Slovenia : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

Slovenia's higher education system has a twin-track structure: academic higher education and professionally orientated (vocational) higher education.

In 2004, the country adopted a three-level study structure for higher education. The first level relates to undergraduate studies and the second and third levels to postgraduate studies.

Each level is referred to as a cycle:

• Undergraduate or first degree (diploma prve stopnje).
• Second cycle is for the study of Masters degrees (magisterij stroke).
• Third cycle is for Doctoral (doktorat) studies.

Higher education is the responsibility of the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

What courses are available?

Course information is published in the form of a call for enrolment in June every year by each of the three universities in Slovenia.

Where can I study?

Slovenia has three universities:

• University of Ljubljana 
• University of Maribor 
• University of Primorska 

The academic year starts in early October and typically runs in two semesters.

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

Admissions policies are dependent on the institution to which you are applying: check the websites of the above institutions for more information on admissions procedures, potential funding opportunities and closing dates.

The language of instruction is Slovene. The Centre for Slovene as a Second or Foreign Language runs beginners courses in many Slovenian towns.

When do I apply?

You need to wait for the call for enrolment before you can apply to a postgraduate course. This is usually published by June for the upcoming study year. Applications for enrolment should be submitted by 10 September.

How do I apply?

Applications should be made directly to each university.

How much will it cost?

Full-time students on second cycle studies (magisterij stroke) in public and private state-subsidised higher education institutions do not pay tuition fees. This applies to students from other EU member states and foreign students from countries with a mutual bilateral agreement with Slovenia. All students are only charged a small registration fee of approximately €25 per year.

Doctoral students are either employed by the state and have their tuition and salaries paid for or they have the status of Doctoral student. In this case, the State pays for part of the tuition fee. 

Are there any exchange programmes available?

UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Slovenia through the Erasmus programme.

This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

Slovenia is a member of ENIC-NARIC, a network of national centres that aims to improve academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in European Union (EU) member states, EEA countries and associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom)  is the national agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide.