Higher education

Higher education in Slovenia is divided into traditional higher education (ISCED 5A-6) and the newly developed higher vocational education sector (ISCED 5B). The academic year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30, and is divided into two semesters (winter and summer).

Higher education institutions are public and private universities, faculties, art academies and professional colleges. Faculties and art academies can offer both academic and professional study programmes, while professional colleges offer only professional study programmes. The difference between university and professional institutions lies in research based studies and academic research activities.
Beside the degree studies, higher education institutions offer also various supplementary and refreshing courses and other lifelong learning opportunities for adult students.

Full-time students enrolled in first and second cycle studies in public and private state-subsidised higher education institutions do not pay tuition fees. This also applies to students from other EU member states and foreign students from the countries with a mutual bilateral agreement with Slovenia. Student support is available in different forms. Full-time students can receive scholarships which are also available to foreign students on the basis of mutual agreements and through some tenders, mostly for post-graduate studies.

Higher vocational education was introduced in 1996 as part of the overall education reform. The main aim of higher vocational colleges is to develop occupational skills. These colleges were set up to meet the needs of the national and local economies, with due regard to occupational profiles. Approximately 40 % of the curricula are thus devoted to practical training in firms and companies. Its duration is usually two years.
In addition to education leading to a higher vocational diploma, vocational colleges also provide short courses which are designed for refreshing the knowledge and skills of adults.

Full-time students of higher-vocational colleges with a state-subsidised place pay no tuition fees; however, they do pay administrative fees (registration and certification costs). Students from EU member states enjoy the same conditions of study as Slovene students. The situation for students from third countries depends on the existence of a mutual bilateral agreement between Slovenia and the country. Where such an agreement exists, the students are considered to have all of the same study benefits as the EU students.