History of the University

Despite being a young institution, the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius (UCM) in Trnava embodies ancient customs and traditions dating back to the renowned Great Moravian Empire. For over 20 years, the university has carried the names of the patrons of education and significant missionaries in its title. It seeks inspiration from the distant past of our ancestors. 

UCM was established in 1997 as a vigorous and dynamic university. Founded by law no. 201/1997 Coll. on August 1, 1997, it reflected the societal need to develop higher education in the 1990s. The establishment of UCM in Trnava had immense significance for the Slovak academic community and, especially, for the Trnava region. Besides facilitating access to higher education for hundreds of students and thereby increasing education and culture in the region, the university, from its inception, supported and contributed to the development of science and education in Slovakia through the implementation of study programs that were previously neglected, while also opening up space for the emergence of new, modern study programs. As the only university in Slovakia at the time, it allowed students to study programs in mass media and marketing communication, earning a reputation for uniqueness and distinctiveness. To date, it has nurtured thousands of graduates at all three levels of education (BSc, MSc, PhD). 

The proposal for the establishment of the university was based on the concept of Christian traditions, which influenced the city of Trnava. Thus, the university gradually evolved in the spirit of the democratic, Christian, and national values and ideals declared in the law, with its graduates destined to develop Slovak science, culture, and education in connection with national, European, and global heritage. 

The university is also an important actor in regional development. It ranks among the significant employers in the regional city, enriching the cultural, social, and intellectual life of the city of Trnava and the entire region. It collaborates with public administration institutions and participates in numerous activities and events in the spirit of modern and inclusive cooperation to be a fully-fledged entity in the life of the entire region.

The priority of UCM in Trnava is to provide quality education. At this academic institution, there are currently approximately 50 professors, 63 associate professors, and over 200 research assistants. They serve not only as teachers but also as scientists and researchers with rich publishing and research activities. The academic community comprises experts not only from Slovakia but also, thanks to the developing bilateral cooperation, mobility support, and internationalization, from around the world. 

The University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava is a modern educational institution characterized by a unique composition of study programs. It has a relatively stable interest from applicants and develops science and research in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It expands international cooperation with foreign universities and institutions in line with the internationalization strategy, establishes and strengthens relationships with Slovak universities, research institutions, regional institutions, and seeks good ties with the business background of the region and Slovakia. 

It is accredited to conduct study programs at all three levels of study and, in six study fields, to carry out habilitation proceedings and appoint professors. It provides students with ample opportunities in philosophical, social, mass media, and marketing spheres, as well as in the latest developments in natural and mathematical disciplines, biotechnology, and medical rehabilitation. According to global rankings, it is currently among the successful universities and educational institutions in Slovakia.