Best universities in Slovenia 2026

Higher education is regulated by the Higher Education Act (1993, as amended in 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2004). State higher education is free for local full-time students and for students from EU countries. Part-time students and postgraduate students pay for their studies in full.

Today, higher education has certain features of a binary structure. Degree programmes are divided into three cycles as follows:

1. first cycle (academic study programmes and professionally oriented study programmes),
2. second cycle (study programmes leading to a master's degree),
3. third cycle (study programmes leading to a doctoral degree).

First-cycle study programmes correspond to the bachelor's level, while second- and third-cycle study programmes correspond to the master's level.

Higher education institutions include universities in Slovenia, faculties, arts academies, or professional colleges. Slovenia has 4 universities with 37 faculties, 3 arts academies or professional colleges, as well as 10 independent higher education institutions (Samostojni visokošolski zavodi) established as private institutions. Higher education institutions are autonomous in managing their internal organisation and activities (subject to their statutes and legislative requirements), in selecting academic staff and internal bodies: rectors, senates, administrative councils and student councils, deans, and academic assemblies. In addition to teaching, higher education institutions also conduct research and offer artistic activities.

The best universities in Slovenia offer different categories of education, which directly affects pricing policy. The price varies depending on the chosen course (bachelor's, master's, doctoral). Higher education for a bachelor's degree is free for all Slovenian and EU students enrolled in full-time programs. 80% of students pay no fees. Tuition fees for students from EU member states are funded by the Ministry of Higher Education; students simply need to pay an enrollment fee for the first year and subsequent years. The annual registration fee for all programs is 30 euros.

International students from non-EU countries must pay the cost of full-time study in Slovenia — the cost can range from 1,500 to 10,000 euros per year, depending on the program and institution.

Bachelor's degree:

• For a social sciences program, the tuition cost will be around $1,500 per year.
• For technical studies, arts and natural sciences programs, the tuition fee will be around $2,000 per year for a master's degree. For a social sciences program, the tuition fee is around $2,250 per year.
• For arts, technical programs and natural sciences, the tuition cost will be around $3,000 per year.

International students wishing to study in Slovenian must complete a three-month Slovenian language course, which costs from 1,320 euros.

If you have successfully completed secondary school in one of the countries that have signed the Lisbon Convention, hold a valid school leaving certificate, and are entitled to pursue higher education in your home country, you may be eligible for higher education in Slovenia. However, you will be required to confirm your level of proficiency in Slovenian and/or English.

In some cases, you may also be offered additional qualification courses.