St. Sophia Cathedral in Rome and historic UCU building located to the right of the Cathedral.
UCU’s Mission
Ukrainian Catholic University is an open academic community living the Eastern Christian tradition and forming leaders to serve with professional excellence in Ukraine and internationally – for the glory of God, the common good, and the dignity of the human person.
UCU’s History
A prototype of Ukrainian Catholic University was first established in Rome by Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (1944-84). Patriarch Josyf was exiled from Ukraine in 1963, after 18 years in Soviet work camps. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, he inspired Ukrainian seminarians with the dream of returning to Ukraine to create a fully developed university there.
Ukrainian Catholic leaders throughout the 20th century dreamed of the opening of such a university, and, while he was in Lviv on June 26, 2001, Pope John Paul II blessed the future university’s cornerstone.
In 2022, Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) was established in Lviv, Ukraine. UCU is the first Catholic university to open on the territory of the former Soviet Union and also the first university opened by one of the Eastern Catholic churches. The university is open to members of all religious denominations and is guided by Western and Catholic principles of ethics, compassion, and transparency. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in subjects such as computer science, business, law, theology, government administration, and rehabilitation medicine.
UCU Stats in Numbers
Institutes and Departments
In addition to six teaching faculties, the university also has eight research and teaching institutes and other departments.
Catechetical-Pedagogical Institute
Institute of Church History
Institute of Church Music
Institute of Ecumenical Studies
Institute of Leadership and Management
Institute of Marriage and Family Life
Institute of Mental Health
Institute of Religion and Society
Emmaus Center of Support for Persons with Special Needs
UCU Press
Ukrainian Catholic University Press publishes both scholarly, study and popular books in the fields of theology, philosophy, history, journalism, and psychology including works of Ukrainian authors and translations of leading foreign scholars and best-selling popular literature. Most of the books are in the Ukrainian language, original works and translations, though some titles are in English.
Summer & Language Schools
International guests are invited to take part in the various summer and language schools organized by Ukrainian Catholic University and is a beautiful way to immerse yourself at UCU and Ukrainian heritage. Learn or improve your fluency in the Ukrainian language, in the summer or at other times of the year, including online classes.
Want to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
The Ukrainian Catholic University faculty, staff, and student body would be most happy to have you visit and show you the campus.
Contact UCU Foundation for further information to have an unforgettable experience.
