Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislava

The Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovenská technická univerzita, STU) is the country’s largest technical university, founded in 1937. If you are considering engineering, IT or chemistry studies in Slovakia, this is the first place to look at.

STU faculties

The university has seven faculties and an institute of management. Most are in Bratislava, one is in Trnava:

• Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies — IT, programming, cybersecurity.
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology — electronics, automation, telecommunications.
• Faculty of Civil Engineering — construction, geodesy, water management.
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering — mechanics, energy, automotive engineering.
• Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology — chemistry, biotechnology, food technology.
• Faculty of Architecture and Design — architecture, urban planning, design.
• Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava — materials, manufacturing technologies.
• Institute of Management — management in the technical field.

Exact addresses and websites for all the faculties are in our directory of universities and schools in Slovakia — you can filter it by city and field.

What you can study

The main fields are: information technology and cybersecurity, electrical engineering and automation, mechanical engineering and energy, civil engineering and architecture, chemistry and biotechnology, materials science, industrial design, and management in technical sectors.

Studies follow a three-stage system: bachelor’s (3 years), engineer’s or master’s (2 years), and doctoral studies.

How much study costs

Full-time study in Slovak is free, regardless of citizenship. You will have to pay if you study longer than the programme’s standard length or take a second programme at the same level in parallel.

Programmes taught in English are fee-paying. For current amounts, see the školné a poplatky section on the website of the particular faculty — they differ.

How to apply

1. Choose a faculty and a programme, and read the admission conditions in the prijímacie konanie section.
2. Submit an electronic application through the university portal. The administrative fee is usually a few tens of euros and is non-refundable.
3. Prepare your education documents with a sworn translation and recognition of your school-leaving certificate. For admission purposes the recognition is done by the university itself — that is the quickest route.
4. Sit the entrance exams, if there are any. Some technical programmes admit students on the basis of school-leaving grades.
5. Enrol (zápis) once you have received the admission decision.

Each faculty announces its own deadlines; for bachelor’s programmes the usual window is from November to the end of February or March.

Language of instruction

The main language is Slovak, and the level you need for study is roughly B2. For Russian-speaking students that is achievable in 6–12 months of regular study: the shared Slavic base helps a great deal. Some programmes, master’s ones in particular, are taught in English.

Halls of residence and student life

STU has student halls of residence, and a place in one costs several times less than renting a flat. You apply separately and right after admission — there are always fewer places than applicants.

Full-time students can apply for a social scholarship based on family income and for a merit scholarship for good results. Trains across the country are free for students under 26 once they register their card. For more on budgeting, see the article Bratislava for students.

Frequently asked questions

Do they accept foreigners?

Yes, citizenship is not an obstacle. The key requirements are a recognised school-leaving certificate and sufficient command of the language of instruction.

Do I have to take an exam in Slovak?

There is no separate state exam, but a faculty may ask for a certificate or hold an interview. Many universities offer a preparatory language year.

How hard is the study?

Technical faculties in Slovakia traditionally lose a noticeable share of first-year students. Maths and physics in the first year are a real filter, and it is worth preparing for that in advance.

Does an STU degree help with finding work?

Technical specialisations are in demand in Slovakia, especially IT and electrical engineering. On job hunting, see the article all the ways to find work in Slovakia.

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.

Useful links

The university’s official website is stuba.sk. The database of all study programmes at Slovak universities is portalvs.sk.

Important. The information in this article has been gathered from open sources online and is up to date at the time of publication. Admission conditions, application deadlines and fee amounts are set by each faculty itself and changed every year. Before submitting your documents, check the current requirements on the faculty’s official website.