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EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
National reforms in higher education
Slovenia

Slovenia

14.Ongoing reforms and policy developments

14.4National reforms in higher education

Last update: 16 September 2024
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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

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 May 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation published 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 1st and 2nd 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.

2022

Modernisation of higher education

In June 2022, the ministry responsible for education issued two calls in the scope of the recovery and reconciliation plan:

In March 2022, the Slovenian National assembly adopted the Resolution on the National programme of higher education 2030. The key strategic goal is to raise the level and quality of the higher educational qualification in Slovenia, improve the responsiveness, flexibility and attractiveness of the higher education system irrespective of economic needs, non-economic requirements and expectations of the society; accelerate its integration internationally; improve the accessibility of education and open up opportunities for continuous education and lifelong learning in higher education, all over Slovenia. Furthermore, one will strive to increase the intensity of research and innovation, facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the societal environment.

Modernisation of short-cycle higher vocational education

In the scope of the recovery and resilience plan, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training started in June 2022 the project of the modernisation of short-cycle higher vocational education. It will focus on digital, sustainable and specific vocational competences, improving financial literacy, flexibility, individualisation, and fostering cooperation with employers. An expert group led by the secretary of state responsible for education is steering the project. The group includes representatives of ministries responsible for economy and labour, employers (chambers), trade unions, expert councils, vocational and technical schools, universities, and other professional in the field of vocational and technical education.

Other policy developments

In December 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on fees and other contributions in higher education. It determined among others that public higher education institutions cannot charge enrolment fees for full-time and part-time studies, such as cost of elective procedures, enrolment documentation, student booklet, student card, and so forth. The rules determined also the circumstances in which students pay fees for full-time bachelor’s and master’s study programmes provided at public higher education institutions and private higher education institutions in programmes with concession, namely it applies to students who had already attained the educational qualification equal to at least the level of education of a study programme in which they have enrolled or students who had not yet attained the educational qualification equal to at least the level of education of a study programme in which they have enrolled and they no longer have student status.

In December 2022, the ministry responsible for education put up for inter-ministerial coordination the draft Act amending the Higher Education Act. Key aim of the amendment is to round up the organisation of the public service in higher education and status relationship between the university and its members. It involves the coordination of the law under the decisions of the Constitutional Court. Furthermore, higher education institutions will be allowed to establish economic companies and other legal entities. This is relevant to the Research and Innovation Activities Act.

Goals of the draft act:

  • Formalising the situation of higher education teachers elected dean of the public university’s member
  • Aligning the actions introduced with the Higher Education Act to the Student Situation Act and relating to a single system of disallowing enrolment fees at a public higher education institution. The recommended amendment determines also the charging of fees in cases of parallel studying and transferring among study programmes, and allows students who deregistered from a study programme to enrol again in the same study programme (this is currently not an option); it foresees also the developing of legal background for managing digital records and procedures in higher education to make State administration operations simpler in the scope of recommended actions of debureaucratisation by the Economic recovery plan (simpler and faster communication with candidates for enrolment at higher education institutions and applicants for subsidised residence via online portal eVŠ; adding European student identity to the student card, managing digital records in higher education).

In December 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on criteria determining significant achievements for the acquisition of the higher vocational college lecturer title. Among others, it determined that significant achievements include managing international projects which include professional or research activities in education (for example Erasmus+, KA1, KA2) or cooperation and mentorship in applicative development projects in which students participate. For candidates who are not employed in education the significant achievements will no longer include the preparation and participation in developing internal education programmes, learning material and other aids for the provision, development and training of lecturers or mentors to students in practical training in companies.

In November 2022, the minister responsible for defence following the recommendation of the Council of experts of the Republic of Slovenia for vocational education adopted the Order to amend the Army management short-cycle higher vocational study programme.

In September 2022, the minister responsible for education issued Orders to adopt the study programmes for continuous education in short-cycle higher vocational education, namely for Vehicle electricity and electronic system professional and Wellness coaching provider.

In January 2023, one adopted the Rules amending the Rules on diploma supplement. It determined the designation of professional, research and arts titles in the English language.

In July 2022, the National Assembly adopted the Professional Titles and Academic Science and Art Titles Act. It replaced the previous Professional and Academic Titles Act. The new law specifies among other the method of forming art titles in the third cycle doctoral study programmes, dubbing the Slovenian professional and academic science titles in English, as well as the use of academic titles in the third cycle study programmes at an international educational institution of which the Republic of Slovenia is a co-founder or full member.

In July 2022, the ministry responsible for education issued two public invitations to tender part-funded from the European social fund:

In May 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on criteria for assessment of work performance of directors in higher education and science. It will apply from 2023.

In May 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on subsidised student accommodation. It makes provision for the possibility of subsidised living of short-cycle higher vocational education students in public residence halls for higher education students. This possibility was introduced with the Student Status Act.

In May 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on norms for financing higher vocational colleges. The amendment made provision for increased funding for short-cycle higher vocational education activities. The annual funding calculation for short-cycle higher vocational education programmes takes into account all students enrolled, and it makes provision for further funding for administrative, technical and accounting support to higher vocational colleges.

In May 2022, the Slovenian government adopted the Decree amending the Decree on the public funding for higher educational institutions and other institutions. The amendment specified the methodology of funding calculation for the new public higher education institution and the new study programme with concession based on the study field of the study programme. It specifies in more detail the setting up of study groups and indicators themselves.

In April 2022, the Slovenian national assembly adopted the Student Status Act. It affected several area laws on the student status. Among other, it introduced an increase in the subsidy for a student meal to €3.50 (€2.35 before). The grant applications are now open to students after first enrolment in a short-cycle higher vocational education or higher education study programme (1st and 2nd cycle) regardless of their age (before, time limit of 27 years of age applied). There was also an increase in the student grant and two further income brackets (6th and 7th) have been added. The new law also projects additional budgetary appropriations for the purpose of new and adapted dwelling capacities for students, namely alongside the appropriation from additional concession fee. The former shall come from the additional charges on upper secondary and higher education student temporary and occasional work earnings. Furthermore, residence halls for higher education students can now open their doors for subsidised living to students in short-cycle higher vocational education. Up until now, their only option for a subsidised living were residence halls for upper secondary students. By law, every student has now the right to a safe study environment with zero tolerance for sexual and other harassment and bullying. Students will hold on to the student status until the end of the academic year, even if they will graduated before that. Public higher education institutions are now not allowed to charge and enrolment fee for full time or part time study programmes. The law makes provision for digital student id.

In April 2022, the Rules amending the Rules on subsidised student accommodation was adopted. It made provisions for students under temporary protection to live in public residence halls for higher education students.

In March 2022, the Slovenian government consented to the amendment to the call for enrolment in undergraduate and integrated master's study programmes (academic year 2022/2023), and the amendment to the call for enrolment in doctoral study programmes of University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, University of Primorska, and Faculty of Information Studies Novo mesto (academic year 2022/2023). In the scope of those calls, the higher education institutions are now allowed to expand the call for enrollment for additional enrolment places for candidates under temporary protection of displaces persons from Ukraine and make provisions for enrolment of those candidates for the academic year 2022/2023.

In March 2022, the Slovenian government adopted the Decree on the methods for ensuring rights of persons enjoying temporary protection. It established among other the rights of persons under temporary protections to join the programmes of short-cycle higher vocational education and higher education. It further specified the decision about candidates without any proof of formal education to be the decision of the relevant school subject to guidelines by the National education institute Slovenia. The decision about the enrolment in higher education study programmes is to rest on the higher education institution. Persons under temporary protection can enrol in and join the study programme in the course of the academic year subject to availability of places. There has been provision made for calling additional places if there are candidates under temporary protections for capped study programmes. The amendment of the scope of a call has to be consented by the minister responsible for education.

In March 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules on teacher education student grants. It superseded the previous rules on study grants for employing education staff, namely for regular students in teacher education study programmes. The new rules specified in detail the procedure, eligibility and criteria for awarding grants to students in study programmes for educational qualification specified by law for pursuing educational activities of education staff. The rules further specified the purposes and aims of awarding study grants, namely: responding to the long-term priority and employment demands of public educational institutions that provide public service; incentive to study for pedagogical profession, and building up the reputation of a teaching profession. According to the rules, one issued a public call for application for study grants for students in teacher education study programmes in the field of science and technology in the academic year 2022/2023. The purpose of the call is the incentive for the young to enrol in study programmes for a teaching profession. The background of the call is the demand for professions for which a mismatch between current and future scope of staff availability and foreseen scope of jobs in education has been detected. The call was issued for 50 grants.

In January 2022, the minister responsible for education adopted the new Rules on the call for enrolment and enrolment in higher education. It introduced among other enrolment places for Slovenians without the Slovenian citizenship. Until now, a specific number of places was reserved together for the latter and foreigners from non-EU countries, and limited to their quotas. Places for graduates (for which the school fees apply) remain only in integrated master study programmes; for other first cycle study programmes, they have been done away. The Rules also amend the calls for enrolment in master and doctoral study programmes with number of places foreseen for candidates enrolling under signed bilateral agreements among universities.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In November 2022, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the In October 2022, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Healthcare Intervention Measures Act. See chapter 14.2.

In May 2022, the Slovenian government adopted the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the temporary measures for the prevention and control of infectious disease COVID-19. It ordered to lift the temporary measures.

In March 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Ordinance on the temporary measures for the prevention and control of infectious disease COVID-19. It waived the condition for wearing facial coverings for basic school, upper secondary, higher education students and staff during the provision of the education programme. The condition still applies for participants in practical lessons and work-based clinical training.

In February 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the new Ordinance on the temporary measures for the prevention and control of infectious disease COVID-19. It waived the condition of recovered/vaccinated/tested proof in education, as well as doing self-tests in schools, both for staff and students.