FAQ: Academic Recognition (Further Studies/Other Purposes)
Frequently Asked Questions at the Centre for Recognition of Diplomas
(recognition for further studies and other purposes)
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I completed education abroad and would like to continue my studies in Slovakia / I do not wish to pursue a regulated profession but still would like to have my education recognized. How should I proceed?
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What are the fees for the recognition for further studies and other purposes?
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I study in Slovakia and I am planning to spend a part of my studies abroad. What should I do before I leave?
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Will the study term abroad be recognized by my Slovak secondary or higher education institution?
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I spent part of my studies at a primary or secondary school abroad, what should I do when I return? / Do I have to undergo a differential exam each academic year?
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What differential exams must I undergo after my return from abroad?
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Will my upper secondary certificate from abroad be recognized in Slovakia?
Candidates for studies at a higher education institution in Slovakia must have their foreign studies recognized for further studies in the process of academic recognition. The same process may be used by persons who pursue non-regulated professions or would like to have their studies recognized for other reasons in Slovakia.
Recognition of secondary (lower and upper) education is performed by Regional school administration offices in the regions. Uznávanie zahraničného základného a stredného vzdelania vykonávajú regionálne úrady školskej správy v krajských mestách SR.
Recognition of higher education is performed by:
- Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth – recognition of level of higher education (without study field)
- higher education institution in Slovakia that offers same or similar study programme – recognition of diploma including the study field
Regardless of the body that decides (Ministry, higher education institution or Regional school administration office) or what academic recognition process, the application fee according to the Act no. 145/1995 Coll. on administrative fees is:
- 7 EUR if the qualification falls under an international agreement on mutual recognition with the country, where the qualification was obtained
- 40 EUR if no international agreement applies
If there is an option to choose elective subjects, it is recommended to set the study plan to include at least 6 academic subjects, both of scientific and humanistic. In case your school in Slovakia is vocational, you should try to include vocational subjects as well.
Due to the responsibility of evidence of pupils who fulfil the mandatory school attendance as well as for their own safety, there is a mandatory submission of a confirmation of attendance of the school abroad that should include the name and address of the school to the director of the school in Slovakia. In case the studies abroad take longer than one year, this documents is resubmitted each academic year, before September 15.
If you studied at a recognized secondary or higher education institution, the term may be recognized after the comparison of the study plans. The subjects for differential examinations are decided by the director of the secondary school or by the higher education institution in Slovakia.
For the recognition of partial studies at a primary or secondary school abroad, it is necessary to apply to the director of the school in Slovakia, who will compare the study plans and decide on the subjects for the differential examinations. Decision on the study year, in which the pupil or student will be enrolled after the stay abroad is according to Act no. 245/2008 Coll. the competence of the school director. In case transfer of marks or grades is necessary, there is a manual for grade transfers available on the website of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. The Ministry no longer issues individual grade transfers.
The differential examinations may be conducted based on the application by the legal guardian or the (adult) student. In the application, the legal guardian or student states the study years, for which the differential examinations should be taken.
Student who applied for differential examination will undergo the examination. The date, content and scope of the examination is decided by the school director, at least 15 days before the date of the examination. Based on the result of differential examination, the school shall issue a certificate to the student.
Student who did not apply for differential examination, will undergo the examination once the study abroad is completed (after return to Slovakia). According to the result of the differential examination, the school director will decide on the study year in which the student will be enrolled.
Differential examinations on primary and secondary schools are prescribed
- by the director of the school in Slovakia, in case of partial studies abroad
- Regional School Administration office in case the primary or secondary schools were completed abroad.
Slovak language and literature examination is not mandatory by recognition process at the Regional School Administration office, if the studies were completed abroad and final qualification was issued.
In case of higher education institution, the differential examinations are prescribed by the university or college in Slovakia that offers same or similar study programme.
Recognition of upper secondary school certificate that allows access to higher education in Slovakia is the competence or the Regional School Administration Office, who may, in case of substantial difference, also prescribe differential examinations.