0

The figures tell the story. In June 2010 there were nearly 300 postgraduate study programmes available in Slovenian higher education institutions (both public and private). 15,900 students of six different types of postgraduate course were attending them, the majority of (88 percent) at the University of Ljubljana, the biggest university in Slovenia.

In some senses, then, the higher education section in Slovenia is well established. But in other senses it remains in transition. The high number of course types reflects the changes in the system. Back in 2005/2006, Bologna courses were introduced - so named because they are part of the Bologna Process; a scheme to make academic degree standards consistent throughout Europe. For now, these new courses continue to mix with the old ones but a changing of the guard has now comprehensively begun: since the 2009/2010 study year, new students have only been able to opt for courses which are part of the Bologna system.

Women take up the lead

Delve deeper into the statistics published by the Ministry of Higher Education and interesting demographic information about Slovenia's postgraduate students is uncovered. It becomes clear that most such students are over 25 years of age. The majority of specialists, masters and doctors of science completing their studies are between 30 and 34 years old while the majority of level II Bologna graduates are over 40. It is interesting that this was the age when men most frequently became doctors too, while women finished their PhDs at the beginning of their thirties.

In 2009/2010 more than 50 percent of students who enrolled in level II, III and MA study programmes were female. Even five years ago, Slovenia had one of the highest rates of women in tertiary education in the European Union and the numbers keep on growing. Up until 2000, the MA and specialisation study programmes saw more men graduates, but since 2001 there have been more women than men finishing these programmes.

Social science and humanities still on top

So what are all these students studying? In 2009, most were enrolled in level II MA programmes. The most popular subjects were social sciences, business, administration and law, accounting for 76 percent of students.

Most doctoral Bologna students also chose such subjects but a significant minority - 16 percent - decided to devote their attention to natural sciences, mathematics and IT. Students of the uniform master education programme showed most interest in technical science, production technology and civil engineering. In comparison with the rest of the European Union, Slovenia had a larger proportion of graduates in services, agriculture, forestry, fishing and veterinary.

Not enough mobility

During their studies, Slovenian students are offered the chance to go on exchange programmes, most notably ERASMUS and CEEPUS. It seems, though, that few are taking these opportunities to study abroad - only one percent opted for the ERASMUS programme.

Many universities are making efforts to increase the number of students travelling abroad. Take the Faculty of Social Science. Last year they sent abroad 23 postgraduate students and they plan to increase this number this year thanks to their contracts with over 70 institutions around the globe. The most popular destinations are Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic and Italy.

Nonetheless, countries such as France, Spain and Germany send ten times as many of their students overseas. Slovenians are keen on education but it seems that for the moment at least they prefer their learning to take place in their home country.