INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Univerzity (University)
Technické Univerzity (University of Technology)
Ekonomické Univerzity (University of Economics)
Pol'nohospodárske Univerzity (University of
Agriculture)
Pedagogické Univerzity (University of Education)
Umelecké Vysoké školy (Academy of Arts)
Vojenské Vysoké školy (Military Academy)
Policainé vysoké školy (Police Academy)
Zdravotnicke vysoké školy (Medical Higher Education
Institution)
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Maturitné Vysvedčenie
Absolutórium
Bakalár
Inžinier
Inžinier-architekt
Doktor veterinárskej medicíny
Doktor všeobecného lekárstva
Doktor zubného lekárstva
Magister umenia
Doktor farmácie
Doktor filozofie
Doktor pedagogiky
Doktor práv
Doktor prírodných vied
Doktor teológie
Magister
Artis doctor
Philosophiae doctor
Docent
Doktor vied
Profesor
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 15
Structure of school system:
Basic First Stage
Type of school providing this education:
základná
škola I. stupeň (Basic School First Stage)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 6 to: 10
Basic Second Stage
Type of school providing this education:
základná
škola Ii. stupeň (Basic School Second Stage)
Length of program in years: 5
Age level from: 10 to: 15
General Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
Gymnázium
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške
(Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
General Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
Gymnázium
Length of program in years: 8
Age level from: 10 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: School Leaving Certificate
Specialized Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
stredná
odborná škola (Specialized Secondary School) (Technical, Economic, Agricultural,
Health Care, Arts)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške
(Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
stredné
odborné učilište (Vocational Secondary School)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: učňovský list (Certificate of
Apprenticeship) vysvedčenie o maturitnej
skúške (School Leaving Certificate)
Vocational
Type of school providing this education:
konzervatórium
(tanec)(Conservatoire (Dance))
Length of program in years: 8
Age level from: 15 to: 23
Certificate/diploma awarded: absolutórium
Vocational
Type of school providing this education:
konzervatórium
(Conservatoire)
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 15 to: 21
Certificate/diploma awarded: absolutórium
Apprenticeship
Type of school providing this education:
odborné
učilište (Apprentice Training Centre)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 14 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: učňovský
list (Certificate of Apprenticeship)
School education:
Basic education lasts for nine years and is
compulsory. It is divided into two stages of four and five years respectively.
Secondary education is provided by the following types of schools: 1.Gymnasium:
Provides general secondary education and prepares for further study at
universities and other higher education institutions. 2.Specialized Secondary
School: Prepares students for vocational education and for study at higher
education institutions. 3.Conservatories: Conservatories are a special type of
professional school that provides courses in such fields as Singing, Music,
Dancing and Dramatic Arts. 4.Vocational Secondary School: Prepares students for
occupations requiring higher level vocational education and a School Leaving
Certificate. Students may continue their studies at higher education
institutions. 5.Apprentice Training Centres: Prepare school-leavers for
professional activities.
Higher education:
Higher education institutions are legal entities. They
include public higher education institutions, state higher education
institutions and private higher education institutions. Higher education
institutions will provide higher education within the framework of accredited
study programmes. The study programmes will be at three levels. They may join
the first two levels of higher education into a single whole. The first level
is the Bachelor study programme. The study programmes of the second level and
those of the first two levels of higher education joined into a single whole
are: Master study programmes, Engineer study programmes and Doctoral study
programmes. The study programme of the third level is the PHD study programme
and specialized training in medicine.According to Law No 131/2002 of 21
February on Higher Education and Changes and Supplements to Some Laws, they
provide higher education at three levels. The first level leads to the degree
of Bakalár; the second level, the complete higher education, leads to the
academic degrees of Magister, Inžinier, Doktor Mediciny, Doktor všeobecnej
medicíny, Doktor zubného lekárstva, Doktor Veterinárskej mediciny; and the
third level leads to the Doctorate/PhD.
Main laws/decrees governing higher
education:
Decree: 131/2002 Law on Higher
Education and Changes and Supplements to Some Laws amended by the Act no 528 of
2003 Year: 2002
Concerns: All higher education institutions
Decree: 614/2002 Decree of the
Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic on Credit System of Study Year: 2002
Concerns: All higher education
institutions
Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Aug
Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug
Languages of instruction: English,
Slovak
Stages of studies:
University level studies:
University level first stage: Bakalárske
štúdium (Bachelor studies):
The
Bachelor study programme as the study programme of the first level aims at the
acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge based on the current state
of science and art and at mastering their use in the exercise of a profession
or the follow-up of higher education studies. The first stage usually lasts for
three or four years, covering all disciplines except Medicine, Veterinary
Medicine, Pharmacy and Law. After
completion, graduates are granted Certificates and awarded the degree of
"Bakalár".
University level second stage: Magisterské,
Inžinierske, Doktorské štúdium (Master studies):
Complete
university study lasts for four to six years and consists in research. Courses
in the Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy,
Theology, Law and Art last for five years. Graduates are granted the degrees
of Magister and of Magister umenia in
artistic fields of study. Studies in Economics,
Agriculture, Chemistry and technical fields last for five or five-and-a-half
years and lead to the academic degree of Inžinier and to the title of
Inžinier-architekt in Architecture. In Veterinary Medicine, studies last for
five-and-a-half years and lead to the academic degree of Doktor Veterinárskej
Medicíny. In Medicine, studies last for six years and graduates are granted the
academic degrees of Doktor všeobecného lekárstva or Doktor zubného lekárstva.
Graduates of the fields of study in which the academic degree of Magister is
awarded may sit for the Examina Rigorosa, which also includes the defence of a
dissertation. Upon successfully completing it, students are awarded the
following academic degrees: in Natural Sciences the Doktor Prírdrodných Vied
(RNDr), in Pharmacy the Doktor Farmácie (PharmDr), in the Humanities and Arts,
the Doktor Filozofie (PhDr), in Law and Security the Doktor Práv (JUDr), in
Teacher Training and Sports the Doktor Pedagogiky (PaedDr), and in Theology, except for the study programmes
in the field of Roman Catholic theology,
the Doktor Teológie (ThDr).
University level third stage: Doktorandské
štúdium (PhD studies):
PhD
studies require three years of full-time
study, or five years of part-time study.
Admission requirements are the completion of complete university study at the
second level. After successful defence of the doctoral thesis, graduates are
granted the Philosofiae Doctor ( "PhD") or Artis Doctor ("ArtD)
in the fields of Art. PhD students in the field of Catholic Theology are
awarded the degree of "licenciát teológie" (ThLic) after completing
the first comprehensive part of PhD study. PhD graduates in this field are also
awarded the degree of "doktor teológie" (ThDr). In accordance with
the proposed principles, the PhD corresponds to the degree of Kandidát Vied (
"CSc") or the Dr degree which were granted to graduates of doctoral
studies until 1997.
University level fourth stage: Doktor vied
(Doctor of the Sciences) (DrSc):
The DrSc. is awarded to outstanding researchers after
the defence of their thesis and for
their scientific and research work.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and
primary/basic school teachers
Faculties
of Education train teachers for the 1st and 2nd stages of primary schools.
Teachers for the first stage of primary school follow a four-year course.
Teachers for the second stage of primary school follow a five-year course
combining two subjects.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers of specific subjects are
trained at various university faculties according to their field of study. The
course lasts for five years and leads to a state final examination. It is
offered by: Faculties of Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Physical Education
and Sports, and Faculties of Education. Graduates of Technical Universities,
Universities of Economics and of the University of Agriculture who wish to
teach the subjects of their field of study at secondary school level can follow
pedagogical training.
Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
Since
1991, the City University in Bratislava provides distance education using
English programmes in cooperation with the Open University at Comenius
University. In 1994, several higher education institutions in the SR were
involved in the regional project PHARE - Pilot Project for Regional Cooperation
in Distance Education.
Lifelong higher education
In
1992, the Slovak Government ratified "the Principles of Lifelong
Education" which created the preconditions for the further development of
a subsystem of lifelong education. In 1995, the draft law on further education
which defines the role of the State, state administration and self-government
in adult education-lifelong education was approved.
Other forms of non-formal higher
education
Universities of the Third Age have been established at Comenius University,
Slovak University of Agriculture and the University of Žilina. Study is
provided in the form of half-day courses lasting for four or more semesters.
Applicants who have completed secondary education do not have to sit for an entrance
examination.
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic
(Ministerstvo školstva SR)
Head: Martin Fronc, Minister
Administrative officer: Peter Mederly, Secretary-General
International relations: Dagmar Hupková, Director, International
Relations
Stromová 1
813 30 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 54772427
Fax: +421(2) 54773766
EMail: kancmin@education.gov.sk
WWW: http://www.minedu.sk
Role of governing body: Distribution
of financial resources, control of expenditure, accreditation of study
programmes.
Higher Education Council (Rada vysokých škôl)
Head: Libor Vozár, President
Administrative officer: Jana Bocová, Secretary-General
Staré grunty 52
842 44 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 65426127
Fax: +421(2) 65426180
EMail: bocova@uips.sk
WWW: http://www.uips.sk
Role of governing body: Supreme,
self-government body of all higher education
Slovak Rectors' Conference (Slovenská rektorská
konferencia)
Head: Valdimír Báleš, President
Administrative officer: Mária Kožuchová, Secretary-General
Vazovova 5
812 43 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 57294521
Fax: +421(2) 57294522
EMail: srk@cvt.stuba.sk
WWW: http://www.srk.sk/
Accreditation Commission (Akreditačná komisia)
Head: Pavol Návrat, President
Administrative officer: Michal Denci, Secretary-General
Stromová 1
813 30 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 6428568
Fax: +421(2) 6428568
EMail: sekrak@vm.stuba.sk
WWW: http://www.akredkom.sk
Role of governing body: Accreditation
of higher education institutions - advisory body of the Government of the
Slovak Republic.
Slovak Academic Information Agency (Slovenská
akademická informačná agentúra)
Head: Katarína Koštálová, Executive Director
Nám. Slobody 23
812 20 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 54411426
Fax: +421(2) 54411429
EMail: saia@saia.sk
WWW: http://www.saia.sk
Slovak Academic Association for International
Cooperation (SAAIC)
Staré grunty 52
842 44 Bratislava 4
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 65424383
Fax: +421(2) 65424483
EMail: tajomnik@saaic.sk
WWW: http://www.saaic.sk
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential
required: Maturitné Vysvedčenie
Minimum score/requirement: 4-pass
For entry to: All types of
institutions or programmes of study at university level
Alternatives to credentials: Academies of
Art do not require a secondary school-leaving certificate.
Numerus clausus/restrictions: For capacity
reasons, a numerus clausus has been introduced in those fields of study which
cannot admit all applicants who meet the conditions. The number of students
admitted is the decision of the dean. Numerus clausus established at
institution level and at country/state level.
Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A foreign
student is any foreign citizen who follows courses at a Slovak higher education
institution. The green identity card entitles the holder to permanent residence
in the SR. The holder has all the rights and duties of the Slovak citizen
except the right to vote and the duty of military service. Such a foreigner is
no longer considered as a foreign student.
Quotas: No quotas established for
foreign students.
Admission requirements: Foreign
students must have qualifications equivalent to
Slovak secondary education and have passed the General Certificate of
Education examination or its equivalent. The age limit for admission is 30.
Entry regulations: A valid
passport and a visa are required from certain countries.
Health requirements: .
Language requirements: Students
must have an adequate knowledge of the Slovak language. Courses are organized
by Comenius University in Bratislava. There are examinations at institution
level.
Application procedures:
Apply to individual institution for
entry to: Universities, higher education institutions.
Application closing dates:
For non-university level
(technical/vocational type) studies: 30 Nov
For university level studies: 28 Feb
For advanced/doctoral studies: 31 Dec
Recognition of studies &
qualifications:
Studies pursued in home country (System
of recognition/accreditation): The Accreditation Commission is the advisory
body of the Slovak Government and consists of prominent experts from higher
education, scientific and other institutions. Its main purpose is to advise on
establishing, amalgamating, dividing or abolishing higher education
institutions and faculties. On the basis of recommendations of the
Accreditation Commission of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic,
it may grant or withdraw the right of a higher education institution or faculty
to organize state and postgraduate examinations, habilitation and procedures
for the nomination of professors within individual disciplines.
Studies pursued in foreign countries
(bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Slovak ENIC, NARIC, Centre for Equivalence of
Diplomas, Institute of Information and Prognoses of Education (Stredisko pre
ekvivalenciu dokladov o vzdelaní)
Head: Peter Plavčan, Director
Stromová 1
813 30 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(72) 65426521
Fax: +421(72) 65426521
EMail: plavcan@minedu.sk
WWW: http://www.minedu.sk
Services provided & students dealt
with: The Centre for Equivalence of Documents on Education provides
recommendations for nostrification of diplomas and assists in cooperation with
foreign partner centres in the solution of challenged issues.
Other information sources on recognition
of foreign studies: The higher education institution which has equal or
similar fields of study.
Special provisions for recognition:
For access to advanced studies and
research: The recognition of documents on education is in the jurisdiction of
individual higher education institutions. Difficult issues are solved by the
Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. The Ministry acts according to
corresponding bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Multilateral agreements concerning
recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Additional
Final Report of the European Convention on Equivalence of Diplomas leading to
the Admission to Universities No 49
Year of signature: 1991
Name of agreement: Convention
of the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degree concerning Higher Education
in the States belonging to the Europe Region
Year of signature: 1988
Name of agreement: Convention
on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the
European Region
Year of signature: 1997
Name of agreement: European
convention on the academic recognition of university qualifications No.15
Year of signature: 1991
Name of agreement: European
Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas Allowing the Access to Universities
Year of signature: 1991
Name of agreement: European
Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of Academic Study No. 21
Year of signature: 1991
Bilateral agreements concerning
recognition of foreign credentials
Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of Romania on
Mutual Recognition of Periods of Study and Diplomas issued in the Slovak
Republic and Romania
Year of signature: 1998
Country/state involved: Romania
Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the
Croatian Republic on Recognition of Equivalence of Diplomas issued in the
Slovak Republic and the Croatian Republic
Year of signature: 1999
Country/state involved: Croatia
Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the
Hungarian Republic on the Mutual Recognition of Equivalence of Diplomas issued
in the Slovak Republic and the Hungarian Republic
Year of signature: 2000
Country/state involved: Hungary
Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Governments of Poland and the CSFR on the mutual Recognition of
Documents on Education and Degrees
Year of signature: 1987
Country/state involved: Poland
Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic on cooperation
Year of signature: 1992
Country/state involved: Czech
Republic
References to further information on
foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
Title: Education in the Slovak
Republic
Publisher: Ministry of
Education of the Slovak Republic
Year of publication: 2000
Title: Higher Education and
Recognition Practices Slovakia
Author: Mária Hrabinská
Publisher: Institute of
Information and Prognoses of Education, Bratislava
Year of publication: 1999
Title: Higher Education in Slovakia
Author: Peter Plavčan, Mária
Hrabinská
Publisher: Institute of
Information and Prognoses of Education, Bratislava
Year of publication: 2001
STUDENT LIFE
Main student services at national level
The Student Higher Education Council (Študentská rada
vysokých Škôl)
Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva
Staré Grunty 52
Bratislava 4
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 65411880
EMail: srvs@yhman.tnusi.sk
WWW: http://www.srvs.tnuni.sk
Category of services provided: Academic and
career counselling services
National student associations and unions
Association of Business and Management Students
Dolnozemská cesta 1
852 35 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
The Youth Council of Slovakia
Pražská 11
811 04 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 52498108
Fax: +421(2) 52493301
EMail: rms@rms.mladez.sk
WWW: http://www.mladez.sk
Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: Yes
Social security for foreign students: No
Foreign student social security
provisions: Health insurance can be provided individually for each student: for
example life-insurance at his own expense.
Special student travel fares:
By road: Yes
By rail: Yes
By air: Yes
Available to foreign students: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Average living costs: 50000
(Slovak Koruna)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 4000 (US
Dollar)
Maximum: 10000 (US Dollar)
Type of financial aid available:
Loans:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
First degree studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
Bodies providing information on student
financial aid:
Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic
Stromová 1
813 30 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 54772427
Fax: +421(2) 54773766
EMail: inform@education.gov.sk
WWW: http://www.minedu.sk
Publications on student services and
financial aid:
Title: Higher Education in Slovakia
Author: Peter Plavčan - Mária
Hrabinská
Publisher: Merkury,
s.r.o. Bratislava
Year of publication: 2001
Title: Higher Education in the
Slovak Republic
Author: Eva Králová
Publisher: PALAESTRA s.r.o. Bratislava
Title: Higher Education in the SR.
Study Programmes
Author: Mária Hrabinská-Alojz Putala
Publisher: Institute of
Information and Prognoses of Education
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION &
EXCHANGES
Principal national bodies responsible
for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:
Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic
(Ministerstvo školstva SR)
Head: Martin Fronc, Minister
Administrative officer: Peter Mederly, Secretary-General
International relations: Dagmar Hupková
Stromová 1
813 37 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(7) 54772427
Fax: +421(7) 54773766
EMail: kancmin@education.gov.sk
WWW: http://www.minedu.sk
Slovak Academic Association for International
Cooperation (SAAIC)
Staré grunty 52
842 44 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421(2) 65424383
Fax: +421(2) 65424483
EMail: tajomnil@saaic.sk
WWW: http://www.saaic.sk
Participation of country in multilateral
or bilateral higher education programmes
Name of exchange programme: CONSTANTIN
Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO da
VINCI
Name of exchange programme: PHARE
Name of exchange programme: SOCRATES
Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: 1= výborneý
(Excellent), 2=chvátilebný (Laudable) 3=dobrý (Good), 4=dostatočný (Pass), 5=
(nedostatočný (Fail).
Highest on scale: 1
Lowest on scale: 5
Main grading system used by higher
education institutions
Full Description: A výborneý
(Excellent) - 1, B vel'mi dobrýe (Laudable) -1,5, C=dobreý (Good) -2,, D=
uspokojivo (Accepted results) - 2,5, E = dostatočne (pass) - 3, FX =
nedostatočne (Fail) - 4.
Highest on scale: A
Lowest on scale: FX
Other main grading systems
Credit system used at all faculties.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2005-2006
Source: IAU from Ministry of
Education, Slovak Republic, September 2005
Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also
Akadémia ozbrojených síl Generála Milana Ratislava Śtefánika, URL: http://www.valm.sk
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