Primary and Secondary Education in Ukraine. In Ukraine children start going to school at the age of six or seven. There are also kindergartens in Ukraine, where children study from three-four years old. Primary and secondary education is compulsory and free. Primary and secondary education in Ukraine is divided into: Stage 1: the primary school – four years of studies. Children get basic knowledge and skills in mathematics, languages and nature study. Stage 2: the basic secondary school – five years of studies. Pupils get knowledge and skills in science and humanities, mother tongue and foreign languages. The basic school certifi cate gives 14–15 year olds the right to continue schooling both at the upper secondary school and colleges or vocational schools. Stage 3: the upper secondary school lasts two years. Pupils can either continue their education in a secondary school or can change schools and begin to and study more detailed mathematics and physics, biology, history, or get c omputer skills and a trade education. After finishing the 11th form of the upper secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium, one must take standard assessment tests and go into higher education. All applicants become students on a competitive basis according to their test results.