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How the Slovak education system is structured, how the learning process takes place, how academic performance is assessed, and many other aspects are covered in this material. All of this will allow you to consider the question of obtaining higher education in Slovakia and make the right decision—whether to study here or not.
Kindergarten
There are four levels of education (kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and “higher” meaning university), and it all starts with kindergarten. It is not mandatory, but many parents happily send their children to become more socialized and acquire basic life skills. Popularity leads to waiting lists, as children need to be registered in advance to secure a place. The minimum age to attend kindergarten is 3 years.
Kindergartens are divided into:
Primary School
Children can start at the age of 6 and will study for either 5 or 9 grades. The education system in Slovakia follows Eastern European standards, indicating a high level of education. After 9 grades, students take a written assessment to determine whether they will enter secondary school or a 4-year gymnasium. Students can also transfer to a gymnasium after completing the 5th grade in Slovakia.
Slovak gymnasiums serve as preparatory steps for higher education in Slovakia, where students study general subjects similar to regular primary school standards.
School Year and Holidays
The school year in Slovak primary schools is divided into two semesters, and at the end of each, students receive a report card. This is an official document useful for further education in Slovakia. There are two holidays per year of different durations:
Grades
The education system in primary and secondary schools uses a 5-point grading scale. Unlike other systems, a “1” is the best grade, while a “5” is the worst.
Secondary Education
There are no entrance exams for moving from primary to secondary school, but the results of the “Monitor” test must be satisfactory. Students in Slovakia have three options for further education:
After graduating from a regular school or gymnasium, students take the “Maturita” exams (written and oral). These are known as the “Maturity Certificate,” allowing students to decide what to do next. The “Maturita” is optional in specialized schools, but if taken, it adds 2 more years to the education.
Higher Education in Slovakia
There are three types of universities:
Private universities are fee-based, while public ones are free as long as students study in the Slovak language. Entrance exams are required, costing between 25 and 50 euros, regardless of the outcome.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Slovakia
A bachelor’s degree takes 3 years for full-time students and 4 years for part-time students, with state exams at the end. The next step is a master’s degree, which takes an additional 2-3 years, depending on the type of study (full-time or part-time). Depending on the field, the duration of higher education in Slovakia can be extended. Doctoral studies last at least 3 years.
Grades in Slovak universities are given on a 6-point scale with letter grades from A to FX, where A is excellent. The program allows students to choose their subjects. Successfully passing a subject grants “credits,” which are necessary to advance to the next year and to qualify for defending a thesis. If students don’t accumulate enough credits, they risk being expelled.
The academic year in Slovak universities is divided into a winter semester and a summer semester. The exact start, holiday periods, and exam dates are individually determined by the student and the professor but generally follow Eastern European standards.
An important feature of free higher education in Slovakia is that it is conducted in Slovak. However, some programs are starting to offer English-language instruction. Since Slovak is a Slavic language, it is relatively easy for Russian-speaking students to learn. Special preparatory courses are available to help with language training.