Overview of the General Education System

Historically, Slovenia’s education system has evolved under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport, which oversees everything from elementary to tertiary education, including policies for music, adult learning, and special needs education. The Organization and Financing of Education Act and the Elementary School Act establish key rules governing the school calendar, grading systems, and educational inclusion.

Slovenia’s education system, governed as a public service, is shaped by its Constitution. This guarantees free education from Grades 1 to 13 and university studies up to ISCED Level 5. Education in Slovenia is administered by public and private institutions that deliver accredited programs.

Slovenia follows a clearly tiered education structure composed of pre-primary education (ages 1–6), compulsory elementary education (Grades 1–9), upper secondary education (Grades 10–13), and tertiary education. Public schools must remain secular and maintain institutional autonomy.

Slovenia’s school network includes public, private, religious, and international institutions, with multilingual provisions in minority regions. For instance, in Prekmurje, schools offer bilingual education in Slovene and Hungarian, while Slovenian Istra schools teach in Slovene or Italian.

Preschool education, though optional, is strongly encouraged with over three-quarters of children enroll in kindergartens, supported by state subsidies. Primary education is a 9-year cycle for children aged 6 to 15, while secondary education spans two to five years depending on the program either vocational, professional, or academic (gymnasia).

Adult and special education systems are highly implemented and inclusive. As of 2023-2024, Slovenia had 80,648 students in tertiary education, with 55% enrolled in first-cycle programs, 28.5% in master’s degrees, and 4.6% in doctoral studies. The language of instruction is predominantly Slovene, with Italian and Hungarian used in specific regions. The adult literacy rate is remarkably high at 99.7%, reflecting the system’s effectiveness and inclusivity.

Compulsory education in Slovenia spans nine years. It covers children from ages six to 15. This includes a unified basic school structure divided into three three-year cycles. Although early childhood education is not mandatory, children have a legal right to attend kindergarten from 11 months of age until they begin school.

Elementary education consists of regular academic instruction, activity days for focused learning, and a range of extracurricular offerings such as art, sports, and foreign languages. Schools also provide support services, including remedial education, advanced classes, and care programs, especially for Grades 1 to 6. Inclusion is emphasized, with provisions made for children with special needs across all levels.

Structured assessments, support the transition between educational stages and national examinations are conducted in Grades 6 and 9 to evaluate proficiency in core subjects like mathematics, Slovene, and foreign languages.

Slovenia’s tertiary education system comprises two main branches such as short-cycle higher vocational education and academic higher education. Entry into tertiary studies typically requires a secondary school leaving certificate and passing the national Matura examination.

Short-cycle programs, delivered by vocational colleges, last two years and are usually attended by students aged 19–21. Academic programs, aligned with the Bologna Process, follow a three-cycle structure. The first cycle includes professional and academic bachelor's degrees for 3 years, the second cycle consists of master's degrees for 1–2 years, and the third cycle offers doctoral studies.

In 2023-2024, there were 71,056 students in higher education and 9,592 in vocational programs. Slovenia hosts 103 accredited higher education institutions (HEIs), including 6 universities (3 public and 3 private), 59 faculties, and 4 academies.

The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) is also headquartered in Slovenia. Quality assurance is ensured by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency (SQAA), which is recognized by the European Register of Quality Assurance Agencies and oversees institutional accreditation and program evaluation.