Preschool education

Preschool education in Slovenia is not compulsory. It is available to children from 11 months of age (following the end of parental leave) until 6 years of age (or until they enter basic education).

Preschool education is organised in two age groups:

• from one to three years of age, and
• from three to six years of age.

Public kindergartens are established by municipalities according to the needs of the local population. Kindergartens may operate as independent institutions or as units within basic schools.

The network of public kindergartens is complemented by private kindergartens that hold concessions and employ appropriately qualified staff. Where available, parents may choose whether their child attends a public or a private kindergarten.

In accordance with the needs of parents and children, and in agreement with the municipality, kindergartens provide programmes of varying duration and organisation:

• full-day programmes,
• half-day programmes, and
• shorter programmes.

Programmes include education, care and meals. They are delivered by preschool teachers and assistants in accordance with the national Kindergarten Curriculum, which is the core programme document for preschool education in Slovenia.

For further information, see Early childhood education and care.

Basic school education

Basic education in Slovenia is organised as a single-structure system that combines primary and lower secondary education (the basic school). In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, basic education is compulsory and publicly funded.

Children enrol in the first year at age 6. The programme lasts nine years, and pupils typically complete basic education at the age of 15.

Basic education is provided by public and private basic schools, institutions for children with special educational needs, and accredited adult education organisations.

Basic schools are established by municipalities. The public school network ensures access to education for all residents of Slovenia and guarantees every child a place in their local public school within the designated catchment area.

Parents have the right to enrol their child in a school outside their designated catchment area. Decisions on such requests are made by head teachers, who exercise professional autonomy while considering the school’s capacity.

The only limitation on this autonomy arises where enrolment from outside the catchment area would affect the school’s status or organisation. This may include changes such as converting an independent school into a branch school, closing a school, or establishing an additional class.

For further information, see Single structure education (Integrated primary and lower secondary education).

Upper secondary education

Upon completion of compulsory basic education, students – typically aged 15 – may enrol in upper secondary education. This lasts between two and five years, and no tuition fees are charged for full-time study.

Schools may limit enrolment where the number of applicants exceeds available capacity. However, in principle, all students who have completed basic education may enrol in any upper secondary programme. Programmes may also set additional admission requirements.

Students choose between two main types of upper secondary programmes: general and vocational.

Upper secondary general education is provided by gimnazije. Programmes in general, classical, technical, economic and artistic gimnazija last four years in full-time provision. Their primary aim is to prepare students for progression to higher education. The programme concludes with a national final examination known as the matura.

There is also the option of completing upper secondary education through a one-year matura course, which prepares candidates for the final matura examination.

Students may also enrol in upper secondary vocational and technical education programmes at different levels, as follows:

• short upper secondary vocational education (2 years)
• upper secondary vocational education (3 years)
• upper secondary technical education (4 years)
• vocational-technical education (2 years), and
• a vocational course (1 year).

The aim of these programmes is to provide specific occupational qualifications for entry into the labour market or, in the case of four-year programmes, for progression to tertiary education.

Education programmes are based on vocational standards defined in response to labour market needs. Short upper secondary and upper secondary vocational programmes conclude with a final examination, while upper secondary technical and vocational-technical programmes, as well as the vocational course, conclude with the vocational matura.

For further information, see Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education comprises higher vocational education and higher education.

Short-cycle higher vocational education is provided by public and private higher vocational colleges. It is a distinctly practice-oriented, two-year programme based on clearly defined labour market needs. Candidates who have passed the general or vocational matura may enrol. Individual programmes may also set additional entry requirements, such as specific talents, skills or psychophysical abilities.

Higher education is provided by public and private universities, as well as independent higher education institutions, and is organised into three cycles. 

The first cycle comprises university and professional study programmes. Upon completion, graduates may progress to the second cycle. The second cycle includes master’s and integrated master’s programmes. Successful completion of this cycle is a prerequisite for entry into third-cycle programmes, which consist of doctoral studies.

Universities, faculties and academies of art may offer all types of programmes. Higher professional education institutions generally provide only higher professional education programmes, but may also offer second-cycle programmes if they meet specific requirements.

Programmes vary in duration and credit load as follows:

• short-cycle higher vocational study programmes: 120 ECTS
• higher university and professional education study programmes 180–240 ECTS
• master’s study programmes: 60–120 ECTS (1–2 years),
• integrated master’s programmes: 300–360 ECTS (5–6 years),
• doctoral study programmes: 180–240 ECTS (3–4 years).

Adult education

Adult education in Slovenia is characterised by a wide variety of programmes and providers. These include adult education organisations, schools and their units, other public and private organisations, company training centres, and individuals registered to provide adult education.

Adults can obtain qualifications at all levels of education.

The officially recognised basic school programme for adults is specifically designed and adapted for those wishing to complete basic education.

Upper secondary qualifications can be obtained through mainstream programmes with organisational adjustments tailored to adult learners.

Non-formal adult education programmes may be vocational – particularly training and upskilling linked to career advancement – or more general, focusing on personal development. Study circles are an important form of non-formal education.

A large proportion of adults in Slovenia engage in occasional or informal learning.

The National Vocational Qualifications' certification system enables the validation of non-formal knowledge and skills.

For further information, see Adult education and training.

Education for persons with special educational needs

The state provides officially recognised education programmes from basic education to the completion of upper secondary education.

Children with special educational needs to attend public kindergartens and schools, as well as specialised public schools or institutions. Exceptionally, they may be educated at home or in private educational institutions. Public kindergartens and schools provide education either inclusively or in separate classes.

Music and dance education

Non-compulsory basic music and dance education is provided by public and private music schools, which may also organise additional music and dance activities. These programmes are open to pre-school children, basic and upper secondary school pupils, apprentices, higher education students, and adults. Admission is based on an entrance aptitude test.

Depending on the candidate's age and the programme level, studies last from one to eight years.

Home education

Parents have the right to educate their children at home during compulsory schooling (ISCED levels 1 and 2). To do so, they must inform the local basic school in writing no later than 16 August before the start of the school year. The notification must include the child’s name, the names of the persons providing instruction (no formal teaching qualifications are required), and the place where education will take place.

Pupils educated at home are assessed in all subjects in line with the timetable of the relevant basic school Grade. If a pupil does not meet the required standards, they may retake the assessment before the beginning of the next school year. If they are not successful, they must continue their education in school from the following school year onwards.

In the 2025/26 school year, 602 pupils in Slovenia are being educated at home (701 in 2024/25; 869 in 2023/24; 1,138 in 2022/23; 1,613 in 2021/22; 687 in 2020/21; 392 in 2019/20; and 163 in 2013/14).