Universities in Slovenia

Slovenia's universities offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees within the European Higher Education Area. According to Study in Slovenia, the official portal for international students, higher education is provided by public universities (the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor and the University of Primorska), private universities such as the University of Nova Gorica, and other institutions: faculties, art academies and colleges. All Slovenian higher education institutions are accredited.

Private institutions follow the same legal framework as public ones, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth. Study in Slovenia also publishes a list of programmes taught in English; the list changes every year and is updated in spring.

How it works

The system has a professional track and an academic track. Short-cycle higher vocational colleges offer 2-year programmes worth 120 credits. Higher education proper follows three cycles:

• First cycle (bachelor's): 3 or 4 years
• Second cycle (master's): 1 or 2 years
• Third cycle (doctorate): 3 years

Universities, faculties and art academies can teach all three cycles; professional colleges offer only professional programmes. All programmes accredited after April 2004 use ECTS credits, with one credit equal to 25 to 30 hours of student work. Grades run from 6 (the lowest pass) to 10. The academic year runs from October to the end of September, with a winter semester from October to January and a summer semester from February to mid-July.

The universities in our directory show the range. The University of Maribor grew out of an association of colleges set up in 1961 and became a university in 1975. The University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business (UL SEB) holds the EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB accreditations and says its students come from 63 countries. IEDC-Bled School of Management, founded in 1986, offers postgraduate and executive programmes such as an Executive MBA and a PhD in Management. GEA College in Piran combines a Faculty of Entrepreneurship, with 3-year bachelor's and 2-year master's programmes, and a centre for 2-year higher vocational programmes.

Admission

Applications to public and private institutions are made online through the national eVŠ portal. Each university or independent institution publishes a call for enrolment with the places available. Citizens of EU countries apply for the places intended for Slovenian citizens; non-EU citizens apply for the places reserved for foreigners.

• Deadlines: calls for bachelor's and integrated master's programmes (such as medicine or veterinary science) are published by early February at the latest; master's calls usually in March, or by early June at the latest; doctoral calls by early March
• Recognition: applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate or degree need a recognition decision, which the institution issues as part of the enrolment procedure; a certified Slovene translation of the certificate is required
• Grades: secondary school grades from abroad are converted to the Slovenian scale
• Language: some programmes ask for a set level in the language of teaching, and some calls require a Slovene language exam before enrolment

Non-EU degree students need a temporary residence permit for studies, applied for at a Slovenian embassy or consulate before entry or, for nationalities that can enter Slovenia without a visa, after arrival. Slovenia issues the D visa only to exchange students. Applicants must show sufficient means, for example a parents' declaration of support of at least €494.09 per month for the academic year.

Costs and funding

Full-time first- and second-cycle students who are citizens of Slovenia, the EU, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia or Serbia do not pay tuition at public institutions or at publicly funded programmes of private ones. Most other non-EU students without permanent residence pay tuition. According to Study in Slovenia, fees per year typically range from €2,000 to €11,000 for a bachelor's degree, €2,000 to €15,000 for a master's and €2,000 to €6,000 for a doctorate. Doctoral students and students at private institutions without public funding also pay. Fees are usually paid in one sum per academic year.

Funding includes the Ad futura scholarships for foreign citizens (the 2026 call is for postgraduate master's students from Western Balkan countries), scholarships for Slovenians living abroad, and Erasmus+ or CEEPUS grants for exchanges.

How to choose

• Language: check whether the programme is taught in English for your year of entry, since the list changes annually
• Fees: confirm whether your nationality is exempt and whether the programme is publicly funded
• Track: academic or professional bachelor's, or a 2-year higher vocational programme
• Level: executive and postgraduate schools such as IEDC suit experienced managers rather than school leavers
• Paperwork: allow time for recognition of your previous education and for the residence permit

Frequently asked questions

Is university free in Slovenia?

For full-time bachelor's and master's students from Slovenia, the EU and some Western Balkan countries, studies at public institutions are free. Most other non-EU students pay tuition, typically €2,000 to €11,000 a year for a bachelor's degree.

How do I apply to a Slovenian university?

Through the online eVŠ portal, after the institution publishes its call for enrolment. Non-EU citizens apply for the places reserved for foreigners, and foreign qualifications are recognised during the enrolment procedure.

Can I study in English in Slovenia?

Yes, in some programmes. Study in Slovenia publishes a list of programmes taught in English each spring; check the details with the institution.

When does the academic year start?

In October. The winter semester runs until January and the summer semester from February to mid-July.