Where is Slovakia
Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the southwest, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Its capital and largest city is Bratislava, located on the banks of the Danube River near the borders with Austria and Hungary. Slovakia has a population of around 5.4 million people and the official language is Slovak. It is a parliamentary republic and a member of both the European Union and NATO since 2004. The country is known for its mountainous landscape, particularly the High Tatras, which offer popular destinations for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Much of Slovakia is covered by forests and natural reserves, making it rich in biodiversity. Slovakia has a deep historical background, having once been part of Great Moravia, the Kingdom of Hungary, and later Czechoslovakia, before peacefully becoming independent in 1993. Culturally, it is known for its folk traditions, castles, and hearty cuisine, with traditional dishes such as bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese). The economy is modern and industrial, with strengths in automobile production, electronics, and tourism. Cities like Košice, Prešov, and Žilina also play important roles in the country’s cultural and economic life.
Basic Information:
- Capital: Bratislava
- Official Language: Slovak
- Population: Around 5.4 million (as of 2024)
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Government: Parliamentary republic
- EU & NATO Member: Yes (joined EU in 2004, NATO in 2004)
Geography:
- Dominated by the Carpathian Mountains, especially the High Tatras in the north, which are a popular spot for hiking and skiing.
- The Danube River flows through the southwest, including through Bratislava.
- Much of the country is forested and has diverse wildlife.
Culture & History:
- Historically part of Great Moravia, later the Kingdom of Hungary, and then Czechoslovakia.
- Gained independence peacefully in 1993 during the “Velvet Divorce” from the Czech Republic.
- Rich in folk traditions, castle architecture, and classical music heritage.
- Slovak cuisine includes dishes like bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese), goulash, and sauerkraut soup.
️ Key Cities:
- Bratislava – The capital and largest city, located on the Danube near the Austrian border.
- Košice – The second-largest city in eastern Slovakia, known for its Gothic cathedral and cultural life.
- Prešov, Žilina, Nitra – Other important regional centers.
Economy:
- Modern and industrialized; major industries include automobile manufacturing, IT, engineering, and tourism.
- Slovakia has one of the highest car production rates per capita in the world (Volkswagen, Kia, and Peugeot-Citroën have plants there).
Why Choose Slovakia for Studying Abroad
- Affordable Tuition Fees
- Public universities offer low-cost education, especially compared to Western Europe or the U.S.
- Many programs in English are available, especially in medicine, engineering, and business.
- Low Cost of Living
- Daily expenses like housing, food, and transport are budget-friendly for students.
- Quality Education
- Slovak universities offer internationally recognized degrees and participate in European academic networks.
- Opportunities for Erasmus+ and other exchange programs are widely available.
- Safe and Peaceful Environment
- Slovakia is one of the safer countries in Europe, with a calm and student-friendly atmosphere.
- EU and Schengen Member
- Students can travel freely across 26 European countries during their stay.
- English-Taught Programs
- Many universities offer full-degree programs and courses in English, especially for international students.
- Cultural Experience
- Rich history, castles, festivals, and traditions provide a unique cultural setting.
- You’ll experience both Western and Eastern European influences.
- Stunning Natural Beauty
- The High Tatras mountains, caves, national parks, and rivers offer excellent outdoor activities year-round.
- Diverse Student Community
- International students from all over the world, especially Europe, Africa, and Asia, study in Slovakia.
- Work Opportunities
- Students can work part-time during studies and may explore post-study job opportunities.
- Central European Location
- Strategically located in the heart of Europe, making travel to nearby countries like Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland easy and affordable.
- No Language Barrier in Many Programs
- Many universities offer full-degree programs in English, especially for medicine, engineering, IT, and business studies.
- Modern Facilities and Research Opportunities
- Universities are equipped with modern labs, libraries, and technology.
- Opportunities exist for international students to participate in research projects.
- Cultural and Historical Richness
- Slovakia has more than 100 castles, medieval towns, and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- A great place to experience European history and culture firsthand.
- Friendly and Hospitable People
- Slovaks are known for being warm, welcoming, and helpful toward foreigners, especially students.
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Various scholarships are available for international students, including government-funded programs and Erasmus+ grants.
- Good Public Transport
- Affordable and reliable buses, trams, and trains make getting around cities and the country easy.
- Mild and Scenic Climate
- Enjoy four distinct seasons, from snowy winters for skiing to warm, sunny summers for hiking.
- Student Discounts
- Students receive discounts on transportation, museum entries, events, and more through student cards like ISIC.
- Growing International Community
- Increasing numbers of international students means growing support networks, student associations, and international clubs.
- Options for Medical and Technical Studies
- Slovakia is particularly popular for international students pursuing medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, and technical fields.
- Pathway to European Job Market
- A degree from Slovakia can open doors to employment or further study across the European Union.
- Simple Visa Process for Non-EU Students
- The student visa process is generally clear and straightforward with good support from universities.
- Peaceful Academic Environment
- Smaller class sizes, less academic pressure than in highly competitive systems, and personalized attention from professors.
- Language Learning Opportunities
- While you can study in English, living in Slovakia offers a chance to learn Slovak or improve other European languages.
Requirements
Documents for Admission
- SSC (Board, IBCC, MOFA Attested, Recognized)
- HSSC (Board, IBCC, MOFA Attested, Recognized)
- Bachelors (University, HEC,MOFA Attested, Recognized)
- Recommendations Letters
- Europass CV
- Motivation Letters
- IELTS or PTE
- Passport
- Photograph
Application Fee
- 30 to 100 Euros
Tuition Fee
1 Public Sector
- For Bachelors 1000 to 3500 Euros
- For Masters 1500 to 5000 Euros
- PHD (scholarship)
2 Private Sector
- For Bachelors 4000 to 7000 Euros
- For Masters 5000 to 8000 Euros
- MBA 7000 to 10000
Documents for Visa
- Educational Documents (Recognized)
- Passport
- Health Insurance
- Police Character Certificate (Apostille)
- Invitation (will be provided by the university)
- Bank Statement 7000 Euro (but Recommended 8000 to 10000 Euros)
- Proof of Funds
- Business Proof or salary slip if any
- Tuition fee paid Slip
- University Acceptance Letter
- Accommodation Letter
- SOP
- Passport Size pic
IELTS Requirements
5.5,6.0
Embassy in Pakistan
No (Baku, Tehran, Abu Dhabi)
Appointment issue
Little bit
Intake
February, September but maximum courses are offered in September intake
Spouse Allowed
Yes, but do not travel together.
Processing Time
Admission to Visa 6 to 8 month
Part Time Work Allow
Yes
Average Earning
During Study 500 to 800
During holidays and vacation 800 to 1200
Visa Ratio
Not Confirmed till Now but 90+
Public & State Universities Offering English‑Taught Programs
Based on official sources including the Slovak Ministry of Education and Edu Slovakia, the following institutions provide programs taught in English:
- Comenius University in Bratislava
- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy (6‑year programs in English)
- Business, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences (various English‑taught options)
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine (Comenius University in Martin)
- General Medicine in English (6‑year MUDr. program)
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
- Medicine, Dentistry English‑taught programs (6‑year MUDr./MDDr.)
- Other fields like Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Economics
- Slovak Medical University (Bratislava)
- Medicine (single medical-focused state university offering full English study)
- University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice
- Veterinary Medicine in English (6‑year MVDr.)
- Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislava
- Engineering, Computer Science, Technical programs in English at Bachelor/Master levels
- Technical University of Košice (TUKE)
- Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics, Informatics, Civil, Electrical Engineering, Economics faculties offering English tracks
- University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA)
- Multiple English‑taught degrees in Applied Economics, Business Economics & Management, Finance, Marketing, Economic Diplomacy — some programs tuition‑free for international students
- University of Žilina (Žilina)
- Transport Management, Engineering, Economics, and other technical/social sciences in English
- University of Prešov (Prešov)
- Select English programs (e.g. humanities, social sciences)
- Constantine the Philosopher University (Nitra)
- Broad Bc/Mgr/PhD programs; some English‑taught options in humanities, education, European studies
- Slovak University of Agriculture (Nitra)
- Agriculture, Biotechnology, Economics & Management, Engineering with English‑taught Master/PhD options
Private & Specialized Institutions
While many private institutions teach primarily in Slovak or Hungarian, a few offer English-language degrees:
- Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts (BISLA)
- Liberal Arts Bachelor’s degree entirely in English.
- Pan European University (Bratislava)
- Offers selected English‑medium programs.
- Other private colleges like ISM Slovakia or Bratislava School of Law may offer some English courses; however, their English offerings are more limited compared to public universities.
Popular English‑Taught Fields (Bachelor / Master / PhD)
- Medicine & Dental Medicine: Comenius University (Bratislava & Martin), Šafárik University (Košice), Slovak Medical University
- Veterinary Medicine: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice
- Engineering & IT: STU Bratislava, TUKE Košice, University of Žilina
- Business, Economics & Finance: University of Economics Bratislava, Šafárik University, TUKE
- Natural & Social Sciences: Šafárik University, Constantine University, Prešov University
- Liberal Arts: BISLA Bratislava
University / Institution | Location | English-Taught Fields | |
Comenius University | Bratislava | Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Business, Sciences | |
Jessenius Faculty (Comenius) | Martin | Medicine | |
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University | Košice | Medicine, Dentistry, Economics, Sciences | |
University of Veterinary Medicine | Košice | Veterinary Medicine | |
Slovak Medical University | Bratislava | Medicine | |
Slovak University of Technology (STU) | Bratislava | Engineering, CS, Technical fields | |
Technical University of Košice (TUKE) | Košice | Engineering, Economics, Aeronautics | |
University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA) | Bratislava | Business & Finance disciplines | |
University of Žilina | Žilina | Transport, Engineering, Economics | |
University of Prešov | Prešov | Social Sciences, Humanities | |
Constantine the Philosopher University | Nitra | Humanities, Education, Regional Studies | |
Slovak University of Agriculture | Nitra | Agri‑Sciences, Economics, Engineering | |
BISLA (private Liberal Arts college) | Bratislava | Liberal Arts (BA) | |