University of Prešov

Welcome to the University of Prešov (UNIPO)

Located in Prešov, the third-largest city in Slovakia, a city known for its warm atmosphere, historical architecture, and youthful energy, it provides an inspiring and safe place to live and study.

UNIPO hosts approximately 8,500 students across 8 faculties and 5 specialised university centres. It offers a wide range of accredited bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes, all delivered in a supportive, close-knit academic environment that values innovation and international engagement.

Internationalisation is at the core of UNIPO's mission. Every year, around 1,500 international students choose Prešov as their academic home. The University actively participates in global academic networks and mobility programmes such as Erasmus+, CEEPUS, Fulbright, and the Slovak National Scholarship Programme, supported by over 600 bilateral agreements with partner institutions worldwide.

The University provides a well-rounded student experience:

• Library services offer extensive academic resources and study spaces.
• Student accommodation includes comfortable housing units with 2—4 bedrooms.
• Dining options range from the University canteen to on-campus snack bars.
• Sports and recreation facilities include gyms, a swimming pool, and outdoor stadiums, encouraging an active lifestyle.

Beyond academics, student life is rich and diverse. Join sports clubs, cultural groups, or take part in popular events like the Academic Prešov Festival, UNIPODAY, and UNIPOFEST.

Whether you are looking for academic advancement, cultural enrichment, or a vibrant student life, the University of Prešov offers the perfect gateway to Central Europe.

1. You are not just a number - Many of the study programmes are designed for small groups of students. Teachers can approach you individually and help you with your personal needs and objectives.
2. Quality education, affordable prices - Cost of living and studying in the City of Prešov is affordable. With a little effort, there is no need to worry about not being able to pay the bills.
3. Theory applied in practice - Study programmes at the University usually provide opportunities to participate in practical training or to visit locations relevant to your study field.
4. High quality dormitories - University of Prešov is a leading Slovak university in terms of quality of student accomodation. Most of the dormitories have undergone full reconstruction in recent years.
5. Plenty of extracurricular activities - As a student of the University, you may use the swimming pool, athletic stadium, and library and you may join student clubs, media, or participate in spiritual and psychohygienic activites.
6. The city is calm and green - The University is located in a city with a population under 100,000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by great natural sites and significant historical landmarks, such as castles, historical monuments and national parks.
7. Become part of something new - English study programmes at the University of Prešov are newly implemented. We are interested in your feedback so that we can refine and innovate the programmes continuously and accordingly.
8. Participate in public events - There are many social events you can take part in during your study. Join a sports league, attend a concert or a debate without leaving the University campus. The City of Prešov is a true UNIVERSITY CITY!
9. Study at one of the best HEIs - THe University of Prešov is one of those universities which combines great HEI history going back to the 17th century and modern educational and research facilities. You can be part of its unique story.
10. Study and obtain scholarships - Study hard! If you are in top 10% of all university students based on final grades, you will be awarded a merit scholarship. In addition, Erasmus+ is very strong at the University, so your chances for great scholarships are in your hands.

General Principles

The principal requirement for entering a bachelor’s degree programme (3–4 years of full-time study) or a programme combining 1st and 2nd level (5–6 years of full-time study) is the completion of a full secondary general education or vocational education with a “maturita” – school-leaving examination.

Admission to a follow-up master’s degree programme (2–3 years of full-time study) depends on the completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree programme or its equivalent. Admission to doctoral (PhD) studies depends on the successful completion of a 2nd level degree study programme. Students who would like to study a full study programme should apply directly to the respective HEI.

Students may apply for several study programmes at various HEIs and faculties. The deadline for submitting applications is set by each HEI; usually, it is from end of February to end of May. The date, content, and form (oral or written examination, aptitude test) of the entrance process are decided upon by the respective faculty or HEI. Entrance examinations are usually held between June and September.

Admission of International Students

Admission requirements for international students are, in general, the same as for Slovak nationals. In justified cases, the academic senate of the respective faculty/HEI may appropriately adapt them upon the proposal given by the dean/rector.

International Baccalaureate holders meet the general requirements for admission to HEIs in Slovakia. For the admission process, documents of your previous education must be recognised by the Slovak Republic.

International applicants who do not meet all the requirements for admission may be required to attend preparatory courses, including Slovak language courses (if they wish to study a programme offered in the Slovak language).

Depending on your nationality, you might (or might not) be obliged to apply for a visa before travelling to Slovakia. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and length of your stay. Before submitting your application, we recommend that you contact the territorial competent Slovak embassy/consulate general, which will provide you with detailed and up-to-date information regarding the visa requirements. Before visiting the embassy/consulate in person, we recommend contacting them by telephone or e-mail and arranging an appointment.

Schengen Visa

A Schengen visa (type “C”) is a short-stay visa issued by any country in the Schengen Area. It enables you to enter the territory of Schengen countries for one or several visits, the duration of which cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

National Visa

A national (long-stay) visa (type “D”) can be granted:

• If it is necessary for granting a residence in Slovakia;
• For language education in a language school (the applicant must be at least 15 years old, and the tuition must take at least 25 hours weekly);
• If it is necessary to fulfil Slovakia’s commitments under international treaties;
• If it is for the benefit of the Slovak Republic.

The visa is issued for stays longer than 90 days, for a maximum of one year. If it is issued for granting a residence in Slovakia, it is issued for 90 days. In the case of language education, its validity is limited to 31 July of the respective academic year. If the foreigner is allowed to stay longer than one year, the national visa will be replaced by a temporary residence permit before the day of its expiry. The long-term visa holders are allowed to travel to other Schengen member states (outside the border of the state which issued the visa); however, the number of days spent in those states cannot exceed 90 in any 180-day period.

Temporary Residence

Depending on the activity you are going to pursue in Slovakia and the way it will be carried out, you may apply for one of the several types of temporary residence:

• temporary residence for the purpose of studies,
• temporary residence for the purpose of special activity,
• temporary residence for the purpose of research and development.

You must apply in person at the Slovak embassy/consulate competent for your home country/country of residence or at a Foreign Police department in Slovakia. Your application will be accepted at the Foreign Police in Slovakia only if you are:

• granted an EU residence permit,
• granted a tolerated residence,
• holder of a national visa (see section “National Visa”),
• a third-country national who does not need a visa to enter, or
• Slovak living abroad.

Usually, it is necessary to submit a complete application with all the requested attachments, otherwise, it will not be accepted. If the embassy or the police department refuses to accept your application, they will notify you in writing of the documents you need to enclose so that it can be accepted.

Once your temporary residence is granted, the police department will send you a written notice thereof, stating the effective and expiry date of your residence. The time validity of a travel document is not regarded when deciding on the duration of a granted temporary residence, but it is taken into account when the residence card is issued. It is issued for a period of 90 days shorter than the expiry date of your travel document.

You must file the application for the renewal of a temporary residence permit in person at the Foreign Police department, using an official form, no later than the last day of the current temporary residence validity. Your temporary residence is deemed valid in the territory of Slovakia even after its expiration until the decision on the application for renewal is made.