FACULTY OF EDUCATION (FE), MATEJ BEL UNIVERSITY (MBU)

Ružová Street, No. 13, 974 11 Banská Bystrica, P. O. Box 43, Slovak Republic

http:/www.pdf.umb.sk		048/446 4111
Student Affairs Office contacts:
[email protected]	048/4464248
[email protected]	048/4464264
romana.duchlanska@umb.sk	048/4464267
[email protected]	048/4464262

 

Application Deadlines:

1^st round of applications:   

by April 30^th, 2027                             for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd study degree
by May 31^st, 2027                               for the 2^nd study degree of university study programs of Psychology Teaching and Physical Education

 

Based on a decision by the Faculty of Education administration, a second round of applications may be announced for individual bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by the Faculty of Education at MBU.

University Open Day: 11th of November 2027 (Science Week)
February 2028 (Concrete dates will be announced on the faculty's website and the MBU website)

The Application Procedure Fees: €60                  for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd study degrees, for full-time and part-time programs as well
Applications must be submitted electronically via the central electronic application system. The faculty accepts applications in electronic form even without a qualified electronic signature.

Payment details for application procedure fee (also available at: www.platby.umb.sk ):
1.           Fee payment from EU countries
Account Name:                         Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici
Bank Name and Address:        Štátna pokladnica, Radlinského 32, 810 05 Bratislava 15
Account Number / IBAN:        SK75 8180 0000 0070 0009 5590
SWIFT / BIC:                           SPSRSKBA
VS (variable symbol):                  7031 (for applicants for Bachelor´s Program)
                                                    7032 (for applicants for Master´s Program)
                                           7033 (for applicants for PhD.´s Program) KS (constant symbol):KS KS (constant symbol):                   
0308 - cashless payments

ŠS (specific symbol):                personal identification number (applicants from Slovakia)
                                                  date of birth in DDMMYY format
                                                  (foreign applicants)
Message for recipient:              applicant´s name and surname

 2.           Payment of the fee through an intermediary bank from outside the EU countries:
Account Name:                         Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici
Bank Name and Address:         Všeobecná úverová banka, a. s., Mlynské Nivy 1, 829 90, Bratislava
Account Number / IBAN:        SK75 8180 0000 0070 0009 5590
SWIFT / BIC:                           SUBASKBXXXX
VS (variable symbol):               7031 (for applicants for Bachelor´s Program), 7032 (for applicants for Master´s Program),                                                                                         7033 (for applicants for PhD.´s Program)
KS (constant symbol):              0308 – cashless payments
ŠS (specific symbol):                personal identification number (applicants from Slovakia))
                                                 date of birth in DDMMYY format (foreign applicants)
Message for recipient:              applicant´s name and surname

The application fee for the admissions procedure must be paid by the applicant or a person authorised by them via bank transfer no later than the final day on which the application for study may be submitted. Applications for study for which the specified admissions fee has not been paid will not be accepted.

Payment by postal order is not accepted as it is not possible to identify the payer in the university’s information system.
In the 2027/2028 academic year, the faculty offers the following accredited study programs:
 Accredited Bachelor´s and Master´s degree Study Programs

Notes:(*)       This study program was established within a consortium between MBU and CFU – Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th  study year will take place at the Faculty of Education, MBU in Banská Bystrica; the 2^nd  and 4^th study year will take place at the Faculty of Education, CFU in Nitra)

(**)    inter-faculty study program with the Faculty of Arts MBU in Banska Bystrica
(***)   inter-faculty study program with the Faculty of Natural Sciences MBU in Banska Bystrica
(****) inter-faculty study program with the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports, and Health MBU in Banska Bystrica

Study programs in both full-time and part-time forms are delivered using a combined method. Graduates of bachelor's study programs receive the first degree. Bachelor's degree graduates are awarded the academic degree of “Bachelor” (abbreviated as “Bc.”). Graduates of the Master's study programs are awarded a second-level university degree. Graduates of the Master's programs are awarded the academic degree of “Master” (abbreviated “Mgr.”).

 Accredited Doctoral Study Programs

Faculty	Study Program	Form of study	Level of study	Language of instruction	Length of study	Place of Study
EF	Educational Sciences	FT	PhD.	Slovak	3	Banská Bystrica
EF	Educational Sciences	PT	PhD.	Slovak	4	Banská Bystrica
EF	Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy	FT	PhD.	Slovak	3	Banská Bystrica
EF	Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy	PT	PhD.	Slovak	4	Banská Bystrica
EF	Theology	FT	PhD.	Slovak/ English	3	Banská Bystrica
EF	Theology	PT	PhD.	Slovak/ English	4	Banská Bystrica
EF	Social Work	FT	PhD.	Slovak	3	Banská Bystrica
EF	Social Work	PT	PhD.	Slovak	4	Banská Bystrica
EF	Applied Social Work*	FT	PhD.	Slovak	3	Banská Bystrica/Nitra
EF	Applied Social Work*	PT	PhD.	Slovak	4	Banská Bystrica/Nitra

*Note: The study program was stablished within a Consortium between MBU and CFU in Nitra

Graduates of doctoral study programs receive a third-level university degree. Graduates of doctoral studies are awarded the academic degree of ‘doctor’ (‘philosophiae doctor’, abbreviated as ‘PhD.’).

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

General information about the admission procedure
The admissions procedure is a process enabling an applicant who demonstrates that they meet the specified conditions for admission to become a student on their chosen degree programme at the faculty. For applicants, the admissions procedure begins with the submission of their application to study at the faculty.

Applicants submit their applications electronically via the centralised electronic application system. The faculty accepts applications in electronic form even without a qualified electronic signature.

The content of the entrance examinations for individual degree programmes is set out in detail in the examination guidelines, which each applicant receives together with their invitation to the entrance examinations. In the case of inter-faculty teacher training degree programmes, the admission requirements for the part of the programme not delivered by the Faculty of Education at UMB are drawn up and published by the relevant faculty.

If an applicant wishes to apply for more than one degree programme at the Faculty of Education, UMB, they must submit a separate application form for each degree programme and pay the application fee for each application by 30 April 2027 at the latest.

Pursuant to Section 143 of Act No. 300/2025 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions, during a state of emergency, a state of emergency or a state of exception, the method of admission shall be determined by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic in accordance with the measures issued by the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic.

Study in study programs and forms delivered in Slovak (except study programs accredited with English as the language of instruction) requires proficiency in Slovak at B1 level. Foreign applicants must verify and document their proficiency in Slovak by means of a Slovak language school-leaving examination, an ECL certificate (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages) confirming Slovak at B1 level, or a B1 Slovak language certificate issued by a language school included in the network of schools and school facilities of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic (the list is available at https://www.minedu.sk/siet-skol-a-skolskych-zariadeni-slovenskej-republiky/ ). B2 level is required for the study programs Pre-primary and Primary Teacher Education, Primary Teacher Education, and Primary Teacher Education and Special Education in Inclusive Practice.

Foreign applicants' proficiency in Slovak may be verified by a test and/or an interview conducted in Slovak (except for study programs accredited in English as the language of instruction).

A medical fitness certificate is not required.

Procedure for admitting applicants without documents proving completion of full secondary education or full secondary vocational education.

1)      Special conditions and procedures of the Faculty of Education, MBU for persons who have been granted asylum, subsidiary protection, or temporary refuge:
-          For the purposes of Section 56(1) of the Higher Education Act, an applicant may prove completion of full secondary education or full secondary vocational education by submitting a Decision on the Recognition of Educational Qualifications issued by a Regional Office of School Administration in the Slovak Republic (confirming completion of full secondary or full secondary vocational education).
-          An applicant must also meet any additional admission requirements set by the faculty.
-          Completion of full secondary education or full secondary vocational education may be demonstrated by a sworn declaration (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/chcem-studovat/ ) and a general study aptitude test. A sworn declaration cannot substitute for incomplete secondary or secondary vocational education. Neither the sworn declaration nor the general study aptitude test applies to applicants for second-cycle university study.
-          The general study aptitude test, as one of the minimum admission requirements, is a mandatory part of the admission procedure. The test is administered by FE MBU. The applicant will be informed in due time about its date and format.
-          The admission procedure is subject to a fee. The applicant may request a waiver of the admission procedure fee by submitting a request to the Dean of the Faculty of Education, MBU.
-          A applicant who has been granted asylum, temporary refuge, or subsidiary protection is not required to pay tuition fees.

Applicants for bachelor's study who completed secondary education in an EU country (except the Czech Republic, for which recognition of the education document is not required), Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia, China, or Iceland must, by the date of enrollment, submit by post or in person a recognition statement confirming their level of education in paper form, together with a certified copy of the education document (school-leaving certificate) in paper form and its official translation into Slovak. Information on obtaining and using a recognition statement for foreign education is available on the website of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic: https://uznavanie.minedu.sk/en/category/recognition-statement

 Applicants for bachelor's study program who completed secondary education in a country for which no recognition statement is available must, by the date of enrollment, submit by post or in person an officially certified copy of the decision recognizing their education document (school-leaving certificate) obtained outside the Slovak Republic. The decision on recognition of a foreign secondary education document is issued by the Regional Office of School Administration in the region where the applicant has permanent residence, or by the Regional Office of School Administration in Banská Bystrica (https://uznavanie.minedu.sk/en/category/recognition-of-secondary-education ).

 Applicants for master's study program who completed the preceding level of education abroad (except in the Czech Republic) must, by the date of enrollment, submit by post or in person an officially certified copy of the decision recognizing the higher education qualification in the relevant field of study obtained outside the Slovak Republic. Information on recognition of higher education qualifications is available on the website of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic: https://uznavanie.minedu.sk/en/navigator/10 , or on the Matej Bel University website: https://www.umb.sk/uchadzac/uznavanie-dokladov-o-vzdelani.html

If an applicant does not submit the recognition statement together with the required attachments by the deadline (for bachelor's applicants who completed secondary education in an EU country except the Czech Republic, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia, China, or Iceland), or an officially certified copy of the recognition decision (for other applicants), the applicant will be conditionally admitted. The documents must be submitted no later than the specified date of enrollment in the university study program.

Bachelor's Degree Study Programs
Officially certified documents proving successful completion of the school-leaving examination for admission to bachelor's degree study programs must be submitted to the FE MBU Student´s Affairs Office immediately after the examination.

 Attachments to the application for bachelor's study program:
-          applicant's CV,
-          an officially certified copy (by a notary or municipal office) of the school-leaving certificate (for applicants who have already completed their school-leaving examination in the Slovak Republic or the Czech Republic), to be sent by post in paper form to the faculty Student´s Affairs Office immediately after the electronic application has been registered,
-          specific mandatory attachments for the study program – according to the admission requirements of each program.

Attachments to the application for bachelor's study program for foreign applicants:
-          the applicant’s CV,
-          an officially certified copy (by a notary or municipal office) of the school-leaving certificate (for applicants who have already completed their school-leaving examination in the Slovak Republic or the Czech Republic), to be sent by post in paper form to the faculty Student´s Affairs Office immediately after the electronic application has been registered,
-          a certificate of proficiency in Slovak as a foreign/second language at the required level of at least B1, issued by a language school registered by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic in the Network of Schools and School Facilities of the Slovak Republic (registered state language schools: https://www.cvtisr.sk/buxus/docs/JH/stat_zus.pdf ; private language schools: https://www.cvtisr.sk/buxus/docs/JH/sukromne_sasz.pdf ). This applies to all foreign applicants for bachelor's study program except the study program Pre-primary and Primary Teacher Education, for which B2 level is required,
-          specific mandatory attachments for the study program – according to the admission requirements of each program.

Master's Degree Study Programs
Documents proving successful completion of bachelor's study program, including a transcript showing the weighted study average achieved during bachelor's study program (certified by the faculty Student´s Affairs Office where an applicant completed first-cycle study), must be submitted to the Student´s Affairs Office of the Faculty of Education, MBU.

Attachments to the application for master's study program:
-          The basic requirement for admission to master's study is completion of first-cycle study. Graduates of first-cycle study from other higher education institutions who complete their studies in the current year must, without being requested by the faculty, send a certified copy of their diploma and state examination certificate, or confirmation from the relevant Student´s Affairs Office that they have completed bachelor's study, to the FE MBU Student´s Affairs Office by the date of enrollment.
-          completion of a bachelor's degree study program in accordance with the conditions set by FE MBU,
-          proficiency in Slovak, the main language of instruction, at B1 level,
-          an applicant who does not demonstrate fulfillment of the basic admission requirement by the specified deadline will be conditionally admitted. The applicant must submit a certified copy of the diploma and state examination certificate, or confirmation of completion of bachelor's study, no later than the date set for enrollment; otherwise, the applicant cannot be enrolled.

 Attachments to the application for master's study program for foreign applicants:
-          The basic requirement for admission to master's study program is completion of first-cycle, i.e. bachelor´s study program. Graduates of first-cycle study from other higher education institutions who complete their studies in the current year must, without being requested by the faculty, send a certified copy of their diploma and state examination certificate, or confirmation from the relevant Student´s Affairs Office that they have completed bachelor's study, to the FE MBU Student´s Affairs Office by the date of enrollment.
-          completion of a bachelor's degree study program in accordance with the conditions set by FE MBU,
-          proficiency in Slovak, the main language of instruction, at B1 level,
-          foreign applicants must provide recognition of a bachelor's degree obtained outside the Slovak Republic (recognition of the Bc. diploma) no later than the date of enrollment; otherwise, they cannot be enrolled. B2 level of the Slovak is required for the study programs Primary Teacher Education and Primary Teacher Education and Special Education in Inclusive Practice,
-          an applicant who does not demonstrate fulfillment of the basic admission requirement by the specified deadline will be conditionally admitted. The applicant must submit a certified copy of the diploma and state examination certificate, or confirmation of completion of bachelor's study program, no later than the date set for enrollment; otherwise, the applicant cannot be enrolled.

General Principles of the Admission Procedure
-            The principles governing entrance examinations apply to both full-time and part-time forms of study.
-            Based on the current situation (in particular, the number of applications submitted), the Dean of the Faculty of Education, MBU may decide not to open a study program in the given academic year.
-            Based on the current number of applications for a particular study program, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, MBU may decide not to conduct the entrance examination, or a part of it (e.g. by reducing the criteria). The final decision on admission is made by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, MBU.
-            The basic requirement for admission is successful completion of the entrance examination, unless the Dean decides otherwise.
-            If the number of applicants for bachelor's study exceeds the planned number of admissions to a study program and no entrance examination is held, the faculty reserves the right to select applicants according to their average grades in the school-leaving examination.
-            If the number of applicants for master's study exceeds the planned number of admissions to a study program and no entrance examination is held, admission will be based on the results achieved in the state examinations at bachelor's level and the planned number of admissions.
-            Within 30 days after the entrance examinations have concluded, applicants will receive notification of admission or non-admission. In accordance with the Statute of the Faculty of Education, MBU, applicants may appeal the Dean's decision not to admit them within 8 days of receiving the decision.
-            An applicant who does not demonstrate fulfillment of the basic admission requirements when fulfillment is verified may be conditionally admitted, provided that they demonstrate fulfillment of those requirements no later than the date set for enrollment. Once the specified condition has been fulfilled, the admission decision becomes effective within the specified period.

 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE STUDY PROGRAMS

Extracurricular Education and Adult Education (Bachelor's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. An additional admission requirement is successful completion of the entrance examination (a written test in pedagogy, psychology and social studies within the scope of the secondary-school curriculum, and general knowledge of current issues in education in Slovakia). If the number of applicants exceeds the planned number of admissions and admission interviews are not held, the criterion for admission to bachelor's study will be the secondary-school study average (average grades from year-end report in Years 1-3 and the mid-year report in the final year of secondary school).

 Pre-primary and Primary Teacher Education (Bachelor's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. Applicants who meet the defined criteria in the following areas will be admitted:

1. the result of a written test, which checks the applicant's general knowledge,
2. the average grades from the year-end report in Years 1-3 of secondary school in Slovak language and literature, mathematics, and a foreign language,
3. the applicant's activities; only activities documented by certificates, school reports, diplomas, or confirmations from the organization where they were carried out will be considered. The following activities will be assessed: attendance at a basic art school and activities undertaken during secondary-school study, including Secondary School Professional Activity (SOČ), participation in artistic, sports, creative and other competitions, educational activities and volunteering with preschool and younger school-age children, involvement in extracurricular activities, study abroad, service-learning activities, and other activities that the admissions committee considers relevant to the study program.

Foreign applicants must demonstrate proficiency in Slovak at B2 level. Since the compulsory curriculum includes courses in which students must demonstrate physical fitness, applicants are advised to begin their studies with the understanding that their health condition must allow them to meet these requirements.

Social Work (Bachelor's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. Applicants will be admitted based on the results of an oral interview. The interview covers the following areas: demonstration of aptitude and ability for university study, communication skills, motivation to study, handling a social situation, awareness of current socio-political issues, and an applicant's involvement in volunteering, extracurricular activities, non-formal education activities, etc.

Psychology (Bachelor's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. Applicants will be admitted based on a written test assessing knowledge of psychology and biology within the scope of the secondary-school curriculum; the ability to work with English-language texts at B1 level; general reasoning abilities (verbal, numerical, logical, and abstract tasks); and personality-profile prerequisites.

Evangelical Theology and Mission (Bachelor's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. Applicants who meet the defined criteria in a personal interview will be admitted. The interview assesses knowledge of biblical studies and church history based on the prescribed literature (listed on the department website), as well as the applicant's communication skills.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER'S DEGREE STUDY PROGRAMS

Social Pedagogy and Andragogy (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree study program in the field of teaching and educational sciences, or in another related field of study following assessment by the study program guarantor. Applicants who meet the defined criteria in the following areas will be admitted:

1)      the results of an oral interview, which assesses the applicant's results from previous first degree university study and the results of the final bachelor's thesis,

2)      the applicant's portfolio activities; only activities documented by certificates, school reports, diplomas, or confirmations from the organization where the activities were carried out will be considered. This includes the applicant's own activities and engagement in the practice of education and upbringing of children, young people, adults, and seniors. The following activities will be assessed: Student Scientific, Professional and Artistic Activity (ŠVOUČ), participation in artistic, sports, creative and other competitions, educational activities and volunteering with preschool and younger school-age children, adults and seniors, involvement in extracurricular activities, study abroad, participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE), other activities organized by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, and other activities that the admissions committee considers relevant to the study program.

Primary Teacher Education (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree in the field of teaching and educational sciences. Graduates of the Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy study program, for whom this study is primarily intended, will be admitted on the basis of the weighted study average grades from their bachelor's studyprogram. The average includes grades from courses completed in Years 1 and 2 and in the winter semester of Year 3. A critical threshold for the weighted average will be set for admission under this criterion. Graduates of other programs in the field of teaching and educational sciences, as well as graduates of Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy whose weighted average is above the critical threshold, will be admitted based on the results of an entrance examination assessing their aptitude for Primary Teacher Education. Applicants are advised that the study plan includes courses requiring physical fitness, including compulsory courses. Foreign applicants must demonstrate proficiency in Slovak at B2 level.

Social Work (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree study program in social work, or in another related field of study following assessment by the study program guarantor. Applicants will be admitted based on the results of an oral interview. The interview covers the following areas: knowledge of core subjects from the bachelor's degree study program in social work, motivation to study, solving a model situation in social work, and activities in social work undertaken during previous years.

Psychology (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree study program in psychology. Applicants who meet the defined criteria in the following areas will be admitted:

1)   weighted grade point average, taking into account the applicant's first year, second year, and winter semester of the third year of bachelor's study in psychology,

2)   the applicant's activities; only activities documented by certificates, school reports, diplomas, or confirmations from the organization or institution where the activities were carried out will be considered. The following activities will be assessed: active participation in the departmental round of the Student Scientific and Professional Activity Competition (ŠVOČ); placing among the top three in the departmental round of ŠVOČ; active participation in the national or international round of ŠVOČ; participation in student mobility; membership in the Academic Senate of the faculty/university; participation in an educational activity or program (course, seminar, workshop) accredited by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, or the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic; participation in a non-accredited educational activity (course, seminar, workshop); active participation in a scientific or professional psychology conference organized, for example, by the Association of School Psychology, university psychology departments in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, or the Slovak Academy of Sciences (e.g. Psychology Days, Social Processes and Personality, Ďurič Days); and professional events abroad organized by foreign or international organizations, societies, or associations.

Teaching of Psychology (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree study program in Teaching of Psychology (combined) in the field of teaching and educational sciences. Applicants will be admitted based on the weighted grade point average from their bachelor's study in the Teaching of Psychology (combined) program, taking into account Year 1, Year 2, and the winter semester of Year 3.

Evangelical Theology (Master's degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree study program in theology, or in another related field of study following assessment by the study program guarantor. Applicants will be admitted based on the weighted study average from their previous study.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMBINED FIRST AND SECOND STUDY DEGREE PROGRAM

Primary Teacher Education and Special Education in Inclusive Practice (combined first- and second study degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of full secondary education concluded by a school-leaving examination. Applicants who meet the defined criteria in the following areas will be admitted:

1)      the result of a written test assessing the applicant's general knowledge,
2)      the average grades from the year-end report in Years 1-3 of high school in Slovak language and literature, mathematics, and a foreign language,
3)      the applicant's activities; only activities documented by certificates, school reports, diplomas, or confirmations from the organization where they were carried out will be considered. The following activities will be assessed: attendance at a basic art school and activities during high-school study, including Secondary School Professional Activity (SOČ), participation in artistic, sports, creative and other competitions, educational activities and volunteering with preschool and younger school-age children, involvement in extracurricular activities, study abroad, service-learning activities, and other activities that the admissions committee considers relevant to the study program.

If the number of applicants exceeds the planned number of admissions and admission procedure are not held, the criterion for admission will be the high-school study grade average. A medical fitness certificate is not required.

 Applicants are awarded points in the admission procedure as follows:

Points awarded in the admission procedure:
1.	for the entrance examination - test (if held) max. 60 points
2.	for high-school grade results (average grades from the year-end report in Years 1-3 in Slovak language, mathematics, and any foreign language) max. 30 points
3.	for documented activities related to the selected study program (if required) max. 10 points
Total: max. 100 points

Note: The information will also be published on the website at the time of the admission procedure.

More detailed information on individual study programs and entrance examinations will be available on the FE MBU website and on the websites of the individual departments in May 2027.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THIRD STUDY DEGREE

Admission to third study degree programs is governed by Directive No. 7/2021 on Doctoral Study at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Methodological Guideline of the Faculty of Education, MBU No. 1/2022 on ensuring the quality of doctoral study at FE MBU, and the MBU Study Regulations.

The basic requirement for admission to doctoral study is completion of second-degree higher education. An additional requirement for admission to doctoral study at MBU is successful completion of the entrance examination, which includes demonstrating proficiency at B1 level in one of the following languages: English, German, Russian, French, or Spanish.

The admission procedure is prepared by announcing dissertation topics for the relevant study program for the following academic year. The proposed dissertation topics, together with a brief annotation, are approved by the doctoral study program committee for the relevant fields of study. The topics and names of supervisors will be published at www.pdf.umb.sk after February 26, 2027.

The faculty determines the method and content of the admission procedure so that applicants with the best prerequisites for carrying out a high-quality research project are admitted. The admission procedure takes place before an admissions committee common to all study programs.

The applicant must attach the following to the application:)
-          a CV,
-          a statement/confirmation of permanent residence,
-          certified copies of documents proving the education attained; an applicant who completed second degree study at the MBU faculty to which they are applying for doctoral study submits copies of the education documents without official certification,
-          a dissertation project proposal, submitted 15 days before the admission procedure, in which the applicant demonstrates knowledge of the issue, research methodology, and literature relevant to the topic (2 copies must be submitted),
-          a list of the applicant's published articles or a list of results of other professional or artistic activities, or reviews of such works and activities. The list should include all previous activities related to scientific work or the dissertation topic (participation in research and other projects, participation and awards in ŠVOUČ, active presentations at conferences and seminars, completed training, and other field-related activities), publication activity including professional publication on websites, international internships and stays at relevant institutions including Erasmus+, volunteer activities, etc. Publication activity prior to beginning doctoral study is not a basic requirement but is taken into account in the admission procedure,
-          other documents required by the faculty (proof of payment of the admission procedure fee and other documents).

If the applicant does not meet the conditions presented on the faculty website, the faculty will return the doctoral-study application together with the attached documents and a brief explanation. If an applicant meets the presented conditions, the faculty will send a written invitation to the entrance examination no later than 14 days before the date of the admission procedure and will also inform an applicant of the content of the entrance examination. A copy of the invitation forms part of the applicant's personal file.

The entrance examination takes the form of a defense of the submitted dissertation project proposal, during which an applicant demonstrates competence in three areas:

1)      professional knowledge of the relevant field, with emphasis on the proposed topic and its context as presented in the submitted project,
2)      knowledge of research methodology and the applicant's prerequisites for scientific research or scientific-organizational activities, assessed from two perspectives: (1) knowledge of research methods, procedures, or tools relevant to the dissertation topic and the submitted project; and (2) all previous activities related to scientific, project, or publication work or practice connected with the dissertation topic (participation in research and other projects, participation and rewards in ŠVOUČ, active presentations at conferences and seminars, completed training, other field-related activities, publication/artistic activity including publication in professional journals or on websites, international internships and stays at relevant institutions including Erasmus+, volunteer activities, etc.),
3)      proficiency in a foreign language sufficient for independent study of foreign literature and active presentation of the topic in that language (English, French, Russian, or German).

A point system is used for evaluation. Applicants are ranked in a single order within each of the two forms of study (full-time and part-time), and those with the highest scores are admitted regardless of the study program. The number of students admitted to individual doctoral study programs is not determined in advance but on the basis of the entrance examination results. An exception applies where the department responsible for the study program has obtained funding for a doctoral position, for example from a project or other external sources.

Educational Sciences (Doctoral Degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of a second study degree program in the field of teaching and educational sciences, or another related field of study, or comparable study programs and fields abroad, and successful completion of the entrance examination.

Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy (Doctoral Degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of second study degree in the following study programs: Primary School Teaching, Primary Teacher Education, and Pre-primary Pedagogy; exceptionally, in Pedagogy, Social Pedagogy, Special Education, Leisure-time Pedagogy, or Teaching of General Educational Subjects in any specialization, provided that an applicant will develop an interdisciplinary topic concerning the education of preschool or younger school-age children, or another interdisciplinary relevant topic.

Theology (Doctoral Degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of second study degree in theology or another related field of study, together with knowledge of the biblical languages Hebrew and Greek. 

Social Work (Doctoral Degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of second study degree in social work or another related field of study following assessment by the guarantor of the Social Work study program at FE MBU.

Applied Social Work (Doctoral Degree) - the basic requirement for admission is completion of second study degree in social work or another related field of study following assessment by the guarantor of the Social Work study program at FE MBU.

RIGOROUS EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Rigorous examinations and defenses of rigorous theses are governed by Act No. 300/2025 Coll. on Higher Education and on the Amendment and Supplementation of Certain Acts, Section 61, and the current Directive No. 1/2022 on the rigorous examination procedure at the Faculty of Education, MBU in Banská Bystrica.

Graduates of second study degree programs may take a rigorous examination, which includes the defense of a rigorous thesis in the field of study in which they obtained higher education. Through the rigorous examination and defense of the rigorous thesis, the candidate must demonstrate, on the basis of independent study, deeper knowledge of the field in its broader foundations, the ability to acquire new knowledge in science and practice independently, and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge creatively in practice.

The Faculty of Education, MBU is authorized to conduct rigorous examinations and defenses of rigorous theses in the following fields of study:
-          teaching and educational sciences,
-          social work,
-          psychology,
-          theology.

After successfully defending the rigorous thesis and passing the oral examination, graduates are awarded:
a)      the academic title “Doctor of Pedagogy” (abbreviated as “PaedDr.”) in the study programs of teaching and educational sciences,
b)      the academic title “Doctor of Philosophy” (abbreviated as “PhDr.”) in the study programs of social work and psychology,
c)      the academic title “Doctor of Theology” (“ThDr.”) in the study program of theology.

Complete information on the rigorous examination procedure at FE MBU is available at: https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/rigorozne-konanie.html

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS
Students of the Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica may be accommodated in MBU student residences. Student dining halls provide meals. Information about accommodation will be sent to admitted applicants by post together with the admission decision and other information.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES

Extracurricular Education and Adult Education (Bachelor's degree) - graduates are prepared to work as educators, leisure-time animators, teaching assistants, adult education instructors, youth work instructors, senior education instructors, youth work methodologists, and continuing education managers. Graduates may work in schools; educational institutions such as school clubs, leisure centers, and school dormitories; special-purpose school facilities such as outdoor schools; social facilities such as centers for children and families; recreational and tourism facilities; and children's camps. They may also work in social service facilities and in non-governmental and non-profit organizations working with children and young people in their free time, such as community centers and low-threshold centers. Graduates may also work in cultural and educational institutions, as education professionals in public administration and local or state government, in legal entities that provide educational services to clients or provide education and development for their own employees, or as self-employed professionals in the educational services sector.

Social Pedagogy and Andragogy (Master's degree) - graduates are prepared to work independently (according to the National System of Occupations and Qualifications) in regulated professions such as educator, social pedagogue, guidance counselor, career counselor, and prison-service educator, as well as in unregulated professions such as career counselor, education and staff-development manager, education methodologist, age-management consultant, adult education instructor, and education quality specialist.

Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy (Bachelor's degree) - graduates are qualified to work as kindergarten teachers (teachers in kindergartens or educational staff in other preschool settings), educators in school children's clubs (except educators for persons with special needs), and teaching assistants in kindergartens and primary schools. They have the competencies required for autonomous professional practice, further education, and professional development at the level of a beginning educational professional. They have acquired socially accepted civic attitudes and a positive approach to their profession and target group. They are able to work effectively as members of a team and to communicate and cooperate with professional staff and legal guardians in the educational process.

Primary Teacher Education (Master's degree) - graduates are prepared to work independently as primary school teachers. In addition to profession-specific competencies related to teaching subjects at primary level, they are able to apply transferable competencies in educational practice, including critical thinking, digital literacy, foreign-language skills, soft skills, and moral and ethical values. For successful professional practice, they progressively acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes described above.

Primary Teacher Education and Special Education in Inclusive Practice (Combined Bachelor's and Master's Studies) - graduates are prepared to work independently as primary school teachers, primary school teachers of pupils with special educational needs, school special educators, educators, educators of children and pupils with special educational needs, and teaching assistants. They have profession-specific competencies related to teaching subjects in the first and second cycles of primary education and in special primary schools.

Social Work (Bachelor's degree) - graduates are prepared to perform professional activities in accordance with Act No. 219/2014 of the National Council of the Slovak Republic on Social Work and on the Conditions for the Performance of Certain Professional Activities in the Field of Social Affairs and Family, and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts. Graduates may work as social work assistants, social services specialist assistants, social rehabilitation instructors, specialists in financial contributions to compensate for severe disabilities, specialists in assistance in material need and state social benefits, social counseling specialists, specialists providing contributions for active labor-market measures, community workers, and guardians/custodians for minors and adults appointed by the relevant court. Their main area of employment is social work in direct contact with target groups in various settings, working with individuals, families, groups, and communities in state administration, local government, non-profit organizations, social service facilities, social and legal child protection and social guardianship, correctional and detention facilities, healthcare facilities, international institutions focused on social and humanitarian assistance, the business sector providing social services and social counseling, and other organizations and institutions.

Social Work (Master's degree) - graduates are prepared to perform professional activities in accordance with Act No. 219/2014 on Social Work and on the Conditions for the Performance of Certain Professional Activities in the Field of Social Affairs and Family, and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts. Graduates may work as social workers, assessment social workers, social counselors, field social workers, counselors for individuals, couples, and families, specialists in social and family policy, specialists in employment and labor-market policy, employment counseling professionals, local-government professionals in the social field, child social and legal protection professionals, local-government specialists for social services, social probation specialists, directors of child social and legal protection and social probation facilities, directors of social service facilities, managers in the non-profit sector, or coordinators of various projects. They are prepared for direct work with different target groups in social work and for managerial, methodological, conceptual, project, and research activities in state administration, local government, the non-profit sector, and the business sector.

Psychology (Bachelor's degree) - graduates are prepared to continue successfully in this field at master's degree level. They are prepared to perform supportive psychological activities competently as assistants in research, occupational, clinical, counseling, educational, forensic, and other settings. Suggested profession: psychology assistant.

Psychology (Master's degree) - graduates are prepared to work successfully as psychologists and to continue in this study program at doctoral level. They are prepared to work competently in psychological practice across a range of areas of psychology. Their expertise may be applied in practical, theoretical, methodological, conceptual, project, research, and scientific activities in public administration, local government, the non-profit sector, and the business sector.

Teaching of Psychology (Master's degree) - graduates are qualified to teach subjects corresponding to their specialization at upper-secondary level. They master the basic content of the disciplines in their specialization and the principles of their structure, are familiar with the methodology by which knowledge in the field is produced, and understand its broader cultural and social context. They can work with this content as a product of human scientific activity and design it for teaching aims and purposes. Graduates of second-cycle university study in Teaching of Psychology (combined) independently design and deliver instruction in the relevant subjects at upper-secondary level. In addition to teaching competencies in planning, delivering, and reflecting on classroom instruction, they are able to participate in the development of teaching materials. They also have appropriate knowledge of research and development methods in the didactics of their fields.

Evangelical Theology and Mission (Bachelor's degree) - graduates are qualified for pastoral and ministerial work primarily in evangelical church congregations, as well as in organizations focused on education, charitable and diaconal work, and missionary activity, and in churches and non-governmental organizations requiring a bachelor's degree. Examples include church mission posts, missions abroad, Christian children's clubs, facilities providing essential support for basic living needs (night shelters, shelters, halfway houses, low-threshold day centers for children and families, emergency housing, supported housing, and social service facilities), pastoral care in prisons, the police, the armed forces, and hospitals, youth work, day centers for seniors, Roma missions, ecumenical activities, Christian publishing houses and Bible societies, Christian diaconal and charitable institutions, evangelism centers, Christian radio and television broadcasting, and Christian media work. Graduates may work in the following areas:

-            Church: deacon, chaplain, assistant minister, catechist, parish priest, spiritual administrator, parish administrator, consenior, senior, clerical member of the central church administration, highest representative of a church or religious society in the Slovak Republic, manager in a church organization, manager in the church sector, specialist in church-state relations, specialist in religious studies, head of an association, manager of a non-profit organization, preacher in a registered evangelical church, spiritual administrator of a church congregation and its units, manager of a church-work entity, teacher in all forms of church education, or religious education teacher at a primary school.

-            Mission: missionary worker in existing church communities, worker in domestic or international missionary organizations, or translator/interpreter/linguist.

-            Other areas: worker in a social institution or charitable institution, prison chaplain, military chaplain, hospital chaplain, or worker in a drug-treatment center.

Evangelical Theology (Master's degree) - graduates are qualified to work mainly in church congregations and parachurch organizations in positions requiring independence and creative initiative. They may also work in educational, missionary, and social institutions and in various forms of leisure activity organized by the state, public services, churches, and non-governmental organizations where a master's degree is required. Examples include church mission posts, missions abroad, Christian children's clubs, youth work, day centers for seniors, Roma missions, ecumenical activities, Christian publishing houses and Bible societies, Christian diaconal and charitable institutions, evangelism centers, Christian radio and television broadcasting, Christian media work, and chaplaincy in prisons, hospitals, the police, and the armed forces. Graduates may work in the following areas:

-          Church: deacon, chaplain, assistant minister, catechist, parish priest, spiritual administrator, parish administrator, consenior, senior, clerical member of the central church administration, highest representative of a church or religious society in the Slovak Republic, manager in a church organization, manager in the church sector, specialist in church-state relations, specialist in religious studies, head of an association, manager of a non-profit organization, preacher in a registered evangelical church, spiritual administrator of a church congregation and its units, manager of a church-work entity, teacher in all forms of church education, or religious education teacher at a primary school.

-          Mission: missionary worker in existing church communities, worker in domestic or international missionary organizations, or translator/interpreter/linguist.

-          Other areas: worker in a social institution or charitable institution, prison chaplain, military chaplain, hospital chaplain, or worker in a drug-treatment center.

Educational Sciences (Doctoral Degree) - graduates are prepared to work independently as assistant professors at higher education institutions, research workers in education, analysts in education, and managers in education. During their studies, they develop competencies in the following key professional areas: general knowledge of the field and areas of work; biodromal and broader socialization factors at individual and group levels; inclusive and individualized approaches; diagnostics, intervention, correction, and prevention; didactic competencies; counseling, management, and leadership competencies; interest-based and civic education; scientific research competencies; legislative, economic, and ethical contexts of the professions; communication and presentation; and professional reflection and engagement. The program also develops transferable competencies including critical thinking, digital literacy, professional English, soft skills, and moral and ethical values. Graduates may work in higher education; government and non-governmental organizations in education (e.g. the State Pedagogical Institute, Institute of Education Policy, Institute for a Well-Governed Society, Center for Research on Ethnicity and Culture, Center for Economic and Social Analysis); private educational and analytical organizations and companies; or as self-employed professionals in the educational services sector.

Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy (Doctoral Degree) - this study program responds to current needs in educational practice (based on feedback from graduates, potential employers, and stakeholders representing state, public, and private entities), as well as international requirements for high-quality research and the potential development of individual academic disciplines. The program creates the conditions for continuously improving the preparedness of a new generation of creative, internationally and interdisciplinarily prepared university teachers, assistant professors, and researchers (in line with the requirement to train "young researchers") who are capable of high-quality research in education at an international level, working in teams with other specialists, contributing to the development of educational sciences, and serving as managers and experts capable of conducting analyses in education.

Theology (Doctoral Degree) - graduates are qualified to carry out conceptual theological and scientific work and to produce professional theological studies in the theory and practice of the church, as well as in developing a Christian worldview based on professional biblical exegesis. They are prepared for leadership positions in church, church-related, parachurch, diaconal, and ecumenical institutions and organizations. They may teach theological subjects at university level and provide professional education and training for church workers and members of church organizations. They understand issues concerning the relationship between natural, human, and theological sciences and are capable of conducting research in theological and related fields. As individuals educated in both science and faith, they have a broad perspective on contemporary philosophical, theological, and ethical debates and are able to address sensitively and respond publicly to controversial ethical and social issues concerning Christian faith, religion, and culture.

Social Work/Applied Social Work (Doctoral Degree) - graduates of the doctoral study program in Social Work are prepared to carry out scientific research, publication, project, analytical, and expert activities and are capable of innovation, development, and supporting social work as a science, including introducing new ideas and approaches grounded in research and project work. They are prepared to communicate information about the outputs and conclusions of scientific, research, and development work at an international level and to participate fully as members of research teams.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WITH SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Relevant information can be obtained from the competent staff of the Faculty of Education, MBU: the Vice-Dean for Pedagogical Activities, the coordinator for students with specific educational needs, or the Head of the Student´s Affairs Office.

Procedure for choosing a study program:

1. Consider the prerequisites for the selected study program in terms of:
-            knowledge level and prerequisites,
-            technical and personal preparedness and motivation,
-            requirements regarding the content, scope, and form of study,
-            the conditions offered by the university,
-            limitations arising from a health condition.

2. Obtain qualified information about the difficulty and conditions of study well in advance.

3. Contact a competent faculty staff member personally to discuss your needs and support options. If the selected study program includes an entrance examination, submit a request for an alternative form of the entrance examination together with the application for study, where appropriate.

Students with specific educational needs at the Faculty of Education, MBU - prerequisites:
An applicant/student is well prepared and adequately equipped for university study if they have the following:

-            the necessary knowledge base,
-            study habits,
-            aptitude for university study in general and for the selected study program,
-            habits and abilities that enable them to use their own functional potential to achieve the greatest possible independence in study.

This means that an applicant/a student with these prerequisites will require special support, personal assistance, or help from others only in situations where a particular barrier to study cannot be overcome independently.

Coordinator for students with specific educational needs: