Admission to Slovak universities from Kazakhstan: a step-by-step plan for 2027/28

What to know first

Admission from Kazakhstan has five steps: choosing a university and programme, preparing and recognising your certificate, applying, receiving the admission decision, and getting a visa followed by a residence permit. The Unified National Test (ENT) is not required: Slovak universities look at your school certificate, which is first recognised in Slovakia.

Step 1. Choosing a university without entrance exams

We work only with universities that have no entrance exams: the decision is based on your certificate average and documents. For applicants from Kazakhstan this is convenient, because you do not have to travel to Slovakia for in-person tests.

If you are unsure, start with the guide for applicants after 11th grade. Slovak is not required everywhere at the start, but it helps in everyday life.

Step 2. Certificate: apostille, translation, nostrification

Your Kazakh school certificate must be recognised in Slovakia. This is called nostrification; the full explanation is in our nostrification article. Kazakhstan is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so consular legalisation is replaced by an apostille placed on the certificate and the transcript in Kazakhstan.

1. Copies and apostille

   A notarised copy of the certificate and transcript, then the apostille. Start early: it takes from a few days to a few weeks.
2. Official translation

   A sworn translator (úradný preklad) translates the documents into Slovak. An ordinary translation is not accepted.
3. Application to the regional school office

   You apply to the regional office of school administration (RÚŠS) competent for your place of stay, on paper or electronically.
4. Decision

   According to our information the decision takes up to 2 months and the fee for citizens of Kazakhstan is 40 €. The ministry's site may show different amounts depending on how you apply, so confirm before paying.

Step 3. Applying to the university

Most universities accept applications online, and the main bachelor's window is 31 March–30 April (a guideline, check the faculty site). Under the Higher Education Act 300/2025 Coll., each university publishes its own admission terms. Typically you need:

• a completed online application for the chosen programme;
• the certificate with transcript, apostille and translation (or proof that nostrification has been filed);
• a passport copy;
• a language certificate if the programme requires it;
• the application fee if the university charges one.

The full list is in Documents for admission.

Step 4. Visa and residence permit

After a positive university decision you need a national visa for study. It is issued for 120 days and is submitted in person at the consulate; for Kazakhstan this is the Slovak embassy in Astana. The Ministry of the Interior issues its opinion within 30 days, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides within 10 working days. Check the consular fee on the embassy website before applying.

After arrival you apply to the foreign police for temporary residence for study. You must prove the purpose (a letter from the university), accommodation and sufficient means. The calculation is based on the subsistence minimum, which is 295.22 € per month from 1 July 2026. Ask the foreign police for the exact multiplier and amount. More in Student visa and residence permit.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the apostille and translation until spring, when the window is closing.
• Using an ordinary translator instead of a sworn one.
• Picking a university with entrance exams without checking the format, although average-based options exist.
• Ignoring visa and residence permit timing when planning the move.
• Budgeting for tuition only and forgetting housing and living costs: see Dorms and cost of living.

Where to start now

October 2026 is a good time to pick a programme and order the apostille. The 2027/28 terms are still being published, but document preparation does not depend on them. To estimate your overall budget use the cost calculator.

FAQ