Fields of study

The second cycle study programmes – Master’s (magisterské), Engineer’s (inžinierske) and Doctor's (doktorské) study programmes – correspond to the 7th level of the National Qualifications Framework/European Qualification Framework. 

Second degree study programmes that focus on the development of creativity in engineering works or processes, including economic ones, are Engineer’s study programmes. Second degree study programmes that focus on studies in the fields of human medicine and veterinary medicine are Doctor's study programmes.

The system of study fields and the organisation of the study is the same as that of Bachelor study programmes. For more information on the admission examination, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

The standard length of study is from one to three academic years, which represents 60 to 180 credits for the standard length of study. The study in the first and second cycles should have a standard length of five years to acquire higher education in the second cycle.

Graduates of master's programmes or similar study programmes abroad can take an examina rigorosa, which also includes the defense of a thesis, in the study field in which they obtained higher education or in a related study programme. Examina rigorosa and the defense of a thesis should prove that the candidates have deeper knowledge in a broad scope of the study field and that they can acquire new scientific and practical knowledge and apply it creatively in practice. 

Admission requirements

The basic condition for admission to second-level study programmes is the completion of a first-level study programme. The sum of the number of credits obtained in previous higher education studies and the number of credits required for the proper completion of the second cycle study programme for which the applicant is applying must be at least 300 credits.

As required by law, admission to a full-time Master’s study programme in healthcare study fields is conditional upon having a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate study field. However, the reality in most study fields is that higher education institutions make admission conditional upon having a Bachelor's degree in the same study field as or a study field related to the follow-up master’s study programme chosen by the applicants.  Other admission requirements are set by each higher education institution, or faculty, individually. 

The admission procedure may also include an admission examination. The examination aims to verify applicants‘ knowledge, skills, competencies, thinking, or talent in terms of the special requirements of the chosen Master’s study.  

More information on the admission examination can be found in chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor. 

Curriculum

Higher education institutions are responsible for the creation of study programmes and their content. Project work is an important component of engineering degree programmes. For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods are the same as in the study programme of the first level. Seminars and practical parts of teaching often use simulation methods and minimised operational facilities. Medical, healthcare, and pharmaceutical fields of study include practical training in special teaching facilities – healthcare facilities. Veterinary, agricultural, and forestry fields of study also include practical training in specialised teaching facilities. 

Teacher training study fields require practice teaching in primary and secondary schools during the study. The length of the practice teaching is determined by the respective higher education institutions or by the accreditation requirements. 

For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

Progression of students

As regards the progression of students of master study programmes, the same rules apply as in the case of the Bachelor study programmes.

For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

Employability

Currently, there are no centrally supported measures aimed at the transition of graduates from higher education institutions to the labour market. Individual higher education institutions cooperate to a degree with economic practice as indicated in the case of the Bachelor study programmes. Career days are organized for graduates when the students may get familiar with the current demands of the labour market or exchange contacts with potential employers.

For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

Students assessment

Details on the assessment of students’ performance during their study are defined in higher education institutions' and faculties' study rules. 

As with Bachelor's study programs, the organisation of the study is based on the credit system, and the student assessment is carried out according to the qualification scale. For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

To complete the study, students are required to pass the state examinations. The state examination consists of 3 - 4 subjects. The state examination includes the defence of the diploma thesis. In case of failing the state examination, the student has the right to a remedial examination. Each part of the state examination is assessed separately. 

Certification

Second degree programme graduates are issued with a diploma, a certificate of state examination and a supplement to the diploma. For more information, see chapter 7.2.1 Bachelor.

Higher education institutions award the following academic titles to their graduates:

• in Master’s study programmes, Master (Magister) the degree (Mgr.); in artistic study programmes, Master of Arts (Magister umenia) degree  (Mgr. Art.);
• in Engineer's study programmes, the Engineer (Inžinier) degree (Ing.); the Engineer of Architecture (Inžinier architekt) degree (Ing. arch.) in the study programmes of architecture and urban planning;
• in doctor’s study programmes  in the field of veterinary medicine "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine" (MVDr.)

The graduates of Master’s study (Mgr.) who completed the examina rigorosa a part of which is the defense of a thesis, are awarded  the academic title:

• Doctor of natural sciences (Doktor prírodných vied) (RNDr.),
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Doktor farmácie) (PharmDr.),
• Doctor of Philosophy (Doktor filozofie) (PhDr.),
• Doctor of Law (Doktor práv) (JUDr.),
• Doctor of Pedagogy (Doktor pedagogiky) (PaedDr.),
• Doctor of Theology (doktor teológie) (ThDr.).

What titles graduates receive in the rigorous procedure is determined by the Decree of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic No. 244/2019 Coll. on the system of study disciplines of the Slovak Republic (vyhláška Ministerstva školstva, vedy, výskumu a športu SR č. 244/2019 Z. z. o sústave študijných odborov SR)