Colleges and grammar schools in Bratislava: where to apply after 9th grade
Jur Hronec Grammar School (GJH)
A state grammar school in Bratislava with a strong record in mathematics, computer science and the natural sciences. It runs a 4-year track, a 5-year Slovak–English…
Secondary Vocational School of Gastronomy and Hotel Services
A state vocational school in the Petržalka district of Bratislava that trains chefs, confectioners, bakers, waiters and hospitality staff. Programmes come in different…
Secondary Vocational School of Hairdressing and Make-up
A specialised beauty-industry school in the Ružinov district of Bratislava, known by its BeautyCare Study brand. It trains hairdressers, make-up artists, beauticians,…
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Tell us about the teenager — grade, marks, level of Slovak and English, plans after school. We will say where admission is realistic and draw up a plan for preparation, documents and housing.
Why Bratislava works for a teenager and parents
The capital offers the widest choice of secondary schools and the easiest step into university: universities, language courses and transport are close by, and a teenager lands straight in the capital's academic environment. For vocational tracks the market matters: Bratislava's restaurants, hotels and beauty salons take students for practical training and give them a first part-time job. Study at all three schools is free, including for foreign students with a residence permit; the family pays for accommodation, meals, work clothing and tools.
Grammar school — for a future university
A trade in 3–5 years
Practice from the first years
Boarding — not everywhere
Three Bratislava schools compared
| School | Programmes | Language | Entrance exams | Boarding, €/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jur Hronec Grammar School (GJH), 1959 | 4-year grammar school; 5-year bilingual Slovak-English; IB Diploma (2 years, after several years of secondary school) | Slovak, English | 4-year — tests in Slovak and mathematics; bilingual — three parts (study aptitude, language aptitude, mathematics); IB — mathematics and English | none of its own; regional dormitories 70–120 without meals |
| School of Gastronomy and Hotel Services | Hotelová akadémia (5 years, maturita); nutrition counselling (4 years, maturita); butcher-cook, confectioner-baker, confectioner-cook (4 years); waiter, cook, confectioner, baker (3 years) | Slovak | Hotelová akadémia — Slovak and English; nutrition counselling — Slovak and chemistry; 3-year — usually by grades; Testovanie 9 at 80 % or more — no exam | none of its own; regional dormitories 50–85 plus meals |
| School of Hairdressing and Make-up (BeautyCare Study) | hairdresser-make-up artist, cosmetician-make-up artist (4 years, maturita); hairdresser, manicure-pedicure, barber, wig-maker and make-up artist for stage (3 years) | Slovak | 4-year — written test in Slovak and mathematics (20 points each, minimum 5 per part); 3-year — by grades | in the school building, about 65 plus meals |
- The teenager is strong in mathematics and plans a strong university — GJH; the bilingual programme takes one class (30 places in 2026/2027), the 4-year programme 60, IB 24.
- Wants a trade and part-time work but does not rule out university — Hotelová akadémia or the 4-year programmes with maturita.
- Wants to start working sooner — 3-year programmes with a výučný list; maturita can be added later through a two-year follow-up course (nadstavbové štúdium).
Where a teenager lives and what it costs
For a minor, housing is settled before the application is filed. There are three options: the school boarding house in the school building (BeautyCare Study only, about 65 € a month plus meals by the 2025/2026 price list); Bratislava Self-Governing Region dormitories that take pupils from various schools (roughly 50–120 € a month without meals; places are few, the application is filed after admission, in spring or early summer); or renting a flat with the parents — a room 250–400 €, a one-room flat 550–800 € a month.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Study at a state school | 0 € |
| School dormitory | 50–120 € a month without meals |
| Meals | 150–300 € a month |
| Student transport pass | 10–25 € a month |
| Health insurance (commercial) | 30–70 € a month |
| Work clothing and tools (vocational schools) | check with the school |
| One-off: document recognition 30–100 €, translations 50–150 €, visa 0–250 €, relocation 100–400 € | 180–900 € |
Estimate a year's budget in the cost calculator; housing options and how to get a place are in the article on dormitories and the cost of living.
How to apply to a Bratislava school after 9th grade
Have the 9th-grade certificate recognised
The decision is issued by the regional school administration office under Act No. 422/2015 Z. z.; an official translation of the report cards and certificate is needed. Start six months ahead — see the nostrification guide.File the application in ePrihláška
Through the primary school or by a parent. For 2026/2027 the first round ran 8–20 February, the second (if places remained) 3–8 June; minedu.sk publishes the next cycle's dates in autumn. The GJH IB DP — application by 28 February.Sit the entrance test
GJH: bilingual programme — late March, 4-year — May, IB — March. Vocational schools — May. Tests in Slovak and mathematics (Hotelová akadémia — Slovak and English).Boarding, residence permit, relocation
After admission — a dormitory application and documents on the child's legal stay. The whole route is on the page admission after 9th grade; school selection, translations and filing are handled within our full admission support.
FAQ
Can a student get into a Bratislava school without Slovak?
No: entrance tests and teaching are in Slovak. Schools usually do not ask for a formal certificate, but without the language the Slovak and mathematics test cannot be passed. Aim for B1–B2 by the exam; in the GJH bilingual programme the first year has 14 English lessons a week out of 31, but the entrance test is still in Slovak.
Which is cheaper — a grammar school or a vocational school?
Study is free everywhere. The difference is in side costs: vocational schools require work clothing and a tool kit, and at GJH there may be fees for the international IB section. For housing, the hairdressing school with boarding in the building (about 65 € plus meals) is the most economical.
Do schools admit after 10th or 11th grade?
Students usually apply after 9th grade, but schools also take older pupils — they are enrolled in the first year of the programme, not mid-way. Conditions depend on the year and available places; such cases are reviewed individually.
Does a vocational school give the right to apply to university?
Yes, if the programme ends with maturita: Hotelová akadémia, nutrition counselling, the 4-year beauty programmes. After a three-year programme with a výučný list, maturita is added through the two-year nadstavbové štúdium.
Is there boarding at Jur Hronec Grammar School?
The school website lists no dormitory of its own. Out-of-town pupils live in Bratislava Region dormitories (70–120 € a month without meals, places are few) or rent with their parents.
How many places does GJH have and how competitive is it?
In the 2026/2027 cycle: 60 places on the 4-year programme, 30 on the bilingual one, 24 on the IB Diploma. Because of the selection it is worth applying to a second school too — GJH publishes its criteria and sample tests in advance, so preparation can follow real tasks.
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