HIGHER EDUCATION IN SLOVENIA

Transcription

1 HIGHER EDUCATION IN SLOVENIA Higher education in Slovenia has a long- lasting tradition. Its early beginnings were during the Middle Ages and the Reformation period - the first faculties in Theology and Philosophy were established in Ljubljana in In the past, a little less than two decades ago, the Slovenian system of higher education faced a number of legislative changes and, as in other countries, it had to balance the quality of the study process with a large number of students at undergraduate level. The emergence and rapid growth of new institutions, especially private institutions, brings a more regionally dispersed range of study options on offer in Slovenia, as well as increased competitiveness and internationalization, which has become a feature of higher education since the commencement of preparations for accession to the European Union. Tertiary education in Slovenia comprises higher vocational college education and higher academic and professional education (for more information, see: ).Short cycle higher vocational college education (višje strokovne šole), which is currently organized by the Ministry of Education and has become a special part of the tertiary education system and was brought about by the adoption of legislation in The study is for a period of two years in duration and is valued at 120 credit points. It is focused, to a large extent, on the acquisition of practical knowledge and skills in specific occupations. It is connected with higher education through a system of quality monitoring (and usually enables transitions to the next year of equal or higher level education programs which may be in a professionally related field) and complements the range of services provided by higher education. The ministry responsible for higher vocational education runs the register of accredited high schools and study programs that provide state- approved education. The traditional higher education study programs are offered by public or private universities and single higher education institutions (samostojni visokošolski zavodi). Higher education is governed by special regulations, taking into account the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of public higher education institutions. The legislation regulates the framework for their status, the man service or a national program by which certain activities of public interest are defined, university staff, the rights and obligations of students, the sources of funding and monitoring of the implementation of quality. The current legislation in place regarding higher education, which was adopted in 1993, has undergone several amendments, the last of which was in The amendments allow for the modernization of higher education, taking into account the development trends and expectations of society, the implementation of the Bologna process, the establishment of a comparable European quality assurance system and the recommendations and initiatives of the European Community on a common European Higher Education and Research Area. Other important regulations that affect the scope of higher education are: the law on professional and academic titles gained after completion of tertiary education, the law on the recognition and assessment of education gained abroad for the purpose of further education or employment, the law on research and development activities, the law on scholarships, and bilateral agreements or arrangements with individual countries, most of which relate to the possibility of student exchange (for more information, see: The responsibility for the field of higher education at a systemic level lies with the National Assembly, which takes key decisions regarding legislation and changes in the status of public higher education institutions and national higher education programs. The Slovenian government, through the ministry responsible for higher education, carries out the founder's rights, among which the most important concern is the financing of higher education activities, student housing and transport, the register of accredited higher education institutions and programs and the review of the legality of

2 work and the fulfilment of conditions for the provision of higher education activities. The ministry responsible for social affairs is responsible for funding the social benefits for students, including scholarships and student meals. Monitoring the appropriate use of funds is carried out in accordance with special regulations, implemented by the Budgetary Inspection, the Ministry of Finance and the Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia. Taking into account European standards and guidelines set by the Ministers responsible for Higher Education adopted in the Bergen Communiqué in 2005 and confirmed two years later in London in 2009, Slovenia established an independent National Agency for the Quality of Higher Education (hereinafter: NAKVIS - GB/Content/Details/8 ), which, as the successor to the previous organizational structure, is responsible for quality service or a national program by which certain activities of public interest are defined, university staff, the rights and obligations of students, the sources of funding and monitoring of the implementation of quality. UNIVERSITIES IN SLOVENIA THE UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA The University of Ljubljana, founded in 1919, is the oldest university in the Republic of Slovenia. According to the latest ARWU Shanghai, Times THES- QS and WEBOMETRICS rankings, it is one of the top 500 universities in the world. It consists of 23 faculties and three art academies, offering over 300 undergraduate and graduate study programs. With 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students, it is also the largest Slovenian university, employing approximately 6,000 higher education teachers, researchers, assistants, and administrative staff. Link to the website of the University of Ljubljana: lj.si/ Link to the list of departments / schools of the University of Ljubljana: lj.si/academies_and_faculties/faculties/ The information on Enrolment for Foreign Citizens at the University of Ljubljana: lj.si/study/application_and_admission_procedures/slovenians_without_a_slovenian_citizenship_and _foreign_citizens_from_countries/ The price list: lj.si/study/price_list/ **** E.g. On the basis of the Bologna system, the School for Social Sciences / Studies within the University of Ljubljana offers the following scheme of study: four years of the bachelor s program (1st cycle study), one year of the master program (2nd cycle study) three years of PhD program (3rd cycle study). Bachelor degree programs last 4 years. They are offered also in English, the international students can choose among 2 study programs: European Studies and Political Science Studies of Politics and the State

3 Tuition fee (full- time course): 3.000,00 (includes the access to e- materials and support from specialized tutorship system). Access requirements for the study program: having successfully completed 4- year secondary school program For more information, updates and useful links, please visit the following website: lj.si/en/study/study- at- the- FDV/bachelor- programmes Master's Programs offered in English in the academic year 2015/16 are: Master of European Studies, International Relations, Political Science - Political Theory and Social Informatics. The programs may change every academic year. Tuition fee: Foreign citizens who have completed undergraduate study program abroad may enroll in the first year of the Bologna Master s study program if they complete the procedure of recognition of foreign undergraduate education. Recognition with a view to access to education in the Republic of Slovenia is a procedure whereby, in the course of enrolment, holders of foreign certificates and diplomas are issued decisions on recognition of their education for access to study programs in Slovenian higher education. For more detailed information on recognition, please see: lj.si/study/useful_information/recognition_of_foreign_education/ For more information, updates and useful links on the MA Program, please visit the following website: lj.si/en/study/study- at- the- FDV/masters- programmes Doctoral Program:: a joint doctoral program is offered in the Humanities and Social Sciences for all of the social science and humanities subjects fostered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts. Duration of the program is 3 years. Tuition fee: 10,500 For more information, updates and useful links on the Doctoral Program, please visit the following website lj.si/en/study/study- at- the- FDV/doctoral- programmes Deadline for applicants is in the end of the Spring Semester (for 2015, the deadline for non- EU students was 30th June) After submitting the application for education recognition and paying the tuition fee, a student has to submit the enrolment application (everything on- line). Please see: lj.si/en/study/study- at- the- FDV/masters- programmes/notifications/how- to- apply- 2- stopnja Other advantages) Foreign students are also entitled to get food subvention in most of Ljubljana's restaurants. That means that for the meal (lunch or dinner) they need to pay from 0.38 to 5. The number of the subsidized meals is limited: one student can only have meals per month (the amount depends on the working days of each month).

4 The International Office of the University of Ljubljana can help the student by providing rooms in students residence halls. The price of the room depends on the type of the apartment and size of the room. The average price per person per month in a double room is EUR. In general, students need approximately EUR 500 a month to cover all the basic living costs, taking into account all costs including accommodation, food, public transport and books. Student Exchange There is of course the possibility of a Student Exchange. The terms and conditions are laid down in the individual Bilateral Agreement. But in general it is agreed to exchange students for the length of one academic year, or the equivalent thereof. The number of students exchanged per academic year shall be approximately equal. In those cases the Faculty does not levy tuition fees on guest students. Transportation and living expenses, costs of accommodation and health insurance shall be borne by the guest students. Currently the School of Social Sciences has bilateral agreements with the following US universities: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu University of Arizona, Tuscon University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond University of Miami, Miami Black Hills State University Missouri State University Boise State University THE UNIVERSITY OF MARIBOR The University of Maribor is the second largest and second oldest university in the Republic of Slovenia. It was established in 1975, but its beginnings can be traced to as early as The university consists of 17 faculties, student housing, and the library. In the school year 2013/2014, around 18,000 students study at the university. Link to the website of the University of Maribor: Link to the list of department of the University of Maribor: members/pages/default.aspx International Cooperation and Exchange Internationalization plays an important role. The University encourages student and staff mobility toward active participation in international associations, networks and projects, and, at the same time, promotes and protects Slovenian language, national identity, heritage and culture. In the school year 2013/2014 the University of Maribor has bilateral agreements with 91 universities in four different continents and is a member of numerous international networks. It has also been since 1999 an active member of the Erasmus program. The number of exchange students has increased every year (starting from 18 incoming and 86 outgoing in 1999/2000 to 350 incoming and 280 outgoing in 2011/2012). The number of visiting professors has also been growing, as well as the number of students' placements and staff trainings.

5 At present, the University of Maribor has bilateral agreements with the following universities in the U.S.: - Cleveland State University, - Colorado State University at Pueblo, - Portland State University, - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, - University of Baltimore, - University of Denver. For more information for undergraduate studies please visit: studies st- cycle.aspx For more information for graduate studies please visit: For more information for postgraduate studies please visit: for- Application- into- Postgraduate- Study- Programmes- of- the- University- of- Maribor- in- the- Academic- Year aspx For more information on recognition and assessment please visit: For more information about the programs see: file:///c:/users/a1514/downloads/ects%20ip pdf The price list is available at: M_sprejet%20na%2013.%20rs%20UO%20UM_ _pripravljen%20za%20objavo.xlsx Please note that the price list is for undergraduate and graduate programs. In general the prices of tuition fees for foreign students (non EU citizens) stand between EUR. The study of medicine costs 6000 EUR a year. The postgraduate studies cost between EUR (for postgraduate level the Slovenian and EU citizens must pay as well). In certain cases, the tuition fee can be waived. Contact: International relations office Address: Slomškov trg 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia (Room 112) T: +(3862) F: +(3862) E: inter.center@um.si THE UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA The University of Primorska established in 2003 consists of seven departments, two research institutes, student housing, the library, and two associate units. The main campus of the university is located in Koper, however, several teaching units have their facilities in other locations, namely in Koper and Izola. The main purpose of this university is sustainable regional development of the

6 Slovene Littoral. In the academic year 2013/2014, the university had 6,168 students and 723 staff members. The main aim of the university is to contribute to the development of knowledge and, consequently, to the sustainable social development of the local and wider regional environment. Link to the website of the University of Primorska: International Cooperation and Exchange The University of Primorska is active in international cooperation and exchange with foreign universities. On the basis of bilateral agreements and participation in international networks, it offers to students and staff members various exchange possibilities in the fields of education and research within the CEEPUS and Erasmus programs. Particularly the latter is getting more popular among both students and professors. The University of Primorska has in 2014 in effect 55 international and 17 national exchange agreements. Bilateral agreements are in effect with various universities in four continents, among them several universities in the U.S.: - San Diego State University, - Hawai'i Pacific University, - Dowling College, - St. Thomas University, - Ball State University. For more information regarding the international cooperation and exchange please visit: The list of study programs in English is available at: For the enrolment see: The price list (in Slovene) is available at: Contacts: University of Primorska Department of International Relations Titov trg Koper Slovenia Ms. Tatjana Mikelić Goja Head, Department of International Relations Phone: +(3865) Fax: +(3865) E- mail: tatjana.mikelic.goja@upr.si Ms. Maja Bratuš Vidmar Department of International Relations Phone: +(3865) Fax: +(3865) E- mail: maja.vidmar@upr.si

7 THE UNIVERSITY OF NOVA GORICA University of Nova Gorica was established in the academic year 1995/1996. The founders of the university were the municipality of Nova Gorica and research institute Jožef Stefan of Ljubljana. University of Nova Gorica is an independent, research oriented and student friendly university. The university consists of seven faculties and schools, six laboratories and five research centers. Link to the University of Nova Gorica: International Cooperation and Exchange The University of Nova Gorica is active in the field of international cooperation and exchange and wishes to internationalize to the greatest extent possible. The university offers numerous possibilities of international cooperation and exchange programs to its students and staff members. At present, it is an active member of Erasmus+, CEEPUS, Erasmus Mundus and has various bilateral agreements with foreign universities. For more information regarding international cooperation and exchange please visit: office/ Ms. Sabina Zelinšček, Head of the International Office (International mobility, educational projects, EURAXESS) T: +(3865) E: Aljaž Rener, Coordinator of international projects (Research projects) T: +(3865) E: Andreja Oblak, Administrator (Research projects) T: +(3865) E: For more information about the programs see: programmes/ The price list is available at: In general the prices of tuition fees for foreign students (non EU citizens) are 2000 EUR for the undergraduate studies, 2500 EUR for the graduate studies and 4000 EUR for the PhD studies (for the PhD studies - same goes for the Slovenian and EU citizens as well).