Study in Slovenia

Slovenia officially the Republic of Slovenia is a nation state on the Adriatic Sea, bordering Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and southeast, and Hungary to the northeast. It covers 20,273 square kilometers (7,827 sq mi) and has a population of 2.05 million. It is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union and NATO.Its capital and largest city is Ljubljana.

Geography
Slovenia occupies an area about the size of the state of Massachusetts. It is largely a mountainous republic and almost half of the land is forested, with hilly plains spread across the central and eastern regions. Mount Triglav, the highest peak, rises to 9,393 ft (2,864 m).

Climate
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east.

Economy
Slovenia today is a developed country that enjoys prosperity and stability as well as a GDP per capita at 88% of the EU27 average.It was the first new member of the European Union to adopt the euro as a currency in January 2007 and it has been a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development since 2010.Slovenia has a highly educated workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and is situated at a major transport crossroad. On the other hand, the level of foreign direct investment is one of the lowest and the Slovenian economy has been severely hurt by the European, which started in late 2000s. Almost two thirds of the working population are employed in services.

Undergraduate studies (first cycle)
If you have successfully completed upper secondary studies in one of the signatory countries of the Lisbon Convention, are in possession of a valid school leaving certificate and qualify for higher education studies in your home country,you may also qualify for higher education studies in Slovenia.However, you are requested to prove your level of knowledge of Slovenian and/or English.In some cases, you are also requested to take additional qualifying courses.

Master studies (second cycle)
If you are applying for a master program at university in Slovenia, you are required to be in possession of a relevant bachelor or equivalent degree diploma

PhD studies (third cycle)
In the event you are applying for doctoral studies at university in Slovenia, you are required to be in possession of a relevant diploma or Master degree program.
Language requirements for studies at universities in Slovenia

Slovenian
Slovenian is the main language of instruction at higher education institutions in Slovenia.Therefore, if you are applying for undergraduate courses,you will be requested to prove your level of command of Slovenian.For some study programs, such as those related to education or languages and communication, you must prove your level of knowledge of Slovenian in the first year of study. For the rest of courses, you can prove your level of command of Slovenian in the second year of studies. In general, you are expected to have a level of command of the Slovenian language corresponding to, at least, B2 in the European Language Passport. If you are applying for graduate studies,you are not required to have knowledge of Slovenian. However, you will need to prove you have knowledge of, at least, one world language.

English
If your study program or course is taught in English, you will be required to prove your level of command of English by presenting the results you received at English courses. Please, always check with your university whether your English studies are sufficient for you to meet this requirement.

Specific admission tests
For some study programs, such as those related to Arts, you will be requested to pass a test of artistic aptitude or psychophysical capacity.Therefore, we recommend you contact the higher education institution you are interested in to learn whether you must pass a specific admission test to be eligible to apply for the study program of your choice.
Minimum grade point requirement to access undergraduate studies (first cycle) in Slovenia

Some study programs may be very competitive and have limited study places. Therefore, applicants are ranked based on their grades from upper secondary school and other university entrance examinations taken at their home countries. Therefore, you may need to meet a minimum grade point or cut-off point in order for you to be eligible to apply for higher education studies in Slovenia.You may use the European grades comparison chart to learn how you would score in Europe.

The cost of living in Slovenia should only be used as a guide (prices are per month). ACCOMMODATION 150€-250€ (private accommodation) 80€ – 160€ (dormitory) STUDY MATERIAL mostly photocopies (0,05€/copy) FOOD 100€ (subsidized meals: average 3€/meal) CITY TRANSPORTATION 20€ /month (Urbana bus card); up to 30 € for a used bicycle TOTAL App. from 250 – 500€ per month. The cost of living for a foreign student in Slovenia could be less then in his country of origin and depends on the options he takes.

Cost Of Accommodation in Slovenia
Accommodation is about 100-150 €/month in the dormitories provided by the universities,but could be of about 200-300 €/month for private rented flats.Costs of meals on the universities facilities are about 3-5 €/meal,that means 100-150 €/month. Urban public transport card is about 20 €/month. The ERASMUS subsistence grant for Slovenia is about €500 per month, which is enough to successfully cover the costs of living. Books and study materials are provided with special prices and discounts.

ACCOMODATION 150€-250€ (private accommodation) 80€ – 160€ (dormitory) STUDY MATERIAL mostly photocopies (0, 05€/copy) FOOD100€ (subsidized meals: average 3€/meal) CITY TRANSPORTATION 20€ /month (Urbana bus card); up to 30 € for a used bicycle TOTAL App. from 250 – 500€ per month.

Transport costs
Urban travel is generally provided by buses,trams and metro. Bikes are good options for students,low costs and fast in cloudy traffic hours.Interurban travel by train or cars benefits by good networks that reach all the places around the country. Costs are affordable for all categories. Driving a car requests a valid European or international driving license.

Tuition Costs
Full-time EU students as well as students from outside Europe whose countries have reciprocal agreements with Slovenia, are exempted from paying tuition fees at public higher education institutions in Slovenia.However,you will have to pay a small but compulsory registration fee of approximately EUR 30 per year.Part-time students as well as students at private higher education institutions have to pay tuition fees.In general,tuition fees vary from approximately EUR 1500€ to over EUR 10000 per year depending on the study program.
Tuition for part-time undergraduate study All foreign citizens pay tuition fees.Fees for part-time study may be paid in installments.Faculties do not pay for the student basic health insurance out of tuition fees for part-time study. Tuition fees for specialist and master studies.

• Up to $2,250 in the tolar equivalent for one year in social science study programmes;
• Up to $3,000 in the tolar equivalent for one year in natural science,technical and arts study programmes.

Tuition for postgraduate study can also be paid in installments by agreement with the Faculty.Faculties do not pay for foreign students basic health insurance out of tuition fees for part-time study.Tuition fees for doctoral studies

• up to $2,250 in the tolar equivalent for one year in social science study programmes, after completion of a master degree,or up to $4,500 in the tolar equivalent for full doctoral studies
• Up to $3,000 in the tolar equivalent for one year in natural science, technical and arts study programmes after completion of a master degree, or up to $6,000 in the tolar equivalent for full doctoral studies

For citizens of European Union countries and students from countries with which Slovenia has a relevant agreement, the postgraduate study tuition fees are the same as those for Slovenian citizens. Once again, out of this tuition fee the faculty does not pay for basic health insurance. By agreement with the faculty or academy, students can pay tuition fees in installments.

Working in Slovenia

Nationals of all EU and EEA (European Economic Area) Member States have free access to the labour market in Slovenia. If you are a citizen of EU or EEA member states,work permit to enter the Slovenian labour market is not required, and you can apply for job vacancies under equal conditions.The employer is obligated to register you into the obligatory pension, invalidity,health and unemployment insurance within 8 days of the date of signing the employment contract.If you are posted to work in Slovenia by a foreign employer,the later is obligated (based on working contract concluded in your country) to ensure you minimal working and employment conditions compatible with Slovenian regulations. If you are a non EU citizen, you may gain employment in Slovenia only on the basis of a work permit, which is issued in accordance with Slovenian national legislation. Work or employment for foreigners in Slovenia is only possible if the foreigner is in possession of a work permit.

Job vacancies
Job vacancies are published on the Employment Service of Slovenia and EURES web-sites. They are also published in the daily newspapers (Delo, Dnevnik, Večer, Primorske novice, Gorenjski glas, Dolenjski glas…).Job brokering is performed through the Employment Service of Slovenia or private employment agencies owning a concession issued by the Ministry of Labour,Family and Social Affairs. Those agencies are not allowed to demand any payment from job seekers for finding employment.

Work permit
EU citizens are under European law equal to domestic workers or jobseekers in respect of employment and job search. Citizens of EU member states (old and new) and EEA (Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland) do NOT need a work permit for employment and work in Slovenia.Workers outside of the EU are employed in accordance with the Employment and Work of Aliens Act and ensuing regulations.A work permit is, as a rule, issued on employers request, so you need to find the employer who is willing to employ you first. An employer will obtain the work permit only under certain conditions.

The most important condition is that there are no suitable candidates registered at the Employment Service of Slovenia and that the employment is not causing any disturbances in the Slovenian labour market. Further information about the types of work permits can be found on the Employment Service of Slovenia website where all forms or applications for particular types of work permits are accessible;the website also lists all supporting documents to accompany the application. But,unfortunately,all the relevant information is in Slovene only.

Residence permit
If you intend to stay in Slovenia for a period of more than three months, a residence permit is needed. An application for a residence permit can be made at the local Administrative unit with valid passport, or identity card. In the case of planned employment,you must submit confirmation from your employer that he will employ you or proof of employment (an employment contract) and, in the case of study, self-employment or retirement,evidence thereof.You must also provide proof that you have a secure means of subsistence and compulsory health insurance.

Recognition of Education and Qualifications
Before deciding to work in Slovenia, it is advisable to find out if your profession is regulated in Slovenia. If you want to pursue the regulated profession (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, teacher…), the standard application for the recognition of qualifications needs to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs. If you have gained a particular education abroad and would like to have it recognised send your application to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.

Self-Employment
An economic activity may be performed in Slovenia by a natural or legal entity taking one of a number of legal organisational forms. Natural entities perform business operations as sole traders. For legal entities, several forms of company are recognised in Slovenia. Entrepreneurs may start to operate their business once they are registered as an economic subject and fulfil the special conditions which differ depending on their main business. This means that an entrepreneur may start up a craft establishment upon obtaining a craft licence.