Pavol Jozef Šafárik University(UPJS) is becoming increasingly popular among British students looking for medicine and dentistry programmes taught in English.

Many students who previously considered destinations such as Bulgaria are now looking more carefully at factors such as teaching quality, university structure, and degree duration — particularly in dentistry, where programmes in Bulgaria often take 6 years instead of 5 as at UPJŠ and many other European universities — which is one of the reasons why Slovakia and UPJS are becoming increasingly popular among British applicants who want to apply to medical schools in Europe.

At the same time, many UK students still want the admissions process to feel accessible and manageable — especially when applying abroad for the first time.

This is exactly why Desire2Study organises official UK sittings of the entrance exam for Pavol Jozef Šafárik University — giving British students the opportunity to take the UPJS medicine or dentistry entrance exam in the UK, without needing to travel to Slovakia first.

Official UPJS Entrance Exam Dates

For the 2026 intake, Desire2Study registered students can choose between:

Entrance Exam in the UK - Peterborough

The main UK exam sittings organised by UPJS and Desire2Study will take place on:

• 12 July 2026 - Peterborough, UK

These sittings are ideal for British students who want to complete the entrance exam locally before making travel plans abroad. Register now.

Entrance Exam Sitting in Košice, Slovakia

Students can also choose to sit the official exam directly at the university in Slovakia on:

• 17 June 2026 — Košice, Slovakia

• 12 August 2026 — Košice, Slovakia

Some students prefer this route, especially if they already plan to visit the university or explore the city before starting their studies.

Desire2Study supports students applying through both options — whether they choose the UK or Slovakia exam sitting.

Why Students Choose UPJŠ

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University is one of the best-known medical universities in Slovakia offering English-taught programmes in General Medicine and Dentistry.

Students are attracted to UPJŠ because of:

• EU-recognised degrees,

• Structured admissions process,

• International student community,

• Lower tuition fees compared to many Western countries,

• Affordable living costs in Košice.

For many UK applicants, UPJŠ becomes a realistic and respected alternative to highly competitive UK medical and dental school admissions.

Study Medicine or Dentistry in Slovakia in English

The programmes at UPJŠ are taught fully in English and follow EU educational standards.

Tuition Fees for 2026/2027 Academic Year

• Medicine: €13,000 per year

• Dentistry: €13,500 per year

Compared to tuition fees in countries such as the UK or even other European countries, this creates a much more accessible option to study medicine or dentistry.

What Does the UPJŠ Entrance Exam Include

The entrance exam focuses primarily on:

• Biology

• Chemistry

The exam is designed to assess scientific understanding and readiness for medical or dental studies.

Unlike some systems that rely almost entirely on predicted grades or UCAS competition, universities such as UPJŠ also evaluate students through entrance exam performance and academic preparation.

After registration, Desire2Study offers our students study material so they can prepare for the exam.

Application & Exam Support Through Desire2Study

Applying abroad can feel overwhelming, especially when students are trying to manage:

• University applications

• Exam preparation

• Required documents

• Deadlines

• Travel planning

This is where Desire2Study supports applicants throughout the process.

Students can receive support with:

✅ UPJŠ application processing

✅ entrance exam preparation materials

✅ document guidance

✅ understanding entry requirements

✅ support before and after the exam

✅ preparation for studying medicine or dentistry in Slovakia

Importantly, students who choose to take the exam directly in Slovakia can also apply through Desire2Study and receive full support throughout the application process.

Why Many Students Prefer the UK Exam Sitting

For many British students and parents, taking the exam in the UK makes the entire process feel much more manageable.

Instead of organising immediate international travel before even receiving an offer, students can:

• Sit the official entrance exam locally

• Prepare in a familiar environment

• Reduce stress and travel costs

• Explore whether this pathway is right for them first

For many applicants, this becomes the first realistic step toward studying medicine or dentistry in Europe.

How to Register for the UPJŠ UK Entrance Exam

Students interested in the UK entrance exam sittings can find full details and register here.

You can also explore the university overview on our UPJS page.

Final Thoughts

For many students, studying medicine or dentistry abroad becomes much more realistic once the process feels structured and accessible.

The opportunity to sit the UPJŠ entrance exam in the UK removes one of the biggest barriers and allows British students to approach the process with greater confidence.

Whether students choose the UK or Slovakia exam sitting, Desire2Study supports applicants throughout the journey — from application processing and entrance exam preparation to guidance before starting university in Slovakia. Contact us to register for the exam or get more support with your application to many other European medical schools.

FAQ

Can I take the UPJŠ medicine or dentistry entrance exam in the UK?

Yes, British students can take the official UPJŠ entrance exam in the UK through exam sittings organised in cooperation with Desire2Study.

For the 2026 intake, the UK exam sittings will take place in Peterborough on 12th July 2026. This allows students to complete the entrance exam process locally before travelling abroad.

Can I also take the entrance exam directly in Slovakia?

Yes. Students can also choose to sit the official entrance exam directly in Košice, Slovakia. The 2026 Slovakia exam sittings take place on 17 June 2026 or 12 August 2026. Desire2Study supports students applying through both the UK and Slovakia exam options.

What subjects are included in the UPJŠ entrance exam?

The entrance exam focuses mainly on Biology and Chemistry.

The exam is designed to assess readiness for medicine or dentistry studies taught in English.

Why apply to UPJS through Desire2Study?

Applying through Desire2Study gives students additional structure and support throughout the process. Students can receive support with UPJŠ application processing, entrance exam preparation materials, document guidance, understanding entry requirements, support before and after the exam. Students applying through Desire2Study can also choose whether they want to sit the exam in the UK or directly in Slovakia.

Do I need to travel to Slovakia before receiving an offer?

No. One of the biggest advantages of the UK exam sitting is that students can complete the entrance exam locally first before organising international travel.

This makes the process more accessible and manageable for many British applicants and parents.