Slovenia is a small country in the heart of Europe known for its breathtaking landscapes and protected forests that are home to over 24,000 animal species, including the largest population of brown bears in Europe.
Besides natural wonders, Slovenia is becoming one of the most promising destinations for international students. The county’s strategic location between major European countries led to its significant connections with several research institutions and numerous industry sectors, attracting a large student population every year. In this article, we will be looking at the best universities in Slovenia for international students.
Is Slovenia a Good Place to Study for International Students?
Slovenia is home to time-honored universities, as well as modern and dynamic institutions, offering internationally recognized degree programs in a broad range of academic disciplines. Furthermore, a majority of Slovenians are fluent in English or German, and a small percentage of the population speak Italian and Hungarian in some regions. Students will have no problem conversing with very open, kind, and multicultural people.
The academic expenses, in addition to living costs, are much lower in Slovenia than in other European countries. International students can prepare around $3,000/year for university costs and between $480 – $800 for monthly living costs.
Can International Students Work in Slovenia While Studying?
International students in Slovenia can work during their studies through an initiative called “Student Work.” This is a special contract or referral form that allows part-time and temporary work for university students. This form can be obtained from Student Services Agencies around Slovenia.
Foreign nationals who are enrolled as degree-seeking students and even through international exchange programs and internships are eligible for “Student Work”. You just need to provide an identification document, a certificate of enrolment, a Slovenian bank account, and a tax number.
Can International Students Stay in Slovenia After Graduation?
After graduation, students from foreign countries need to apply for a new residence permit to replace their student permit. The easiest way for international university graduates is to find a job in Slovenia and confirm their temporary residency.
Foreign nationals are usually eligible for permanent residency after five years. However, only half the time spent as a student is counted, so international graduates can work in Slovenia to complete the five-year requirement for permanent residency. Furthermore, you can become a citizen of Slovenia after ten years of residency.
Top Universities in Slovenia for International Students
1. University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana (UL) is the best university for higher education in Slovenia for international students. It was established in 1919 in the country’s capital city, where it first taught medicine, philosophy, theology, law, and technology. Today, the research university offers undergraduate to postgraduate degrees across 23 faculties in almost all fields of knowledge. UL also manages three art academies covering the fine arts, music, and film & television, and a university library which is considered the national library of Slovenia.
There are currently around 43,000 students attending the University of Ljubljana, including over 2,000 international students. The UL’s internationalization initiatives can also be seen in its close ties with international companies, as well as with organizations in the public and private sectors to contribute to social development.
2. University of Maribor
The University of Maribor is the second oldest and largest university in Slovenia. This top university in Slovenia is known to enter the top 1% of higher education institutions in the field of physics and has the highest number of citations in the subject area among the qualifying universities. Furthermore, it is organized into 17 faculties across a broad range of disciplines, from the sciences to the arts, to technology.
International activity and mobility are some of the priorities of the University of Maribor where they facilitate inter-university and inter-faculty agreements, as well as cooperate with various international organizations. International students, and even foreign faculty, will find the university most open and knowledge and cultural exchange.
3. University of Primorska
The University of Primorska (UP) is the leading institution for higher education in Slovenia. It is a relatively young public university established in 2003 and comprises six faculties, one college, and one institute. These are the faculties of Humanities, Education, Management, Health Care, Tourism Studies, and Mathematics, Natural Sciences & Information Technologies. There’s also the College of Design and the Andrej Marušič Institute for research in mathematics and computer science.
This top university offers undergraduate to postgraduate study programs, as well as study programs in English in several subject areas for international students. Moreover, UP currently implements 180 international projects financed by different European organizations. Through these initiatives, the UP helps students achieve their goals with quality teaching and global practical experiences.
4. University of Nova Gorica
The University of Nova Gorica, one of the best universities in Slovenia for international students, is a private research university formed by a merger of two former research institutes with the participation of two Slovene municipalities. Today, the university’s main activities include scientific research in 12 research units, as well as higher education at the undergraduate to graduate levels across seven schools. These are the schools for Science, Environmental Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Engineering and Management, Viticulture and Enology, and a graduate school.
The proximity of Nova Gorica to Italy introduced different forms of cooperation in cultural, entertainment, and academic activity. Besides the European neighbor, the university also participates in international academic and industry activities for better learning opportunities for local and international students alike.
5. Alma Mater Europaea – European Center Maribor (AMEU – ECM)
The Alma Mater Europaea – European Center Maribor is a non-profit research university and the first campus of the larger international university network, Alma Mater Europaea. The headquarters and most academic facilities are located in Maribor, with a few programs held in Ljubljana and Murska Sobota. The ECM campus actively participates with branches in Salzburg and other European cities, as well as institutions outside Europe for a wider knowledge and cultural exchange.
This top institution in Slovenia offers accredited study programs across the following subject areas: physical therapy, nursing, social gerontology, management and European studies, and archival and documentology studies. The university hosts several international research projects and supports students engaging in professional athletics.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Slovenia for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
