This year’s Matura exams are undoubtedly making history for the Polish education system. From May 4, 2026, high school graduates taking the Matura exam in Poland will, for the first time, officially have the option of taking Ukrainian as a modern foreign language. This is a long-awaited, groundbreaking change that opens new doors for thousands of young people.
A historic decision and a response to real needs
Until now, students could choose from several standard foreign languages for their final exams, such as English, German, Spanish, or French. With the May exam session, this multi-year framework has been expanded. The Ministry of Education’s decision is a direct response to the significant increase in the number of students of Ukrainian origin in Polish educational institutions.
As the portal extensively reports CKE (Central Examination Board)The inclusion of this subject in the national exam is a huge improvement for young people. It allows graduates to fully demonstrate their high language skills, which in turn will significantly facilitate the acquisition of invaluable points for admission to universities across Poland. For many, it’s not only a chance for better grades but, above all, a reduction in the immense stress associated with their first major test of knowledge.
Equal educational opportunities and new perspectives
The Ukrainian language exam rules are no different from those for other modern languages. Students must pass both the written and oral sections, with the choice of a basic, advanced, or bilingual level..
It’s worth noting that the latest change not only equalizes educational opportunities for refugee youth. Absolutely every student can now voluntarily choose Ukrainian as their secondary school leaving exam, regardless of citizenship. Given the growing importance of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation in the business sector, fluency in this language, officially certified by a passed secondary school leaving exam, is becoming a powerful asset and a crucial bargaining chip in today’s job market.
Exam rules and comparison with other languages
The introduction of Ukrainian to the Matura exam schedule is not only a symbolic gesture, but above all, it formalizes the language competencies of a large group of high school graduates. According to the guidelines Central Examination Board (CKE), this exam will be treated on an equal footing with other modern languages such as English, German or Spanish.
Key technical aspects of the exam:
- Difficulty levels: High school graduates can choose the basic level (compulsory for all those taking a given language as a modern subject) and the advanced or bilingual level.
- Sheet structure: As with other languages, the exam consists of a section testing listening comprehension, reading comprehension, knowledge of linguistic resources, and writing.
- Oral part: The exam also includes an interview with a committee, which allows for full verification of communication proficiency.
This decision also has practical implications for higher education admissions. An official state certificate, such as a high school leaving exam result, is valued much more highly by universities than private language proficiency certificates. For many young people, it offers an opportunity to earn additional points in the admissions process for prestigious programs such as international relations, philology, or foreign trade.
It is worth noting that the Ukrainian language joins the elite group of subjects that truly reflect the changing social and educational structure of Poland in 2026.
Sources: CKE
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