Tertiary education

Tertiary education comprises post-secondary vocational education, professional higher education and university studies provided by public institutions: universities, faculties, art academies, professional colleges and independent higher education institutions. The Slovenian universities are located in Ljubljana, Maribor, Koper and Nova Gorica.

The pre-enrolment announcement for higher education institutions is normally published in January. Information on vacant places and conditions is available on the website of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. There are two application deadlines – one in spring and the other in autumn. If there are vacant places left after the autumn deadline, candidates can enrol during a third period (until 10th of October). Candidates apply to individual faculties. If there is a limited enrolment, the overall achievement in secondary school (3rd and 4th grades and the matura exam, vocational matura or final exam) is taken into account; if specific skills are required for the chosen studies the result of the specific skills test is also taken into consideration.  The academic year begins on 1st of October and ends on 30th of September.

Study obligations of study programmes are assigned credit points according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

An additional 5% of the number of places intended for the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and citizens of the Member States of the European Union is usually available for citizens of non-member States of the European Union.  Foreign nationals with permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia, who are themselves, or their parents/guardians, taxpayers in the Republic of Slovenia, can be considered candidates for places available for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and citizens of the EU countries.

Foreigners, citizens of non-member States of the EU, pay a tuition fee for full-time studies, unless: 

  • otherwise established by interstate or international agreements and treaties;
  • you are the holder of a scholarship of the Ministry of Higher Education or authorised contractor of such scholarships;
  • you are a student of an exchange programme between higher education institutions in the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme;
  • you are a foreign national with permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia and you yourself, or your parents or guardians, are a taxpayer in the Republic of Slovenia.

The tuition fee for part-time studies is to be paid by all foreign students.

More information on enrolment to individual universities is available at their Aapplication & enrolment services.