Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe known for its varied landscapes, extensive forests, and rich biodiversity. Slovenia’s official tourism portal reports that the country is home to approximately 24,000 animal species and describes its brown bear population as one of the largest in Europe.
Besides its natural attractions, Slovenia has public and private higher education institutions offering a range of degree programs, including options taught in English. In this article, we will look at five notable universities in Slovenia for international students. The institutions are presented as study options rather than as a formal ranking.
Top Universities in Slovenia for International Students
| INSTITUTION NAME | SELECTED ACADEMIC AREAS |
|---|
| University of Ljubljana | Medicine, Philosophy, and Fine Arts |
| University of Maribor | Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, and Medicine |
| University of Primorska | Tourism Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences |
| University of Nova Gorica | Environmental Sciences, Humanities, and Viticulture and Enology |
| Alma Mater Europaea University | Physiotherapy, Nursing, Social Gerontology, Business Management, European Business Studies, and Archival Studies |
1. University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana (UL), founded in 1919, is Slovenia’s oldest and largest higher education and scientific research institution. It consists of 23 faculties and three art academies and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, engineering, the arts, and other fields.
UL reported 38,383 students in 2025, including 4,230 enrolled foreign students. It provides international students with admissions information, exchange opportunities, scholarship information, and guidance on studying and living in Ljubljana.
2. University of Maribor
The University of Maribor, established in 1975, is the second-oldest and second-largest university in Slovenia. It has 17 faculties covering natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, medicine, biotechnology, social sciences, the humanities, and other disciplines.
International cooperation and student mobility are important parts of the university’s activities. The University of Maribor participates in international academic networks and maintains exchange agreements with institutions around the world, providing opportunities for academic and cultural exchange.
3. University of Primorska
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Selected Academic Areas: Tourism studies, mathematics, computer science, and natural sciences
The University of Primorska (UP) is a public university established in 2003. For the 2025/26 academic year, the university reported seven faculties and one research institute. Its faculties cover the humanities, management, mathematics, natural sciences and information technologies, tourism studies, health sciences, education, and polymer technology.
UP offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Its 2026/27 English-language offerings include programs in fields such as anthropology, cultural heritage, bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, management, tourism, data science, and conservation biology. Program availability and the language of instruction may vary by academic year.
4. University of Nova Gorica
The University of Nova Gorica is a private, research-oriented university that traces its origins to the School of Environmental Sciences established in 1995. Its academic structure includes seven schools: Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Management, Science, Humanities, Viticulture and Enology, Arts, and the Graduate School.
The university conducts research through laboratories and centers working in areas such as environmental and life sciences, materials, quantum optics, astrophysics, atmospheric research, information technology, wine research, and the humanities. Its location near the Italian border also supports cross-border academic and research cooperation.
5. Alma Mater Europaea – European Center Maribor
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Selected Academic Areas: Physiotherapy, nursing, social gerontology, business management, European Business Studies, and archival studies
Alma Mater Europaea University received university accreditation from the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in March 2024. It is headquartered in Maribor and operates at locations in Maribor, Ljubljana, Koper, Murska Sobota, Celje, and Vienna.
The university offers programs across all three Bologna study cycles. Its current portfolio includes physiotherapy, nursing, social gerontology, business management, European Business Studies, archival studies, humanities, health sciences, information technologies, and other interdisciplinary fields.
FAQs: Studying in Slovenia
Is Slovenia a Good Place for International Students to Study?
Slovenia has both long-established universities and newer higher education institutions offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across a broad range of disciplines. English-taught options are available, but the selection depends on the institution, study cycle, and academic year. Prospective students should check the current call for enrollment and the language requirements of their chosen program.
Academic expenses depend on the institution, program, nationality, study mode, and source of funding. Official guidance indicates that annual tuition typically ranges from €2,000 to €11,000 for bachelor’s programs, €2,000 to €15,000 for master’s programs, and €2,000 to €6,000 for doctoral programs. Certain full-time students, including eligible Slovenian, EU, Western Balkan, and protected-status students, may be exempt under specified conditions. Official national estimates place student dormitory accommodation at approximately €100 to €250 per month, depending on the city, while private accommodation and other living costs vary.
Can International Students Work in Slovenia While Studying?
Eligible international students in Slovenia may undertake temporary or part-time work through the country’s “Student Work” system. Students obtain a referral through an authorized student employment agency before beginning the work.
Foreign students living in Slovenia through a degree program, international exchange, or internship may be eligible to use the system. Registration with a student employment agency generally requires an identification document, a Slovenian bank account, a Slovenian tax number, and a certificate of enrollment. Proof of residence may also be requested.
Can International Students Stay in Slovenia After Graduation?
The applicable residence procedure after graduation depends on the graduate’s nationality and reason for remaining in Slovenia. EU citizens may remain under EU free-movement rules, although they must obtain a residence registration certificate for stays longer than three months. Third-country nationals must maintain a valid residence basis and obtain or extend the appropriate residence permit if they wish to remain for employment or another permitted purpose.
Permanent-residence rules also depend on nationality and residence history. EU citizens may obtain permanent residence after five years of legal and continuous residence, subject to the applicable conditions. Third-country nationals should confirm how their study and other residence periods are counted with the relevant administrative unit. Under the standard naturalization route, Slovenian citizenship generally requires at least ten years of residence, including five continuous years immediately before the application. A person who has successfully completed higher education in Slovenia may qualify under a separate route after at least seven years of residence, including one continuous year before applying, provided that all other legal requirements are met.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Slovenia for international students was helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
