Looking to study in Europe for free? Slovakia is offering fully funded scholarships for international students for the 2026-2027 academic year at top Slovak public universities. These scholarships are for full-time bachelor’s combined bachelor’s and master’s or master’s degree programs at selected public universities in Slovakia for the 2026-2027 academic year. The program targets high-achieving students worldwide for degree programs that contribute to Slovakia’s priority research and innovation areas. This initiative supports academic growth in one of Europe’s safest and most welcoming countries.
Key Points:
- Open to international students & Slovaks abroad
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or combined programs
- Focus on priority fields under SK RIS3 2021+
- 150 spots for Bachelor’s/combined degrees
- 45 spots for Master’s degrees
- Covers tuition, living costs & more
- Study in English-taught degrees in Slovakia in Central Europe
Slovakia Scholarships Overview
| Study In | Slovakia |
| Host Institutions | Slovak Public Universities |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor’s, Joint Bachelor’s & Master’s, Master’s |
| Scholarship Type | Funded |
| Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
Read – International Hungary Scholarships 2026 for Undergraduate, Masters & PhD (Fully Funded)
Slovakia Scholarships Benefits
- Receive up to €15,000 in funding through the Slovak government scholarship 2026-2027, including a €500 monthly stipend.
- Financial support for:
- 3 years (Bachelor’s or Combined programs)
- 2 years (Master’s only)
- Paid Stipend for 10 months/year (September to June).
- European-quality education.
- Opportunity to build global networks.
The One Requirement That Surprises Most Applicants
Before getting into eligibility in full, there’s one requirement worth addressing directly — because it catches applicants off guard more than any other.
Slovakia requires either an SAT score of at least 1,100 or SCIO test results averaging at least the 63rd percentile in two subjects.
That’s it. No IELTS. No TOEFL. No national leaving certificate. One of two standardized tests, and only those two.
The SAT is familiar to most international students — it’s widely administered globally and scores from any sitting are accepted. If you’ve already taken the SAT and scored 1,100 or above, you already have what you need.
The SCIO is less widely known outside Central Europe. It’s a Czech testing organization that administers Mathematics (MAT) and General Study Prerequisites (VŠP) tests. Slovak applicants often use SCIO, but international students typically find the SAT more accessible.
What cannot substitute for these tests:
The Ministry is explicit on this. ACT, AP, GED, PSAT, CLT, EST, and secondary school leaving examinations — including A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate, and national equivalents — cannot replace the SAT or SCIO requirement. There are no exceptions and no alternative pathways.
If you don’t currently hold a qualifying SAT score, registering for the test is the first practical step you need to take.
Full Eligibility Requirements
Beyond the test requirement, applicants must meet the following conditions to be considered:
You are eligible if you:
- Are an international applicant applying from outside Slovakia
- Are applying for a full-time Bachelor’s, joint Bachelor’s and Master’s, or Master’s degree at a participating Slovak university
- Are applying to a program listed on Slovakia’s SK RIS3 2021+ Smart Specialisation list — this is a specific approved list of study fields, not all programs qualify
- Hold a valid passport (non-EU/EEA applicants) or national ID card (EU/EEA/Switzerland applicants)
- Have not had permanent residence in Slovakia between 1 January 2021 and the application deadline
- Submit all required documents before the deadline
Slovaks living abroad may also apply if they meet the official conditions and can provide a Certificate for Slovaks Living Abroad.
One eligibility filter most applicants overlook:
The SK RIS3 Smart Specialisation requirement means not every program at every Slovak university qualifies. Before you build your entire application around a specific course, verify that the program appears on the official SK RIS3 2021+ list. The application system will show eligible programs, but confirming this early saves significant time later.
Required Documents
- Acceptance letter from a Slovak university.
- Valid passport (or national ID for EU/EEA/Swiss applicants).
- English CV.
- English motivation letter (use provided template).
- Certificate with SAT test results (if required).
- Slovak Living Abroad Certificate (if applicable).
- Guardian consent form (for applicants under 18).
- Solemn declaration of permanent residence.
- Solemn declaration of temporary residence.
- Confirmation of exception for language/professional courses.
- Certificate of participation in Erasmus+/ESC/academic mobility.
- Solemn declaration for academic mobility/Erasmus+/European Solidarity Corps.
- Solemn declaration for language/professional prep or RRP Bachelor’s studies.
How to Apply for Slovakia Scholarships 2026-2027
The application process runs entirely through the official Slovak scholarship portal. Here’s how it works.
Step 1 — Create your account and complete your profile
Register on the official portal and sign in. Complete the “My Profile” section with your personal details — full name, passport or ID number, date and place of birth, citizenship, contact information. Make sure everything matches your identity document exactly.
Confirm the GDPR personal data declaration before proceeding.
Step 2 — Select your program and enter your test results
Open the “Applications” section and choose your degree level.
- Bachelor’s applicants select their university, faculty, and study program. You can only apply to one university through this system.
- Master’s applicants may need to provide their Central Register of Students (CRŠ) ID number before selecting their program, depending on their previous studies.
Enter your SAT or SCIO results and upload your official certificate. The system calculates your SCIO average percentile automatically if you took both required tests.
Step 3 — Upload all required documents
Upload your notarized ID document, completed and hand-signed declaration forms, CV, motivation letter, and any additional documents relevant to your situation.
Check every upload before proceeding. Documents must be complete and clearly readable.
Step 4 — Review and submit
Before submitting, verify:
- Personal details match your passport or ID exactly
- University, faculty, and study program are correct
- SAT or SCIO information matches your uploaded certificate
- Every required document is attached and legible
- All declaration forms are hand-signed
Click submit when everything is confirmed.
After submission: You’ll receive a confirmation email and can track your application status through the portal.
Critical: You cannot edit your application or upload additional documents after submission. If you discover an error while the application period is still open, contact technical support through the official portal immediately.
Official Link
What Happens After the Deadline
Once applications close, the Ministry reviews all submissions and verifies documents.
Eligible applicants are ranked by their SAT or SCIO results. Scholarships are awarded based on that ranking, subject to the number of available places.
Results are published on the official portal and sent to successful applicants by email.
To activate the scholarship, selected students must enroll in their chosen eligible program at their Slovak university. The university then initiates the monthly payment process.
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