Top colleges and grammar schools in Slovakia
for international students after 9th grade
Below is a selection of colleges and grammar schools in Slovakia that international students most often choose after 9th grade: a state grammar school with an IB programme, a private business college, and colleges of gastronomy, healthcare and hairdressing. Study at state colleges is tuition-free in Slovak and most schools have a dormitory; Smart Study Slovakia handles school selection, documents and the visa for a minor as part of turnkey admission.
Jur Hronec
Grammar School
Jur Hronec Grammar School (Gymnázium Jura Hronca) is a large state grammar school in Bratislava offering both Slovak and international education. The school is known for its high academic standards, strong language programmes and its status as an official IB World School — an accredited school running International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Studies are built on modern international standards, and graduates go on to universities both in Slovakia and abroad.
Programmes of Gymnázium Jura Hronca
4-year grammar school programme (4-ročné gymnázium)
The classic grammar school programme for pupils entering after 9th grade of primary school (at around 14–15 years old). Studies focus on broad academic preparation: Slovak language and literature, mathematics, foreign languages, natural and social sciences. The programme ends with the state school-leaving examination (maturita) and prepares graduates for admission to Slovak and European universities.
5-year bilingual English programme (English–Slovak)
A five-year programme for pupils entering after 9th grade that combines the Slovak curriculum with intensive English. The first year focuses on language preparation, after which a large part of the subjects is taught in English. The programme ends with a bilingual maturita and is a great choice for students who want to study in English while gaining a fully recognised Slovak school-leaving certificate.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP)
A two-year international programme for students aged 16–19 that fully meets International Baccalaureate standards. Studies are conducted mainly in English and include six subjects, the Theory of Knowledge course, an independent research project (Extended Essay) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). The IB Diploma is recognised by universities worldwide and is considered one of the most prestigious school qualifications for admission to international universities.
Diplomas and school-leaving qualifications
Graduates of the Slovak programmes (8-, 4- and 5-year) receive a Slovak secondary school certificate with maturita, recognised across the EU. Graduates of the IB Diploma Programme receive the international IB Diploma, accepted by universities in Europe, the UK, the USA, Canada and other countries around the world — often with preferential admission conditions.
Private Secondary Vocational School of Business in Senica
SSOŠP (Súkromná stredná odborná škola podnikania) was founded in 1999 and for over 20 years has been preparing graduates with practical skills and a maturita diploma, allowing them to continue on to university or go straight into the job market. The school focuses on an individual approach to every student and modern digital training, as well as developing personal and professional competencies.
Programmes of SSOŠP Senica college
The school offers two main 4-year programmes, both ending with a maturita (secondary school diploma) recognised in Slovakia and across the EU:
Economic and Administrative Services in Business
A specialised programme for students interested in economics, entrepreneurship, finance and administration. Students study subjects such as economics, accounting, management, marketing and the basics of law. The programme provides a solid foundation for office and corporate work, as well as for starting and running your own business. Options include dual education with practical training in real companies.
💡 What you gain: business communication skills, business process management, entrepreneurship basics and preparation for careers in economics.
💡 What you gain: business communication skills, business process management, entrepreneurship basics and preparation for careers in economics.
Information and Digital Technologies
This programme is designed for students who want to build IT skills — from programming and robotics to web development, computer graphics and multimedia software. The focus is on practical skills, and the curriculum covers modern technologies and applications in demand on the job market. The school has several modern computer classrooms and a dedicated CISCO lab for network technology training.
💡 What you gain: programming skills, hands-on experience with digital technologies, core IT competencies and practical preparation for a career in the digital sector or further study at university.
💡 What you gain: programming skills, hands-on experience with digital technologies, core IT competencies and practical preparation for a career in the digital sector or further study at university.
Why choose SSOŠP Senica?
✅ Individual approach and a friendly atmosphere: the school emphasises mutual respect and support for every student, and teachers work closely with them.
✅ Modern technical facilities: digital labs and equipment for hands-on IT training.
✅ International and practical focus: training includes practical projects, competitions, business simulations and the opportunity to continue studying abroad.
✅ Focus on personal development: the school offers extra clubs (3D modelling, graphic design, English, music and more) and events (excursions, student activities).
✅ Modern technical facilities: digital labs and equipment for hands-on IT training.
✅ International and practical focus: training includes practical projects, competitions, business simulations and the opportunity to continue studying abroad.
✅ Focus on personal development: the school offers extra clubs (3D modelling, graphic design, English, music and more) and events (excursions, student activities).
Secondary Vocational School of Gastronomy and Hotel Services
The Secondary Vocational School of Gastronomy and Hotel Services (Stredná odborná škola gastronómie a hotelových služieb) is a state secondary vocational school in Bratislava specialising in training for gastronomy, hospitality, culinary arts and the food industry. It offers practical and theoretical programmes that combine classroom learning with real professional practice, working closely with industry businesses and providing modern learning facilities.
Programmes of the College of Gastronomy and Hotel Services
The school offers a range of vocational and academic tracks — from hands-on trades to combined programmes leading to a maturita (secondary school diploma) plus a vocational certificate:
5-year Hotel Academy (Hotelová akadémia)
4-year study programmes
Medium-length programmes leading to a maturita plus a vocational certificate:
Poradenstvo vo výžive — nutrition consulting, nutrition and dietetics Builds skills and knowledge in healthy eating and gastronomy, useful for restaurant and dietary services.
4-year vocational programmes (učebné odbory)
Vocational tracks leading to a vocational certificate, with the option of obtaining a maturita:
Mäsiar – kuchár — butcher and cook Cukrár – pekár — confectioner and baker Cukrár – kuchár — confectioner and cook
These programmes provide practical skills in cooking, baking and food processing.
3-year vocational programmes
Shorter vocational courses ending with a výučný list (vocational certificate):
Čašník, servírka — waiter / waitress Kuchár — cook Mäsiar – lahôdkar — butcher and delicatessen specialist Cukrár — confectioner Pekár — baker
These courses focus on practical skills and fast preparation for a trade.
Why choose this school?
✅ Practical training: students do their work placements in real restaurants, hotels and catering businesses.
✅ International internships: opportunities to take part in placements and competitions abroad (for example in Belgium, Austria and the UK).
✅ Modern equipment: the school keeps its classrooms and practice areas up to date, including labs for cooking, baking and meat processing.
✅ Options to continue studying: graduates with a maturita can go on to universities in Slovakia or other countries.
✅ International internships: opportunities to take part in placements and competitions abroad (for example in Belgium, Austria and the UK).
✅ Modern equipment: the school keeps its classrooms and practice areas up to date, including labs for cooking, baking and meat processing.
✅ Options to continue studying: graduates with a maturita can go on to universities in Slovakia or other countries.
State Secondary Medical School in Nitra
The State Secondary Medical School in Nitra (Stredná zdravotnícka škola Nitra) has existed since 1946 and has a long history of training healthcare professionals for Slovakia. The school belongs to the system of secondary vocational schools (stredné odborné školy) and is run by the Nitra Self-Governing Region. Around 480 students study here every year, and the school consistently ranks among the best secondary medical schools in the country based on rankings and student exam results.
Programmes of SZŠ Nitra medical college
Zdravotnícky asistent (Healthcare Assistant)
📍 4-year full-time study
The main academic track for students after 9th grade, ending with a maturita (secondary school diploma). The programme prepares students to work as healthcare assistants and covers the basics of patient care, core medical skills, anatomy and clinical practice, as well as preparation for work in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Practical training takes place both at the school and at partner medical facilities.
The main academic track for students after 9th grade, ending with a maturita (secondary school diploma). The programme prepares students to work as healthcare assistants and covers the basics of patient care, core medical skills, anatomy and clinical practice, as well as preparation for work in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Practical training takes place both at the school and at partner medical facilities.
Praktická sestra (Practical Nurse)
📍 4-year full-time study
Alongside the traditional assistant track, the school offers the Practical Nurse programme, which focuses on advanced hands-on patient care skills and work in various healthcare settings (hospitals, inpatient wards, social care facilities). The programme includes extensive practical training in real medical environments.
Alongside the traditional assistant track, the school offers the Practical Nurse programme, which focuses on advanced hands-on patient care skills and work in various healthcare settings (hospitals, inpatient wards, social care facilities). The programme includes extensive practical training in real medical environments.
Farmaceutický laborant (Pharmacy Laboratory Technician)
📍 4-year full-time study
The pharmacy laboratory technician programme covers chemistry, pharmacology, laboratory methods and work with medicines. Graduates gain professional skills for work in pharmacies, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies.
The pharmacy laboratory technician programme covers chemistry, pharmacology, laboratory methods and work with medicines. Graduates gain professional skills for work in pharmacies, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies.
Why choose this school?
✅High ranking: the school is among the best secondary medical schools in all of Slovakia thanks to its students' strong results in exams and practical tests.
✅Strong practical training: a large number of practical classes and placements with real healthcare professionals and institutions in Nitra.
✅Professional diploma: graduates receive a maturita that allows them to continue their education or work in their field in Slovakia and beyond.
✅Strong practical training: a large number of practical classes and placements with real healthcare professionals and institutions in Nitra.
✅Professional diploma: graduates receive a maturita that allows them to continue their education or work in their field in Slovakia and beyond.
Secondary Vocational School of Hairdressing and Make-up
BeautyCare Study, officially the Secondary Vocational School of Hairdressing and Make-up (Stredná odborná škola kaderníctva a vizážistiky), trains professionals in beauty, personal care and aesthetic services. The school combines theory with intensive practice in modern workshops and salons, where students work with real clients.
Programmes of the College of Hairdressing and Make-up
The school offers a mix of qualification and vocational programmes — some ending with a maturita (secondary school diploma) and others with a vocational certificate:
4-year study programmes
These programmes combine secondary education with vocational training:
Kaderník‑vizážista — hairdresser with make-up artist skills
Kozmetik‑vizážista — beautician and make-up artist
📌 Students study beauty theory, skin and hair care, decorative make-up and professional client service techniques.
Kaderník‑vizážista — hairdresser with make-up artist skills
Kozmetik‑vizážista — beautician and make-up artist
📌 Students study beauty theory, skin and hair care, decorative make-up and professional client service techniques.
3-year vocational programmes
These programmes focus on practical skills (after 9th grade):
Kaderník / Kaderníčka — hairdresser
Manikér – Pedikér — manicure and pedicure specialist
Barbier — barber (men's hairdressing and beard care)
Umelecký parochniar a maskér — artistic wig maker and make-up artist
📌 These courses provide hands-on training and professional skills for work in beauty salons, barbershops, fashion and film.
Kaderník / Kaderníčka — hairdresser
Manikér – Pedikér — manicure and pedicure specialist
Barbier — barber (men's hairdressing and beard care)
Umelecký parochniar a maskér — artistic wig maker and make-up artist
📌 These courses provide hands-on training and professional skills for work in beauty salons, barbershops, fashion and film.
Additional opportunities
Dual education — part of the practical training takes place in partner salons.
Competitions and projects — students take part in fashion and beauty events.
Work placements and internships abroad through Erasmus+ and other exchange programmes.
School dormitory — boarding is available for students if needed.
Competitions and projects — students take part in fashion and beauty events.
Work placements and internships abroad through Erasmus+ and other exchange programmes.
School dormitory — boarding is available for students if needed.
School advantages
✅ Modern practical workshops and salons
✅ High graduate employment rate
✅ Maturita plus professional skills
✅ Preparation for an international career in the beauty industry
✅ High graduate employment rate
✅ Maturita plus professional skills
✅ Preparation for an international career in the beauty industry
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Email: smart.study.slovakia@gmail.com
We're available every day and ready to support you
at every stage of the admission process!