People often call Slovenia “Europe’s best-kept academic secret. ” It is located at the crossroads of the Alps and Mediterranean, and it has a high standard of living and degrees that are recognised all over the world at a much lower cost than in Western Europe. Slovenia is putting more effort into attracting international talent in STEM, green technologies, and medicine for the 2026/2027 academic year.
1. Scholarships from the government and both sides (CMEPIUS)
CMEPIUS (the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes) is the main way for Slovenia to get money from other countries. The Ministry of Higher Education has set aside special “scholarship months” for foreign nationals in the year 2026–2027.
- The Award: These scholarships are usually for short-term study or research trips that last between three and ten months. They give you a monthly allowance of about €300 to €400, free health insurance, and meals at a lower cost.
- Countries that can apply: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, India, China, Japan, Mexico, and Turkey are given priority based on bilateral agreements.
- Deadline: Candidates from countries like India had until March 20, 2026, to send in their papers to the Slovenian Embassy. But students who want to study abroad for the summer semester (which starts in February 2027) have until October 31, 2026, to apply through their national nominating authorities.
- Age Limit: People who want to study abroad must be under 26 years old, and individuals who want to do research must be under 30.
2. Ad Futura: Funding for Specialised Master’s Programmes
The Slovene Public Scholarship, Development, Disability, and Maintenance Fund administers the “Ad Futura” programmes. These are some of the most generous grants for full-time graduate school in Slovenia.
- The 380th Public Call (Western Balkans): This call is for people from Western Balkan countries (like Albania and Kosovo) to get Master’s degrees in Slovenia in 2026. It pays for all of your school costs and gives you a monthly allowance for living expenses.
- Research and Innovation Grants: Ad Futura has increased funding for PhD students researching Sustainable Energy and AI Ethics for the 2026/2027 cycle.
- Deadlines: These change based on the “Call”, but for the October intake, they usually happen between April and June 2026.
3. Excellence and Co-Funding at the University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s most important school, offers a huge variety of programs taught in English. The university doesn’t often give full-tuition waivers to everyone, but it does take part in a number of co-funding programmes for the 2026/2027 school year.
- PhD Co-funding: If you are a doctoral student, the university has a programme that can help pay for up to 100% of your tuition. In 2026, your research proposal’s fit with European innovation goals will be a big part of the decision.
- The School of Economics and Business (SEB-LU) offers “Triple Crown”-accredited MBA programs with partial scholarships for international executives. The next big deadline for these awards is September 2026.
- Tuition Fees: For non-EU students who don’t have a scholarship, tuition at public universities is still reasonable, usually between €2,000 and €5,000 per year for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
4. Tips for 2026 applicants on how to be smart
- Slovenia is the only country with the “Student Bon” system, which helps students pay for their living expenses. Each student gets a digital card that pays for some of their meals at restaurants. In 2026, a student can get a delicious three-course meal at a restaurant in Ljubljana for only €3 to €5.
- NIN and Proof of Identity: For international students, especially those from West Africa or Asia, the 2026 visa and residency portals need your National Identity Number (NIN) to match up with your university acceptance letter. If your name or ID number doesn’t match up, it could take a long time to get your Temporary Residence Permit.
- Language Benefit: The government offers a “Year Plus” programme, even though most of the 2026/2027 programmes are in English. This lets you learn Slovenian and earn credits in your first year, often for free or at a reduced rate. This can lead to a degree in the local language track without having to pay for it.
- Working While Studying: The “Student Service” (Študentski servis) is still a powerful tool in 2026. It lets international students work part-time with high hourly rates and little paperwork. This means they can pay for most of their living expenses (about €500–€700 a month) through casual work.
