Education in Slovakia

Higher education system in Slovakia follows the principles of Bologna Declaration.

Higher education institutions provide the study programmes at three levels:

1. Bachelor’s study programme takes three years at least and four
years at most (architecture, fine art and design).

2. Magister or Engineer study programme takes one year at least and four years at most so the standard length of study according to the Bachelor study programme and the continuing programme of the second level in the same or relative field of study represents five years at least in total. It may be also carried out as a continuous study connecting the first and second level of higher education (in this case the standard length of study is four years at least and six years at most).

3. Phd. study programme takes in full-time form three years at least and four years at most, in part-time five years. All study programmes must be accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic.

The grading is on a scale of A - FX.

Academic Year
Academic year starts on 1 September of the current year and ends on 31 August of the following year. It is composed of 2 semesters (winter semester lasts from September to January and summer semester lasts from February to June). The organisation of academic year is set by the statute of the faculty or statute of the higher education institution.

Teaching Process and ECTS
The teaching process includes various forms of instruction such as lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, projects, practical training, consultations, etc. The credit system following the rules of the European Credit and Accumulation Transfer System (ECTS) was introduced in 2002 for all levels and forms of higher
education study. The student‘s standard load is expressed by the number of credits: 60 credits per academic year, 30 credits per semester and 20 credits for trimester. The institution of higher education determines the total number of credits required for the due completion of the study in its respective stages.

Degrees Awarded in the Slovak Republic
Higher education institutions award following academic degrees:
1st level (comprising app. 180 credits)
“bakalár“ (abbr. “Bc.¨).
2nd level (comprising app. 120 credits)
“magister¨ (abbr. “Mgr.¨)
“magister umenia¨ (abbr. “Mgr. art.¨), in the field of art
“inžinier¨ (abbr. “Ing.¨) in technical, agricultural and economic fields of Engineer’s programmes, and in the field of architecture and town-planning the academic degree
of “inžinier architekt¨ (abbr. “Ing. arch.¨)
“doktor všeobecného lekárstva¨ (abbr. “MUDr.¨) in the field of general humane medicine
“doktor zubného lekárstva¨ (abbr. “MDDr.¨) - dentist humane medicine
“doktor veterinárneho lekárstva¨ (abbr. “MVDr.¨) in the field of veterinary medicine.
3rd level
“philosophiae doctor¨ (abbr. “PhD.¨)
“artis doctor“ (abbr. “ArtD.¨) in the field of art.

The Slovak Republic has its own legal regulations governing the recognition of educational qualifications awarded abroad. It is also bound by international agreements (especially those of the European Union and European Economic Area) and bilateral agreements to which it has acceded or which it has concluded
with regard to qualifications acquired in another state.
The term of recognition of diplomas means recognition of a diploma, issued by a foreign higher education institution or other authorised body according to the regulations of the respective state as equivalent to a diploma issued by a higher education institution in the Slovak Republic. The key points when arranging recognition of a diploma are the type of activity to be carried out in the Slovak Republic (academic studies including PhD studies or employment purposes) and the state where the diploma was issued.


Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement is a document containing details on the completed study programme. Information to be included in the Diploma Supplement shall be provided for by regulations issued by the Ministry. The Diploma Supplement shall be issued by a higher education institution. The graduate shall receive the Diploma Supplement along with his/her diploma.