Bratislava for Students (Bratislava pre študentov)

This article will be useful to anyone planning a move to Slovakia to study — and to the capital, Bratislava, in particular. We go through it step by step: how to choose a university, which documents to gather, what to do as soon as you arrive, where to live, how to arrange your residence, and what a student’s life really costs.

How to choose a university and a field of study in Bratislava

Bratislava’s state universities accept international students. There are quite a few in the city, so when choosing you should start from the field rather than the name: you get the best result from a university that specialises in the area you need. We have put together an overview of the country’s education system in a separate article — schools and universities in Slovakia.

Comenius University

Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave is the country’s oldest and best-known university, with a history of more than a hundred years. You can study fields connected with medicine, education, linguistics, theology, mathematics, economics, management, law and pharmacy. All academic levels are available, from bachelor’s to doctoral studies. Its degrees are recognised both in Slovakia and abroad.

Slovak University of Technology

Slovenská technická univerzita (STU) is traditionally among Slovakia’s strongest universities. It teaches management and information technology, civil engineering and architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, chemical and food industry subjects, and materials science.

STU is a good option for anyone who cares not only about quality but also about comfort: it has modern sports facilities and its own halls of residence. Slovak industrial companies are keen to hire STU graduates in particular. There is more about the university in Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

Other universities in the capital

Besides UK and STU, Bratislava has the University of Economics, St Elizabeth University, the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, the Academy of Performing Arts and a number of private universities. Before submitting your documents, go to the website of the particular faculty: admission conditions, deadlines and document lists differ for each one.

Arriving in Slovakia: first steps

Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport can stay in Slovakia visa-free — up to 90 days in any 180. That is usually enough time to go through the admission procedure. The residence permit is arranged after you have been admitted.

At first many applicants rent a flat or arrange with a university hall of residence to stay as a guest: you can only move in properly once your admission has been confirmed.

There are also companies that organise admission as a complete package: preparing documents, booking accommodation and supporting you at every stage. The cost of such services depends on the package and can run to hundreds or thousands of euros — check the terms and the contract before paying.

Some faculties run preparatory courses, which usually start in early September. Accommodation is often already included in the price. Check whether such courses exist and what they cost directly with the university or your coordinator before you travel.

Documents for applying to a Slovak university

Each faculty has its own list of documents, so you must check it on the official website — better still, write to the admissions office and ask about the details. If even one document is missing, your application may not be considered. Below are the typical sets for different categories of applicant.

For pupils in their final school year

• a transcript of grades for previous years and for the first semester of the final year;
• copies of any awards and certificates from the last two years of study, if you have them;
• a CV describing the key points;
• a medical certificate;
• a copy of your biometric passport;
• photographs in 3×4 format.

For those who have finished school or are studying at a college

• a school-leaving certificate for complete secondary education and its supplement;
• a transcript of grades for the senior years; if the applicant studied at a college — a certificate listing the subjects and grades for the courses completed;
• certificates, letters of commendation and awards for achievements — these count in your favour when applying;
• a medical certificate;
• a CV;
• the remaining documents — as in the previous list.

For university graduates (applying for a master’s)

The list is almost the same. The only difference is in the first items: instead of a school certificate you need your degree with its supplement and a transcript of grades for all your bachelor’s courses. Everything else is identical.

Recognition of qualifications, deadlines and entrance exams

Applications are submitted well in advance — as a rule, no later than a few months before the admission round. Deadlines differ between faculties, so keep an eye on the calendar of the particular university. A sensible strategy is to apply to several universities at once, especially if you are counting on free tuition.

The usual sequence is: you register in the application system (you will find the link on the faculty’s website), fill in the form, print out the sheet, attach the receipt for the registration fee and a copy of your passport, and send the package to the faculty’s address. The fee is set by the faculty itself and differs from university to university.

Your school-leaving certificate or degree has to be translated into Slovak and notarised, and then go through the recognition procedure — nostrification. Make several copies straight away. We have explained what this procedure is and how to go through it in nostrification: what it is, what it is for and how to do it. The procedure does not cost much, but it sometimes takes a long time, so it is best to start early.

Many applicants choose Slovak universities partly because a number of fields have no entrance exams — admission is open. But if a lot of applications come in, the faculty may set an exam. The final stage is the notification of admission: from that moment the applicant becomes a student.

Language of instruction and the cost of studying

The key requirement for a future student is knowledge of Slovak. It is study in Slovak at state universities that is free.

If you want to study in English, the programme will be fee-paying. The cost changes from year to year and depends heavily on the university and the field, so check the current amount on the website of the faculty you have chosen.

Budget separately for translations and notarisation of documents — the final sum depends on how many papers there are.

Halls of residence: how to get a place

Each hall of residence belongs to a particular university, and one university may have anything from one to ten blocks. They are usually close to the teaching buildings — Slovakia is a country of short distances, and students rarely have a long journey to class.

Book a room in advance, at least a month ahead: there is a lot of demand and there are not enough places for everyone. Once you register at the hall, you get your room the same day.

Most Slovak halls of residence have been renovated, with a canteen inside, often a gym, and football pitches and recreation areas on the grounds. If you do not get a place in a hall, our guide on how to find housing in Slovakia will come in handy.

Residence in the country and health insurance

Once you are admitted, you apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of study. It is issued for the expected length of your studies. The set of documents usually includes:

• an application form in Slovak;
• confirmation of admission to study;
• proof of sufficient financial means (a bank statement, confirmation of a scholarship, or a declaration by a person undertaking to support you);
• a document confirming accommodation in Slovakia;
• a criminal record certificate;
• photographs in the required format.

Ukrainian citizens usually obtain the criminal record certificate through the Ukrainian embassy in Bratislava. The foreign police take up to 90 days to decide on an application. Check the exact list of documents and the requirements for them on the website of the Slovak Ministry of the Interior. For a detailed look at the procedure, see residence permit in Slovakia for a Ukrainian student.

Once you have your residence card you need to have a medical examination and arrange health insurance. Public health insurance is compulsory for people with permanent residence; students with temporary residence more often take out commercial insurance. Check terms and rates with the insurance companies — they change.

A student’s budget, part-time work and discounts

Student life in Bratislava costs roughly 300–450 euros a month. The figure depends on the university, your living arrangements and your own expectations. The first few months will be noticeably more expensive: some university payments are made in advance.

A rough breakdown of costs:

• a place in a hall of residence — around 80–120 euros a month;
• internet and other hall services — 5–20 euros;
• public transport — from a few euros a month on the student fare;
• food — 200–250 euros;
• mobile phone — 15–25 euros.

Personal spending is not included here. Salaries in Slovakia are lower than in the most developed EU countries, but that difference is largely offset by a lower cost of living.

International students most often go for part-time work paid by the hour. The rate depends on the sector and the schedule: weekend and night shifts pay noticeably more. The main options are straightforward physical work in factories and warehouses, the service sector (waiting staff, cashiers, call centre operators, hotel and hostel staff) and, closer to the senior years, work in your own field. We looked at whether it is worth combining study with work in should students work in Slovakia.

To get started, many people go to employment agencies: they set out all the terms up front, you can start work within a few days, and a high level of Slovak is not always required. What you do need is a passport and a valid residence document.

As for discounts: students at Slovak schools and universities up to a certain age are entitled to free travel on trains run by the national operator ZSSK — for this you need a registered travel card from the operator. On Os and REx trains it is enough to show it to the inspector, while on long-distance trains the free seats have to be booked in advance, as their number is limited. Check current conditions on the website of ZSSK. On Bratislava’s city transport there is a discount for schoolchildren and students — on how to buy a ticket and get a travel pass, read public transport in Bratislava.

Bratislava is a small city: there are no skyscrapers and no metro, but there are castles, the Danube embankment and a convenient location in the middle of Europe. From here you can travel cheaply to Vienna (about an hour), Budapest (roughly two hours) and Prague (three to four hours) — by train or bus, and to Vienna in summer by boat along the Danube as well.

Frequently asked questions

Can you study in Slovakia for free?

Yes, if you are admitted to a state university on a Slovak-language programme within the standard length of study. Programmes in English are fee-paying.

Do I have to take an exam in Slovak?

The requirements are set by the faculty. Some universities ask for a certificate or hold an interview, others accept completion of a language course. Check with the admissions office of the particular faculty.

When should I start preparing documents?

Ideally 6–12 months before the academic year begins. Translation, notarisation and recognition of qualifications usually take the longest.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. Students with a residence permit for the purpose of study may work; most often this is part-time. Check the conditions and any limits on hours before signing a contract.

What if I do not get a place in a hall of residence?

Look for a flat or a room to rent — sharing a flat between several students is common in Bratislava. Useful resources and advice are gathered in our article on finding housing.

Important. The information in this article has been gathered from open sources online and is up to date at the time of publication. Conditions and rules change. Before making any decisions, check the current information and consult a specialist in the field.

Official deadlines and rules are published by the Slovak Ministry of Education: rules on compulsory school attendance and how to enrol a child in the first year of school.

Sport and keeping fit while you study

Student memberships at Bratislava gyms cost noticeably less than standard ones, and many faculties have their own sports centres. If you train regularly, sports nutrition and equipment are cheaper to order online — from GymBeam, for example, who often run student promotions.

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