University of Maribor
Univerza v Mariboru
Slovenia's second-largest university: 17 faculties, no tuition for EU students, three English-taught bachelor's.
- Students
- 13,082
- International
- 14%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €3,828
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1975
About UM
The University of Maribor (UM) opened on 19 September 1975 and is the second-oldest and second-largest university in Slovenia. Its roots go back to the Association of Higher Education Institutions Maribor of 1961, which grew out of junior colleges founded from 1959 in commerce, engineering, agronomy, law and other fields. Today it has 17 faculties, most of them in Maribor, with others in Kranj, Ljubljana and elsewhere in Slovenia.
The faculties include Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FERI), Economics and Business, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Medicine, Health Sciences, Law, Arts, Education, Logistics, Organizational Sciences, Tourism and Criminal Justice. UM lists an HR Excellence in Research award and coordinates or takes part in projects such as the TRISAT nanosatellites, the HPC RIVR national supercomputer centre and the ATHENA European university alliance.
Undergraduate teaching is mainly in Slovenian. For 2026/27 three bachelor's programmes were taught in English: Economic and Business studies (Maribor), Crisis management (Kranj) and Contemporary Tourism Practices (Ljubljana). EU citizens study on the same terms as Slovenians, with no tuition for full-time undergraduate study, while non-EU students pay tuition set by each faculty (the only faculty figure we verified is FERI, the electrical engineering and computer science faculty: 3,828 to 5,357 euros a year in 2026/27; other faculties set their own) unless they come from a country exempt by a bilateral agreement. It suits students who want a low-cost European degree in a mid-sized city and are prepared to study in Slovenian or pick one of the English programmes.
Why students choose UM
EU citizens pay no tuition for full-time undergraduate study, and FERI also lists citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia as exempt.
Three bachelor's programmes are taught in English for 2026/27: Economic and Business studies, Crisis management and Contemporary Tourism Practices.
Non-EU applicants to English-taught programmes receive their selection decision earlier, by 14 July 2026 in the last cycle, with enrolment by 31 August.
UM lists more than 600 partner institutions for international exchanges and coordinates the ATHENA European university alliance.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (entry October 2027); dates shown are from the 2026/27 call
Selectivity
The university does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Enrolment is limited per programme: after the first application period UM sets a limit based on the number of applicants and ranks candidates by the selection criteria published for each programme in the call for enrolment. Applicant numbers and minimum points are published per programme.
Typical entry requirements
| Non-EU secondary school leaving certificate | Completed secondary education with the certificate recognised for continuing education in Slovenia (recognition decision issued by UM), certified translation into Slovenian or English, and the programme's selection criteria |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | UM states that IB certificates do not need to be recognised |
| EU citizens | Same conditions as Slovenian citizens; apply through the eVŠ portal |
Deadlines
- Non-EU citizens, first application period Non-binding Passed18 February to 18 March 2026
2026/27 cycle, the latest published. Decision on results by 1 September 2026, and by 14 July 2026 for English-taught programmes. Enrolment by 30 September 2026 (31 August for English programmes).
- EU and Slovenian citizens, first application period Non-binding Passed18 February to 18 March 2026
2026/27 cycle; second period 20 to 27 August 2026; still-available places 23 to 24 September 2026.
- Non-EU citizens, second application period Non-binding Passed3 to 4 September 2026
2026/27 cycle; only for programmes that still have places; up to three applications, each with one programme; aptitude tests 4 to 10 September 2026.
The 2027/28 call for enrolment has not been published; all dates shown are from the 2026/27 call for enrolment (published 30 January 2026) and are labelled as the previous cycle. Expect a similar pattern: a call in late January and a first application period from mid-February to mid-March.
How to apply
Apply electronically through the national eVŠ web portal (log in with a qualified digital certificate, smsPASS, e-ID, an Arnes AAI account, or SI-PASS). Non-EU candidates list up to three UM programmes in order of preference in the first period, upload all supporting documents, and may be called for an interview. Citizens of countries with a higher migration risk under the new Higher Education Act must complete a direct interview on suitability.
What admissions looks for
- Recognised completion of secondary education, with all required documents uploaded through eVŠ.
- Selection points under each programme's criteria in the call for enrolment.
- For programmes with aptitude tests, a pass in the specific test set by the faculty.
- Slovenian-language proof where the faculty requires it.
Tips for applying to UM
- 1 Apply in the first period (mid-February to mid-March in the last cycle) and list up to three programmes in order of preference; you cannot change or withdraw choices after the deadline.
- 2 Non-EU applicants apply either to the standard non-EU period or to the English-taught programme period, not both at the same time.
- 3 Start the recognition of your foreign secondary education early; UM's recognition office issues the decision needed for enrolment.
- 4 Check the faculty's Slovenian-language rule: several faculties require a B1 or B2 Slovenian exam before the second year.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
UM says citizens of countries with which Slovenia has a bilateral education agreement are exempt from tuition for full-time study, and that each faculty sets its own undergraduate tuition, payable on enrolment. UM's student dormitories run a separate call for full-time foreign students, and the university publishes its Erasmus+ and co-financing calls for exchange.
- 0 euros
- Tuition for Slovenian and EU citizens (full-time undergraduate)
- 3,828 to 5,357 euros per year (bachelor's programmes)
- Tuition for non-EU students at FERI only (one of 17 faculties), 2026/27
Academics
Economic and Business studies (English, Maribor)
A university bachelor's programme taught in English with 20 places in 2026/27 (Faculty of Economics and Business).
Crisis management (English, Kranj)
A professional bachelor's programme taught in English, with 50 places in 2026/27.
Contemporary Tourism Practices (English, Ljubljana)
A professional bachelor's programme taught in English with 70 places in 2026/27.
Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Robotics (FERI)
FERI publishes degrees in computer science, telecommunications, robotics, automation and media communications, and requires no Slovenian-language certificate.
Medicine and Dental Medicine (Faculty of Medicine)
Requires a C2 Slovenian certificate or equivalent before first-year enrolment.
Research
- The university developed and launched the TRISAT and TRISAT-R nanosatellites, the first Slovenian nanosatellite and its successor.
- It took part in setting up the HPC RIVR national supercomputer centre and the RIUM research infrastructure.
- Faculties contributed to the development of electric aviation (HYPSTAIR) and the first test flight of a hydrogen aircraft (MAHEPA).
- UM holds the HR Excellence in Research award and is a partner in the ATHENA European University.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Law
The pages consulted do not publish a graduate employment rate; UM says it links students and graduates with employers and lists a Student Formula team and the Demola project among its achievements.
Student life
Student life is organised faculty by faculty across Maribor and other towns, and the university is building a Student Hub to support and include students. UM publishes a call each year for places in student dormitories, including a separate call for full-time foreign students. It reports recognition for the well-being of foreign students, an Athlete Friendly Education certificate and a Global Student Satisfaction Award. Its Student Formula team competes in the world's largest competition for engineering students.
- Student dormitories with a dedicated call for full-time foreign students
- Student Hub to support and include students
- Student Formula team in the world's largest competition for engineering students
- Recognition for the well-being of foreign students
- Demola project linking student teams with companies
Housing. Student dormitories are run by a separate service; UM published the 2026/2027 call for admission to dormitories and private accommodation.
Location
Maribor is the second-largest city in Slovenia and the economic, administrative, educational and cultural centre of eastern Slovenia, on the Drava river. It was named a European Capital of Culture for 2012. UM's rectorate is at Slomskov trg in the city centre, and its faculties are spread across Maribor and other towns including Kranj and Ljubljana.
Nearest airport: Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport (MBX); Graz (GRZ) and Ljubljana (LJU) are larger alternatives
Notable alumni
- JD Janez DrnovšekFormer Prime Minister and President of Slovenia; defended his doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Maribor in 1986
- VG Vesna Györkös ŽnidarSlovenian politician and former Minister of the Interior; law graduate of the University of Maribor (2001)
- RŽ Radovan ŽerjavSlovenian politician; graduated in chemical engineering from the University of Maribor in 1993
- RK Rajko KnezSlovenian jurist who has served on the Constitutional Court; law degree and doctorate (2000) from the University of Maribor
- NL Nada LavračSlovenian computer scientist; PhD in technical sciences from the University of Maribor (1990)
- LN Ljudmila NovakSlovenian politician; studied Slovene and German language at the University of Maribor
- DH Darko HorvatCroatian politician and former minister; graduate of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Maribor
Frequently asked questions
Do students pay tuition at the University of Maribor?
Slovenian and EU citizens pay no tuition for full-time undergraduate study. Non-EU citizens pay tuition set by each faculty; the one we verified is FERI (electrical engineering and computer science), at 3,828 to 5,357 euros a year in 2026/27, and other faculties differ. Citizens of countries with a bilateral agreement may be exempt.
Are there bachelor's programmes in English?
For 2026/27, three: Economic and Business studies (Maribor), Crisis management (Kranj) and Contemporary Tourism Practices (Ljubljana). Most other undergraduate programmes are in Slovenian.
When do non-EU students apply?
In the latest published cycle the first period ran from 18 February to 18 March 2026 through the eVŠ portal, with a second period on 3 to 4 September 2026 for remaining places. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published.
Do I need to speak Slovenian?
It depends on the faculty. Education, Medicine and Health Sciences (Nursing) require certificates before first-year enrolment; Economics and Business, Tourism, Arts and others by the second year; FERI, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Law and several others do not require one.
Is there an interview for international applicants?
Under the new Higher Education Act (ZVIS-1), UM must hold a direct interview on suitability with foreign applicants from countries with a higher migration risk, as defined by the visa-list rules; other applicants may still be called for aptitude tests.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Maribor: Presentation
- University of Maribor: History
- University of Maribor: International students
- University of Maribor: Enrolment in undergraduate studies 2026/27
- University of Maribor: Application and admission procedure 2026/27 for non-EU citizens (PDF)
- University of Maribor: Criteria and conditions for admission of non-EU foreigners 2026/27 (PDF)
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