1. Student Life in Slovenia: Built for Success

Slovenian universities are well-acquainted with foreign students, and professors are generally willing to take extra time to assist them. Furthermore, they tend to be less demanding toward foreign students. English-language study opportunities are abundant, and smaller groups of foreign students provide more individualized attention from professors and teaching assistants. If you choose to study in Slovenian, you can learn the language for free. Additionally, foreign students have the opportunity to participate in the YEAR PLUS program to complete their studies.

2. No Need to Learn Slovenian to Study and Get Around!

The majority of Slovenians are fluent in at least one foreign language, usually English or German, as well as Italian or Hungarian depending on the region. Conversations in English are easy to have, and people are welcoming and eager to assist. Master’s programs taught in English are becoming increasingly popular, making studying in Slovenia accessible.

3. Student Discounts

Slovenian students enjoy many discounts on activities such as sports, language courses, and photography. Student associations at most faculties have international connections, allowing for attendance at workshops, exchanges, and travel. Discounts are also available at shops, cinemas, museums, concerts, galleries, sports facilities (gyms, swimming pools, resorts), and more. Find out more information at the links below:

https://www.isic.si/program/2/popusti-in-ugodnosti.html https://koleg.io/si/

4. Awesome Food on a Budget!

The government subsidizes student meals, reducing the overall cost of living. As a student, you can enjoy a pizza, drink, soup, salad, and dessert for half the price of a pizza in a fancy restaurant. Student BONs are available at almost 80% of restaurants in student cities such as Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Koper, or Kranj. Be sure to try socha river trout and cakes such as potica and the bled cream cake.

5. Plenty to Keep You Busy

Slovenia’s breathtaking scenery includes beautiful mountains, green hills, and amazing views. The oldest vineyard in the world (link: https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/what-to-do/wine-and-culinary/old-vine-house/), included in the Guinness Book of Records, is a must-see. The country’s many woods give Slovenia its nickname as a “green country,” and the changing autumn leaves create almost rainbow-colored forests. Slovenia is a small country, and you can explore it all in a 2-3-hour drive from the capital, Ljubljana. You can go skiing in the mountains in winter, swimming in the sea in summer, and hiking all over the beautiful mountains in spring and autumn. Various monuments and other sightseeing options also keep students busy during their free time.

6. Nightlife in Slovenia

Nightlife in Slovenia is great, with many student parties happening every week, and almost every day. You can dance through the night, enjoy concerts, listen to loud music, shout from the top of your lungs, and find endless time for beer. During summer, there are also many festivals all over Slovenia that offer different cultural and social opportunities, with a lot of great music for all tastes and activities for everyone. Find out more about the clubs and nightlife in Ljubljana at https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/explore/things-to-do/relax-and-enjoy/article/clubs-and-nightlife/.

7. Great location: Explore Europe from Slovenia

Stunning Landscapes and Easy Access to Other European Countries
Slovenia is the ideal location if you love to explore new places. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, it shares borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, offering easy access to other fascinating destinations. When studying in Slovenia, you can easily travel to these neighboring countries and explore their captivating cities, such as Vienna and Venice. We highly recommend Slovenia as a top study destination, and we’re confident that you’ll be amazed by all it has to offer!

If you still have questions, need further assistance with applying to the university of your choice in Slovenia and/or simply need help with obtaining residence permit based on education in Slovenia, contact us and get professional assistance from our specialists!

What is a subsidized student meal (student BON)?

Subsidized student food is a form of support given by the state to students. With the subsidy, the state subsidizes part of the meal in restaurants that have a contract for subsidized meals, thus enabling students to have at least one hot meal and 2 dcl of water or non-alcoholic beverages free of charge, for each working day of the month. The number of subsidies you can receive is therefore limited to the number of working days in a month.

Where can I find all student catering providers in one place?

You can find all information about providers, menus, restaurant opening hours and contacts under the LOCAL DIRECTORY tab on the website www.studentska-prehrana.si

Who is entitled to subsidized student meals?

All students studying at higher education institutions in the Republic of Slovenia are eligible for the subsidy. The subsidy can be used by full-time and part-time students, graduates and graduates of postgraduate studies (if you are not employed or looking for a job).

All students of foreign universities are also entitled to the subsidy, who fulfill their study obligations in the Republic of Slovenia as part of international exchange programs and are granted such status by a university or higher education institution with a certificate.

Students who are mothers or fathers are entitled to ten (10) additional subsidized meals per month. This right is considered for every child, but only one of the parents can exercise it.

Ten additional subsidies are also available to students with special needs due to a severe functional disability and children of those who died in the war for Slovenia with student status.

How is the price difference to a full meal determined?

When the caterer registers for the tender, he indicates the full price for the meal. The state subsidy (currently 2.82 euros) is deducted from this price, which is the same for each installment, so we get the price of the difference between the full value of the installment and the subsidy.

What is your due for student lunch?

Each student gets a main course + 2 courses (one mandatory course is a salad, and for the second course you can choose soup or fruit, depending on what the provider offers). You also get 2 dcl of water with your meal, and the exception to 2 dcl of water is home delivery. Every provider is obliged to enter an offer for student lunches on the website on a weekly basis in accordance with the submitted tender documentation with which they were selected at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. No additional fees may be charged for lunches! The student can choose from the offer that is available for students and must be published in a visible place in the restaurant and not from the a la cart offer, with the option of paying extra.

What do you need when ordering a meal?

When you order food, you have to tell the friendly waiter or waitress that you will benefit from the subsidy, but when the moment of payment comes, you have to present an ID document with a photo or a student card with a photo, call 1808 or 080 1808 and place the phone on the terminal and pay the difference up to the full amount value of lunch (in cash or by bank card).

If you don’t spend the subsidy within the prescribed time?

Subsidies that you do not spend in the current month are transferred to the next month and are valid for another two months. If you do not use them during this time, they will be deleted. Every month you get subsidies for the current month.