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.
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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.
Foreign citizens and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship who completed secondary school abroad may enrol in Bachelor studies if they meet the following requirements:
Copies of certificates and other documents which candidates must send to the Higher Education Application Information Service of the chosen Slovenian university:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Member of EU since May 1, 2004
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.
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