Education System in Slovak Republic

Primary	Basic School First Stage	1–4	6–10	4	Basic School First Stage (základná škola). Compulsory education from age 6 to 15
Middle	Basic School Second Stage	5–9	10–15	5	Basic School Second Stage (základná škola)
Secondary	General Secondary (Gymnázium)		15–19	4	Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Secondary	General Secondary (Gymnázium)		10–18	8	School Leaving Certificate
Secondary	Specialized Secondary (stredná odborná škola)		15–19	4	Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Secondary	Vocational Secondary School (stredné odborné učilište)		15–19	4	Učňovský list (Certificate of Apprenticeship) vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (School Leaving Certificate)
Secondary	Conservatoire (konzervatórium)		15–21	6	Absolutórium, Vocational education
Secondary	Apprentice Training Centre (odborné učilište)		14–17	3	Certificate of Apprenticeship (učňovský list)
Vocational	Conservatoire		15–23	8	Conservatoire (Dance) (konzervatórium (tanec) Absolutórium, Vocational education
Tertiary	Master studies (Magisterské, Inžinierske, Doktorské štúdium)			5	Defrees: Magister, Magister umenia, Inžinier, Inžinier-architekt, Doktor Veterinárskej Medicíny, Doktor všeobecného lekárstva, Doktor zubného lekárstva, from 5 to 6.5 years in different fields.
Tertiary	Doctor of the Sciences (Doktor vied)				Doctor of the Sciences (DrSc) is awarded to outstanding researchers after the thesis defense and considering contribution to scientific and research work.
Tertiary	Bachelor			3–4	Bachelor studies (Bakalárske štúdium) Graduates are granted Certificates and awarded the "Bakalár" degree. Length of study - 3 to 4 years.
Tertiary	Master			1–3
Tertiary	Doctorate (PhD)			3–5	PhD studies (Doktorandské štúdium) Philosofiae Doctor ( "PhD") or Artis Doctor ("ArtD) in the fields of Art, "licenciát teológie" (ThLic) or "doktor teológie" (ThDr) in Catholic Theology. Before 1997: Kandidát Vied ( "CSc")

Primary Education

Education is mandatory in Slovakia from ages 6 to15. The 1^st period of the foundation phase is taken at primary school over a period of 4 years. Here children learn to read and write and do their basic sums.

Middle Education

The 2^nd part of the foundation phase takes place at middle schools known as základná škola Ii. stupeň, where the standardized curriculum continues to be academic for the entire 4 year period. Young people armed with their basic 8 year education are now free to go out to work as many do, or stay on at school to improve their prospects further.

Secondary Education

There are two main kinds of secondary schools in Slovakia, namely general and specialized institutions. The former continue with the general academic curriculum for a further 4 years leading to a secondary school leaving certificate. The latter provide more specific education of a technical, economic, agricultural, health-care or artistic nature. Their students also qualify with a secondary school leaving certificate after completing 4 years.

Vocational Education

Alternative vocational education is available at vocational secondary schools known as stredné odborné učilište that award apprenticeship certificates after 4 years of training, as well as other forms of professional training.

Tertiary Education

Slovakia Education There are a variety of universities and other places of higher learning in Slovakia. The largest of these in Comenius University in Bratislava that is illustrated here.

It was founded in 1919 shortly after the establishment of Czechoslovakia as an independent state, and has more than 30,000 students and over 2,000 faculty members. Faculties include medicine, pharmacy, law, philosophy, natural sciences, mathematics physics & informatics, physical education & sport, education, management, evangelical theology, and roman catholic theology.

Resources:

Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic