University of Primorska

Slovenia is a small country located in Central Europe, bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the Julian Alps, picturesque lakes, and charming coastal towns. Slovenia has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its Slavic roots and historical ties to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The capital city, Ljubljana, is known for its well-preserved medieval old town, while Lake Bled with its island church is a popular tourist destination. Archaeological findings from the Bronze Age are proof that as early as 2000 BC fishermen and hunters lived in pile-dwellings on the lake which once covered the Ljubljana basin.

Koper is a coastal town in southwestern Slovenia, located on the Adriatic Sea. It is the largest port in the country and serves as an important economic and transportation hub. With its charming old town and Venetian influence, Koper offers a unique blend of history and maritime heritage. Visitors can explore its narrow streets, visit the beautiful Praetorian Palace, admire the Cathedral of the Assumption, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the waterfront promenade. Koper serves as a gateway to the scenic Slovenian Istria region, known for its vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque coastal villages. For those looking for a more active lifestyle, the region boasts a wealth of outdoor activities, from swimming and sailing to hiking and biking. It also offers a variety of festivals, events, and cultural attractions, mainly taking place in 3 stunning historical coastal towns: Koper, Izola and Piran.

The University of Primorska is a public university located in Koper, Slovenia. Established in 2003, it is a relatively young institution but has quickly gained recognition for its quality education and research. UP offers a wide range of study programs across various fields, but it places an emphasis on its Faculty of Management, which was established before the rest of the university in 1995. The faculty provides consulting to organizations, publishing and library activities, and organization of international conferences. UP prides itself on fostering innovation, interdisciplinary research, and international collaboration. A large portion of UP's student population is international students, and 19 of its programs are taught entirely in English.

Courses in English

UP offers courses in English for exchange students across all of its faculties. To see these courses, view their course catalogue for mobility students and select English as the language of instruction.

Language Courses

• UP's Faculty of Humanities also offers “Slovenian as a foreign language” courses, with a specific course prepared for exchange students. For more information click here.

Other Programs

Exchange students may also attend the Summer School of the Slovenian language known as "Hello, this is the Slovenian Mediterranean!" held every year in July at the Faculty of Humanities in Koper. During the Summer School session, you can take the elementary, intermediate or advanced 40-hours, 2-weeks-course, with accompanying activities (field trips, workshops, lectures and theme nights).

Faculties at UP include:

• Humanities
• Management
• Tourism Studies
• Education
• Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Information Technologies
• Health Sciences

The European academic structure varies from the North American system. Courses completed at a European exchange partner will not be transferred back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis. Rather, students will be required to successfully complete a certain number of ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) credits to earn U of L credit equivalency. Typically, a full course load is 30 ECTS, and 6 ECTS = 3 U of L credits.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time student at the U of L
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

If you intend to study in Slovenia for more than 90 days, you will need either a type-D entry visa or a residence permit from the Embassy of Slovenia in Ottawa. Verify the information on how to obtain a visa or residence permit with the Consular Office. The visa application fee is 112 CAD (2023). Payment is collected with the application; there is no refund in case of a negative decision.

For more information, visit the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia's website.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Slovenia, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

The International Office at the University of Primorska will provide help to find accommodation for all exchange students. Questions about accommodations can be emailed to primorska.exchange@upr.si.

Campus Residences

• Cost: €135/month (2023)
• 15% of beds are reserved for foreign students
• Shared rooms; shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen on each floor

Off-Campus Student Residences

• Cost: €230/month (2023)
• Residence is owned and operated by the Student Organization of UP
• Shared room with two twin beds in a studio apartment
• Studios are furnished with a well-equipped kitchenette, bedroom, and bathroom
• Access to an in-house student restaurant
• Located in the Koper city-centre, about a 10 minute walk from the university campus
• Applications open in June of each year

Private Housing

• Cost: approx. €200-350/month, including utilities (2023)
• The majority of UP students live in private housing
• UP will send a contact list of local land owners to accepted exchange students about 1–2 months prior to arrival
• A list of websites to assist in searching for accommodations is available on UP's accommodations page

Arrival Information

The nearest airports are the international airport in Ljubljana, the Trieste International airport, the Pula international airport and the Rijeka international airport. Airfare is approximately CAD 2,000 - 2,500 return. For more information about getting to Koper from airports by car, bus, train, and taxi click here.

In Koper

Within Slovenia, there are many excellent bus lines that connect Koper to Ljubljana and Trieste. Students may purchase a Koper bus pass for €10/month (2023). For more information click here.

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to Slovenia.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is best to take out international travel insurance, including health insurance, before arriving in Slovenia. For more information regarding health services, please contact the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia or visit UP's website.