Study Abroad
Study Guide to Masters and Bachelors Degree Courses




Slovenia



Structure of Educational System
Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition  of Foreign Credentials 
Student Life 
International Cooperation and Exchanges   


 

Pre-higher Education System

     Duration of compulsory education

     Age of entry: 6
     Age of exit:  15

     Structure of school system

     Type/level of education:     Eight Year School
     Type of school:                    PRIMARY
     Length of program (years): 8
     Age level:                              from 7 to 15

     Type/level of education:     Vocational
     Type of school:                    VOCATIONAL SECONDARY (TWO YEARS)
     Length of program (years): 2
     Age level:                              from 15 to 17
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY-SCHOOL-LEAVING CERTIFICATE

     Type/level of education:     Vocational
     Type of school:                    VOCATIONAL SECONDARY (THREE TO FOUR YEARS)
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY-SCHOOL-LEAVING CERTIFICATE - FINAL EXAMINATION

     Type/level of education:     Specialized Tech./Voc.
     Type of school:                    TECHNICAL SECONDARY (FOUR TO FIVE YEARS)
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY-SCHOOL-LEAVING CERTIFICATE - FINAL EXAMINATION OR MATURA EXAMINATION

     Type/level of education:     General Secondary
     Type of school:                    GRAMMAR SCHOOL (GYMNASIUM)
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE - MATURA EXAMINATION OR FINAL EXAMINATION

     Type/level of education:     Scientific Secondary
     Type of school:                    TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL GYMNASIA
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE - MATURA EXAMINATION OR FINAL EXAMINATION

     Description of secondary school system

In Slovenia, there are five types of secondary schools: 2-year lower vocational schools - apprenticeship (3 year with incomplete primary
school); 3-year vocational schools; 4-year technical and professional schools (after successful completion, students can enter a profession or continue their studies at higher professional schools); 4-year technical gymnasia; and 4-year grammar schools (general secondary schools, preparatory schools for university). Two general secondary schools (gymnasium/gimnazija) have sections (one each) for the International Baccalaureate programme. In the two bilingual regions, primary and secondary education for the Italian and Hungarian ethnic minorities is offered in Italian and Hungarian.
 

 Higher Education System

     Structure of system

Slovenia has two universities with 36 institutions and seven autonomous institutions of higher education. Higher education is regulated by the Higher Education Act (1994). The most important features introduced by the new legislation are: the new role of the university (change from an association of independent faculties to an integrated university) and the creation of a non-university sector (autonomous higher education institutions) and of private higher education institutions. The past two years saw the transformation of 2-year colleges into professional higher education institutions offering 3-year study programmes and the separation of some large faculties into several smaller ones. Study programmes offered by institutions of higher education in Slovenia are either 3- to 4-year programmes of study, leading to a higher (professional) diploma or traditional university programmes of study (lasting from 4 to 6 years), leading to a university degree. Postgraduate study includes 1- to 3-year specialization focusing on regional issues and problems; a 2-year research-oriented master's degree programme, and study for a doctorate. Doctoral studies last at least 4 years (2 years if preceded by a Master's degree). Higher education is free of charge for native full-time students. Part-time students and post-graduate students pay tuition fees.

     Main types of higher education institutions in country

     Type of institution:  UNIVERZA
     Translation:               UNIVERSITY

     Type of institution:  SAMOSTOJNI VISOKOSOLKI ZAVOD
     Translation:               FREE-STANDING INSTITUTION

     Main laws/decrees governing higher education

     Name of law/decree:  Higher Education Act
     Date:                      1 April, 1901
     Institution type:  All types and levels of higher education

 
 Administrative structure of higher education

     Name of body:      Ministry of Education and Sport
     Role:              Distribution of financial resources, control of expenditure, accreditation of study programmes.

     Address:
          Street: Zupanciceva ulica 6
          City: Ljubljana
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1254208
          Fax: 386-61-214 820

     Name of body:      Ministry of Science and Technology
     Role:              Coordination of national policy of scientific research, distribution of resources for scientific research.

     Address:
          Street: Slovenska cesta 50
          City: Ljubljana
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1311107
          Fax: 386-61-1324140

     Name of body:      Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia
     Role:              Gives opinions on establishing and transforming  institutions of higher education, coordinates academic issues,
     proposes national policy in higher education.

     Address:
          Street: Dalmatinova 2
          City: Ljubljana
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-316652
          Fax: 386-61-318250

     Academic year
     Classes start:     October
     Classes end:       June
     Long vacation:     from 30 June, to 22 August

     Languages of instruction
     Slovenian
 

 Stages and Organization of Higher Education Studies

     Higher vocational/technical studies

Professionally/vocationally oriented higher education is offered by professional higher education institutions (VISOKE SOLE) and some
faculties. Programmes of study last 3 to 4 years. After successful completion, students can generally continue their studies in the third
year of respective university programme provided they have sat for additional exams to bridge the difference between the completed programme and the first two years of the respective university programmes, or enrol in an optional specialization course. Upon successful completion of the study programme, the students are awarded respective professional titles: "Ekonomist" (economist), "Inzenir" (Engineer). Titles do not include the designation "Diplomirani" (Graduate). Upon successful completion of a specialist programme the title "Specialist" is added to the professional title.
 

     University level studies

     Stage 1:     Higher education / University study

Description: University study programmes are offered in faculties and art academies. Study programmes last between 4 and 6 years, plus a year of "absolvent" (graduate) status to give students time to prepare the diploma - a written thesis or a project. The majority of study courses require 4 + 1 years of study, but some (at technical/engineering faculties) require 4.5 (i.e. 9 semesters) + 1; veterinary studies last 5
years and medicine 6 years. Medical and veterinary students do not write a thesis - they follow one- or two-year internships after their studies. Study programmes give students professional knowledge and skills needed for employment as well as for further study at postgraduate level. Upon completion of their studies, students are awarded professional titles: "Diplomirani" (Graduate), "Profesor" (Professor), "Akademski Igralec, Slikar ..." (Academic Actor, Paintor ...). Graduates of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are awarded the title "Doktor medicine" (Doctor of Medicine) and "Doktor Veterinarske Medicine" (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).

     Stage 2:     Postgraduate study

Description: In Slovenia, postgraduate study is organized as part-time and full-time study. General requirements for enrolment into a
postgraduate study programme are: a completed university programme in the respective field, 2 years of professional experience and/or high grades at the undergraduate study (GPA above 8) level. Students are usually employed or they receive scholarships (young researchers and assistants) with fees covered by their employers. Postgraduate studies include a 1- to 3-year specialization focusing on professional knowledge, issues and problems; a 2-year master's degree programme. Specialization in medicine is organized by the Ministry of Health, Families and Welfare in university institutions and clinics. Upon successful completion of Specialist study, students are awarded the title: "Specialist". Master's degree programmes culminate in the public presentation (defence) of a master's thesis (dissertation) before a committee. Students are awarded the academic title of "Magister" (Master) in a respective field.

     Stage 3:     Doctorate

Description: Based on independent research, studies for doctor's degree are individually designed. The studies take at least 4 years and
culminate in the public presentation (defence) of a thesis representing an original contribution to the chosen scientific field. The thesis must
be presented before a committee. If preceded by a Master's degree, the duration of study is 2 years. Candidates are awarded the academic title: "Doktor Znanosti" (Doctor of Science) in the academic field.
 

     Teacher education
 
     Training of primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained in Faculties of Education. The programmes last for 4 years. Within the two years after their first
employment they are obliged to sit for a state professional examination.

     Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers are trained in faculties of education and in some other faculties in 4 to 4.5 year study programmes
(linguistics/languages, maths, physics, chemistry, biology, sports...) including a set number of pedagogical and psychological subjects.
Teachers who graduate without having taken these subjects are obliged to take a special course which ends with an examination.

     Training of higher education teachers

There is no special higher education teacher training.
 

     Non-formal studies

     Lifelong higher education

Most higher education institutions organize further education courses and seminars for their students and for other participants from respective professional fields.

     Other forms of non-formal education

The 3rd age University was formally established in 1986 in Ljubljana, by the Slovene Society of Teachers and the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts. Trade Unions take part in preparing programmes for people before retirement. The basic aim of these programmes is the resocialization of elderly people.
 

 
Grading system

     Usual grading system in (upper) secondary school
5-1 (5-excellent, 4-very good, 3-good, 2-sufficient, 1-insufficient) ZU, U, MU (ZU-very successful, U-successful,  MU-less successful).

     Highest on scale:  5, ZU
     Pass/fail level:           2, MU
     Lowest on scale:   1

     Main grading system generally used by higher education institutions

10-1, pass (10-excellent, 9-very good, 8-very good, 7-good, 6-sufficient, 5-1 insufficient)

     Highest on scale:  10
     Pass/fail level:           6
     Lowest on scale:   1,fail
 

Admissions to Higher Education

     Admission to Vocational/Technical Studies

     Admission to higher vocational/technical or other professionally oriented non-university level studies

     Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s) required for entry

     Name of sec. school credential: ZAKLJUCNI IZPIT
     Minimum score/requirement: 2 - sufficient/pass
     Total number of years of primary and secondary school study: 12

     Name of sec. school credential: ZAKLJUCNI IZPIT
     Minimum score/requirement: 2 - sufficient/pass

     Alternative(s) to these credentials:
International Baccalaureate or special differential exams in subjects defined by an institution of higher education. The same amount and level
of knowledge is demanded as that obtained in respective 4-year secondary schools.

     Other admission requirements established at national level
     More information is available on Internet - http://stipend.mss.edus.si/tujci/ and    http://www.uni-lj.si/

     Numerus clausus established in the country for students entering higher vocational/technical education
     At level of institutions: Y       At country/state level: Y

     Specified restrictions of the country/state level:
     Numerus clausus is applied if/when there are more candidates than available places.
 

     Admissions to university level

     Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s) required for entry

     Name of sec. school credential: MATURA
     Minimum score/requirement: 2 - sufficient/pass
     Total number of years of primary and secondary school study: 12

     Alternative(s) to these credentials:
     International Baccalaureate

     Other admission requirements established at national level:
     More information is available on Internet - http://www.uni-lj.si/  and http://stipend.mss.edus.si/tujci/

     Numerus clausus established in the country for students entering university level education
     At level of institutions: Y          At country/state level: Y

     Specified restrictions of the country/state level:
Numerus clausus is applied if/when there are more candidates than available places. Slovenes with citizenship other than Slovenian, and
Slovenian emigrants are exempted from numerus clausus. The same exemption is applied for foreign students who may constitute up to 5 % of the total student body.
 

     Admission for foreign students
 
     Special admission requirements for foreign students at national level:

     Definition of a "foreign" student:
     Foreign students are students who do not hold Slovene citizenship.

     Quotas established for foreign students:
     At institution level: Y
     At country/state level: Y

     Quotas at the country/state level:
Foreign students with grants and scholarships allocated by states may enrol if they satisfy the enrolment conditions (successfully completed at least 12 years of schooling and preferably under 25 years of age at the time of registration).

     Special entry regulations for foreign students in country/state:
Residence permit; Payment of tuition fees for students without grants and scholarships given by states (1.000-3.000 USD for undergraduate study); A certified copy of the birth certificate and its translation into Slovenian, English, German or French; An authorized copy of the secondary school leaving certificate with a certified translation into Slovenian, English, German or French; Copies of report cards (with grades) of the last 4 years of schooling. Detailed information is available on Internet - http://www.uni-lj.si.

     Health requirements:
All applicants must obtain a certificate from the respective Student Health Centre in Slovenia that they have no contagious or chronic
disease.

     Language proficiency requirements for foreign applicants whose first language is not the language of instruction
     Are there examinations at institution level? Y

     Requirements at national level

     Name of exam or requirement:       Test of knowledge of the Slovene language.
     Minimum score (for exam):  Successful/pass

     Name of exam or requirement:       Certiticate of a completed one year Slovene language course
     Minimum score (for exam):  Successfully completed course

     Other special academic requirements for foreign students set up at national level:
The Ministry of Education and Sport is responsible for evaluation (nostrification) of secondary school credentials. Candidates must have
completed a 4-year secondary school (meet the same enrolment requirements as home students).

     Authority to whom foreign student applications should be addressed:
     Application to individual institutions: Y
     For entry to: University of Maribor or University of Ljubljana (Office of International Relations).

     Application to national/central body: N

     Earliest application closing date for foreign students admissions

     For Tech./Voc. non-university level studies: 14 March
     For first university level studies:        14 March
     For advanced/doctoral studies:     1 September

     Reference to further information materials on foreign students admissions

     Title:           Welcome to University of Ljubljana (information for foreign students)
     Author:      Katja Cerjak
     Publisher:   University of Ljubljana, publication is also on Internet - http://www.uni-lj.si/
     Year of publication:       1996

     Title:            Slovenia for foreign students
     Author:       Milan Koritnik
     Publisher:    International Office SOU (http://www.kiss.uni-lj.si/sou/mp)
     Year of publication:       1996

     Title:             publications on Internet - http://stipend.mss.edus.si/tujci/

 
 Recognition of studies and qualifications

     System of "recognition" or "accreditation" of studies completed and credentials awarded within the country:
 
    Description:

     Diplomas awarded by individual institutions of higher education are recognized throughout the country.

     Practice regarding access to the professions:
Professional practice is conditional on successful completetion of a preparatory stage which normally lasts one year and ends with a special examination before respective boards. For some professions (teachers, judges, doctors of medicine, architects...) the state professional examination has to be passed.

     Policy for transfer and recognition of studies and degrees between institutions of the country:

Diplomas are recognized automatically. Individual exams are recognized by institutions where students continue their studies.

     Recognition of studies completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries

     Bodies primarily addressing questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies in higher education

     Name of body: University of Ljubljana
     Address:
          Street: Kongresni trg 12
          City: Ljubljana
          State/Province: Slovenia
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1254055
          Fax: 386-61-1254053
          E-Mail: ul-rektorat@uni-lj.si

     Recognition of foreign credentials to enter an institution:        Y
     Recognition of foreign credentials to enter a profession:  Y

     Description of services provided and types of students dealt with:
     Credentials evaluation/verification for all levels of higher education.

     Name of body: University of Maribor
     Address:
          Street: Krekova ulica 2
          City: Maribor
          State/Province: Slovenia
          Postal code: 2000
          Telephone: 386-62-223 611
          Fax: 386-62-23 541
          E-Mail: University@uni-mb.si

     Recognition of foreign credentials to enter an institution:        Y
     Recognition of foreign credentials to enter a profession:  Y

     Description of services provided and types of students dealt with:
     Credentials evaluation/verification for all levels of higher education.

     Other authorities responsible for accreditation and recognition of foreign credentials and studies:
     The Ministry of Education and Sport evaluates/ nostrifies foreign secondary school credential.

     Special provisions/practices set up for the recognition of studies pursued and credentials obtained abroad

     For access to higher vocational/technical non-university level studies:
     The Ministry of Education and Sport evaluates / nostrifies foreign secondary school credentials.

     For access to university level studies:
     The Ministry of Education and Sport evaluates / nostrifies foreign
     secondary school credentials.

     For access to advanced studies and research:
     University diploma and recommendations

     For the exercise of a profession:
     Evaluated/nostrified foreign credential (Diploma) and certificate of work experience.

Principal multilateral agreements adopted by the country relating to recognition of studies, degrees and diplomas

Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE EUROPEAN REGION-PARIS-1979
Year of signature: 1 April, 1981

Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES, DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE ARAB AND EUROPEAN STATES-NICE-1976
Year of signature: 1 April, 1977

Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN-1974
Year of signature: 1 April, 1981

Name of agreement: EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON THE EQUIVALENCE OF DIPLOMAS LEADING TO ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITIES-PARIS-1953
Year of signature: 1 April, 1977

Name of agreement: PROTOCOL TO THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON THE EQUIVALENCE OF DIPLOMAS LEADING TO ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITIES-STRASBOURG-1964
Year of signature: 1 April, 1977

Name of agreement: EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON THE EQUIVALENCE OF PERIODS OF UNIVERSITY STUDY-PARIS-1956
Year of signature: 1 April, 1977

Name of agreement: EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON ACADEMIC RECOGNITION OF UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATIONS-PARIS-1959
Year of signature: 1 April, 1977

     Principal biliteral agreements signed by the country relative to recognition of studies, degrees and diplomas

     Country:   Austria
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOLING FINAL CERTIFICATES
     Date:              27 March, 1974

     Country:   Austria
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE IN THE ACADEMIC SPHERE
     Date:              27 January, 1979

     Country:   Bulgaria
     Agreement name/reference: MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS AND ACADEMIC DEGREES
     Date:              8 November, 1983

     Country:   India
     Agreement name/reference: PROTOCOL-EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES, DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              12 November, 1976

     Country:   Iraq
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES, DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              7 October, 1984

     Country:   Italy
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL
     Date:              23 December, 1970

     Country:   Italy
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS AND ACADEMIC TITLES
     Date:              11 February, 1983

     Country:   Libya
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS, DEGREES
     Date:              20 March, 1979

     Country:   Hungary
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              7 March, 1980

     Country:   Germany
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              27 February, 1980

     Country:   Poland
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              15 June, 1978

     Country:   Romania
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES
     Date:              19 November, 1978

     Country:   USSR (former)
     Agreement name/reference: RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES DIPLOMAS, DEGREES
     Date:              15 March, 1988

     Country:   Croatia
     Agreement name/reference: EQUIVALENCE OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
     Date:              29 September, 1993
 

 Student services

     Main student services at national level

     Is there a national social security system health insurance for home students? Y
     Is it available for foreign students? Y
     Cost/fee (per year, in national currency): US Dollar 180

     Details on social security for foreign students:
Home students obtain their social security on a parental basis. Social security for foreign students is based on individual insurance in
respective insurance companies (annual amount: USD 180).

     Special travel concessions for students:
     By road:   Y
     By rail:   Y
     By air:    Y
     Is it available for foreign students? Y

     Principal national student associations and unions

     Name: Slovenian Student Union

     Address:
          Street: Kersnikova 4
          City: Ljubljana
          State/Province: Slovenia
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-318 457
          Fax: 386-61-319 448
 

  Student expenses and financial aid

     Average student expenses in national currency:

     Average living costs for current academic year: US Dollar 5500
 

 Tuition and fees for national students  Tuition and fees for foreign students 
 Minimum:  US Dollar 0  Minimum: US Dollar 1500
 Maximum: US Dollar 6000  Maximum: US Dollar 6000
 
 
Financial aid available for Higher Vocational/Technical studies  Financial aid available for first degree studies Financial aid available for advanced/doctoral studies
 Grants for foreign students:
 Grants for home students: 
 Loans for foreign students:    
 Loans for home students:       
 
 
     Main body(ies) providing information on foreign student financial aid

     Name: Ministry of Education and Sport - Office of International Relations
     Address:
          Street: Ulica stare pravde 6
          City: Ljubljana
          State/Province: Slovenia
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1323225
          Fax: 386-61-1327212

     Grants/scholarships:       Y
     Loans:                             N

     Publication(s) listing scholarships/grants/loans available

     Title:             publication on Internet - http://stipend.mss.edus.si/tujci/
     Author:        Ministry of Education and Sport and Open Society Institute
 

International Cooperation
 
Principal national bodies responsible for facilitating international cooperation and exchanges in higher education

     Name: Ministry of Education and Sport - Office of International Relations
     Address:
          Street: Ulica stare pravde 6
          City: Ljubljana
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1323225
          Fax: 386-61-1327212

     Name: MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
     Address:
          Street: Slovenska cesta 50
          City: Ljubljana
          Postal code: 1000
          Telephone: 386-61-1311107
          Fax: 386-61-1324140
 
 Participation of country in multilateral or major bilateral higher education exchange programmes

     Name of programme: CEEPUS
     Name of programme: TEMPUS, SOCRATES
     Name of programme: ALPS-ADRIA
     Name of programme: ACE
     Name of programme: PECO
     Name of programme: EUREKA
     Name of programme: ERASMUS




     Source:     Iztok Slatinek, RCUM, 1997