Education in Slovakia for foreigners
Schools and kindergartens, diploma nostrification, university enrollment, and scholarships — everything to educate children and study yourself in Slovakia. Verified by KOMPAS editorial team.
Education in Slovakia is available to Ukrainians under the same conditions as for locals: children with temporary protection status have the same right and obligation to study, and state schools, kindergartens, and public universities (for full-time study in Slovak) are free. The main challenges are rather documents and deadlines: enrollment in school or kindergarten on specific dates, recognition of Ukrainian certificates or diplomas (nostrification), and proof of Slovak language proficiency.
This page provides practical guides, education news, a glossary of terms, and links to official sources — minedu.sk, portalvs.sk, saia.sk. Always check dates, scholarship amounts, and lists of documents with the primary source: they change every year.
Where to Start
Main entrances to the section — choose your scenario
How education in Slovakia is organized
From kindergarten to university — stages, ages, and key admission points
Popular Universities
The country's largest public universities
Fields of Study
Choose a field — we will gather universities and programs of the field on one landing page
Study by City
Where universities are located in Slovakia
Levels of Education
What qualification can you get
- Diploma Recognition via the Regional Office of School Administration (RÚŠS); from 03/01/2025 simplified via uznavanie.minedu.sk, fee €7 under the UA–SK agreement.
- Benefits for Protected Status depend on the university: from simplified education confirmation to waiving the application fee (e.g., UNIZA) — check the specific institution's terms.
- Without a Diploma (lost / in Ukraine) — admission based on a Čestné vyhlásenie (declaration of honor) and a test for protected status.
- Language Preparation — "nultý ročník" (preparatory year) at CĎV UK and free Slovak courses via IOM/VAIA.
Admission Calendar 2026
Estimated deadlines by stage — check the program or school page for exact dates
Studying in Slovakia: What a Ukrainian needs to know
Education levels: from kindergarten to university
The Slovak education system has several levels: kindergarten (materská škola), compulsory primary school (základná škola, 9 grades), secondary school or gymnasium (stredná škola) with the matura graduation exam, and finally, university (vysoká škola) with Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. Ukrainian children and adults can join at any level — the key condition for admission to university or secondary school is the recognition of previous education.
Cost of study and financial support
Full-time study in Slovak at public and state universities is free within the standard duration of study. Payment is required for part-time study, English-language programs, and study at private universities. Living costs are partially covered by scholarships — social, motivational, as well as SAIA programs and the state 'Study in Slovakia. Good Idea'.
What's important for Ukrainians: recognition, language, protection status
For admission, Ukrainian certificates or diplomas must be recognized: certificates — through the Regionálny úrad školskej správy (from 2025 online at uznavanie.minedu.sk, fee €7), diplomas for Master's programs — at the university itself. Study is conducted in Slovak, so a B1–B2 level and preparatory language courses will be useful. With temporary protection status, full-time study in Slovak is free, and the admission fee is reduced.
Types of institutions and cost
| Type of institution | Language | Cost per day | Who is it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public / state university | Slovak (English available) | free | most applicants |
| Private university | Slovak / English | paid | specific programs |
| English-language programs | English | paid | international students |
Articles about education in Slovakia
Education Dictionary
Key learning terms in simple words — with translation and explanation
Catalog of agencies for university admission in Slovakia
Trusted partners with real reviews and transparent terms
Your Study — expert and quality support for admission to Slovak universities since 2016.
EDUCATE agency — admission to Slovakia for free studies without NMT/ZNO. 3800+ students, 10+ years of experience, full support.
VIPstudy — an educational agency that has been helping Ukrainian applicants enroll in Slovak state universities and get a European education for 5 years.
Professional support for entering Slovak universities: choosing studies, documents, visa, and student support
Mudra — comprehensive support for admission and study abroad for Ukrainian applicants. We have been working since 2016.
Catalog of language schools for learning the Slovak language
Choose a school with confidence — real reviews and clear terms
Your Study — Slovak language school. We teach speaking and prepare for studying in Slovakia.
Language school EDUCATE agency — online Slovak courses A1–C1 with a certificate. 24+ teachers, group and individual lessons.
Hackademia — Ukrainian online school for Slovak language on Telegram: live practice, class recordings, mentor support, and a community of Ukrainians in Slovakia.
Bratislava Education Centre is a modern online school for the Slovak language. It is for people who plan to study, work, or move to Slovakia. We teach from the very beginning.
Language school online - Slovak, Czech / English orientation Slovak with children, admission, grammar, for work, test preparation
Education News
Changes in schools, enrollment, nostrification, and scholarships — brief and to the point
In Slovakia, students will no longer write mandatory bachelor's theses.
Comenius University plans a large modernization of its dormitories, including Družba.
Prices for student dormitories will increase in Slovakia
The cost of living in student dormitories will increase in Slovakia
Key information
How to enroll a child in a Slovak school?
School education in Slovakia is compulsory (povinná školská dochádzka) — 10 years, usually starting at age 6. Children with temporary protection status have the same rights and obligations to study as Slovak children.
Enrollment for the 1st grade of primary school (zápis do 1. ročníka) takes place every year in April. A child has the right to a place in the catchment school (spádová škola) at their place of residence — they are obliged to accept them there. You can also apply to another school, but a free place there is not guaranteed.
Usually, a child's document, proof of residence, and parents' details are required — the exact list and dates are announced by the school and the municipality. If the child does not speak Slovak, the school will organize language support.
Up-to-date rules and contacts of regional education offices are on minedu.sk, explanations for foreigners are on mic.iom.sk.
Is a Ukrainian certificate or diploma recognized (nostrification)?
For a Ukrainian certificate or diploma to be valid for work or study in Slovakia, it must be officially recognized (uznanie / nostrifikácia). The procedure depends on the level of education.
School certificates (primary and secondary school) are recognized by regional school administration offices (regionálny úrad školskej správy). University diplomas for further study are recognized by the Slovak university itself, and for regulated professions — by the document recognition center at the Ministry of Education.
Usually, you will need the original, an official (notarized) translation, and, depending on the document, an apostille. Processing takes approximately up to two months; an administrative fee may be charged.
Step-by-step descriptions of procedures and a list of authorities are on minedu.sk; practical advice for Ukrainians is on mic.iom.sk.
How to enroll in a Slovak university and is it free?
Studying at state and public universities in Slovakia is free if you study full-time in Slovak within the standard program duration. Universities charge fees for studying in a foreign language, part-time (distance) learning, or exceeding the standard study period.
Applications are submitted directly to the chosen university. Deadlines depend on the university and faculty — for bachelor's programs, it is usually from February to spring, so check the deadlines for a specific program in advance.
Admission requires a recognized (nostrified) document of previous education and, as a rule, proof of Slovak language proficiency; some programs have entrance exams.
The catalog of all programs and universities is on the official portal portalvs.sk; general higher education rules are on minedu.sk.
What scholarships and support are available for students from Ukraine?
Students can apply for several types of scholarships. Social scholarships (sociálne štipendium) are awarded based on financial need, and motivational scholarships are based on academic performance; they are paid by the university itself.
There is also a National Scholarship Program for foreign students and researchers, administered by the SAIA agency. Special support programs for Ukrainians are occasionally available — keep an eye on current calls.
The amount and conditions depend on the specific scholarship and year, so clarify the amounts with the primary source, not by hearsay.
Up-to-date scholarships and deadlines are on saia.sk; general information on financing studies is on minedu.sk.
Kindergartens (materská škola) — waiting lists and rights
The last year before school is compulsory: a child who turns 5 by August 31 must attend kindergarten (povinné predprimárne vzdelávanie), and parents are obliged to enroll them.
From the academic year 2025/2026, there is a legal entitlement to a place in kindergarten for all children who turn 3 by August 31. A place is guaranteed by the catchment kindergarten at the place of residence; you can choose another one, but a free place there is not guaranteed.
Enrollment in kindergarten usually takes place in May — exact dates are announced by the municipality and the specific institution. Due to demand in large cities, places are often scarce, so submit your application as soon as enrollment opens.
Admission rules and compulsory preschool education are on minedu.sk; guidance for foreign parents is on mic.iom.sk.
Questions about school or admission? Ask the community
Advice on kindergartens, schools, nostrification, and scholarships from those who have already gone through the process — on our Telegram channel
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