Study in Slovakia

An EU and euro country in the centre of Europe, with free study in Slovak and affordable English-taught degrees.

Study levels: Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Medicine
EU / Schengen: Member of both; uses the euro
Institutions: 20 public, 3 state and 10 private
PAL office: Our European office is in Bratislava

Why students choose Slovakia

Slovakia is in the EU, the Schengen area and the eurozone. Bratislava is an hour from Vienna and two and a half hours from Budapest, and living costs are well below the European average.

Full-time study in Slovak is free at public universities for students of every nationality. English-taught programmes in medicine, engineering, economics and IT are paid, and some of them cost less than anywhere else in the EU.

Things to consider

Most degrees are taught in Slovak. If you want to study for free, plan for a Slovak language year first.
Medical faculties hold their own biology and chemistry exams and close applications early, often by the end of February.
PAL's European office is in Bratislava, so we can help you in person once you arrive.

Student cities

Bratislava
Košice
Nitra
Žilina

What it costs to live in Slovakia

Monthly budget: About €260 in a regional dormitory; €470–660 in Bratislava
University dormitory: €55–130 Nitra, €72–286 Bratislava, €63–370 Košice a month
Room in a shared flat: €220–370 a month in Bratislava
Food: Canteen meals €2.50–5 after the student subsidy
Transport: €20.25 for a 30-day student pass in Bratislava
Health insurance: From about €32 a month until you work

Study in Slovak is free at public universities for every nationality. English-taught degrees are paid.
Non-EU students apply for temporary residence for study. The application itself is free; since 15 July 2026 the police can take up to 90 days to decide, so apply early. The Slovak Foreign Ministry's online registration (regvis.mzv.sk) shows how your embassy handles appointments.
Students with this permit may work up to 80 hours a month.

Sources: Portal VŠ · IOM Migration Information Centre

Universities in Slovakia

Tap a university to see its English programmes, estimated tuition and intake. Fees are per year unless a semester is shown, for non-EU students, and change every year, so PAL confirms the current figure before you apply.

Public universities (10)

Comenius University Bratislava€0–14,500 a yearBratislava, Martin · Univerzita Komenského
Slovakia's oldest (1919) and highest-ranked university (QS 2027: 662), with 13 faculties including two medical faculties.
Taught in English
General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Management, Law, Psychology, Biochemistry, Physics and Computing (master's)
Estimated tuition
€0–14,500 a year
Some English programmes are free (e.g. Biological Chemistry); most start at €1,500
Dentistry €14,500 a year (2026/27)
Application fee €15–99 by faculty
Dormitory €72–174 a month
Intake
September. Medicine closes at the end of February.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Comenius University: study. Checked October 2026.
Slovak University of Technology (STU)€2,000–4,000 a yearBratislava, Trnava · Slovenská technická univerzita
Slovakia's leading technical university, with roots in the 1762 Mining Academy; QS 2027: 951–1000.
Taught in English
Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Management
Estimated tuition
€2,000–4,000 a year
Electrical engineering bachelor's €2,000; informatics (FIIT) €4,000 (2026/27)
Application fee €60 for English programmes
Dormitory €70–150 a month
Intake
September. Most faculties close March–May; Architecture closes 30 November for the next year.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: STU: fees. Checked October 2026.
Bratislava University of Economics and Business (EUBA)Free within the standard length (2026/27)Bratislava, Košice · Ekonomická univerzita v Bratislave
Slovakia's economics university since 1940, AACSB-accredited, with seven faculties.
Taught in English
Applied Economics, Finance, Business Management, General Management, Economic Diplomacy, Marketing, Tourism
Estimated tuition
Free within the standard length (2026/27)
€1,500 (bachelor's) or €2,500 (master's) a year only if you study longer than the standard length
Application fee about €90; online test for bachelor's
Dormitory €85–160 a month
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: EUBA: fees 2026/27. Checked October 2026.
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (UPJŠ)€3,000–13,500 a yearKošice · Univerzita P. J. Šafárika
A research university in eastern Slovakia, best known for its medical faculty (since 1949).
Taught in English
General Medicine, Dentistry, science programmes, Law, Psychology, European Public Administration
Estimated tuition
€3,000–13,500 a year
General Medicine €10,500–13,000 a year (sources differ; we confirm the current rate)
Some programmes admit on school results without an exam
Dormitory €63–67 a month, among the cheapest in Slovakia
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: UPJŠ: admissions. Checked October 2026.
Technical University of Košice (TUKE)€5,000 a year (bachelor's)Košice · Technická univerzita v Košiciach
Eastern Slovakia's main technical university: engineering, IT, aviation and metallurgy, with lower living costs than the capital.
Taught in English
Intelligent Systems, Computer Networks, Manufacturing, Architectural Engineering, Finance and Banking
Estimated tuition
€5,000 a year (bachelor's)
Master's €6,000, doctorate €7,000 a year
Application fee €50 online
Dormitory €75–370 a month
Intake
September. Economics bachelor's closed 30 June for 2026/27.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: TUKE: tuition and fees. Checked October 2026.
University of Žilina (UNIZA)About €3,500 a yearŽilina · Žilinská univerzita v Žiline
A technical university known for transport, engineering, IT and security studies.
Taught in English
Selected engineering, transport and informatics master's and doctoral programmes
Estimated tuition
About €3,500 a year
Dormitory €59–71 a month
Bachelor's applications close 31 March, master's 30 April (2026/27)
Intake
September.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: UNIZA: fees. Checked October 2026.
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SPU)€3,000 a year (bachelor's)Nitra · Slovenská poľnohospodárska univerzita
Founded 1952, focused on agriculture, food, economics and rural development; one of the cheapest places to live.
Taught in English
International Master of Horticulture Science, Agricultural Trade, Economics and Business Management, Rural Development
Estimated tuition
€3,000 a year (bachelor's)
Master's €1,200–2,200 a year
Slovak-taught study needs only A2 Slovak
Dormitory from €55 a month
Intake
September. First round closes 30 April.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: SPU Nitra. Checked October 2026.
University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVLF)€8,950 a year (veterinary medicine)Košice · Univerzita veterinárskeho lekárstva a farmácie
Slovakia's only veterinary university (1949), teaching veterinary medicine, pharmacy and food hygiene in English.
Taught in English
General Veterinary Medicine (6 years), Animal Science, Veterinary Nurse, PhD
Estimated tuition
€8,950 a year (veterinary medicine)
Animal Science and Veterinary Nurse €5,500 a year
Doctorate €5,000 a year; application fee €40
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: UVLF: payments and fees. Checked October 2026.
Slovak Medical University (SZU)€10,000 a yearBratislava · Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita
A state university for medicine and the health professions, run under the Ministry of Health.
Taught in English
General Medicine
Estimated tuition
€10,000 a year
Biology and chemistry entrance exam
Dormitory about €135 a month
Intake
September. Medicine closes early in the year.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: SZU: fees for English students. Checked October 2026.
Constantine the Philosopher University (UKF)Ask PAL for this year's feeNitra · Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa
A comprehensive university founded in 1959, strong in education, humanities and Central European studies.
Taught in English
English Language in Professional Communication (MA), Management of Regional Tourism (MA), English Studies (PhD)
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
The university does not publish English fees online
Dormitory €69–138 a month
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: UKF Nitra. Checked October 2026.

Private universities (10)

Slovakia has only 10 private higher education institutions (Portal VŠ, 2026), so all of them are listed. Several foreign universities are also licensed to teach in Bratislava, including AMBIS, NEWTON and University College Prague; their entries are under the Czech Republic.

Pan-European University€2,290–2,899 a year (Slovak-taught)Bratislava · Paneurópska vysoká škola
Founded in 2004 as the first private law school in Slovakia; now teaches law, economics, psychology, media and informatics.
Taught in English
International Business; PhD study in English
Estimated tuition
€2,290–2,899 a year (Slovak-taught)
English-taught study costs about twice the Slovak rate; PhD in English €5,190
Application fee €33
No entrance exam for several programmes
Intake
September. Applications in rounds up to 15 September.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: PEVŠ: fees 2026/27. Checked October 2026.
Bratislava University of Economics and Management (VŠEMvs)€4,690 a year (non-EU bachelor's)Bratislava · Vysoká škola ekonómie a manažmentu
A private business school teaching economics, management and public administration, with English bachelor's and master's tracks.
Taught in English
Economics and Management (bachelor's and master's)
Estimated tuition
€4,690 a year (non-EU bachelor's)
Master's €5,890 a year for non-EU students
One-off €1,000 admin fee if you do not yet hold Slovak residence
Rates shown are 2024/25; we confirm this year's
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: VŠEMvs: tuition. Checked October 2026.
School of Management / City University of SeattleAbout €2,800–3,400 a yearBratislava, Trenčín · Vysoká škola manažmentu (VŠM)
Teaches US-accredited City University of Seattle degrees in English, with a double Slovak Mgr. + American MBA option.
Taught in English
BS in Business Administration, MBA, Mgr./MBA double degree
Estimated tuition
About €2,800–3,400 a year
Application fee €50
MBA charged per module (about €695)
Fee range is an estimate from education portals
Intake
Several starts a year (trimesters).
Apply Ask about this university
Source: VŠM: academic programmes. Checked October 2026.
Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts (BISLA)€8,500 a year (non-EU)Bratislava · Bratislavská medzinárodná škola liberálnych štúdií
A small liberal arts college in Bratislava's historic centre, taught fully in English with small seminar groups.
Taught in English
Liberal Arts BA (Political Science: International Relations, Central European Studies, Political Thought)
Estimated tuition
€8,500 a year (non-EU)
EU students €2,200 a year (2026/27)
No application fee
Housing near campus about €600 a month
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: BISLA: tuition fee. Checked October 2026.
St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social WorkAsk PAL for this year's feeBratislava · VŠ zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety
A private health and social care university with centres across Slovakia.
Taught in English
Nursing and Public Health are listed with English teaching
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Also teaches social work, emergency care, psychology and dental technology in Slovak
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: St. Elizabeth University. Checked October 2026.
Danubius UniversityAsk PAL for this year's feeSládkovičovo · Vysoká škola Danubius
A private university near Bratislava teaching law, public policy, social work and psychology.
Taught in English
Mainly Slovak-taught
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Good option for students who plan to learn Slovak
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Portal VŠ. Checked October 2026.
DTI UniversityAsk PAL for this year's feeDubnica nad Váhom · Vysoká škola DTI
A private university in western Slovakia focused on technology, teacher education and management, with flexible study formats.
Taught in English
Mainly Slovak-taught
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Fees are charged per semester
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Portal VŠ. Checked October 2026.
University of Technology and Economics in PrešovAsk PAL for this year's feePrešov · Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická v Prešove
Formerly ISM Slovakia, a business school in eastern Slovakia with international management programmes.
Taught in English
Ask PAL which programmes run in English this year
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Portal VŠ. Checked October 2026.
Security Management College in Košice (VŠBM)Ask PAL for this year's feeKošice · Vysoká škola bezpečnostného manažérstva
A private college (2006) teaching security, crisis, transport and cyber security management.
Taught in English
Mainly Slovak-taught
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Portal VŠ. Checked October 2026.
Ján Albrecht Music and Arts AcademyAsk PAL for this year's feeBanská Štiavnica · Hudobná a umelecká akadémia Jána Albrechta
A small professional academy for music and the arts in the historic mining town of Banská Štiavnica.
Taught in English
Mainly Slovak-taught; admission by talent exam
Estimated tuition
Ask PAL for this year's fee
Intake
September. Deadlines differ by programme; PAL confirms them for you.
Apply Ask about this university
Source: Portal VŠ. Checked October 2026.

Figures on this page are dated where a year is shown. Fees, entry requirements and visa rules change, so confirm the current details with a PAL counsellor before you decide.

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