Vysoká škola (VŠ) — this is a higher education institution in Slovakia, like a university or academy. You enroll here after high school with a maturita exam.
Levels of Study
- Bakalár (Bc.) — the first level, usually about 3 years.
- Magister / inžinier (Mgr. / Ing.) — the second level, about 2 more years.
- Doktorandské štúdium (PhD.) — a scientific degree.
Higher education institutions can be public (verejné), state-run by ministries (štátne), or private (súkromné). Admission happens through an entrance procedure (prijímacie konanie), sometimes with entrance exams. Studying in the state language at public institutions within the standard study period is usually free. However, you usually pay for exceeding the standard period or for programs in a foreign language.
For admission, Ukrainians usually need to officially recognize their previous diploma or certificate (uznanie / nostrifikácia). After finishing, the institution issues a diploma (diplom) and awards a degree and academic title, which is written before the name (Bc., Mgr., Ing.) or after it.
