In Slovakia, medical education is taught in English and the country has a welcoming atmosphere for international students. It has a highly-regarded university system and medical schools that are well-equipped to provide the best possible preparation for your future career.
Slovakia is a central European country with Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic and Ukraine surrounding it.
The country is well known for its great national parks, the highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world, and breathtaking scenery on all sides of this beautiful place.
The capital city of Slovakia is Bratislava, but most people keep Kosice in their minds when they come to visit. This metropolis is situated in the east and is the second-largest city with a whole host of activities to offer to visitors. In 2013 Slovakia was named the Cultural Capital of Europe.
Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004. It is also a part of the Schengen Area, which puts this country on the map as a serious option for students wishing to enrol in higher education.
A degree received by a Slovakian medical university will ensure that it is recognised worldwide, whether it’s in the UK (GMC and GDC), Europe, the United States, Canada, and more.
The degree follows strict European standards of teaching and is recognised by the World Health Organisation. Thanks to its European status, transferring from one medical institution to another becomes much easier with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
All this is done to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for students wishing to apply to Slovakia.
Check out our price breakdown of medical schools in Slovakia
Pavol Jozef Safarik University is located in Kosice, the largest city in Eastern Slovakia. It consists of five faculties, with the Medical one (offering programmes in dentistry and medicine) taught in English and open to international students. Currently, over 7500 students have trusted the university with their future, a good number of which from abroad.
The Jessenius Faculty of Medicine is an accredited medical school located in the charming city of Martin, Slovakia. Officially established in 1969, the faculty is part of the prestigious Comenius University in Bratislava. It is among the most respected medical faculties in the country and offers a range of high-quality medical programmes, including General Medicine in English.
Bratislava's Comenius University is Slovakia's largest, with more than 25,000 students. Founded in 1919, it allows international students to take medical, pharmacy, and dental courses in English. It also allows transfers for existing students who wish to continue their education in a European medical school.
Slovak Medical University was founded in 2002 and currently has four faculties, all dedicated to health and medicine. Its 6-year medical programme is offered entirely in English and intended to prepare its local and international students alike to become fully licensed doctors. This includes not only theoretical pre-med education, but also practise in real world hospitals.
The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy was founded in 1949 in Kosice, the largest city in Eastern Slovakia. It's currently the only Slovakian University that offers veterinary medicine in English, making it perfect for international students who wish to study in Europe. The course lasts for 6 years.
1. Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice was established in 1959, becoming the second university in Slovakia. The university has 5 faculties, one of which is devoted to medicine. Nowadays, this medical school ranks among the top educational and scientific institutions in Europe.
This university offers Medicine and Dentistry courses in English. The M.D. programme lasts 6 years at the cost of annually. Balancing theory and practise, this course will prepare you to be a doctor for sure. The D.M.D. course’s duration is 5 years and costs per year.
The faculty of medicine of this university has student hostels that consist of single, double, and triple rooms. The prices for the rooms vary between and , depending on what kind of room you prefer. Also, the campus has a computer room, shared kitchens, a laundry room, and a study room. However, if you choose not to live on campus, your monthly rent in Kosice will be – per month.
To apply to this university, you will need A grades in your high school certificate and pass an all-in-one biology and chemistry exam.
2. Comenius University is the largest university in Slovakia, founded in 1919. The university has Medical and Pharmacy faculties in Bratislava and one more medical faculty in the city of Martin. The university has more than 25,000 students currently enrolled in different courses.
Here, you can study medicine in English for 6 years. The curriculum is well organised and includes different training activities to develop your medical mind and skills. Dentistry and Pharmacy programmes take 5 years to complete. The annual tuition fees for MD and DMD programmes are . Pharmacy costs per year.
The university offers dormitories for their students in Bratislava, but students in Martin should rent private accommodation. The dorms’ rent per month is between and . In Martin, the monthly rent costs around €400 based on its location.
To apply for this university, you must sit an entrance exam in Biology and Chemistry for 80 minutes. After graduation, you receive an internationally recognised diploma which allows you to practise everywhere around the world.
3. The Jessenius Faculty of Medicine (JFMED CU) is one of the best medical schools in the country and is part of the prestigious Comenius University. The faculty is recognised for providing an exceptional medical education, thanks to its world-class Medicine programme, comprehensive curriculum, and the state-of-the-art Martin University teaching hospital, which is one of the best hospitals in Slovakia. JFMED is located in the historic city of Martin, which is surrounded by a beautiful and calming natural landscape.
The faculty offers an internationally recognised Medicine programme. It lasts 6 years, each of which is split into 2 semesters with 6-week examinations after each one. The annual cost of the course is . The theory and practice in this medical school are in perfect proportion.
The faculty offers two student residences with a secure door entry. The rooms are fully furnished with WiFi, shared kitchens and laundry rooms. The prices are between and according to the type of rooms you choose.
Applying for this university requires passing an entrance exam in biology and chemistry. You will also need a high school diploma.
4. Slovak Medical University is located in the capital and was established in 2002. It is a state college of university type. The university is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools. This medical school offers only a medicine programme.
The M.D. programme lasts 6 years at the annual price of . The course is separated into pre-clinical and clinical years. In the beginning, you will be teaching mostly theory. It will prepare you for the important clinical years when you will meet real doctors and patients in hospitals and clinics.
The university has a campus for the students of the faculty. It consists of double fully furnished rooms with TV, kitchen, PC rooms and modern halls. The accommodation is located nearby the faculty and around 1 km away from the city centre.
5. The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice is the only university in Slovakia that teaches veterinary medicine in English. It was established in 1949. What is more special about this university is that they offer a graduate-entry veterinary pathway.
The undergraduate entry veterinary course lasts 6 years. The cost is annually. To apply for it, you need a high school diploma and pass an online entrance exam in biology and chemistry.
The medical universities in Slovakia require at least one examination as a requirement for entry. The exam tests the applicant’s knowledge of both Biology and Chemistry at a high school level of difficulty. The duration ranges from 80 to 250 minutes, depending on the university. Some institutes offer an online version of the exam.
Moreover, a few universities require an exam in English for their English-speaking programmes. While there is no language exam for the remaining medical institutes, knowledge of English is still mandatory.
Thanks to its geographical location and political affiliations, Slovakia is one of the more financially advantageous countries to study medicine in. The country is a member of the European Union and the Schengen area, and it gets all the respective benefits. However, Slovakia enjoys more affordable living costs as compared to other Schengen members.
The tuition fees in Slovakia are similar to other central European countries of the former Eastern bloc. Medicine and dentistry courses cost around annually. The veterinary course is a bit more affordable at per year.
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There is somewhat greater diversity in living costs in Slovakia as compared to tuition fees. Larger cities like Bratislava and Kosice are generally more expensive with living costs for one person averaging .
A smaller town like Martin, on the other hand, provides much more affordable housing at , depending on the location. The living costs are also lower. Residents of Martin spend around per month on average, without rent.
We at Medlink Students constantly update our information and will upload any news regarding graduate entry medicine.
Until then, you can consider one of the other countries offering graduate entry into medicine in Poland or Georgia.
It is astounding how such a small country as Slovakia can possess so many unique characteristics. The country is a one-of-a-kind mix of Slavic culture, Austro-Hungarian heritage, and Catholic values. This rich blend produces cordial, yet sophisticated people who believe in the dignity of life, work, and family.
While already exceptional, Slovakia is further defined by its mostly mountainous terrain, which provides ample opportunities for sport and recreation. Another powerful point of attraction is the national cuisine - people have changed their citizenship to Slovakian after tasting the bryndzovye halushki.
Here are the main objective reasons why you might consider studying in Slovakia:
There is little about Slovakia in world history, but there is so much of history preserved in Slovakia. It’s impossible to ignore it, even on a casual stroll through the city centre of Bratislava. One can feel like a time traveler while passing Medieval castles, Baroque churches, Neoclassical palaces, rococo ballrooms, and Art Nouveau schools.
Speaking of history, Slovakia has rich traditions in all sorts of outdoor recreations, especially in the mountains. Skiing is available at both Martin and Kosice. Moreover, people enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking in the Tatra Mountains.
Finally, the unique Slovakian folk traditions are a joy to behold and experience. At local Folk Festivals, people can observe the wooden architecture, wear the costumes, and even dance the Odzemok like Juraj Janosik himself three hundred years ago.
In short, life in Slovakia is a lot like a fairy tale - the type with castles, mountain peaks, and a lot of enchantment.
There is much to attract medical students to this lovely European country. The quality education, alluring culture, and attractive geography are but a few of Slovakia’s appealing characteristics.
In terms of finances, the tuition fees are average for medical universities in Europe. Furthermore, the living expenses are lower than in most EU countries or even around the world.
Most importantly, a medical degree from any of the Slovakian universities will open a worldwide door to a dignified medical career.
Do you feel like packing yet?
At this point, there is no graduate entry in Slovakia.
Yes, you have to. All of the Slovakian universities require an entrance exam.
The average price of medical education in Slovakia is €10000 per year.
No. The living costs in Slovakia are between €350 and €750.
Yes. Many medical universities in Slovakia (including every single one that we work with) offer their programmes entirely in English.
It takes six years to become a doctor when studying medicine in Slovakia. The first two years are pre-med theoretical training, the next three are clinical, and the final one involves an internship.
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Slovak Medical University and Comenius University In Bratislava are considered to be the best medical universities in Slovakia.
Yes, several Slovakian medical schools accept transfers for students.
