Slovakia would be a great choice for any international student as it can offer a good quality higher education environment combined with affordable tuition fees. As well as this, you will be in a great location for exploring the rest of Europe when you are not studying. Your university experience in Slovakia will be well-rounded, and will prepare you for whatever job role you choose to pursue.
Highlighted courses in Slovakia
Bordering with 6 other Central European countries, Slovakia is the ideal place for international students who want to experience a great higher education, but also have the chance to explore outside of their studies. Slovakia is a member of the EU and the Schengen Area, meaning that once you have a residence permit, you will find it easy to travel around Europe.
Slovakia has a well-developed education system, which extends to its higher education offerings. There are several publicly funded universities that are tuition fee free for EU/EEA students. You can choose to apply to an academic university or a professional and vocational school, which do not use the word ‘university’.
Outside of your studies, you will find that Slovakia has a multitude of interesting cultural and tourist attractions that you may want to visit. This will allow you to integrate into your new Slovakian life and make the most of your study abroad experience.
Can I study in Slovakia for free?
Most public and state universities in Slovakia offer their courses to international students from the EU/EEA area with no tuition fees. If you are from a country outside of the EU/EEA area or choose to attend a private university, you will have to pay tuition fees, which can be set by each university individually. or more information about fees to study in Slovakia, see our Costs of Studying in Slovakia section.
Can I study in Slovakia as an international student?
Slovakia would be a great place to study for any international student. You will gain a good quality education in a centrally located country. As an international student, you will likely need to obtain a visa in order to study in Slovakia. For more information about this, take a look at our Slovakian Student Visas section.
Can international students work in Slovakia?
International students are permitted to work alongside their studies in Slovakia, as long as they have a student residence permit. This permit allows students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week whilst they are studying at a university.
Slovakia, officially called the Slovak Republic, is a country in Central Europe. It is landlocked, and shares borders with Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. The country became an independent state in 1993, after being part of Czechoslovakia since just after World War 1.
Slovakia is home to more than 5.4 million people, and is a developed country that boasts a high-income economy. As a country, Slovakia has a reputation for peacefulness, democracy and civil freedom. Residents of Slovakia are looked after by the social security system, being able to take advantage of universal health care, free education and generous paid parental leave periods.
Slovakia uses the Euro (€) for its currency.
Tuition fees at universities in Slovakia vary, but are generally lower than other European countries. International students are able to access quality higher education at a reasonable price in a central location.
If you choose to study a full-time programme in the Slovak language, you will not pay any tuition fees as an international student from anywhere in the world. If you hoose to study in the English language, students from EU countries will not pay any tuition fees at a public or state university. Non-EU students will pay tuition fees regardless of their study language. Tuition fees for international students from outside of the EU will vary from university to university, and will generally be higher at private universities.
As an international student looking to study in Slovakia, you might be eligible to access a scholarship or grant. This funding can help with the costs of studying and living in a different country, and might include student loans, fee waivers and accommodation discounts.
As well as scholarships that are offered centrally, your university of choice might have financial aid for international students.
Find out more about funding your studies in our Funding and Scholarships for International Students advice article.
Slovakia doesn’t have a centralised application system for international students. This means that you will need to apply to each individual university. You might find that there are different requirements for your application at each university, depending on which course you are applying for and what study level you will be undertaking. For more information about application requirements, such as what documents you may need to provide, please contact your university or universities of choice, as they will be able provide you with any details you might need and answer any questions you have.
Want to study abroad but not sure on how to begin? Take a look at our advice article on Deciding to study abroad: The first steps.
Depending on your nationality, you may need to get a visa in order to study in Slovakia.
If you are from an EU or EEA country, you will not need a visa to enter the country, however you will need to attend a local police station to notify them of their presence. It is also required that EU/EEA students have a residence permit, and it is recommended that these students opt for a permanent residence permit. This permit can be obtained by applying in person at a police station.
If you are from any other country, you will need to apply for a student visa in order to study and live in Slovakia. You will also need to obtain a temporary residence permit, which will allow you to enter the country, as well as travel within the EU and Schengen Area. As well as a visa and residence permit, you will also need to ensure that you have valid health insurance for the duration of your studies in Slovakia.
The official language of Slovakia is Slovak.
Studying and living in Slovakia is a great chance to mix with other students from different countries and pick up a new language. Making an effort to communicate with your coursemates and locals in Slovak will help you to improve your language skills much faster.
Bachelor’s and masters degree programmes are offered in English and Slovak, with the options for English language programmes increasing each year.
No matter what language you choose to study in, you might have to prove that your language skills will meet the teaching standards. If they don’t meet these standards, it is common for institutions to offer language courses. For more information about language testing, see our article on English Language Testing for International Students.
Bratislava is the largest and capital city of Slovakia. With a population of more than 650,000, the city sits at the foot of the Little Carpathians, a mountain range in Western Slovakia. Bratislava is the only national capital that borders two sovereign states, those are Austria and Hungary.
Today, Bratislava is the cultural and political capital of Slovakia, and welcomes around 1 million tourists each year. The city is home to many museums, galleries and universities, and has a lot to offer any international student.
Košice is the largest city in Eastern Slovakia, and is home to around 230,000 people. The city is an important industrial centre in Slovakia, and boasts comprehensive railway and public transport connections.
With a well preserved historical centre, Košice is home to many different architectural styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Baroque. This historical centre is a popular tourist destination, and offers a great cultural experience for international students.
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