This study aims to contribute to the knowledge about international student mobility to semi-peripheral states. The theoretical framework combines the world- systems analysis and the push--pull model grounded on international migration theories. Data emanate from the semi-structured interviews with 50 international students from five leading Ukrainian universities with distinct disciplinary profiles: technical, classical, medical, aviation and life sciences. Findings reveal that the main push factors that trigger international students to study in Ukraine include a lack of job prospects and the failure to enter higher education in the home country. Attractive elements of Ukrainian universities include a lax admission process, good affordability of higher education, low cost of living and the recognition of Ukrainian degrees for further studies in developed countries. The expected quality of education appears not to be a major issue. Ukrainian degree is an indirect route for international students to enter the labour market in the home country or a gateway to further studies in developed countries.