Professional training for sociologists in Ukraine: current challenges and opportunities for transformation

Thе article presents a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of the transformation of sociological education in Ukraine between 2016 and 2026, based on data from university admissions campaigns. The issue of sociology’s declining popularity is examined in the context of a general trend towards reduced public interest in the humanities, whilst emphasising the specific nature of the national experience, complicated by the conditions of a full-scale war. Based on a longitudinal quantitative design with comprehensive coverage of higher education institutions, it has been established that the number of competitive programmes in sociology has more than halved at bachelor’s level (from 54 to 26) and at master’s level (from 36 to 22), whilst the PhD level shows steady growth. The analysis revealed an uneven geographical distribution of study programmes: they are mainly concentrated in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Demand for sociology (as a proportion of applications) fell three times faster than the overall admissions market; at the same time, the number of students admitted to bachelor’s programmes remained stable, whilst that for master’s programmes fell significantly. A shift in funding sources towards fee-paying places has been observed (the share of state funding fell from 50 % to 30 %). The study systematises the objective and subjective factors driving transformation at the macro and micro levels — the demographic crisis, the commercialisation of education, labour market conditions, the institutional precariousness of academic departments, a lack of awareness regarding the profession of sociologist, and the rational choice of prospective students in favour of applied disciplines. It has been demonstrated that low motivation to enrol triggers a mechanism of negative professional selection, and the identified factors form a self-reinforcing cycle of the crisis: a shortage of demand in the labour market — cuts in funding — institutional weakening of departments — a decline in the reputation of the discipline — disappointment among prospective students. The Ukrainian case mirrors global trends of diminishing prestige in select social and humanities disciplines, while also being shaped by a specific national determinant: the operation of the higher education system amid full-scale war.