Comenius University
- Take a preparatory Slovak language course and attend largest university in all of Slovakia
- Join a club through the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) to further immerse yourself in the study abroad experience
- Go hiking and skiing in the mountains where snow-cover lasts for 130 days out of the year
Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia is the largest university in the country. Named after Czech teacher and philosopher Jan Amos Comenius, Comenius University was founded in 1919 after the establishment of Czechoslovakia. The university has multitude of academic disciplines that make home to roughly 30,000 students and 2,000 faculty members.
Comenius University has the following faculties:
- Medicine
- Law
- Philosophy
- Natural Sciences
- Education
- Pharmacy
- Physical Education and Sports
- Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics
- Roman Catholic Faculty of Theology
- Evangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty
- Management
- Social and Economic Sciences
Within each of these disciplines there are a number of majors for students to declare. It is evident that the university has quite an academic presence in both Slovakia and all of Europe.
MAUI-Utrecht is a total immersion program, meaning that exchange students will be taking classes, joining clubs, and living with other students and locals attending the university. It is recommended for students to be independent and fast learners and are open to many different adventures and opportunities.
Comenius University is located in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Bratislava is home to about half a million people, and more civilians reside in its greater metropolitan area. The city borders both Austria and Hungary since it resides in the southwestern corner of Slovakia, and it is the only national capital in the world that borders two other countries.
Bratislava is known to be a political, cultural, and economic market for Slovakia, so it fits as the perfect location for Comenius University. Besides multiple universities being housed in Bratislava, the city also has a multitude of museums, galleries, and theaters. It is home to the Slovak president and parliament as well. Large businesses and financial institutions are also located in Bratislava. Basically, Bratislava is a prime place to live in if you want an immersed Slovak experience.
Bratislava is rich with history that has been influenced by a number of religions and nationalities. Austrians, Czechs, Hungarians, and Slovaks have all been involved in the upbringing of the city. Jews and Serbs have also been of great importance to the history of Bratislava.
A number of faculties are open to MAUI-Utrecht exchange students. Some faculties are taught in English while others are instructed in the host language. The list of undergraduate/graduate areas of study open to MAUI-Utrecht are listed below:
- Management
- Social and Economic Sciences
- Law
- European Studies
- Pharmacy
- Central European Studies
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Education
- Sport and Physical Education
Out of all of the disciplines listed above, all are taught in English besides Education and Sport and Physical Education.
Each of the academic faculties has a list of specified majors, and these majors will be open to MAUI-Utrecht exchange students. For example, some of the majors are: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Psychology, etc. Visit the Comenius University website for more information on different course offerings. Students will sign up for courses before arrival, and a faculty coordinator will help with this process. Upon arrival, students will formally select classes as well.
There is a mandatory Welcome Week the week before classes begin, and this acts as an orientation session for incoming international students. It is free of charge. A preparatory language course for incoming students is also available.
The general dates for the two semesters are:
- Semester 1: End of September - Middle of February (examinations in January and February)
- Semester 2: Beginning of January - Beginning of July (examinations in June and July)
Early exams are available to international exchange students upon request.
Housing assistance is available for MAUI-Utrecht exchange students. The application is separate from the academic application, and students will receive an email a few months prior to the beginning of the semester with more information. Students can apply for housing before they've been accepted into the university, and this is strongly encouraged.
Students have two dormitory options, but the placement depends on the faculty study of choice. The two dormitory options are listed below:
There are no campus meal plans available for students.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
For more information (especially regarding costs and deadlines), please contact Jenna Hunter-Skidmore at jmhunter@ku.edu or stop by the Study Abroad & Global Engagement Info Center in 105 Lippincott for Walk-In Advising.
More information can be found on the Comenius University MAUI-Utrecht Website or the Comenius University Homepage.