International students looking to pursue a degree in Europe now have an opportunity to study in Slovakia with substantial financial support. The Government of Slovakia has opened applications for the Slovakia Scholarships for Talented International Students 2027, offering up to €15,000 in funding for selected students enrolling in eligible bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at public universities across the country.
Applications are open for the 2026/2027 academic year and will close on 31 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST. The scholarship programme is available to outstanding students from around the world, including Slovaks living abroad, although doctoral students are not eligible.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship is designed to help students cover their living and study-related expenses while pursuing full-time studies in Slovakia.
Successful bachelor’s and combined bachelor’s/master’s students will receive:
- €500 per month
- Funding for 10 months each academic year
- Support for up to three academic years
- Maximum funding of €15,000
Students admitted to master’s degree programmes will receive:
- €500 per month
- Funding for 10 months per academic year
- Support for up to two academic years
- Maximum funding of €10,000
While the scholarship does not automatically cover tuition fees, many Slovak public universities may waive tuition for scholarship recipients enrolled in eligible foreign-language programmes, subject to each institution’s regulations.
225 Scholarships Available
A total of 225 scholarships will be awarded under the programme:
- 170 scholarships for bachelor’s and combined bachelor’s/master’s students
- 55 scholarships for master’s students
The awards are distributed among public universities located both within the Bratislava region and across other parts of Slovakia.
Eligible Degree Programmes
The scholarship supports full-time, on-campus study at approved public or state higher education institutions in Slovakia.
Eligible programmes include:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
Courses must fall within disciplines identified under Slovakia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (SK RIS3 2021+), including fields such as:
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Natural Sciences
- Digital Innovation
- Healthcare
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Environmental Sciences
- Other nationally prioritized disciplines
Applicants should verify that both their chosen university and programme appear on the official list of eligible courses before applying.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to international applicants worldwide. To qualify, applicants must generally:
- Hold citizenship other than Slovak citizenship (eligible Slovaks living abroad and certain dual nationals may also qualify)
- Have not maintained permanent residence in Slovakia from 1 January 2021 until the application date
- Apply for admission to an eligible Slovak public university
- Enrol in a full-time, in-person programme
- Submit a motivation letter and CV in English
- Meet the admission requirements of the selected university
- Provide a valid SAT or SCIO test result
Bachelor’s Applicants
Applicants should:
- Have completed secondary education outside Slovakia
- Not have previously studied at a Slovak higher education institution, except through an approved academic mobility programme
Master’s Applicants
Applicants are eligible if they:
- Completed a bachelor’s degree outside Slovakia and are enrolling in a Slovak master’s programme for the first time, or
- Recently completed a bachelor’s degree at a Slovak university and are progressing directly into an eligible master’s programme under the scholarship rules
There is no upper age limit. Applicants under 18 years of age must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
SAT or SCIO Test Is Mandatory
Selection is based primarily on standardized test performance rather than academic grades or extracurricular achievements.
Applicants must submit one of the following:
- SAT score of at least 1100, or
- Average percentile of at least 63 in the SCIO Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites tests
Applications that do not meet these minimum requirements will not be considered. Test certificates must be uploaded before the application deadline, and only one testing route may be used.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Slovakia Scholarships for Talented International Students close on:
31 July 2026 (23:59 CEST)
A complete application must include:
- Scholarship application form
- English-language CV
- Motivation letter
- Required declarations
- Valid SAT or SCIO results
Applicants are also encouraged to apply for admission to their chosen Slovak university as early as possible, since scholarship awards are confirmed only after successful university enrolment has been verified.
A Strong Opportunity for International Students
With 225 scholarships, funding of up to €15,000, and access to a growing network of public universities, Slovakia is positioning itself as an attractive destination for talented international students. Those who meet the standardized testing requirements and plan to pursue studies in priority fields can benefit from significant financial support while earning a European degree.
