Education in Slovakia
Other breaks occur a week or two around Christmas and Easter, in spring, autumn and on official holidays.
The state financed education and all textbooks and instructional material below the university level are free (returned at the end of the semester) – in most cases at least.
Students below the university level receive school reports (lists of final marks) at the end of each semester.
Before 1990 this included obligatory exams in mathematics (written nationwide standardized + oral), Slovak incl.
literature (written nationwide standardized + oral) and Russian and in one subject of the students's choice.
After 1990, the system was changed, so that every school prepared its own tests and questions – at gymnasia in the subjects: Slovak incl.
The new system is supposed to replace the current entrance examinations to schools of higher education (colleges) in the future.
literature (written and oral), a foreign language (written and oral), a natural science subject, and two other subjects of the student's choice [Details in Slovak: [1] ] The Slovak term "vysoká škola" ("school of higher education", literally "high school", compare the German name Hochschule), which for lack of other expressions is also translated into English as "college", can refer to all schools of higher (i.e. tertiary) education, or in a narrower sense only to those schools of higher education that are not universities.
The 2002 Act on Schools of Higher Education dinstinguishes public, state, and private schools of higher education (colleges): Studies at the state and public universities is available free of charge when studying in Slovak language.
Furthermore, the foreign high school diploma should be officially recognized through the nostrification process in Slovakia.
This involves submitting the diploma, academic transcripts, and an official Slovak translation to the relevant education authorities.
Once completed, nostrification allows students to enroll in Slovak universities and pursue their studies without any barriers, making it a key step for international applicants.
Since the number of branches of study and of schools of higher education increased considerably in the course of the late 18th century (although at the cost of quality of the studies), the general percentage of those not being accepted to these schools decreased considerably over the same time period.
Also, an increasing number of Slovaks studies abroad, especially in the Czech Republic due to a low language barrier, a slightly better economic situation (and job perspectives) in that country, as well as similarities of the two educational systems.
The teaching process includes various forms of instruction such as lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, projects, practical training, consultations, etc.
The school of higher education determines the total number of credits required for due completion of the study in its respective stages.
Students receive a wide range of discounts and the state pays their health insurance and for social security payments.
The current setup of universities in Slovakia makes it possible for even the poorest to attend if they can afford the first fees for application, the first payment for a dormitory, and the first purchase of study materials.
