Scholarships for talented students international students 

The scholarship programme is designed for international students who plan to pursue higher education in Slovakia.

„Want to study abroad? Come to Slovakia – a safe country with great potential to make a career!“

The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic has launched the application process for a scholarship scheme for international students. The scholarship is intended for talented students from abroad who wish to pursue full-time studies at a higher education institution based in Slovakia, in bachelor’s degree programs, combined bachelor’s and master’s programs, or master’s degree programs that fall within the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Slovak Republic (SK RIS3 2021+). The scholarship is open to applicants from all over the world. A successful applicant will be entitled to receive a scholarship up to €15,000. The scholarship is paid out monthly over the first three continuing academic years of the bachelor’s degree programme, combined bachelor’s and master’s degree study programme or two continuing academic years of master’s degree programme in Slovakia, with a payment of €500 per month.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must successfully complete either:

• the SAT test with a minimum score of 1100 points, or
• the SCIO tests in Mathematics and General Study Prerequisites with an average percentile of at least 63.

This scholarship scheme is co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the state budget. The website through which to apply for the scholarship and where you can get more information on the scholarships for talented students from abroad: https://scholarships.portalvs.sk/.

Benefits of being a scholarship holder:

*Access to public health insurance upon request.

*Financial support through the scholarship to help you pursue your goals.

*The opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ or other academic mobility programs, if interested.

*Study programs available in Slovak and foreign languages, some of them tuition-free.

Studies can be carried out at public or private higher education institution, as well as any full-time study programme. To view a list of English-language study programmes offered in Slovakia, please visit the following website: https://www.portalvs.sk/en/studijne-odbory

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• citizenship of a country other than Slovakia, which must be confirmed by an acceptable form of identification (generally a passport; those from countries within the European Union, EEA and Switzerland can use a national ID card). Dual citizenship than includes Slovak and another citizenship is allowed,
• no permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia since January 1st, 2021 until the date of submitting the scholarship application (demonstrated by the applicant's solemn declaration, template is available for download during the application process), with the exception of temporary residence for attending a Slovak language or study preparation course (which must be confirmed by the applicant's university), or with the exception of temporary residence for participating in an activity or programme under the Erasmus+ programme or the European Solidarity Corps  programme (which must be confirmed by a Certificate of Participation), or other academic mobility,
• no prior study at a secondary school or higher education institution in Slovakia, except for academic mobilities. Studies outside of Slovakia are not a contradicting factor for applying for this scholarship,
• for applicants for a scholarship at the bachelor's or combined bachelor's and master's level: admission to a public Slovak HEI for a supported bachelor's study programme or a supported combined bachelor's and master's study programme, with studies taking place in the territory of the Slovak Republic (at the time of submitting the scholarship application, it is sufficient to have applied to a public Slovak HEI). For applicants for a scholarship at the master's level: admission to a public Slovak HEI for a supported master's study programme, with studies taking place in the territory of the Slovak Republic (at the time of submitting the scholarship application, it is sufficient to have applied to a public Slovak HEI),
• full time, in-person study programme,
• the scholarship application must include a structured CV in English and a motivation letter in English (template will be available for download), in which the applicant has to specifically explain their motivation for studying in Slovakia, as well as simply demonstrate their talent characteristics,
• admission to a Slovak higher education institution for a bachelor’s degree programme or joint bachelor’s and master’s deegre study programme, with studies taking place within the Slovak Republic (at the time of applying for this scholarship an application to a Slovak higher education institution will suffice),
• full time, in-person study programme,
• no upper age limit, applicants under the age of 18 will need a hand-signed approval from their legal guardian (template will be available for download).

A complete application must include all necessary attachments, SAT test results and solemn declarations.
Applications can be submitted until 8 September 2026, 23:59 CEST via the official application portal.

More information available at: https://grants.saia.sk/Pages/ProgramDetail.aspx?Program=778; www.scholarships.portalvs.sk

Check the leaflet: Scholarships for talented students and timeline.

Scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic for full Bachelor and Master and PhD degree programmes

• for students from countries eligible for the Official Development Assistance (ODA) - Afghanistan​, Albania, Armenia​, Azerbaijan, ​Belarus, Bosna a Hercegovina​, Cuba​, Ethiopia​, Georgia, India​, Indonesia​, Iraq​, Jordan​, Kazakhstan​, Kenya​, Kosovo (in accordance with the Resolution of UNSC No. 1244/99)​, Kyrgyzstan​, Lebanese Republic​, Moldova​,  Mongolia​, Montenegro​, North Macedonia​, Palestine​, Serbia​, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan​, Tanzania​, Tunisia​, Ukraine​, Uzbekistan​, Vietnam
• The list of eligible countries may vary every year.
• for persons with Slovak Living Abroad status.
• for PhD students from countries eligible for the Official Development Assistance (ODA) - Brasil, Georgia, Sudan​, Kosovo 

Studies can be carried out only at public universities in Slovakia and are held in the Slovak language. The Scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic include a scholarship for a 10-month language preparation course in the case that the applicant has not completed his/her previous education in the Slovak Republic.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 25 May. Applications are submitted online at www.vladnestipendia.sk.
Scholarships are awarded by the Assessment Committee of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

More information available at: www.minedu.sk, www.vladnestipendia.sk.