Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Environmental Protection

Basic Information

The Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Environmental Protection is a four-year program (240 ECTS credits) that falls under the third cycle of education within the Bologna educational scheme. It is evaluated using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), enabling students and lecturers to engage in international exchange programs in countries that use ECTS or a comparable system. The program is aligned with similar doctoral programs at foreign universities.

With its interdisciplinary approach, the program provides advanced knowledge across various dimensions of environmental issues, encompassing technical, biotechnical, medical, social, and humanistic perspectives. Lectures are delivered in Slovenian, but if a foreign student who does not speak Slovenian is enrolled, the lectures will be conducted in English. Physical presence is required.

The program is organized and performed by the University of Ljubljana and its members: Biotechnical Faculty, School of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Veterinary Faculty, and the Faculty of Law.

Call for Enrolment and Funding

The second application deadline for the enrolment call in the interdisciplinary doctoral program in Environmental Protection for the 2025/2026 academic year is from 21 August to 31 August 2025. Candidates must submit their completed enrolment applications and attachments through the online application by August 31, 2025, at the latest.

• Mandatory documents to be submitted:
  • Diploma Certified copy of the Diploma in evidence of completed education
  • Diploma supplement or Transcripts of records - Copy of the diploma supplement or Copies of official transcripts of records
  • Consent of the mentor and co-mentor - Before enrolment, candidates are required to choose a supervisor and co-supervisor and submit their written acceptance of mentorship upon enrolment at the latest
  • Concept of research work - Before enrolment, candidates shortly present the research problem that is intended to further research, state the hypothesis and research method(s) and list at least ten sources related to the research topic
• Additional documents to be submitted:
  • Award(s) and/or Achievements (Evidence of award(s) and/or decorations during study and/or evidence of previous scientific/research work)
  • Candidates who do not have a Slovenian personal registration number (EMO) can also submit a copy of an identity document
  • Candidates who want to apply for candidate with special status or a status of candidate with special needs have to submit the application

Syllabus

The program combines structured teaching and individual research. The structured teaching component comprises 60 credits, while the remaining 180 credits are dedicated to individual research work for developing and completing the doctoral thesis.

• Before enrolment, each candidate selects a mentor and co-mentor, who assist in choosing courses from the core and elective course lists
• All students are required to take the methodological course Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Work
• Candidates select two core courses and two elective courses
• Students may also take up to 10 ECTS from elective courses offered in other doctoral programs at the University of Ljubljana or comparable programs at foreign universities, subject to approval by their mentor and co-mentor

Curriculum and Schedule

• Curriculum: Students begin their studies with mandatory and elective courses, acquiring foundational theoretical knowledge and skills for scientific research
• Schedule: The program is divided into four years, with each year having a specific focus:
  • Year 1: Acquisition of essential theoretical knowledge and research skills
  • Year 2: Completion of elective course requirements and development of expertise for the doctoral dissertation
  • Year 3: Focus on research work and preparation of the doctoral dissertation
  • Year 4: Completion of individual research, presentation of research results, and public defense of the doctoral dissertation

Progression Requirements and Grading System

• Requirements for Progressing Through the Program: To advance from the first to the second year, doctoral candidates must earn at least 45 ECTS credits, with a minimum of 30 credits from mandatory methodological and core courses
• Grading System: Examinations are graded on a scale from 5 to 10, with grades from 6 to 10 representing passing marks

Supervision and Potential Supervisors

• Before enrolling in the program, candidates must select a mentor and co-mentor who agree to supervise their research
• The mentor and co-mentor are formally approved during the registration and approval process for the doctoral dissertation topic
• A list of potential supervisors is available, but supervisors are not obliged to accept supervision

Programme Council

• The Programme Council is comprised of one representative from each participating faculty
• The Council is responsible for reviewing applications, selecting candidates, and notifying the responsible faculty of the selected candidates
• The Council also prepares the necessary documentation for submitting public tenders for funds allocated to doctoral programs and coordinates the introduction of new courses and changes to existing courses

Rules and Forms

• The doctoral program in Environmental Protection is governed by the Rules of the Doctoral Program, which determine the manner and organization of the doctoral program
• The Rules cover topics such as admission, enrollment, and completion of the program, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Programme Council and other bodies involved in the program

Tuition Fee

• The tuition fee is paid separately for each academic year that the student enrolls in
• The tuition fees are published in the price list adopted by the University of Ljubljana
• The tuition fee per program is 13,600.00, with the fee per study year (if progressed through the program regularly) being 3,400.00 for each of the four years.