Slovenia offers international students a choice of established public universities and newer research-oriented institutions, with academic options spanning medicine, engineering, computer science, tourism, environmental studies, and the humanities. English-taught programs are available, although their availability and admission requirements vary by institution, degree level, and academic year.
This guide introduces four notable universities in Slovenia and includes the real journey scholarship recipients. His experience shows how preparing specifically for competitive opportunities led to two Erasmus Mundus offers and a multi-university master’s that included the University of Ljubljana.
His subsequent outcome was equally significant: after developing an interest in sustainable and renewable engineering, he progressed to a doctorate at Université de Sherbrooke and received the CAD $150,000 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Alongside this recipient story, you can compare each Slovenian university’s academic areas, admissions information, tuition fees, scholarships, and English-taught study options.
Top Universities in Slovenia for International Students
| University | 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 |
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.
One student’s journey: Seunnla Adelusi prepared his documents specifically for fully funded opportunities and received two Erasmus Mundus offers in 2020 before completing his MSc in Functionalized Advanced Materials Engineering across the University of Leeds, University of Ljubljana, and Luleå University of Technology. The multi-university master’s was supported through Erasmus Mundus funding, and during the program he developed an interest in sustainable and renewable engineering. He subsequently became a doctoral candidate at Université de Sherbrooke and won the CAD $150,000 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.View More University of Ljubljana recipients →
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
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.
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, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
