The article reveals the organizational principles and content of the training of scientific personnel on history in the postgraduate study of the pedagogical institutes of Ukraine in the 30's and 70's of the twentieth century. Postgraduate studies in pedagogical institutes were opened as a result of a number of factors. These factors have caused a sharp need in scientific and pedagogical personnel. Humanitarian education has become a leading advocate of the theory of class struggle. She advocated the destruction of the opposition in the USSR. The authorities did not trust the scientists of the old generation and tried to get rid of them in every possible way. Repressions against historians have led to an acute shortage of faculty members in historical faculties. Postgraduate studies in history were opened only in those pedagogical institutes where experienced professors worked. The professors had to provide high-level research leadership. Postgraduate studies were in line with the plans of the scientific work of the departments. The research was to be conducted on the current scientific issues of that time. Graduate students had to attend courses in specialty, foreign language and philosophy. Preparation of postgraduate students at the pedagogical institutes was initially conducted in many specialties: History of the USSR, History of the USSR, Ancient History, History of the Middle Ages, New History, Methodology of teaching history. Historical faculties in pedagogical institutes were closed in the 50's of the twentieth century. After that, the postgraduate study at the pedagogical institutes remained only in the specialty History of the CPSU. The set on the specialty History of the USSR in pedagogical institutes is restored in the 70's. The result of the post-graduate course in pedagogical institutes during the research period was a partial solution to the problem with the scientific staff on history in Ukraine.