About Slovakia

The Slovak Educational System

Education in Slovakia is compulsory from ages 6 to 16 and is fully funded by the state at all levels. The Slovak Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport maintains the conditions for the development of institutions of education, and it is responsible for actual changes and legislation related to education. There are three types of school from the point of view of founder on primary and secondary level – state, private, and church. Church and private schools also receive subsidies from the state.

Elementary schools provide general, ethical, esthetic, polytechnic, health, and environmental education and physical training. They also provide religious education. Primary schools comprise 9 grades.

Secondary education is comprised of three types of secondary schools: gymnasium, secondary specialized school, and secondary vocational school. The study generally lasts 4 or 5 years, depending on the type of school.

Secondary Grammar Schools ‘Gymnasiums’ provide general secondary education and prepare students particularly for further study at higher education institutions. Students finish their studies by passing a final examination called "Maturita." Students must pass this exam successfully if they plan to apply for study at university.

Secondary Specialized Schools prepare students mainly for occupations in technical and economic sectors, pre-school education, medical nursery care, and fine arts and design. Students at these schools must pass the Maturita exam in both general and specialized subjects. They are then prepared for work in the field of study, or they may continue to institutions of higher education.

Secondary Vocational Schools prepare students for various occupations and working activities, which may or may not require training and the “Maturita Exam.” Education and training comprise general and vocational part. Education at secondary vocational schools is provided for those not qualified to attend a secondary school and vocational schooling ends by receiving a certificate in their respective occupation. Students however may decide to study further for “Maturita exam” – if passed, they will then be able to register for higher institutions.

Many secondary vocational schools offer the possibility for graduates to continue with the education for 2 or 3 years of study. This education is leading to upgrading the already gained qualification, obtaining of additional and new scientific and practical knowledge in the respective field of study or training and education in a different field of study. After finishing the study, the graduates obtain a certificate which entitles them to become a certified specialist in the respective field.

Types of HEIs

There are the three types of institutions of higher education in the Slovak Republic:

Public Institutions of Higher Education was established according the Act on Higher Education. The bodies of the academic autonomy of the institutions are the Academic Senate, the Rector, The Scientific Council, and the Disciplinary Commission. They decide on the organization, activities, and administration of the institution.

State Institutions of Higher Education was established through the Ministries of the Slovak government. The respective Ministry sets the rules for the types of study, administering the financial means, regulating the number of students, the employees etc. supervised by respective Ministry such as: Police institution (established and supervised by the Ministry of Interior), Military institution (established and supervised by the Ministry of Defense) and Health care institution (established and supervised by the Ministry of Health).

Private Institutions of Higher Education, established by non-governmental institutions or founders, but the providing of education and research must be approved by the Ministry of Education. The approval is based on the approval of the Accreditation Commission or the administration and operation of the institution would harm the laws or regulations of the country.

There are 20 public, 3 state and 11 private universities and colleges. The list of websites of all universities can be found on Portal of universities website.

Levels and Degrees of Higher Education

There are three levels of higher education that offer study in diverse programs – Bachelors, Masters and PhD. However, in some fields, the two levels (BA and MA) may be joint and cannot be studied on one level only (such as with medicine).

First level of the university studies - Senior students of secondary schools apply for, pass entrance exam, and start study in one chosen field. Study programs are already specialized and therefore not so flexible to change the field of study on second level – Master’s. Bachelor’s level usually takes 3 (in some disciplines 4) years to complete full-time and four or five years part-time.

Second level of the university studies - Graduate students at the BA level usually continue studying within their respective Bachelors level field. They can study at Magisters, Engineers and Doctors study programs. The duration of study is generally 2 (in specific fields 3) years full-time and 3 or 4 years in part-time.

Examina rigorosa: The holders of the academic degree of magister may take examina rigorosa, which includes the defense of a rigorosa thesis. After its successful completion, higher education institutions award the following academic degrees: doktor prírodných vied (RNDr.) doktor farmácie (PharmDr.), doktor filozofie (PhDr.), doktor práv (JUDr.), doktor pedagogiky (PaedDr.), doktor teológie (ThDr.)

Third level of the university studies - Graduate students at MA level can apply for further specialized study programs at PhD. level. The standard duration is 3 or 4 years in full-time mode and 4 or 5 years in part-time mode.