Kharkiv is situated in the northeast Slobozhanshchyna historical region of Ukraine. It is the second-largest and second-most populous city in the country.
The city was founded in 1654 and became the first capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, from December 1919 to January 1934, after which the capital got relocated to Kyiv.
Presently, Kharkiv is a major cultural, scientific, educational, transport and industrial centre of Ukraine with numerous museums, theatres and libraries. Life in Kharkiv changes according to the various seasons of the year. In winter there is plenty of snow. That is why people prefer to spend their time at home or visit theatres and cinemas during this time of the year. Summer is beautiful here. There are many parks, open-air night clubs, patios and cafes.
Kharkiv is an international city which hosts a lot of businessmen and students from all over the world.
Kharkiv is the biggest educational and scientific centre in Ukraine and it is usually referred to as the city of students and youth.
There are 38 higher educational institutions, including state and private universities, academies and specialized institutes. About 300 000 students study and live in Kharkiv and about 12 000 out of them are international students. Higher education opportunities are very versatile in Kharkiv and students can study for Bachelors, Masters or other post-graduate degrees in a wide range of fields of study. Below are the most popular universities in Kharkiv.