Slovakia Education 2021

Slovakia has the second highest share of university students studying abroad (18 out of 100). Within 10 years, it’s a 5% increase. European countries appear to be more attractive study destinations due to school fees, EU scholarship eligibility, vicinity and/or language. The top include Czech republic (21,955 Slovaks represent almost 1/2 of foreign students in Czech republic), Great Britain (1,744), Hungary (1,710), Denmark (1,381) and Austria (993).

The Slovak university environment is not homogeneous from small colleges with dozens of students to universities with ten thousand students. In 2019/2020 university education was provided by twenty public colleges, three State owned and twelve private colleges. Higher education was also offered five foreign universities - University of International and Public Relations in Prague, Hochschule Fresenius GmbH, INSTITUT SUPERRIEUR SPÉCIALISÉ DE LA MODE - MOD’SPÉ Paris, Staropolska Szkoła Wyższa w Kielcach, Szent István Egyetem and City University Seattle. In school year 2019/2020 total number of college students was 131,083 (a 1.55% decline y/y) of which 58.44% were women. On September 1, 2019 a new system of study fields came into force which reduced 371 study fields into 48.  Most (53.99%) of students favor social sciences, sciences, and services.

Foreign schools are regarded as highly prestigious and attractive. U.S. universities may be established in Slovakia based on Law 596/2003 Coll. on State Administration in Education and School Self-Governing Bodies once their request is approved by the Slovak Ministry of Education.

U.S. universities may enter the Slovak education market via a partnership with local schools through student exchange programs, make use of Erasmus+ (EU program for education, training, youth and sport) or through Fulbright Commission.

The majority of university students are interested in economic and humanities subjects whereas university studies in the U.S. are more achievable to academically talented students and student eligible for athletic scholarships. Grants and stipendiums are very limited and in some cases do not cover the tuition.

High school exchanges to the United States can be facilitated through a non-profit or commercial organization, e.g. Slovak Academic Information Agency or can be self-organized.

For more information contact Office.Bratislava@trade.gov.