Check out this Slovak government scholarship for international students

Slovakia is home to sweeping landscapes, deep valleys and winding rivers. It has evolved as a self-assured, autonomous nation more than a quarter-century after Czechoslovakia’s disintegration. Bratislava, the capital city, attracts visitors with its beautiful old town and tankard-clanking drinking culture. 

Slovakia is incredibly beautiful. A testament to this fact is the country’s nine national parks and 14 protected landscape areas. It boasts an amazing number of UNESCO-recognised historic monuments in addition to its remarkable collection of castles and châteaux. There is much for history and culture enthusiasts to explore, from the mediaeval town of Banská Štiavnica to the country’s wooden churches and natural caverns.

Besides its natural scenery and storied history, international students fall in love with Slovakia for its friendly people, culture, and traditions — right in the heart of Europe. Another reason is its education system. 

Although the official language of Slovakia is Slovak (similar to other Slavic languages like Russian, Polish and Czech), English is widely spoken and easily understood. It also owns a well-deserved reputation for being affordable. Slovakia is the seventh-cheapest country within the European Union (EU), falling in behind the likes of Bulgaria, Romania, or Hungary.

Although the official language of Slovakia is Slovak, English is widely spoken and easily understood. Vladimir Simicek / AFP

International students generally pay between 1,000 euros and 5,000 euros per year for an undergraduate degree. Postgraduate degrees for international students can cost up to 12,200 euros per year. Teaching includes various forms of instruction such as lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, projects, practical training, consultations, etc. Programmes in Slovakia are delivered full-time or part-time and can be pursued on campus or by enrolling in a distance study programme, or a combined method of learning.

For those who don’t have the financial privilege of funding an education themselves, there’s good news. Slovak government scholarships have long been a part of the country’s official development assistance, which itself is a programme and project activity of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs within the international community. 

The Slovak government scholarship applies for all degrees including Applied Science; Art and Humanities; Business and Law; Education and Languages; Engineering; Medicine; Natural Science; Social Science and more. The level of study includes bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD. It also covers food, accommodation and travel allowance (air tickets). The scholarship covers 400 euros monthly for university students of the second level of higher education and 734 euros for PhD students.

These are the eligibility requirements for the Slovak government scholarship:

• students at universities outside Slovakia;
• students of the second level of higher education, or are students who at the time of application deadline have already completed at least 2.5 years of their university studies
• those on a study stay in Slovakia during their higher education outside Slovakia
• accepted by a public, private or state university in Slovakia for academic mobility to study in Slovakia.

For more info on how to apply for this scholarship, click here.