Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana is a real student city. More than 20% of local residents are studying right now. The European quality of education allows the students to obtain high qualifications, providing access to the international labor market.
A student’s residence permit can be obtained by enrolling in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program at a higher education institution, in a professional college or on advanced training courses. The study program can take place in both Slovenian and English. In the latter case, you can start your studies without taking language courses. The main condition is that the educational institution is licensed to provide educational activities.
For foreigners, studying at colleges usually costs about € 2,000 per year, university education costs about € 3,000, and advanced training courses cost less than € 1,000.
There are no entrance examinations in colleges and universities. Admission requirements may differ at each institution, but they usually look like this:
- You can apply for admission to a college or university twice a year: from February to April and from August to September.
- A Slovenian language certificate is required only for the second academic year in such specialties as journalism or Slovenian studies.
- English TOEFL or IELTS certificates are required if you are enrolling in a graduate program in English or transferring into the second year of the undergraduate program. Certificates are not required in the first year of the undergraduate program.
- Certificate and transcripts of subjects and hours taken in the last 3 years are required for admission to an undergraduate program.
- Diploma, its supplement and transcripts of subjects and academic hours for the last 3 years are required for admission to a graduate program.
- Applying to a university usually requires a motivation letter and a CV (resume).
Enrollment in the Slovenian educational institution:
- Select a university and specialty.
- Prepare your documents (certificate or diploma, foreign language certificates, motivation letter and CV) and submit an application.
- Take part in the selective competition — testing and interviews.
When the official enrollment order is issued, apply for a residence permit. To do this, you’ll need:
- Criminal record absence certificate from the residence country not older than 30 days.
- EU Medical insurance for 3 months.
- Photo.
- Filled application form.
- Consular fee payment.
The residence permit is issued for one year and extended upon confirmation of successfully finished semester and transfer to the next course. But be careful: when getting a residence permit in Slovenia, each year of the student’s residence permit is counted for six months. So, for getting a residence permit the duration of your life and study in Slovenia must be not 5, but 10 years.
However, after or during your studies the residence permit basis may be changed. For example, open your own business or get a job. Then the year will again be counted as it is. Thus, a residence permit can be applied for with a two-year study permit and a four-year work permit.
Study and work
While moving as a student, you won’t be able to get a work permit. Thus, you can only be employed via the "student service", an intermediary agency between you and the employer providing vacant positions. Such work is usually paid from € 6 to € 15 per hour. The income tax for foreign students is 22.5%.
All drawbacks are covered by a large number of benefits for the students: unlimited annual pass for the public transport of € 100 versus € 365−630, full lunch from € 5, as well as free or discounted attendance at sports facilities, museums and language courses.
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