Lviv University

Lviv University is a public institution in western Ukraine spread across several buildings in the city center, housing 19 faculties. More than 21,000 students from across the country and abroad attend programs in humanities, sciences, and social studies here.

King John II Casimir Vasa founded the institution in 1661 as a Jesuit academy, making it the oldest continuously operating university in present-day Ukraine. The institution shifted its language of instruction and name several times over the centuries as political control of the region changed hands.

Students gather in the arcaded courtyard between lectures, where benches beneath old trees become informal meeting points for group work and conversation. The academic gowns worn during graduation ceremonies preserve a centuries-old tradition that families travel from across the country to witness.

Most lectures take place in Ukrainian, though international programs taught in English are also available. The campus is easy to explore on foot, as the faculties are spread across several locations in the historical center.

The library preserves more than three million volumes, including medieval manuscripts and early printed books that draw researchers from across Europe. Some of the rare collections include Latin-language documents from the founding era of the academy.