What do applicants need to know in Slovakia?

The Slovak economy is constantly experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel. The government allocates significant funds for their training, so getting an education in the Slovak Republic is promising for foreigners.

Higher education institutions form the fourth level of the education system. Training is conducted on a paid or free basis (only in the national language). There are private and public universities. There is no fundamental difference between them, the diploma is quoted in all countries of the European Union. Higher education has three degrees: bachelor, master, doctor.

Secrets of successful admission to Slovakia

In order to become a student of a Slovak university, you must:

• nostrify the document (certificate, diploma) of previous education. Nostrification is carried out by the authorities of the Ministry of Education of Slovakia. Many schools require a grades app;
• learn the Slovak language at the level A2-B2, this is enough to understand the lectures;
• submit documents;
• apply for a visa and residence permit;
• choose a university and specialty;
• prepare for entrance exams. They are not available at all universities; for most technical specialties, entrance testing is not carried out;
• pass exams on time.

For successful admission, it is important to correctly fill out the documents, observe the deadlines for submission. It is better to get language training directly in the country; there are preparatory courses for this.

What should you pay attention to when moving to study in SR?

When planning a move, it is important to take care of housing. The hostel is not automatically provided. A prospective student must book a place on their own. The application in electronic form is sent to the official website of the selected faculty.

Language courses can be taken during the summer holidays, one semester or in an intensive program. Language training is paid. The cost of courses is individual, it can be found on the official websites of universities.

After successful admission, you need to issue an ISIC student card. With its help, you can significantly save on transport costs, tourist trips around Slovakia, and receive discounts on meals in student canteens.

As part of the national scholarship program, students receive a scholarship of 200-1000 euros.

How to choose a university and specialty?

There are 20 public and 12 private universities accredited in the country. Most popular:

• Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, the country's leading technical university. Faculties: construction, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, chemical, food industry, architecture, information technology. Admission without exams, education in the Slovak language is free. Scholarships for students with good academic performance;
• Comenius University in Bratislava. Thirteen faculties offer bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees in medicine, humanities, natural sciences, jurisprudence;
• Zhilina University, trains specialists for the transport sector, mechanical engineering, and the construction industry;
• Matej Bela University. If you have a certificate confirming the knowledge of the Slovak language at level B1, it is free. Faculties: mining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, aeronautics, arts.

When choosing a specialization and an educational institution, one should take into account financial capabilities, personal abilities and preferences in a particular field of knowledge, and the level of proficiency in the Slovak language. Information from official websites of universities, opinions of students from personal communication, social networks helps in choosing.

Prospects for studying in Slovakia

Higher education in the Slovak Republic is promising from several points of view:

• high quality of education, recognition of a diploma in the EU, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries;
• the possibility of employment in a national or foreign company;
• favorable learning conditions;
• internships in the EU countries, in the USA, New Zealand and others;
• obtaining a residence permit. Slovakia is the only EU state that issues a residence permit with the right to work. Part-time work is a common practice for students. The combination of work and study activities allows not only to cover the cost of living, food, but also to travel, attend sports and cultural events;
• continuing education for a master's or doctoral degree.

All educational institutions of the country have a deservedly high reputation, provide comfortable living and learning conditions, provide a powerful theoretical basis and practical skills for mastering the chosen profession.

The mentality of Slovaks is similar to the way of life and traditions of Ukrainians, immigrants from the CIS countries. In the process of learning, you can make friends, establish useful contacts in the future, and create the basis for a successful career.