3rd cycle

Doctoral study is the pinnacle of academic achievement and is dedicated to the most competent students. After having sucesfully completed their studies student obtains the academic title Doctorate of science.

The duration of the study  programme for students enrolled for the first time in the academic year 2019/2020 and onwards is 4 years.

Pursuant to the changes of the Rules and regulations for doctoral studyies at the University of Ljubljana, valid from 1 October 2021, PhD students, enrolled into the 3 years study programme who will not advance regularly into the next study year including from the academic year 2019/2020 onwards, will be able to continue their studies and complete it under the conditions of the amended (four-year) doctoral study program.

By completing the 3rd cycle doctoral study, students acquire the academic title Doctor of Science: doktor/doktorica znanosti. The title is awarded by the Rector of the University of Ljubljana. All additional information on the third-cycle university study programme in Legal Studies and in Environmental Protection is available at the Students' affairs office for postgraduate studies (Referat za podiplomski študij) at the Faculty of Law.

Information for foreign citizens

Information on the application and enrolment procedure for the 3rd cycle (Doctoral) study programmes at the University of Ljubljana is available here.

Recognition of Foreign Education with a View to Access to Education in the Republic of Slovenia

Applicants with foreign higher education are required to apply for recognition of their education and certificates before entry into  postgraduate study programmes  offered by the University of Ljubljana. The procedure starts with the application for study in Slovenia. Guidance through the higher education system in Slovenia is available on the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation web-sites.

You can read more about recognition of foreign education for enrolment here.

For more information on this procedure please contact Ms. Lea Kremič from the International Relations Office.

Tuition Language

All classroom instruction at Ljubljana University  Law Faculty is held in Slovenian. However, most lecturers at the Ljubljana Law Faculty offer individual consultations to foreign PhD students in English. There is also an option to get the permission for writing the thesis  in English language.