Structure of Slovakia Education

The Slovakia education consists of school education and higher education. School education in Slovakia begins with pre-school. 

School Education in Slovakia

School education in Slovakia starts with pre-school, followed by primary education and secondary education. Primary education is compulsory and lasts for 9 years. Studies at primary level are split up into 2 stages lasting 4 and 5 years respectively. Secondary education is provided by different types of schools-grammar, specialized, conservatories and vocational secondary schools. At the end of secondary education, students are required to sit for a school leaving examination-“Maturita”.

Higher Education in Slovakia

In Slovakia, higher education is provided by public, private and state higher education institutions. These institutions provide study programmes at three levels- bachelor, master and doctoral. The first 2 levels of higher education, i.e. bachelor and master’s can be studied together also. The study programmes of level 2 and level 1 that are joined into a single level are: doctoral, master and engineer study programmes. The first level of higher education leads to bachelor (Bakalar) degree; the second level leads to the Master (Magister) degree, and the third level leads to a PhD or doctorate.

Pre-tertiary Education in Slovakia

Compulsory Education

  • Entry age: 6
  • Exit age: 15

Primary Education

Primary education is divided into 2 stages:

Level: Primary education first stage (zakladna skola I. stupeň)

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Ages: 6 to 10

Level: Primary education second stage (zakladna skola Ii. stupeň)

  • Duration: 5 years
  • Ages: 10 to 15
Upon completion , a primary education completion certificate is awarded.

Secondary Education

Secondary education in Slovakia is imparted by general secondary schools, specialized schools, conservatories, and vocational secondary schools.

General Secondary Education

  • Level/type: Gymnazium
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Ages: 15 to 19
  • Credential: Secondary school leaving certificate (vysvedčenie o maturitnej skuske)

Specialized Secondary Education

  • School type: Specialized secondary school- Agriculture, technical, arts, economic and health care (stredna odborna skola)
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Ages: 15 to 19
  • Credential: Secondary school leaving certificate (vysvedčenie o maturitnej skuske)

Vocational Secondary Education

  • School type: Vocational secondary school (stredne odborne učiliste)
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Ages: 15 to 19
  • Credentail awarded: Vocational secondary school leaving certificate (vysvedčenie o maturitnej skuske), Apprenticeship certificate (učňovsky list) 

Vocational Education

  • School type: Conservatoire-Dance (konzervatorium)
  • Duration: 8 years
  • Ages: 15-23
  • Credential awarded: absolutorium

Vocational Education

  • School type:  Conservatoire (konzervatorium)
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Ages: 15 to 21
  • Credential awarded: absolutorium

Apprenticeship

  • School type:  Apprentice Training Centre (odborne učiliste)
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Ages: 14 to 17
  • Credential awarded: Certificate of Apprenticeship (učňovsky list)

Tertiary Education

Level 1: Bachelor’s Studies (Bakalarske studium)
  • Duration: 3 to 4 years
Level 2: Master’s Studies (Magisterske)
  • Duration: 1-2 years
Level 2 and Level 1: Master studies (Magisterske, Inzinierske, Doktorske studium)
  • Duration: 4 to 6 years
Level 3: PhD studies (Doktorandske studium)
  • Duration: 3-4 years

Educational Credentials

School Credentials

  • Report Card (Vysvedčenie)
  • Gymnasium Certificate of Maturity Examination (Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej Skuske)
  • Vocational Certificate of Maturity Examination (Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej Skuske)
  • Certificate of Arts Education (Absolutorium)

Higher Education Credentials

  • Bachelor (Bakalar)
  • Master (Magister)
  • Master of Fine Arts (Magister umenia)
  • Doctor of Humanities and Arts (Doktor Filozofie)
  • Doctor of Medicine (Doktor vseobecneho lekarstva)
  • Doctor of Sciences (Doktor Vied)
Connect me with the Top Colleges
First Name:
Last Name:
E-Mail ID :
You live in:
Mobile Number:
You want to study in:
Highest Level of Education:
Study Preference:
You want to Study:
Need an education loan?
loading Processing...
  • No Articles to display

Know More »

  • No Press Releases to display

Know More »

Slovakia Select a Country

Our Network :