Higher education in Slovakia for international students

• High educational and research standards - the country is home to many higher education institutions offering a wide range of programs at all levels of education. Studying in Slovakia is possible on short-term courses, research and long-term courses.
• Prices for higher education and accommodation in Slovakia are low compared to Western European countries. Study programs in Slovak language are completely free of charge.
• Effective way to learn a new language - by constantly listening and practicing speaking skills, you can easily learn Slovak in a natural environment.
• Broad employment prospects - students gain experience that sets them apart from other candidates. They become independent, self-motivated, have excellent language skills and education - all things that employers value so much.
• Opportunities for a successful future - while pursuing higher education in Slovakia, students make friends, build professional contacts, work part-time, do volunteer work, and intern at local companies.
• Exposure to a new culture, traditions, and history. Students gain international intercultural skills that are important for the future.
• Many scholarship programs. The Slovak Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport provides international students with many scholarships - from the Slovak government, the Slovak Ministry of Education, the National Scholarship Program and many others.

Studying at universities in Slovakia for international students is available across all types of programs:

- Language courses
- Bachelor's programs
- Master's programs
- Doctoral programs

Each program involves a significant amount of knowledge, skills, and competencies that define the graduate's profile and lead to the awarding of a diploma or certificate. Students engage in educational activities daily, study subjects independently, and complement their learning with consultations from instructors. Lectures may also be conducted remotely if needed.

The academic year starts in mid-September and ends in June, consisting of two semesters: winter and summer. Each semester lasts at least 12 weeks, followed by a maximum 6-week examination period. Final-year students may adjust the number of teaching weeks in the summer semester in various ways. The specifics of the academic year are determined by the status of the faculty or university.

Legal norms regulate the main requirements for academic programs:

- Standard study load: 60 credits per academic year
- Division of subjects into mandatory and elective
- Defense of a bachelor's thesis upon completion of the program

Higher education institutions and their faculties have autonomy in creating their educational programs, but meeting requirements is part of the accreditation process. Each university decides on the methodologies and unique approaches used in the teaching process, often developed by the institution's faculty and professors.

The curriculum includes:

- Lectures
- Seminars
- Courses
- Laboratory research
- Consultations
- Independent assignments
- Practical work
- Various projects

Education for foreign students in Slovakian universities is offered according to a study plan that students develop themselves, which includes mandatory and elective subjects, allowing for the accumulation of academic credits. Many programs include internships at specialized institutions, with duration depending on the chosen university.

Student Assessment System

Assessment rules can vary between universities and faculties. The organization of education at all levels is based on a credit system, which allows for the evaluation of student workload related to mastering modules of the educational program according to established rules. The standard workload is as follows:

- 20 credits for a trimester
- 30 credits for a semester
- 60 credits for the entire academic year

Academic performance is assessed through:

- Regular checks during the semester — exam questions, quizzes, individual assignments, essays, term papers
- Exams at the end of the study period

The grading system is on a 6-point scale:

- A — Excellent (1)
- B — Very Good (1.5)
- C — Good (2)
- D — Satisfactory (2.5)
- E — Sufficient (3)
- FX — Fail (4)

Students receive credits for a subject if their results are graded from A to E. To evaluate overall student performance for a given period, a weighted average grade is calculated: the products of the number of credits and the numeric grade for the completed semester are summed, and the result is divided by the total number of credits registered by the student for that period.

In healthcare education, students maintain clinical practice logs to record specific operations performed during internships. Upon completing the full course, students must pass a mandatory state exam, which includes:

- Defense of the thesis
- Evaluation of knowledge and understanding of studied subjects by a committee.

Higher education for foreign students in Slovakia is available at public and private universities. The main types of higher education institutions in the country:

• University College - provides education in the fields of study of all 3 levels, conducts fundamental research,
• Vocational College - offers higher education only in bachelor's degree programs, conducts applied research,
• University - offers higher education in bachelor's and master's degree programs, doctoral studies, conducts basic and applied research.

Types of Slovak higher education institutions:

• University,
• Technické univerzity (University of Technology),
• Ekonomické univerzity (University of Economics),
• Pol'nohospodárske univerzity (Agricultural University),
• Pedagogické univerzity (Pedagogical University),
• Umelecké vysoké školy (Academy of Arts),
• Vojenská vysoká škola (Military Academy),
• Policajné vysoké školy (Police Academy),
• Zdravotnicke vysoké školy (Medical higher education institution).

Most universities are public, approved and financed by the Government of the Slovak Republic. Private higher education institutions are financed by commercial organizations and the curriculum is approved by the country's Ministry of Education. All types of universities are required to have the necessary accreditations.

At some institutions, programs may combine the first two levels of higher education into a single curriculum. They can include master's degree programs, engineering and doctoral degree programs.

Bachelor courses are offered by all universities and last from 3 to 4 years. They end with the preparation of a thesis and examinations. Bachelor's study programs are aimed at acquiring theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Graduates of the program receive the first level of higher education and receive the Bachelor's degree. A student must earn 180-240 credits to graduate, the number of credits depends on the length of study.

Study in Slovakia is available in the most popular bachelor's degree programs:

• Education and Training,
• Humanities and Arts,
• Socio-Economics and Law,
• Natural Sciences,
• Construction, Technology, Manufacturing and Communication,
• Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences,
• Health Care,
• Services,
• Computer Science, Mathematics and ICT.

Students acquire the theoretical and practical training required for the profession by studying the program. At the end of the course, graduates receive a diploma that will allow them to apply for further studies in their chosen field.

Higher education in Slovakia for master's programs lasts from 2 to 4 years. The curriculum includes:

- Lectures
- Seminars
- Research

Students can specialize in various fields, including:

- Humanities
- Education
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Theology
- Law
- Arts
- Economics
- Agriculture
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Veterinary Medicine

Upon completing the program, students are awarded the degrees Magister and Magister artium.

Foreign students in Slovak universities complete their studies with a master's degree. They may take the Examina Rigorosa, followed by a thesis defense. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded the following academic degrees:

- Doctor of Natural Sciences (Doktor Prírodných Vied)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Doktor Farmácie)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Doktor Filozofie)
- Doctor of Law (Doktor Práv)
- Doctor of Education (Doktor Pedagogiky)
- Doctor of Theology (Doktor Teológie)
- PhDr.
- JUDr.
- PaedDr.
- ThDr.

Graduates receive diplomas indicating their field of study, educational programs, academic degree, the university, and faculty, as well as a certificate of passing the state exam and a diploma supplement. The diploma supplement includes detailed information about the completed education and the higher education system in Slovakia.

Higher education in Slovakia concludes with a state exam before an examination board. The state exam includes a thesis defense and typically covers 3-4 subjects. In case of failure, students are entitled to retake the exam. All parts of the state exam are assessed separately. The overall assessment of education is based on the results of the general education and the state exam, with grades of "Excellent" and "Passed."

Universities award their graduates the following academic degrees:

- Master (Mgr.)
- Master of Arts (Mgr.Art.)
- Engineer (Ing.)
- Architect (Ing.Arch.)

To obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree, it typically requires 3 years of full-time study and 5 years of part-time study. In Slovakia, students can pursue doctoral programs with a master's degree in a related field. The course concludes with the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation, after which graduates are awarded one of the following degrees:

- Doctor of Philosophy (PhDr.)
- Doctor of Arts (Artis Doctor, ArtD.)
- Licentiate in Theology (ThLic.)
- Doctor of Theology (ThDr.)
- Doctor of General Medicine (MUDr.)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (MDDr.)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (MVDr.)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmDr.)
- Doctor of Law (JUDr.)
- Doctor of Natural Sciences (RNDr.)
- Doctor of Education (PaedDr.)

In the field of medicine, the program lasts 6 years, and upon completion, graduates are awarded the degrees of Doctor of General Medicine or Doctor of Dental Medicine.

For students from abroad, there are scholarships available from the Slovak Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport, various public and private institutions.

The best universities in Slovakia for financial assistance to those entering first-level programs require the submission of:

• A completed scholarship application,
• A high school diploma and its nostrification.

Students entering doctoral programs who wish to apply for a Slovak government scholarship must meet the following requirements:

• Age 23-35 years,
• Master's degree,
• Diploma nostrification,
• Written confirmation of acceptance to the university (indicate the chosen field of study).

The Slovak Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport also offers scholarships to foreign students to study at public universities in Slovakia. The Slovak Ministry of Education provides scholarship recipients with free university tuition. The scholarships are as follows:

• 10 places for students for semester/5-month internship,
• 7 places for graduates for semester/5-month internship,
• 2 places for 3 months academic stay.

Tuition fees for higher education institutions in Slovakia range from €700 to €10,000 per year. The final cost depends on the chosen university, its location, and the prestige of the program. If the instruction is conducted in Slovak, almost all universities do not charge fees for academic programs. Courses taught in English typically have a fee starting from €1,000 per year, even at public universities.

All international students studying at universities in Slovakia must have a valid passport and visa. To be admitted to higher education institutions, applicants need to provide:

- A secondary school diploma with nostrification
- A transcript of grades from the school
- A certificate of proficiency in Slovak/English
- A completed application form
- A resume
- A motivation letter
- A portfolio of academic achievements
- A written reference from teachers and the class supervisor

Diploma recognition and qualifications are handled by accreditation commissions—consultative bodies of the Slovak government composed of prominent experts from universities, research institutions, and other organizations. These bodies provide recommendations on diploma nostrification and assist in cooperation with international partner centers to resolve disputes:

- ENIC
- NARIC
- Diploma Equivalence Center
- Institute of Information and Prognoses in Education