university’s rectors included K. Tomaschuk (1875-1876), O. Kaluzhnyatskyi (1889-1890), and E. Kozak (1907-1908). In 1875, Ukrainians comprised 41 out of 208 students; by 1914, they numbered 303 out of 1,198. The First World War disrupted the university’s activities, and following the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s collapse in 1918, the university became a Romanian institution until 1940, during which time it was Romanianized, and Ukrainian departments were abolished. After Bukovina’s incorporation into the Ukrainian SSR in 1940, the university was reorganized into a state institution with instruction in Ukrainian and expanded into seven faculties, later growing to eleven by 1955. The theological faculty was abolished, and new formats of study, including evening and postgraduate studies, were introduced.
University Today
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University has two educational and scientific institutes and ten faculties. The institution consists of 73 departments, with 55 led by doctors of science (75%). The teaching staff, with its scientific and pedagogical potential, has always been the cornerstone of the university’s activity. The university trains over 14,000 students across 85 departments. It offers programs at various levels: bachelor’s (81 specialties); master’s (73 specialties); educational and scientific (25 specialties); and scientific (11 specialties). The educational process and scientific work are supported by 1,100 teachers.
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University has postgraduate and doctoral programs and 9 specialized academic councils, 5 of which are doctoral. In 2020, three one-time specialized councils were established for dissertation defenses. That year, 16 theses were defended, including 11 candidates and 5 doctoral theses. Training for Doctor of Philosophy degrees is available in 19 licensed specialties, and Doctor of Sciences degrees in 12 specialties. Dissertations were defended by postgraduate students, doctoral students, and university staff: 12 doctoral and 42 candidate theses in 2017; 9 doctoral and 40 candidate theses in 2018; 20 doctoral and 46 candidate theses in 2019; 16 doctoral and 22 candidate theses in 2020.
Faculties
- Institute of Biology, Chemistry, and Bioresources;
- Institute of Physics, Engineering and Computer Studies;
- Faculty of Geography;
- Faculty of Economics;
- Faculty of Modern European Languages;
- Faculty of History, Political Science, and International Relations;
- Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics;
- Faculty of Pedagogics, Psychology, and Social Activity;
- Faculty of Philology;
- Faculty of Philosophy and Theology;
- Faculty of Law;
- Faculty of Physical Training and Health;
- Faculty of Architecture, Construction, Arts and Crafts.
Accommodation
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University is a prominent educational and scientific institution known for its vibrant student life closely tied to its student dormitories. The university maintains a campus with seven dormitories, providing a total of 2,800 beds. The dormitories include corridor-style accommodations and two-room blocks of improved type for students and graduate students. The dormitories are designed to offer adequate social and living conditions, ensuring comfortable student living. Each room is furnished with essential items such as beds, bedside tables, a table, and chairs. The dormitories feature well-equipped lobbies, kitchens, sanitary and hygienic facilities, and rooms designated for study and recreation.