2025

Modernisation of short-cycle higher vocational education

In August 2025, the Ministry of Education published a draft Act Amending the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju). Among other things, the proposed amendments concern ensuring equal conditions for education, the introduction of micro-credentials, joint study programmes, transnational education, quality assurance in the provision of higher vocational education, further training study programmes and other forms of learning, as well as the exercise of supervision over the provision of higher vocational education.

Renewal of short-cycle higher vocational study programmes

As part of the project “Modernization of Secondary Vocational and Technical Education, including Apprenticeship, Renewal of Higher Vocational Study Programmes, and Establishment of Digitally Supported Learning Sites 2022–2026” (Modernizacija srednjega poklicnega in strokovnega izobraževanja vključno z vajeništvom, prenova višješolskih študijskih programov ter vzpostavitev digitalno podprtih učnih mest 2022-2026), the Council of Experts of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational and Technical Education, , with the agreement of the Minister, adopted in April 2025 the “Guidelines for the Preparation of Higher Vocational Study Programmes”.

The key changes concern: overall objectives, key competences, a terminological glossary, the competence-based and modular structure of study programmes, the open curriculum, the components of higher vocational study programmes, the elements of the knowledge catalogue for study subjects and practical training, and joint study programmes. Based on these guidelines, the renewal of 16 short-cycle higher vocational study programmes has begun.

Education under equal conditions

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog sprememb Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) stipulate, among other things, that Slovenians living abroad and foreign nationals from non-EU countries may study at short-cycle higher vocational colleges in the Republic of Slovenia under the same conditions as citizens of the Republic of Slovenia, subject to the principle of reciprocity or provided they have completed secondary education in Slovenia and passed the Matura examination.

Micro-credentials

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog sprememb Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) also introduce and regulate the new field of micro-credentials. Micro-credentials record the learning outcomes achieved by an individual through shorter courses and training, credited under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), and awarded in the form of an official public document. These programmes are designed and adopted by the higher vocational college. In comparison, their implementation and evaluation procedures are verified on a sample basis during the regular external evaluations of the higher vocational college carried out by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Short courses and training leading to the award of micro-credentials do not constitute study programmes under this Act, nor the fulfilment of study obligations defined by such programmes.

Study programmes for further training and other forms of learning

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) stipulate, among other things, that in addition to study programmes for further training, schools may also organize various forms of non-formal learning, provided this does not interfere with the delivery of short-cycle higher vocational study programmes.

Joint study programmes

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (Predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) supplement the provision on joint study programmes, which may be delivered by schools from the Republic of Slovenia together with one or more schools from Slovenia (Slovenian study programmes) or from abroad (international study programmes). Among other things, the proposal now provides that schools may agree to award individual diplomas instead of a joint diploma. The agreement must also contain evidence that the international joint study programme has been duly recognized or accredited in the country of origin of the higher vocational college. As with all providers of study programmes, the providers of joint study programmes must also be entered in the official register before the start of delivery, and the joint study programmes must be publicly announced before registration. An international study programme must, before being delivered in Slovenia, be accredited in the country of origin of the higher vocational college participating in the programme and awarding the diploma.

Transnational education

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (Predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) also introduce and regulate, following the model of higher education legislation, the field of short-cycle higher vocational transnational education. According to the proposal, this includes all forms of education in which study programmes, designed in line with the European principles of short-cycle higher vocational education, are delivered in a country other than that of the programme provider’s seat. In Slovenia, such education may be provided based on an agreement between a domestic school entered into the register and a foreign institution delivering nationally recognized programmes. Foreign providers may operate in Slovenia if their programmes meet national standards, as verified by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (SQAA). Qualifications obtained under such programmes are treated as foreign and are subject to recognition procedures. Slovenian schools may also deliver this type of education abroad and award Slovenian public qualifications. SQAA defines the detailed conditions, contracts and procedures, and delivery must cease if the accreditation or registration in the provider’s country of origin expires.

Quality assurance in the delivery of short-cycle higher vocational education

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) add failure to meet quality standards defined by Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency (SQAA) regulations as a ground for prohibiting the delivery of a short-cycle higher vocational study programme. Compliance is determined by inspection or another supervisory authority, or by SQAA.

Changes to the powers of the institution's council

Among the changes to the powers of the institution council introduced by the draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) is the removal of its role in dealing with disciplinary procedures and the regular or extraordinary termination of employment contracts with school staff. The proposal also stipulates that the school council shall decide by a majority of all members, unless otherwise provided by the founding act or by law.

Composition of the panel of lecturers

Under the draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju), all education staff of the school, and not only lecturers, will be members of the panel of lecturers. However, only lecturers will be entitled to participate in decisions on appointment to the title of Lecturer.

Appointment of lecturers

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog sprememb Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) provide that the Accreditation Commission shall appoint lecturers of higher vocational colleges to the title of Lecturer, on the proposal of the higher vocational colleges, in the case of a first appointment to the title.

Withdrawal from a study programme

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog sprememb Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) stipulate, among other things, that if a student withdraws from a study programme in which they were enrolled for the first time by 15 October of the current academic year, it shall not be considered that the student has been enrolled for one year in the study programme. The student will therefore not lose the right to repeat or change the programme, provided they re-enrol in the first year of study in the following academic year. Up to now, there has been no adequate legal basis for such cases.

Supervision of short-cycle higher vocational education activities

The draft amendments to the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act (predlog sprememb Zakona o višjem strokovnem izobraževanju) also clarify the division of competences for supervising short-cycle higher vocational education activities between the ministry responsible for higher education, the Education Inspectorate, the Labour Inspectorate and the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Financing of the education system

The central amendment of the Act Amending the Organization and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) concerns the allocation of funds for development and investment in education, linked to a share of gross domestic product (GDP), set at 0.5 per cent. See Section 13.2.

Single-phase appointment of headteachers

The most important novelty in the procedure for appointing headteachers, introduced by the Act Amending the Organization and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja), is the replacement of the minister's opinion with the minister's consent, thereby introducing a single-phase procedure for the appointment of a headteacher or director. See Section 13.2.

Reform of the school inspectorate

In July 2025, the new School Inspection Act (Zakon o šolski inšpekciji) was published in the Official Gazette. The Act brings several novelties to the operation of the inspectorate, the most important being the introduction of system-wide reviews and the provision of professional support. See Section 13.2.

Modernization of higher education

Comprehensive reform of higher education

In August 2025, the new Higher Education Act (Zakon o visokem šolstvu) entered into force. The Act introduces many essential innovations and changes, starting with the promotion of a generally healthy and sustainable lifestyle for students and staff, respect for the principle of gender equality, and the prohibition of sexual and other forms of harassment and bullying. Support for students with special needs and those with special status is also being strengthened.

Founding of higher education institutions

Under the new Higher Education Act (Zakon o visokem šolstvu), the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia will no longer establish independent higher education institutions, but only public universities, and solely at the proposal of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. As a result of the new legal framework, existing independent higher education institutions must be integrated into a public university.

The Act also provides that public residence halls for higher education students may only be established as members of public universities. The existing residence halls, which are currently organized as an independent public institution, will be incorporated into a public university.

Changes to accreditation procedures

The new Higher Education Act introduces several changes to the existing quality assurance system, including extending the validity period of accreditations for higher education institutions from the current five years to seven years, and introducing the possibility that, in addition to the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency (SQAA), external evaluations in accreditation procedures may also be carried out by other agencies listed in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), while the SQAA Council will still decide on accreditation. SQAA may also carry out external quality assessments abroad.

The most important novelty is the possibility for universities that meet high quality standards to adopt study programmes without undergoing the accreditation procedure, provided that the university has had its institutional accreditation renewed for the whole accreditation period at least twice consecutively. This novelty does not apply to independent higher education institutions, which must continue to have their study programmes accredited by SQAA. In the case of an international joint study programme, the accreditation procedure may be carried out by one of the agencies listed in EQAR, in accordance with the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. A university that has had its accreditation renewed twice consecutively for the whole period may adopt an international joint study programme without accreditation. However, before being delivered in Slovenia, an international joint study programme must be duly recognized or accredited in all countries of the participating higher education institutions awarding the qualification.

The new Act also brings a change regarding the approval of the competent ministry in accreditation procedures for regulated professions – under the new provisions, the applicant itself must obtain such approval. The ministry responsible for the individual regulated profession must, for this purpose, adopt the relevant criteria.

Micro-credentials

As a completely new area of lifelong learning, the Act introduces micro-credentials as shorter forms of education and training, ranging from 1 to a maximum of 9 ECTS credits. They are intended to provide specific knowledge, skills and competences that correspond to social, personal and cultural needs, or to labour market demands. Micro-credentials are adopted and delivered by higher education institutions and are evaluated by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency as part of the re-accreditation of the higher education institution. A register of such programmes and official certificates will also be established.

Call for enrolment

The Act abolishes the previous requirement for government approval of calls for enrolment. In future, the offer of study programmes will be linked to negotiations on the funding of study activities with public higher education institutions and to the awarding of concessions.

Part-time study

Instead of the existing system of "izredni študij" (a flexible form of education, intended for those in employment and for those unable to follow full-time study), the new Higher Education Act introduces so-called flexibly schedules study (part-time study), which continues to allow for the organization and scheduling of lectures, seminars and practical lessons to be adapted to students’ needs, across all levels of study. It is emphasized, however, that the study programme must be delivered in its full accredited scope. Part-time study allows for the completion of a study programme over a more extended period, with each year of study lasting more than one year but no more than two consecutive years per study year.

Language of instruction

Study programmes at higher education institutions will continue to be delivered in Slovenian, except in some instances such as the study of foreign languages and literatures, joint programmes with foreign higher education institutions, and parts of programmes intended for international student exchange. Study programmes may be delivered in a foreign language if they are also simultaneously delivered in Slovenian at the same institution. Higher education institutions are responsible for the development of Slovene as a professional and scientific language. They must therefore prepare a strategy for its use, the implementation of which is to be verified within regular institutional self-evaluations.

Introduction of a National Student Identity Card, compatible with the European one

The ministry responsible for higher education will introduce a unified digital student identity card, based on data from the national higher education information system (eVŠ). The digital student card will also include the European Student Identifier (ESI) and the European Student Card Number (ESCN).

Setting the target share of GDP for higher education funding

The new Higher Education Act provides for a systemic increase in public funding for higher education, so that up to 1.5% of GDP would be allocated annually for higher education, of which at least 1% of GDP would be earmarked for universities’ study activities. The Act upgrades the system of negotiations for the conclusion of financing agreements with higher education institutions, which will henceforth cover development, study and investment activities. The contracts will no longer be concluded for four years, as has been the case to date, but for six years. The transition to the new financing system is envisaged for 2029.

Regulation of the awarding of concessions

The new Higher Education Act provides for a systemic increase in public funding for higher education, so that up to 1.5% of GDP would be allocated annually for higher education, of which at least 1% of GDP would be earmarked for universities’ study activities. The Act upgrades the system of negotiations for the conclusion of financing agreements with higher education institutions, which will henceforth cover development, study and investment activities. The contracts will no longer be concluded for four years, as has been the case to date, but for six years. The transition to the new financing system is envisaged for 2029.

Provision of study programmes in a foreign language

Study programmes at higher education institutions will continue to be delivered in the Slovenian language, except in certain cases that already apply under the current legislation – for example, the study of foreign languages and literatures, joint programmes with foreign higher education institutions, or parts of programmes intended for international student exchange. Study programmes may be delivered in a foreign language if they are simultaneously offered in Slovenian at the same institution. Under the new law, the language of instruction will be a mandatory component of a study programme, meaning that it will be subject to verification during programme accreditation or institutional evaluation.

Integration of teaching and research in the workload of higher education teachers

The new Higher Education Act stipulates that the workload of higher education teachers and associates consists of teaching, research, artistic and professional activities, as well as participation in governance. It also addresses the issue of additional teaching load, limiting it to two years, and provides more detailed regulation of sabbatical leave, in line with international practice.

Other policy development

Recognizing of education in cases of incomplete applications

In June 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation submitted a draft Act Amending Education Recognition and Evaluation Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrednotenju in priznavanju izobraževanja) for inter-ministerial coordination. Among other things, the proposed amendments more clearly regulate procedures in cases of incomplete applications and allow for the conclusion of proceedings where the ENIC-NARIC Centre, despite a complete application, cannot obtain sufficient information to issue an opinion. The amendment also provides more detailed rules for handling applications from refugees and persons in a similar situation who cannot prove their education with documents. It establishes the possibility of issuing general information on the comparability of education systems. In addition, it regulates the use of foreign professional titles in Slovenia, defines the significance of abolishing the legalization of foreign documents, and broadens the categories of beneficiaries eligible for exemption from the costs of the education recognition procedure.

Possibility of concluding the education recognition procedure despite a complete application by the applicant

The proposed amendment of the Act Amending the Education Recognition and Evaluation Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrednotenju in priznavanju izobraževanja) introduces the possibility of concluding the procedure in cases where the ENIC-NARIC Centre, despite a complete application by the applicant, other available sources of information and enquiries made to the competent institutions in the country of origin of education, is unable to issue an opinion. The ENIC-NARIC Centre obtains information from countries around the world; therefore, in rare cases, the competent authorities of another country may be unresponsive, fail to reply to enquiries, or there are inconsistencies between official information and the documentation provided by the applicant, or other uncertainties relating to the holder’s education, for example, suspicion that the qualification is forged. Within one year from the submission of a formally complete application, the procedure shall be concluded and the applicant notified of the reasons.

Issuing general information on the comparability of foreign education and cases where completed education abroad cannot be proven

The draft Act Amending the Education Recognition and Evaluation Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrednotenju in priznavanju izobraževanja) further specifies the provision of the Act Ratifying the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications (Zakon o ratifikaciji Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskih kvalifikacij v evropski regiji) concerning Higher Education in the European Region, under which the Contracting States committed themselves, while taking into account their own education system and constitutional, statutory and regulatory provisions, to establish procedures enabling as fair and expeditious an assessment as possible of whether refugees, persons in a similar position and displaced persons meet the relevant requirements for admission to or continuation of higher education or for employment, even if qualifications obtained in one of the Contracting States cannot be substantiated by documents.

The draft Act therefore provides that such persons may at least have their education recorded and be issued with general information on the comparability of the foreign education system with the Slovenian education system – but only in cases where, due to force majeure, they cannot prove their completed education with the documentation required in the education recognition procedure. These are cases where life is at risk and documents cannot be obtained from the country of origin – for example, due to war, unrest, persecution, the non-functioning of administrative authorities, or where enquiries are not permitted or possible.

Use of foreign professional titles in Slovenia

The draft Act Amending the Education Recognition and Evaluation Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrednotenju in priznavanju izobraževanja) also regulates the use of foreign titles of higher professional education, as well as foreign professional, scientific and artistic titles (hereinafter: foreign title) acquired at foreign educational institutions and forming part of the school system of a given country. A foreign title shall be used in its original form, in accordance with the regulations of the country of origin of the qualification. In the case of another script (Arabic, Chinese characters and the like), the foreign title shall be written in transcription/transliteration. The same provisions also apply to the use of abbreviations of foreign titles in the Republic of Slovenia.

Additional beneficiaries who are exempt from the costs of the education recognition procedure

The proposed amendments to the Act Amending the Education Recognition and Evaluation Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrednotenju in priznavanju izobraževanja) broaden the scope of beneficiaries eligible for exemption from the costs of the education recognition procedure and specify the documents required to prove eligibility.

The exemption will now also apply to:

• Persons granted international protection in the Republic of Slovenia and applicants for international protection in the Republic of Slovenia
• Persons with temporary protection in the Republic of Slovenia
• Persons with recognized repatriate status and their immediate family members
• Applicants for education recognition who request an opinion on a Slovenian qualification.

Changes to the powers of the institutions’ councils

The Act Amending the Organization and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) modifies certain powers of institutions’ councils. See Section 13.2.

Management of the inter-company training centre

The Act Amending the Organization and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) introduces, among other things, a new post of Head of the Inter-Company Training Centre (MIC). See Section 13.3.

Enrolment in higher education

In July 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a Decision to Approve the Enrolment Restrictions and on Increasing the Number of Places for Foreign Students – Nationals of non-EU Countries – in First-Cycle and Long-Cycle Master's Study Programmes at Public and Concessionary Higher Education Institutions in the 2025/2026 Academic Year (Sklep o soglasju k omejitvam vpisa in povečanju števila razpisanih mest za tujce, državljane držav, ki niso države članice Evropske unije, v dodiplomske in enovite magistrske študijske programe na javnih in koncesioniranih visokošolskih zavodih v študijskem letu 2025/2026). This represents an overall increase of 192 enrolment places, of which 117 are for full-time study and 75 for part-time study. The University of Ljubljana proposed an increase of 15 full-time places across six study programmes, while the University of Maribor proposed a rise of 177 places (102 full-time and 75 part-time) across nine study programmes.

By the end of January 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia had approved the number of enrolment places for both public and private higher education institutions offering concessionary study programmes. Following the first application deadline, both the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor recorded significantly higher interest from foreign students from non-EU countries in specific study programmes than the available number of places. Consequently, the senates of both universities adopted decisions to increase the number of enrolment places for these students, which required Government approval.

In May 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Decision to Consent to the Enrolment Restrictions for the 2025/2026 Academic Year (Sklep o soglasju k omejitvam vpisa v študijskem letu 2025/2026). The Government gave its approval to enrolment restrictions in first-cycle and long-cycle master’s study programmes at public and concessionary higher education institutions for the 2025/2026 academic year, as previously decided by the competent bodies of the higher education institutions. These bodies adopted decisions on restricting enrolment for a total of 108 study programmes or fields (and modes of study) within the first application round for Slovenian and EU nationals, and for three study programmes within the first application round for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship.

In March 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Decision to Consent to the Content of the Call for Applications for Enrolment in Doctoral Study Programmes at the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, the University of Primorska and the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto for the 2025/2026 Academic Year (Sklep o soglasju k vsebini razpisa za vpis v magistrske študijske programe za študijsko leto 2025/2026). For the 2025/2026 academic year, a total of 13,534.5 enrolment places (an enrolment place in a two-subject study programme or field counts as 0.5) were proposed for Government approval for enrolment in the first year of full-time and part-time master’s study programmes. These comprise 10,370.5 places for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and other EU Member States (8,582 full-time and 1,788.5 part-time), 709 places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship (467 full-time and 242 part-time), and 2,455 places for non-EU foreign nationals (1,387.5 full-time and 1,067.5 part-time).

In March 2025, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Decision to Consent to the Content of the Call for Applications for Enrolment in Doctoral Study Programmes at the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, the University of Primorska and the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto for the 2025/2026 Academic Year (Sklep o soglasju k vsebini razpisa za vpis v doktorske študijske programe Univerze v Ljubljani, Univerze v Mariboru, Univerze na Primorskem in Fakultete za informacijske študije v Novem mestu za študijsko leto 2025/2026). For the 2025/2026 academic year, a total of 75 doctoral study programmes across all fields will be offered at the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, the University of Primorska and the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto. For the first time, a new doctoral study programme in Information Science will be offered at the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto. The calls for enrolment include a total of 1,632 enrolment places for the first year of doctoral study programmes in the 2025/2026 academic year, which is eight places more than in the 2024/2025 academic year.

New programme in short-cycle higher vocational education

In May 2025, the Minister of Education, based on the decision of the Council of Experts of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational and Technical Education, issued an Order to adopt the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Programme for Further Training: Practitioner of Kneipp Therapies (Odredba o sprejetju višješolskega študijskega programa izpopolnjevanja Izvajalec/izvajalka Kneippovih terapij).

The programme has been designed in response to the expressed needs of Slovenian wellness companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and representatives of associations. It is intended for individuals who wish to deepen their knowledge of holistic natural methods for health preservation and prevention.

Measures to improve digital competences

In July, the Government adopted the Action Plan of the Digital Slovenia 2030 Strategy for the Years 2025 and 2026 (Akcijski načrt strategije Digitalna Slovenija 2030 za leti 2025 in 2026). In the field of cybersecurity, a measure is envisaged that will increase demand for study programmes in this area at Slovenian universities and connect stakeholders at all levels of education with industry. The establishment of a national cybersecurity coordination centre is also planned.

Incentives for the professional development of education staff

In June 2025, a Public Call for Study Support to Subsidize Tuition Fees for the Further Education of Education Staff in the 2025/26 Academic Year (Javni razpis študijskih pomoči za subvencioniranje šolnin za nadaljnje izobraževanje strokovnih delavcev v študijskem letu 2025/26) was published in the Official Gazette. See Section 13.2.

Provision of ICT equipment for educational institutions

In April 2025, the Official Gazette published a Public Call for the Co-financing of Additional Active Network Equipment within the framework of the project Modernization of Computer Networks in Educational Institutions (Javni razpis za sofinanciranje dodatne aktivne omrežne opreme v okviru izvedbe projekta »Posodobitev računalniških omrežij na VIZ« v okviru Načrta za okrevanje in odpornost) under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. See Section 13.2.

2024

Modernisation of short-cycle higher vocational education and higher education

In June 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation submitted in public discussion the draft Higher Education Act (predlog novega Zakona o visokem šolstvu). It introduces fundamental new provisions or amendments, starting with promoting general health and sustainable lifestyle of students and employees and adhering to the principle of gender equality and prohibition of sexual and other molestation and harassment. It also specifies the option of providing study programmes in a foreign language.

Higher education institutions in the realm of the state

The new law specifies the founders of higher education institutions. It introduces a new stipulation: only public universities will lie in the realm of the Republic of Slovenia (only on the Government’s recommendation), not independent higher education institutions. After this law becomes operational, the existing public independent higher education institutions: Information Studies Faculty of Novo mesto and Grm Novo mesto Rural Areas Management School will affiliate to one of the public universities.

Further, it extends the competence to implement public procurement to the director of the public university's member, if so defined by the university's statute.

Residence halls for higher education students in the realm of universities

The setting up public residence halls will be within the realm of members of public universities. After this law becomes operations, the Študentski dom Ljubljana public institution will affiliate to the University of Ljubljana.

Extended period of accreditation

The new law specifies significant new dispositions for the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (SQAA) and accreditation procedures. Among other things, the five years for the first accreditation or extended accreditation of a higher education institution will be replaced with 7 years. The new law introduces a change in obtaining the consent of the competent ministry in the accreditation procedures for regulated professions – the consent must now be obtained by the applicant. The ministry responsible for each regulated profession must adopt appropriate criteria for this. External evaluations in accreditation procedures can now also be carried out by agencies entered in the EQAR register, while SQAA can also do external quality assessments abroad.

Micro-credentials

As a completely new field, the draft law regulates micro-credentials as short-term education and training, ranging from 1 to a maximum of 9 ECTS. They aim to acquire specific knowledge, skills and competences corresponding to social, personal, cultural or labour market needs. They are carried out (only) by higher education institutions, accepted by them, and evaluated by the SQAA as part of the re-accreditation of the higher education institution. A register of these training and public documents is also being set up.

Time-adjusted (part-time) study

Instead of the previously established part-time study, the law introduces the so-called time-adjusted study, which still means adapting the organisation and timing of lectures, seminars and exercises to the possibilities of students for study programmes at all levels, whereby the study programme must be carried out in full accredited scope. Time-adjusted study enables the completion of the programme later, whereby each year lasts longer, but not more than two consecutive academic years per year. It introduces another staff member in the pedagogical process – an accompanist and a member of the education staff in the pedagogical process. It also defines the Sabbath year in more detail.

Setting a target share of GDP for funding higher education

Whilst continuing negotiations, the draft law introduces a different system of funding higher education, linked to individual six-year (now four-year) contractual periods – these periods and negotiations apply to both study and investment activities of public universities. It also explicitly specifies that, on an annual basis, 1.5% of GDP or 1% of GDP for study activity will be provided for higher education. A separate system of funding assignments of a critical nature at a national level will be continued, with the option to increase funding for study activities at public universities after a certain time for this reason.

Granting concessions

The procedure for awarding concessions is regulated in more detail, whereby, subject to an express statutory provision, concessions are granted when there is a need for them and when the educational activity within the framework of the public service is not carried out or is not carried out to an appropriate extent, which is determined in the context of negotiations with public universities. It is envisaged that the existing concessions will be phased out and the invitation to apply will be published for the new ones.

Other policy developments

Reform of the wage system

In November 2024, representatives of the government and public sector unions signed collective agreements or annexes to contracts and agreements, which form the basis for the reform of the wage system. See National reforms in school education.

Supporting excellence

In June 2024, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation published the Rules on the Definition and Enforcement of Exceptional Achievements for the Award of Zois Scholarships in Higher Education. Exceptional achievements for the awarding of scholarships at all levels of education, including at the level of higher education, are defined in the Scholarship Act, in more detail by individual field, for all levels of education, they were determined by the Rules on the awarding of Zois scholarships (reference rules). The proposed Rules refer to the provisions of Articles 5 to 12 (II. Zois Scholarship conditions) of the Rules of Reference, which adapts the field of outstanding achievements to higher education. The field of lower levels of education in general will be defined by special rules, which are drawn up under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and the Ministry of Education. There are no significant changes in the presented Rules about the reference Rules, as the previous definitions of exceptional achievements as one of the conditions for receiving the Zois Scholarship have proven appropriate.

In June 2024, the Minister responsible for higher education adopted the Rules on the achievements considered for Zois scholarships in higher education (Pravilnik o opredelitvi in uveljavljanju izjemnih dosežkov za dodelitev Zoisovih štipendij na področju visokega šolstva). Exceptional achievements for the awarding of scholarships at all levels of education, including at the level of higher education, are defined with the Scholarship Act (Zakonu o štipendiranju); in greater more detail and by individual field, for all levels of education, they were determined by the reference Rules. The draft Rules refer to the provisions of Articles 5 to 12 (II. Zois Scholarship conditions) of the reference Rules, which adapts the field of outstanding achievements to higher education. The field of lower levels of education in general will be defined by two special rules, which are drawn up under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and the Ministry of Education. There are no significant changes in the presented Rules about the reference Rules, as the previous definitions of exceptional achievements as one of the conditions for receiving the Zois Scholarship have proven appropriate.

Supporting the professional competences and integration of higher education with work environments

In June 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation published the call for applications in Problem-based learning in the working environment: economy, non-economy and non-profit sector in local/regional environment project (Javni razpis Problemsko učenje študentov v delovno okolje: gospodarstvo, negospodarstvo in neprofitni sektor v lokalnem/regionalnem okolju 2024-2027 (PUŠ v delovno okolje 2024-2027). The purpose of the public tender is to acquire practical experience, knowledge and competences of students in the working environment during their studies, to promote the strengthening of cooperation and integration and transfer of knowledge between the higher education system and between the working environment (the economy and the non-economic and non-profit sector in the local and regional environment). Young people will develop knowledge and skills to realise ideas, entrepreneurial endeavours, innovation, creative and critical thinking, creativeness, etc. for greater employability and easier transition into the working environment after graduation.

The call also addresses other challenges of higher education, such as the systemic introduction of knowledge transfer between higher education institutions and the working environment, greater flexibility and adaptation of study programmes to the needs of the labour market, and the establishment of long-term cooperation between higher education institutions and the working environment. The operation enables the creation of an institutional framework to ensure an open and innovative higher education space.

The call for applications is divided into two lots:

• Lot A: Project activities of higher education institutions in cooperation with the economy
• Lot B: Project activities of higher education institutions in cooperation with non-economic and non-profit sectors in the local/regional environment.

The indicative funds available for this call with three openings-ups for the 2024/2025, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 academic years amount to a maximum of €15,200,000.00 of which the estimated value of co-funding is foreseen per individual programme area and individual financial year.

Prevention of violence in higher education

In August 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation sent for inter-ministerial coordination a draft Rules on measures and procedures against violence, harassment and mobbing in higher education (predlog Pravilnika o ukrepih in postopkih proti nasilju, nadlegovanju in trpinčenju v visokem šolstvu). The draft Rules not only regulate the field of sexual harassment and violence but also cover any behaviour and conduct that offends the dignity of a person, interferes with the personality rights and integrity of an individual or creates a dangerous, intimidating, degrading or hostile environment. The Rules are binding on all higher education institutions in Slovenia. They deal with all incorrect behaviours. The Rules set out the measures by which universities, including their faculties and art academies, and independent higher education institutions create a study environment in which the dignity of all persons is respected, as well as the procedure and actions in the event of sexual or other harassment and ill-treatment.

The provisions of the Rules shall also apply mutatis mutandis to conduct that constitutes discrimination based on sex, colour, age, state of health or physical disability, religious, political or other beliefs, membership of political, trade union, student and other organisations, national, ethnic or social origin, family status, property status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression or discrimination based on other personal circumstances.

Increase in the supply of student places in some higher education programmes

In May 2024, the Government adopted the decision to agree with the enrolment cap and an increase in the supply of student places in the first-cycle study programmes and integrated master's study programmes at public and higher education institutions with concession in the 2024/2025 academic year (sklep o soglasju k omejitvam vpisa in povečanju števila razpisanih mest v dodiplomske in enovite magistrske študijske programe na javnih in koncesioniranih visokošolskih zavodih v študijskem letu 2024/2025). The competent authorities of higher education institutions adopted decisions to cap enrolment for a total of 110 study programmes or courses (and study method). The University of Ljubljana has alongside cap enrolment also proposed the increase in the supply of full-time student places for 6 study programmes, namely from:

• 30 to 45 places in the interdisciplinary university study programme Multimedia at the Faculty of Computer and Information Science and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• 30 to 40 places in a university single-subject study programme in English language and literature at the Faculty of Arts
• 16 to 19 places in the first-cycle university study programme in Asian studies, two-subject course: Korean studies at the Faculty of Arts
• 30 to 37 places in the first-cycle university study programme in Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• 80 to 100 places in the first-cycle university study programme in Construction at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• 60 to 78 places in the first-cycle professional study programme in Operational Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering.

Project to open medical studies at the third public university

In May 2024, the Government signed a letter of intent to develop and implement an integrated master's study programme in Medicine at the University of Primorska (pismo o nameri za razvoj in izvajanje enovitega magistrskega študijskega programa Medicina na Univerzi na Primorskem). The University of Primorska requested the Government's support for the establishment of the integrated master's study programme in Medicine, which the Government supported, as it follows from the public records of the annual call for enrolment in first-cycle study programmes and integrated master's study programmes that the number of applicants for medical studies significantly exceeds the number of student places. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and the Ministry of Health will support the development of a new study programme. The University of Primorska will start the new master's study programme in Medicine in the 2027/2028 academic year.

Changes to improve enrolment

In January 2024, the Minister responsible for higher education adopted the relevant rules on enrolment calls in higher education (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o razpisu za vpis in izvedbi vpisa v visokem šolstvu). It aims, among others, to facilitate faster and easier communication with candidates within the application and admission through the eVŠ portal. On the portal, candidates are allowed to serve official documents by the law governing higher education, marking a departure from the general provisions of the law on administrative procedures. The amendments make provision for foreign citizens, under the condition that they complete upper secondary education in the Republic of Slovenia and pass the matura examination as defined by the Higher Education Act, or have a permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia and are themselves or at least one of their parents or guardians residents of the Republic of Slovenia for tax purposes by the start of the selection process, to enrol in higher education study programmes the as do the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia. Additionally, it is now provided for higher education institutions to announce a separate number of available enrolment places or quotas for foreigners from Western Balkan countries with which the Republic of Slovenia has bilateral agreements in education.

Subsidies for a stay in student residence halls

In June 2024, the offices of student residence in Ljubljana, Maribor and Koper published with the agreement of the minister responsible for higher education a public call for the admission and extension of stay of short-cycle vocational higher and higher education students in residence halls and private undertakings for the 2024/2025 academic year. In total, 11,950 places are available for subsidised accommodation: 4594 for admission, 7356 for the extension of stay, and 38 places for students under international and temporary protection.

In March 2024, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation published the Rules amending the Rules on subsidising student residence halls (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o subvencioniranju bivanja študentov). The Rules explicitly state, among others, that public institutions established and registered to provide public service of residence halls for higher education and upper secondary students are allocated subsidies outside a public call for applications, while private residence halls and institutions established or co-founded by a municipality and registered to provide the activity of residence halls student can now also compete in the process of selecting private residential halls.

The Rules also stipulate that the recipients of the subsidy can now also be citizens of the EU member states or foreign citizens with a permanent residence in Slovenia and are themselves or at least one of their parents or guardians a resident in Slovenia for tax purposes (formerly only citizens of the Republic of Slovenia).

In February 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation published a call for applications for residence halls for the 2024/2025 academic year (Javni razpis za izbiro študentskih domov za študijsko leto 2024/25). The purpose of the public call is to increase housing capacities for students. To comprehensively address the issue of student accommodation, the relevant ministry selects private student residence halls through a public call, which with their capacities complement and increase housing facilities for higher education students. The estimated amount for subsidising student accommodation in private residence halls in the 2024/2025 academic year is up to €134,400.00.

Social dialogue

In February 2024, the Agreement amending the Strike Agreement, signed between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Education, Science, and Culture Trade Union of Slovenia (SVIZ), was published in the official gazette (Sporazum o spremembah in dopolnitvah Stavkovnega sporazuma). Because of the public financial consequences of the August floods, there was a delay in the reform of the public employees' pay system, necessitating changes to certain unrealised items of the Strike Agreement.

In February 2024, Annex H to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in tSlovenia was published in the official gazette (Aneks h Kolektivni pogodbi za dejavnost vzgoje in izobraževanja v Republiki Sloveniji). It was concluded by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and representative trade unions in education and higher education.

The annex, among other things, specified for higher education teachers the scope of direct teaching time, indirect pedagogical activities, basic research and artistic and professional activities, and participation in management that they perform within their position. According to the annex, the direct teaching time during the organised study process in higher education, which is conducted as a public service, amounts to:

• Five to six hours per week for assistant professors, associate professors, and professors
• Nine hours per week for senior lecturers, lecturers, and lectors nine hours per week
• Ten hours per week for teaching assistants
• Sixteen hours per week for specialist consultants, senior specialist advisers, specialist advisers, and skills instructors.

For more information about the agreement see National reforms in school education.

Actions do alleviate the shortage of education staff

In January 2024, the Minister responsible for education adopted the amendments to relevant rules on scholarships for education (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika dodeljevanju štipendij za področje vzgoje in izobraževanja). Among others, it specifies academic performance as a criterion for scholarship allocation. It allows candidates enrolled in higher years (previously only in year 1) of initial teacher study programmes to compete for a scholarship. Furthermore, it specifies exceptional achievements in national and international competitions.

Amendments to short-cycle higher education programmes

In January 2024, the minister responsible for education issued orders to adopt two short-cycle higher vocational study programmes: Environment Protection (Varstvo okolja) and Computer Science (Računalništvo in informatika) and Informatics (Pravilnikom o sprejemu novih in prenovljenih višješolskih študijskih programov). The new study programmes replace short-cycle higher education programmes: Environment protection and utility service and Computer science and informatics. The new programmes will begin in the 2024/2025 academic year.

Funding higher education

In January 2024, the minister responsible for higher education adopted the amendment of the relevant rules on tuition and other contributions in higher education (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o šolninah in drugih prispevkih v visokem šolstvu). It related to the amendments of the relevant sections of the Higher Education Act of October 2023.

The amendments include provisions that:

• Enrolment fees cannot be charged even for full-time studies under the concession agreement.
• Institutions must consider all actual costs, not just material costs when calculating the contributions.
• Tuition is not charged to a student for full-time parallel studies in the first and second cycles if the student is already enrolled in a study programme of the same cycle.
• Tuition is not charged if a full-time student in the first or second cycle has already exercised the right to repeat a year or change the study programme or course once and has enrolled in a higher year than previously enrolled in the same cycle.
• Tuition is charged to a person whose student status has ended due to withdrawal from the study programme or field and who re-enrolled in the same study programme or field.

In January 2024, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued a decree on public funding of higher education institutions (HEIs) and other institutions (Uredba o dopolnitvi Uredbe o javnem financiranju visokošolskih zavodov in drugih zavodov). It made a provision to allow funds from the development pillar of funding, albeit in a limited scope, to be allocated for equipment. The funds for study activities for full-time studies in the first and second cycles at public HEIs and HEIs under concession agreements are distributed among the beneficiaries as specified by the Higher Education Act. These funds consist of a basic and a development pillar. While the funds from the basic pillar are determined with a prescribed mathematical calculation, the funds from the development pillar are determined with negotiations between the institution and the ministry to support the development of study activities.

2023

Modernisation of short-cycle higher vocational education and higher education

In September 2023, the minister responsible for higher education adopted the Action plan on the implementation of the Resolution on the national programme of higher education until 2030 in the period from 2022 until 2024. The aim is to harmonise the national plan in real time with other strategies and systems therefore, it is concerned among others with related transversal themes: green higher education, inclusive higher education and resilient higher education:

1. Trends in forming the educational area.
2. Umbrella strategies of development of Slovenia the implementation of which is supported by the Resolution on the higher education national plan.
3. Current strategies of the European educational area (EHEA; Bologna process), of which Slovenia is also active member.
4. Background list of activities of the action plan of implementing the resolution for the period from 2022 until 2024.
5. Monitoring the implementation of the resolution.

The action plan 2022 to 2024 includes 37 activities to the earmarked amount of €88.8 m from different sources.

In August 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the strategy and action plan for greenification of public educational and research infrastructure in Slovenia until 2030. See chapter 14.2.

In June 2023, the ministry responsible for equal opportunities laid before the Government the draft Resolution on the national programme for equal opportunities of women and men until 2030. See chapter 14.2.

In March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Strategy of internationalisation of higher education and science in the Republic of Slovenia until 2030. It provided for key aspects of improving higher education and research international cooperation of the Slovenian higher education teachers, higher education staff, researchers, students, higher education institutions and research organisations. The document determined three priority areas with goals and actions to promote the internationalisation process:

• Active inclusion of Slovenian higher education in the EU and European area
• Internationalisation back home, and
• International mobility of students.

In March 2023, the ministry responsible for labour, family, social matters and equal opportunities released for public consultation the draft Resolution on the national programme of preventing domestic violence and violence against women from 2023 to 2028. See chapter 14.2.

In March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Digital Slovenia 2030 strategy. See chapter 14.5.

Other policy developments

In December 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the relevant decree to adopt the Telecommunications short-cycle higher vocation study programme. It will begin with the 2024/2025 academic year.

In December 2023, the Act amending the Scholarship Act was published in the Official Gazette. See Chapter 14.2.

In November 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the rules amending the relevant rules on professional examination for education staff. See section 14.2.

In October 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted Guidelines for developing the plan for implementing study activities for the 2024/2025 academic year. The guidelines convey the government's directions to HEIs regarding priorities for the enrollment places in the planning phase of the enrollment call, within the available lump-sum funding of study activities. The document provides directions for HEIs to ensure, within the full-time studies for the 2024/2025 academic year, the same number of enrollment places for year one full-time studies for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and other EU member states, for study programs that were additionally funded in the 2023/2024 academic year as part of the "Strategy for providing additional funding due to the increase in enrollment places in undergraduate and integrated Master's study programmes" adopted by the minister responsible for higher education.

The guidelines also mandate that, within the full-time studies for the 2024/2025 academic year, HEIs increase the number of enrollment places for full-time studies in study programmes that were capped during the first application process for the 2023/2024 academic year and educate graduates from the following fields: education (teaching professions), law, social work, pharmacy, computer science and informatics or computer science and information technology, computer science and mathematics, electrical engineering, multimedia and media communications, mechanical engineering, technical safety, forestry and forest ecosystem management, and food science.

HEIs must start the reorganisation of those study programmes for which there is an evident lack of interest as attested by the number of applications and actual students, and based on the dropout after year it can be suspected that students enrol in the programme only to be awarded the student status and not to study..

In October 2023, the Ministry of Education adopted the amendments to the following rules on methods of funding:

• Education programmes of bilingual schools
• Education programmes and behaviour-related programme in upper secondary education
• Education programmes of upper secondary schools with Italian language of instruction
• Higher vocation colleges.

See Chapter 14.2.

In September 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted a Decision to extend the status of students at higher vocational colleges (HVCs) and advance to the next year, to protect the rights and legal interests of students at HVCs who were affected by floods and landslides in August 2023 or actively participated in the remediation of these floods and landslides and were thus unable to complete their practical training due to the aforementioned reasons, established the possibility of extending their status in the 2023/2024 academic year or temporarily changing the conditions for advancing to the next year.

In September 2023, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Act amending the Higher Education Act, which addressed the legal status of university members by designating the university as a legal entity, whereas its members as internal organizational units without legal personality. It also made provisions to regulate public service in higher education, encompassing educational, scientific research, artistic, and support activities, which are conducted by public higher education institutions and private higher education institutions for study programmes under a concession agreement.

Furthermore, the amendment included changes or solutions related to:

• Establishing legal bases for electronic business operations and the management of digital records in higher education.
• The status of higher education teachers elected to the position of dean of the organisation unit.
• Access to higher education for foreign citizens who complete upper secondary education in the Republic of Slovenia.
• Access to subsidized accommodation for foreign citizens and citizens of EU member states who are residents of the Republic of Slovenia for tax purposes, either by themselves or through their parents.

In September 2023, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia passed an amendment to the Act on Higher Vocational Education, whose primary goal is to move the application process for short-cycle higher vocational education to the eVŠ online portal. Among others, this amendment standardized the application for enrollment across all tertiary education, making the application process for short-cycle higher vocational education more accessible to users.

In September 2023, the Act Determining the Intervention Measures to Remedy the Consequences of the Floods and Landslides in August 2023. It provided for higher education institutions to amend the requirements for progression or repeating a year for all affected by the natural disaster who were unable to attend classes or complete the study obligations in time. Those students and students who actively participated in actions to remedy the consequences of meteorological disaster could extend the student status. It further determined that students in public and private residential halls for upper secondary and higher education students – based on the Decision on the extraordinary social assistance in the 2023/2024 school/academic year enjoyed exemption from paying subsided prices of accommodation until 31 December 2023.

In August 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia gave its Consent to the University of Maribor for the additions to the activities conducted by its members in their name and on their account. According to the relevant Decree on the Transformation of the University of Maribor, its members can independently perform educational, research, development, advisory, artistic, and other related activities in their name and on their own account in their fields of study, as determined by the university with the consent of its founder in the memorandum of association. These additions to the activities were adopted during the July sessions of the senate and the administrative board of the university.

In August 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia consented to the draft Memorandum of association of Community of higher vocational colleges. It provided among others for an extension in certain parts of the assembly’s competence, and amended the structure of the governing board – now only candidates who are head teachers of higher vocational colleges can be nominated and the representation in the governing board is based on the ratio between public and private higher vocational collages. It introduced a new body of the community, namely the general secretary.

In July 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the draft amendments to the ordinances on restructuring the universities of Ljubljana and Maribor, and ordinances on establishing the Grm Novo mesto rural region management higher vocational college and Faculty of Information Studies Novo mesto. The amendments proposed determined the management of the governing boards, the nomination and selection of candidate representatives of the founders in governing boards of both universities and both independent higher vocational colleges, and harmonisation with the Rules on the procedures for implementing the budget of the Republic of Slovenia. By latter, the memorandum of association of a direct consumer of the state budget funds that is public institution and pursues beside public service the activity of selling goods and services on the market should include the provision that this activity should be pursued only if it covered at least related expenses.

In July 2023, the Strike agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Higher education trade union of Slovenia initialled on 10 July 2023 during negotiations for resolving the union’s strike requirements. It determined among others the background for special arrangement of working time and obligations of higher education teachers and assistants, and the background for the right to funding the research and arts, as well as professional activities of higher education teachers and assistants. It also determined the right to a sabbatical should be included in the collective agreement, and amendments to the provisions on working from home.

In July 2023, the ministry responsible for education issued a draft Decree on advertising a private short-cycle higher vocational education programme Programming. As decided by the relevant council of experts, the private higher vocational education programme Programming is thus officially recognised and will start in the 2024/2025 academic year.

In July 2023, the Rules amending the Diploma Supplement Rules was adopted. According to the amendments of the Act on professional, science and arts titles of February 2023 the professional titles in English can now be different from the denomination specified by law if the relevant higher education institution establishes this to be required for international comparability within the European higher education area.

In June 2023, the Ordinance establishing the Univerza na Primorskem (University of Primorska) was adopted. It introduced the nomination of representatives of the founder in the university's governing board by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia after public invitation for candidate selection made by the ministry responsible for higher education. The election of the representatives of the staff pursuing higher education activity, other staff and students shall be determined with the university statute; for the representatives of employers a call for application shall be advertised and candidates selected by the founder among the candidates recommended by the Chamber of commerce and industry of Slovenia, Chamber of Craft of Slovenia, Association of employers of Slovenia, Association of Employers in Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, Association of managers of Slovenia, and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. It determined also that the university can sell goods and services on the market only if it is able to at least cover all the related expenses with it.

In June 2023, the ministry responsible for education advertised a call for applications for subsidised tuition fees for further education and training of education staff in the 2023/2024 academic year. The call was open to applicants from educational institutions that provide public service and public institutions for education in the adapted programme for preschool SEN children or a special programme for education of SEN children and young people as public service. The funds earmarked for fee subsidies amount to €255,000.

In June 2023, the Government consented to set the enrolment cap and increase in admissions for foreigners, non-EU member state citizens in undergraduate and integrated master programmes at public higher education institutions and institutions with concession in the 2023/2024 academic year. The universities of Ljubljana, Maribor and Primorska proposed to increase admissions for foreigners for a total of 200 places (192 full-time and 8 part-time) in 26 study programmes.

In June 2023, the Decree amending the Decree on the public funding for higher education institutions and other institutions was published in the official gazette. It determined the funding formula based on the employability indicator within the variable part of the basic pillar. The unavailability of information made it impossible until now. The employability indicator accounted for graduates of full-time studies at the 1^st and 2^nd level, namely in the calendar year, and the share of employed persons who graduated in the year n-2 (balance of the first day of the month after 12 months of graduation).

In May 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Act amending the Short-Cycle Higher Vocational Education Act. It provided for a transfer of application process to the online portal eVŠ. The application process is now unique for all levels of tertiary education and even closer to users.

In May 2023, the ministry responsible for higher education and science issued the draft Rules on the procedures and method of exercising the rights of students with special needs and special status in higher education. It satisfied the provisions of Article 63 of the Higher Education Act that determined the students with special needs and students with special status, as well as their rights. Those students enjoy the right to a more favourable treatment during selection in case of admission cap and to modified provision of study programmes, as well as additional professional assistance during their studies. They can take longer to progress, complete the programme and maintain other rights and benefits of students as provided by law.

In May 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the decision to put an enrolment cap in place and increase the number of admissions in undergratduate and integrated master programmes and puclic higher educatin institutions and higher education institutions with concession in the 2023/2024 academic year. The competent bodies of the higher education decided to place a cap put a cap on admissions in the total of 104 study programmes or fields (and type of study). Furthermore, the University of Ljubljana proposed an increase in full-time enrolment places for 7 study programmes, the University of Maribor for one.

In May 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the new Higher Education Act. It determined the legal status of university members, namely the legal entity is now the university, and the university’s members its internal organisational units without legal subjectivity. It also determined public service in higher education that included educational, research, arts and support activities pursued by the public higher education institutions and private higher education institutions for study programmes under concession. Furthermore, the draft included the proposed amendments or solutions related to:

• Legal background for electronic operations and digital record keeping in higher education
• Position of higher education teachers elected to a function of member’s dean
• Access to higher education for foreign citizens who completed upper secondary education in the Republic of Slovenia
• Access to subsidised accommodation for foreign citizens and citizens of EU member states who reside alone in the Republic of Slovenia or their parents have tax residence.

In May 2023, the president of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education adopted the Act amending the minimum standard to be elected to a title higher education teacher, researcher and higher education associate in higher education institutions. It provided for additional exception for candidates to be elected to a title, namely they can now fulfil the requirement of 3-month continuous work abroad remotely or in several shorter segments of time. This exemption applies to candidate invalids, employed for working fewer hours throughout the last period of election, and for candidates who take care of severely ill or invalid family member throughout the last period of election.

In April 2023, the Order to amend the Order to co-fund the practical lessons in agriculture and to upgrade the institutions and development centres in agriculture. See chapter 14.3.

In March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia consented the call for applications for master’s study programmes for the 2023/2024 academic year and the enrolment in doctoral study programmes for the 2023/2024 academic year. It advertised 12,751 places for year 1 for full-time and part-time masters’ study, namely 10,110 places for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and citizens of other EU member states (8,275 full-time and 1,835 part-time places), 542 places for Slovenians without the Slovenian citizenship (353 full-time and 189 part-time places), and 1,901 places for foreigners from non-EU member countries (1,133 full-time and 768 part-time places).

In July 2023, the Government adopted amendments to the consent to the call for enrolment in masters’ study programme for the 2023/2024 academic year. The senate of the University of Maribor decided to increase the number of places for foreigners to enrol in year 1 of the masters’ study programme Informatics and data technologies and System logistics.

To enrol on a doctoral study programme, the universities and the faculty for information studies (Novo mesto) advertised 1,605 places in year 1 for the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and citizens of other countries members of the EU, and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship and foreignes from countries EU non-members, namely 9 places more over the 2022/2023 academic year.

In May 2023, the ministry advertised the amendment of the call. It determined among others that out of 100 scholarships 75 would be earmarked for candidates enrolled in study programmes of natural science and 25 scholarships for a group of programmes in special education.

In February 2023, the ministry responsible for labour, family, social affairs and equal opportunities, published the Rules amending the Subsidised student meals rules. It determined that providers of student meals would now be eligible for an increase in the price of the individual meal once per year (before twice). The meal prices can be increased only and at most for the price of the subsidy and cannot exceed the highest value of the meal as determined with the respective public call.

In February 2023, the ministry responsible for education issued a public call for applications for scholarships for students in initial teacher education study programmes for the academic year 2023/2024. It was supposed to motivate young candidates for initial teacher education for study programmes leading to a profession for which one detected a mismatch between the current and future scope of available staff and posts in education. The call intended to award 100 scholarships and one foresaw €300,000.00 for it.

In February 2023, the ministry responsible for education published the Public invitation to residence halls for higher education students for the academic year 2023/2024. The call aimed to increase the capacities for higher education students. The ministry aims to manage the challenges of available beds by adding private residence halls to complement the offer with its capacities. One foresaw for this purpose €134,400.00 for the academic year 2023/2024 or 350 beds.

In February 2023, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Act amending the Professional Titles and Academic Science and Art Titles Act. The amendment introduced an exception for designating titles in English languages. Now, the titles can be different from the ones determined by law but only if the educational institution demonstrated within the procedure of accreditation of the study programme that the different designation is necessary for providing international comparability within the European higher education area.

In February 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on selecting and cofounding programmes of continuous education of education staff. See chapter 14.2.

In January 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia consented to the call for enrolment in undergraduate and single-structure master’s study programmes for the academic year 2023/2024. It foresaw a total of 19,792 places to enrol in year 1 of full-time and part-time studies, namely 16,643 for the Republic of Slovenia and EU citizens, 992 places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, and 2,157 places for foreigners coming from non-member EU countries. New to this invitation is that the University of Ljubljana restructured the study programme of law into a single-structure master’s programme of five years and 300 credit points.

In January 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on the invitation to enrol in higher education. The amendment determined that all candidates must submit the enrolment application and relevant accompanying documents only per e-mail.

In January 2023, the minister responsible for education following the decision of the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for vocational education adopted the Order to adopt the study programmes for continuous education in short-cycle higher vocational education: Forest therapy providers, Expert in medical diets, Permanent makeup artist.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In January 2023, the ministry responsible for education published the Public call REACT-EU: Information communication technology for higher education institutions providing teacher education programmes. The action aimed to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relevant higher education institutions would set up a simulation learning environment like the one in basic and upper secondary schools, and a learning environment that would provide for a quality didactical use of ICT in the pedagogical process and development of didactical use of ICT for teaching. The aim is to facilitate a well-thought-out development and implementation of the educational ecosystem in the virtual environment which would further facilitate blended learning and allow a fast transition to online teaching and thereby improve the agility of educational space to respond effectively to changes. The total of funds foreseen for this purpose in 2023 was €1,400,000.00.