According to Countryaah, Slovenia is country located in southern part of European continent. The biggest city in Slovenia is Ljubljana with population of 272,331.

Higher education in Slovenia

The academic year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is divided into a winter semester and a summer semester. The exams are in January, June and September.

Institutions

Slovenia has five universities (Univerza). The three public universities are located in Ljubljana, Maribor and Primorska respectively, while the two private universities are located in Novo Gorica and Portoroz respectively. The University of Ljubljana was established as the oldest university in 1919. Slovenia also has a number of private higher education institutions such as faculties, art academies and vocational colleges.

Within higher education, one chooses between academic and vocational studies. While faculties and art academies can offer both academic and vocational higher education, vocational colleges can only offer vocational higher education. Since 2004, these schools have also been able to offer Slovenian master’s programs if they meet certain conditions. The individual education programs must be approved by the Council for Higher Education in order to be state-recognized.

Visje strokovne sole(vocational schools) offer short higher education. These short higher education programs may provide access to the second year of a vocational higher education program.

You can find links to the individual institutions and general information about higher education in Slovenia at Study in Europe – Slovenia.

Degrees at university level

Since the academic year 2009/2010, students in Slovenia are enrolled in studies that follow the Bologna structure. The following degrees can be obtained at university level in Slovenia:

• Diplomirani (UN)is the Slovenian bachelor’s degree, and it is obtained after three to four years of university studies (180 to 240 ECTS).
• Diplomirani (VS)is the profession- orientedbachelor’s degree, and it is obtained after three to four years of study in a professional college (professional colleges).
• Master’s degree, the Slovenian master’s degree lasts 1 to 2 years after a diplomirani (60 to 120 ECTS), so the total course of study is 5 years.
• Doctorate znanosti, Slovenia’s PhD degree lasting 3 years (180 ECTS).

Application for higher education

Foreign students must send their application to the International Office of the desired educational institution (Office of International Relations). There is a restriction on access in Slovenia (numerus clausus).

Admission requirements

With a Danish upper secondary education, you can apply for higher education in Slovenia. In some cases, specific levels and disciplines will be required. Upon admission to a master’s program, the prior bachelor’s program must be approved by the educational institution.

Language proficiency

To study at undergraduate level, foreign students must pass a Slovenian language test no later than 1 year after the start of studies. The bachelor programs at the universities are in Slovenian, but with a few subjects taught in English.

It is not a requirement that you must be able to speak Slovenian in studies after the bachelor’s level, but it is advisable as not all courses are offered in English.

Application deadlines

Applications for a bachelor’s program are open from February to March. You will be notified of the result at the end of June. The educational institutions will conduct any entrance exams in May or June. Applications for admission to a master’s program vary from place of study to place of study, but applications are usually open from June to mid-August / September. At the individual university’s study office, you can get information about application deadlines.

Recognition of foreign educations

If you have completed a publicly recognized education in Slovenia or elsewhere abroad, you can have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Research and Education. See the application procedure.

Practical conditions

Housing

Students can get help with housing search in Ljubljana from Student Service (only in Slovenian). However, there is a shortage of dormitory rooms in both Ljubljana and Maribor, and in some cases you must therefore find a home yourself.

In the local newspapers you can find ads for renting rooms.

It is most difficult to find a home around September and October, so it is a good idea to start your home search a few months before.

Other things

You can find useful information about Slovenia at the Danish Embassy in Slovenia and the Slovenian Embassy in Denmark

Facts about Slovenia

Population: Approx. 2 million.

Language: Slovenian.

Employment: Unemployment in December 2013 was 9.9% (Eurostat).

Residence permit: Stays of more than 3 months require a residence permit. If you want to work in Slovenia, you must always have a work permit.