Study in Slovenia
Slovenia strives to implement measures supporting equal opportunities, academic success, student mobility, higher education and vocational education and training, language learning and distance education.
The adoption of the Bologna system also supports the academic and professional recognition of qualifications, and the overall development of modern education methods and internationally relevant undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Why study in Slovenia?
1. It's free for EU/EEA students
If you come from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you can study at Slovenian public universities for free. This also applies to students from the following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia (formerly known as Macedonia), and Serbia.
If you're not a citizen of any of these countries, expect to pay between 2,000 and 15,000 EUR per academic year, depending on what you want to study and at what level (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD).
2. No language barriers
In most cases, you should be alright only with English. Most people under 40 speak it at least at conversational level, especially in student cities like Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper.
However, it's never a bad idea to learn at least a few words in Slovenian. Here are a few to get you started: zdravo (hello), hvala (thanks), prosim (please), enjoy your meal (dober tek), etc.
3. Slovenia is a beautiful country
If you're a nature enthusiast, you'll feel right at home in Slovenia. You can take a stroll through the numerous parks and forests, visit Lake Bled, explore the Postojna Cave, take a walk along the historic Soteska Vintgar gorge, climp up the Triglav mountain, or visit the oldest vine in the entire world, in Maribor.
International focus
In recent years, higher education in Slovenia has undergone several structural changes, rapid institutional development and new study programme implementation. As a result, Slovenia became an increasingly popular international student destination. Just under 2,000 foreign students are currently studying in Slovenia.
The great majority of these students come from the republics of the former Yugoslavia, mainly because of cultural links and similarities of language. Foreign students account for almost 10% of doctoral students.
General application requirements
Foreign citizens and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship who completed secondary school abroad may enrol in Bachelor studies if they meet the following requirements:
- completed four-year secondary school
- completed procedure for the recognition of foreign secondary education certificates
- successful result on required tests, if applicable
- knowledge of the Slovenian language
Copies of certificates and other documents which candidates must send to the Higher Education Application Information Service of the chosen Slovenian university:
- notarized final certificate of a four year secondary school
- a secondary school diploma
- notarised transcripts for the last two years of completed secondary school recording academic performance
- personal identity cards or certificates of citizenship
- certificate indicating that the candidate has passed the Examination in Intermediate Level Slovenian
The general access requirement for masters’ study programmes is a completed first cycle study programme. Admission requirements may vary depending on the chosen higher education institution. Contact the international student departments for detailed information.
Academic structure
Higher education studies are provided by public and private universities, faculties, art academies and professional colleges. Universities, faculties and art academies may provide all types of study programmes, while professional colleges generally focus on bachelor level study programmes.
Study programmes
Higher education system in Slovenia is consists of Bachelor level academic and professional study programmes, masters’ study programmes and professional degrees as well as doctoral studies. Degrees in all three cycles can be taken as joint degrees. Higher education institutions may provide supplementary study programmes as a form of lifelong learning. Studies are organised as full-time and part-time respectively.
Language of study
Besides the higher education programmes taught in Slovenian, you can find a considerable selection of English-taught programmes in diverse academic fields. If your study programme is taught in English, you will be required to prove your English proficiency by presenting the results you received at English courses.
If you want to study abroad in Slovenia, you are most likely to find courses fully or partially taught in English in universities in the big cities. Usually, postgraduate courses do not require knowledge of Slovenian.
As part of the Erasmus international student exchange network, Slovenia is looking to expand its offer of English-taught programmes in order to attract more European students who want to study abroad. As a result, some universities recruit experienced English native speaking teachers from the UK, Slovenia and Switzerland to encourage the enrolment of students coming from abroad.
English language preparation for studying in Slovenia
Develop your academic English language skills in order to meet the English language requirements at Slovenian universities offering degree studies for international students. Choose an English language school anywhere in the world and pick your preferred English exam preparation course from diverse language course options.
Universities accept these official English exams:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
Teaching methods
Higher education institutions use various teaching methods such as lectures, seminars, exercises, colloquium and written assignments. Usually lectures are given for a large group of students, while the seminars and exercises are usually offered for a smaller group of students. The studies also demand a lot of individual and preparatory work.
Living in Slovenia
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Slovenia:
Tuition fees
You can study for free at a public Slovenian university if you come from:
- a member state of the European Union (EU)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Kosovo
- North Macedonia (formerly known as Macedonia)
- Serbia
International students from other countries pay tuition fees:
- between 2,000 and 11,000 EUR for Bachelor's degrees
- between 2,000 and 15,000 EUR for Master's degrees
- between 2,000 and 6,000 EUR for PhD degrees
At private universities, students also need to pay tuition fees for study programmes that are not financed from the public budget.
Check out scholarships in Slovenia.
Costs of living
On average, you'll need between 400 and 700 EUR for living costs in Slovenia. Still, this largely depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. Here's a breakdown of common living expenses in Slovenia:
- accommodation (student dormitories): 100–250 EUR/month
- accommodation (renting a private flat): 90–350 EUR/month
- food and groceries: 150–250 EUR/month
- monthly transport pass: 10–27 EUR with student discount
- three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: 35 EUR
- 1 loaf of bread: 1.15 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 0.90 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 1.30 EUR
- 1 kg of bananas: 1.20 EUR
About Slovenia
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst. Slovenia is situated in Central Europe and shares borders with Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, only a couple hours from Venice or Vienna.
The Country is mostly elevated. Outside the coastal area, its terrain consists largely of plateaus and ridges, Alpine peaks, basins and valleys. Many woods and forests in Slovenia cover more than half the territory. Slovenia is homeland to more than 50.000 animal species and 3.000 plant species. The remnants of primeval forests could also be found, especially in the Kocevje area.
The climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers, but in the coastal areas, there is a pleasant sub-mediterranean climate. The average temperatures are -2° in January and 21° in July. There is plenty of snow in winter. In Slovenia, the sun shines approximately 2,000 hours per year.
Historically, the current territory of Slovenia was part of many different empires, including the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In October 1918, the Slovenes merged together with Croats and Serbs into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, Slovenia was occupied and annexed by the Axis Powers. Afterward, it was a founding member of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. In June 1991, after the fall of communism and the introduction of democracy, Slovenia split from Yugoslavia and became an independent country. In 2004, it entered NATO and the European Union and the Eurozone.
Alongside the majority population of Slovenian ethnic origin, in the border areas there live Hungarian and Italian minority communities. Various other ethnic groups, mainly from the Western Balkans, also have residence in Slovenia.
The economy of Slovenia is small, open, and export-oriented and has been strongly influenced by international conditions. The main economic field is services, followed by industry and construction. Slovenia is also a great tourist destination.
Universities, colleges and schools in Slovenia
Celje
Ljubljana
- University of Ljubljana (3 PhDs)
Maribor
- University of Maribor (32 PhDs)
Nova Gorica
- University of Nova Gorica (7 PhDs)
