Slovakia may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about studying in Europe. But it should be. This small Central European nation offers a range of fully funded government scholarships for international students, covering tuition, monthly living allowances, accommodation support, and even travel costs. And the best part? Students from almost every country in the world are eligible. If you have ever dreamed of studying in Europe without the stress of high tuition fees, Slovakia's scholarship programs deserve a serious look. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the types of scholarships available and their financial benefits to the required documents and step-by-step application procedure.

Why Study in Slovakia?

Slovakia is a member of the European Union, the Schengen Area, the Eurozone, NATO, and the OECD. It is a stable, modern country with over 30 public universities offering programs in English and other languages. Living costs in Slovakia are relatively low compared to Western Europe, which makes it an attractive destination for international students on a budget. Beyond academics, Slovakia offers a rich cultural experience — medieval castles, mountain landscapes, and a welcoming academic community. And with government-backed scholarships reducing the financial burden to almost zero, it is one of the most practical destinations for students from developing countries.

Types of Slovakia Scholarships for International Students

There are two main scholarship programs you should know about:

1. Government Scholarships of the Slovak Republic (ODA Scholarships)

This program is funded by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic. It is part of Slovakia's official development cooperation strategy and is designed for students from ODA (Official Development Assistance) priority countries.

Each year, the Slovak government allocates around 70 scholarships for students from ODA-eligible countries to pursue full-time bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees at public Slovak universities.

• Level of Study: Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD

• Duration: Standard program lengths (Bachelor's: 3–4 years; Master's: 1–2 years; PhD: up to 4 years)

• Number of Awards: Approximately 70 scholarships per year

• Application Period 2026/2027: March 23, 2026 – May 25, 2026

• Age Requirements: 18–26 years for Bachelor's/Master's; 23–35 years for PhD (by September 1)

The fields of study are tailored to the development priorities of each partner country, ranging from agriculture and environmental sciences to information technology and public policy. The number of scholarships allocated per country varies; you can download the official country-wise list from the ministry's website.

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2. National Scholarship Programme (NSP) of the Slovak Republic

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) is financed by the Ministry of Education from the Slovak state budget and is administered by SAIA (Slovak Academic Information Agency). Unlike the ODA scholarships, the NSP is open to students from all countries in the world (except Slovakia) and supports short-term mobility stays rather than full-degree programs.

The NSP supports the following categories of applicants:

• Master's students enrolled at a university outside Slovakia

• PhD students pursuing studies or research outside Slovakia

• University teachers, researchers, and artists without a PhD degree

• Duration (Students): 1–2 full semesters (4–10 months)

• Duration (PhD students): 1–10 months

• Duration (University Teachers/Researchers/Artists): 1–10 months

• Application Deadlines (2026): April 30, 2026 (Round 1); October 31, 2026 (Round 2)

3. €15,000 Scholarship for International Students

This program is funded by the Ministry of Education

Run by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic

Funded byEU Structural Funds (ESIF) + Slovak state budget

Eligible levels: Bachelor's, combined Bachelor's + Master's, Master's (not PhD)

Monthly payment: €500 for 10 months/year (Sept–June)

Duration: 3 years (bachelor's/combined) or 2 years (master's)

Slots/year: 150 (bachelor's level) + 45 (master's level)

2026/27 status: Application window opening soon for 2026/2027

Slovakia Scholarship 2026/2027: Up to €15,000 for International Students

Eligibility Requirements

For ODA Government Scholarships:

• Citizenship of an ODA-eligible country (not Slovakia)

• Age: 18–26 for Bachelor's/Master's; 23–35 for PhD (by September 1 of the scholarship year)

• Academic excellence and motivation to contribute to your home country's development

• Preparedness for Slovak-language study (a 10-month language preparation course is provided if needed)

• Meet entry requirements of the chosen Slovak university

For the National Scholarship Programme (NSP):

• Citizenship of any country except Slovakia

• Enrolled in or accepted by a Slovak university for the study/research period

• Master's students must have completed at least 2.5 years of university studies in the same or similar program

• Acceptance/invitation letter from the Slovak host institution (must not be older than 3 months at the time of application)

• Re-applicants must have a gap of at least 2 years since their last NSP scholarship

For the talented international scholarship

• Citizenship: Any country except Slovakia.

• Age: There is no upper age limit. Applicants under 18 must submit a signed approval from their legal guardian.

• Residency: You must not have had permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia since 2020 up to the time of submitting your scholarship application.

• Academic Level: Applicants for bachelor's and combined bachelor's/master's programs apply directly from their home country. Master's-level applicants must hold a bachelor's degree.

• Admission: At the time of application, it is enough to have applied to a Slovak public HEI — you do not need a confirmed admission letter yet. However, you must be admitted before the scholarship is officially awarded.

• SAT Score: Applicants must take the SAT test and achieve a minimum score of 1,100.

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Required Documents

Prepare these documents before you begin your application:

For All Applicants:

• Valid passport (notarised copy); EU/EEA/Swiss nationals may use national ID

• Birth certificate (in English, Slovak, French, Czech, or Spanish)

• Recent photograph (3.5×4.5 cm, full face, no glasses, minimum 300×400 px resolution)

• Motivation letter explaining your reasons for studying in Slovakia, your chosen field, and your future plans (signed)

• Transcript of records (for Master's/PhD applicants) or secondary school results (for Bachelor's applicants)

For Bachelor's Applicants:

• School leaving certificate / high school diploma (authenticated by state authority if obtained outside Slovakia; certified translation into English, Slovak, Czech, French, or Spanish required)

For Master's Applicants:

• Bachelor's diploma and diploma supplement

• State examination certificate (if applicable)

• Confirmation of enrolment from home university

For PhD Applicants:

• Bachelor's and Master's diplomas with supplements

• Acceptance/invitation letter from the Slovak host institution indicating the period and nature of the research stay

• List of publications or bibliographical details of publication activities (optional but recommended)

• Detailed research programme for the stay

How to apply: Check major website to apply

For Government (ODA) Scholarships

For the National Scholarship Programme (NSP)

For €15,000 Talented Students Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can students from any country apply for Slovakia's government scholarships?

For the Government (ODA) scholarships, only students from ODA-eligible countries are eligible.

Q2. Do I need to know the Slovak language to apply?

For the ODA Government Scholarships, academic programs are typically conducted in Slovak, so language proficiency matters. However, if you do not speak Slovak, you are not immediately disqualified; a 10-month Slovak language preparatory course is provided to help you get ready before starting your degree. For the NSP (short stays), academic programs may be available in English, depending on your host institution.

Q3. Is Slovakia's scholarship a full scholarship? What exactly does it cover?

Yes, these programs are considered fully funded.

Apply on official website link provided below or in the post.