Studying in Slovakia
Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.
At a glance
Tuition · EU/EEA students
Tuition · non-EU/EEA students
Living costs
Erasmus Mundus master's
Students in Slovakia
Tertiary students · 2024
From abroad · 2024
Of whom from the EU · 2024
Largest countries of origin: Ukraine (10,481), Czechia (3,255), Russia (1,253), Germany (746), Hungary (558).
“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 209,543 | 197,854 | 184,390 | 167,280 | 156,048 | 144,447 | 140,809 | 138,407 | 140,992 | 140,236 | 139,694 | 141,119 |
Tuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees and living costs in Slovakia are generally affordable compared to many other European countries.
Tuition fees depend on the language of study and programme:
- programmes in foreign languages (e.g. English): Approximately €750 – €11,000 per year
- some programmes may be significantly cheaper depending on the institution
- studies in the Slovak language can be free of charge
Living costs are relatively low compared to other European countries:
- minimum: around €350 per month
- comfortable budget: €500 – €700 per month
- estimated total yearly budget (including tuition and living costs): around €7,000 – €15,000
Accommodation options include student dormitories and private apartments.
Visa requirements
Visa requirements depend on your nationality.
EU/EEA students
- do not need a visa
- can study under the same conditions as Slovak students
Non-EU students
- must apply for a student visa or temporary residence permit
- application process may take 2–4 months and usually requires:
- proof of admission
- financial means
- health insurance
Students are advised to contact the Slovak embassy or their chosen institution for detailed requirements.
Education system
Slovakia is part of the European Higher Education Area. It's degree structure is as follows:
- Bachelor’s (3–4 years)
- Master’s (1–2 years)
- Doctoral (PhD, 3–4 years)
Higher education institutions are universities and specialised institutions that use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Study programmes are accredited by the Ministry of Education, and teaching languages include Slovak, English and other foreign languages.
Application procedure
Admission procedures are set by individual institutions. Students apply directly to the chosen faculty or university. Each institution defines its own admission criteria, deadlines and required documents.
The application process may include:
- entrance exams
- interviews
- additional assessments
Students are advised to check programme details, admission requirements, and available study programmes via university websites.
Scholarship opportunities
Several scholarship opportunities are available for international students.
National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic supports study, research and teaching stays, and is open to international students, PhD candidates and researchers.
Other opportunities include:
- scholarships based on bilateral agreements
- Erasmus+ mobility programmes
- government-funded scholarships
Many scholarships contribute to living costs and study or research stays.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay tuition fees in Slovakia?
Tuition fees apply mainly to programmes taught in foreign languages, while studies in Slovak are usually free for full-time students.
Can I study in English in Slovakia?
Yes. Many universities offer study programmes in English and other foreign languages.
How do I apply to a university in Slovakia?
You apply directly to the chosen university or faculty, which sets its own admission requirements and deadlines.
Are scholarships available for international students?
Yes. Programmes such as the National Scholarship Programme support study and research stays in Slovakia.
Source: Study in Slovakia: Tuition fees, visa requirements & scholarships, last updated 19 June 2026.
Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in Slovakia
Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.
- European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and YouthKatolicka Univerzita v Ruzomberku · Social Sciences and Humanities · 24 months / 120 ECTS
- International Master of Science in Rural DevelopmentSlovenska Polnohospodarska Univerzita v Nitre · Economic Sciences, Environmental and Geosciences, Social Sciences and Humanities · 24 months / 120 ECTS
- Sustainability in Agriculture, Food Production and Food Technology in the Danube Region - Danube AgriFood MasterSlovenska Polnohospodarska Univerzita v Nitre · Environmental and Geosciences · 24 months / 120 ECTS
Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.
Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).
Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.