A New Academic Year Begins at the Faculty of Tourism UM

The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, has officially started the new academic year 2025/26 with two Welcome Days – first in Ljubljana, and a day later in Brežice. Both events marked important milestones, as our students embarked on their study journey in international programmes in Ljubljana and in the newly renovated premises in Brežice.

On 30 September 2025, we welcomed the new generation of students in our Ljubljana unit, enrolled in the Contemporary Tourism Practices (BA) and Tourism Destinations and Experiences (MA) programmes, which are taught in English. The international group gathered at the ŠOU Kampus, with part of students attending in person, while others will gradually integrate throughout the year. Following the Dean’s address, students were introduced to their key responsibilities and the wide range of opportunities offered at FT UM. Student tutors prepared a hands-on workshop covering the use of the online classroom, digital identity, and other practical aspects to ensure a smooth start.

The next day, 1 October 2025, a Welcome Day took place in Brežice, where we greeted the new students of the Professional Bachelor’s Programme and the University Bachelor’s Programme in Tourism. After the opening reception at the faculty’s main building, the students moved to their newly renovated lecture halls at Trg izgnancev 1. As the first generation to study in these new premises, they symbolically opened an important chapter for our faculty. The programme continued with a welcome by the Dean, useful presentations about student life and opportunities, and a tutors’ workshop designed to help students connect and get familiar with their new environment.

Both Welcome Days were filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and positive energy, which we hope will continue throughout the academic year. With new study spaces in Brežice and international programmes in Ljubljana, the Faculty of Tourism UM is strengthening its role as a hub of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in tourism education.

On Saturday, 27 September, we celebrate World Tourism Day, which this year is held under the theme “Tourism and Green Transformation”, as declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The theme invites us to reflect on the importance of sustainability, responsible development, and innovation that bring new opportunities and strengthen the resilience of communities.

On this occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, Assist. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, emphasized the exceptional power of tourism to drive positive change:

“More than 11 million pairs of eyes and smiling faces in the EU alone greet and welcome guests in tourism every day. More than 11 million hands shape experiences, create memories, build connections, and make the world a better place. Tourism has the power to transform our world into a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive future.”

At the Faculty of Tourism UM, we proudly join these efforts on World Tourism Day. Through our study programmes, we educate and inspire students to actively co-create a better tomorrow – for tourism, for communities, and for society as a whole.

Knowledge for a Sustainable Tomorrow!

We also invite you to explore the data prepared by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS) on this occasion. Among the highlights is the fact that Brežice ranks among the top destinations in terms of overnight stays by domestic tourists, further confirming the importance of Posavje on Slovenia’s tourism map.

At the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, we are proud to announce that our colleague Dr Jasna Potočnik Topler has been promoted to the title of Full Professor in Tourism. She is the first female Full Professor at our Faculty and the second in the field of tourism – after Dr. Mitja Gorenak. This marks an important milestone that confirms the excellent scientific, research, and pedagogical work at our young faculty. On 22 September 2025, with her inaugural lecture “Literary Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development”, she officially concluded the promotion process. We sincerely congratulate Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler on this remarkable academic achievement.

About Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler

Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler received her doctorate at the University of Ljubljana and joined the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, in 2014. She is among the most successful researchers in the field of interdisciplinary studies, the author of numerous scientific articles, monographs, and book chapters published by renowned international publishers. Her research focuses primarily on sustainable and responsible tourism, with a special emphasis on literary tourism, where she brings together stakeholders from Slovenia and abroad.

She is actively involved in international research projects and networks, and her dedicated teaching work has earned her several awards for teaching excellence. At the Faculty of Tourism UM, she serves as Chair of the Quality Commission and as Head of the university-level study programme. She is also strongly committed to collaboration with the local community and the development of tourism in the Posavje region.

With her promotion to Full Professor, the Faculty of Tourism has gained an even stronger scientific and professional voice in the field of tourism, which will significantly contribute to the further development of the discipline both in Slovenia and internationally.

We would like to inform you that next week the application deadlines for still-available places at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for the 2025/26 academic year at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will open.

Postgraduate studies (Master’s and Doctoral): September 23 and 24, 2025, until 12:00 noon (more)

Undergraduate studies (Professional and Academic): September 24 and 25, 2025, until 10:00 a.m.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the eVŠ online portal. All required documentation must be attached to the application.

For additional information, please contact the Student Affairs Office at referat.ft@um.si

We are sharing some key information at the beginning of the new academic year 2025/26.

Winter semester 2025/26 timetable

We would like to inform you that the timetable for the winter semester 2025/26 is now available at the following link: Wise Timetable. Please note that the timetable may change daily, so make sure to check it regularly. If any change occurs less than 48 hours before the class, you will receive a notification at your student email address. If the change is known more than 48 hours in advance, it will only be updated in the timetable (no additional email notification).

Orientation/Welcome Day for first-year English-programme students in Ljubljana

The Welcome Day for first-year students of the English study programmes (BA and MA) will take place on 30 September 2025 at 16:00 in the Green classroom at ŠOU Kampus, Pivovarniška ulica 6, Ljubljana.

We wish you a successful and fulfilling academic year 2025/26.

On 4 September 2025, the second application period opens for international students (citizens of non-EU countries) for enrolment in the first year of undergraduate and integrated master’s study programmes in the academic year 2025/2026. The second application period is open only until 5 September 2025 (midnight).

Number of available places for undergraduate study programmes at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor:

Study programme	Type of study	Mode of Study	Language	Location	Number of vacancies
Sodobne turistične prakse	B.A.A.	full-time	Slovene	Brežice	15
Turizem: sodelovanje in razvoj	B.A.	full-time	Slovene	Brežice	15
Contemporary tourism practices	B.A.A.	full-time	English	Ljubljana	54

ubmit your application for enrolment within the deadline specified in the call for enrolment via the online application form on the eVŠ web portal (opens in a new tab).

More information: Study tourism - Faculty of Tourism

On 9 August 2025, the new Higher Education Act came into force. Under this Act, from the 2025/2026 academic year onwards, the official proof of student status will be the digital student card, issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The digital student card will thus replace the existing physical student card. Student cards issued by the University of Maribor will remain valid only until the end of the 2024/2025 academic year (30 September 2025).

From 1 October 2025 onwards, students will only be able to prove their status with a digital student card!

Additional information related to the digital student ID card will be published on our website.

On 25 August 2025, the University of Maribor opened under the 2025/2026 Call for Enrolment in Postgraduate Study Programmes of the University of Maribor:

2^nd application period for enrolment in the first year of master's studies for citizens of non-EU Member States – foreigners and
2^nd application period for enrolment in the first year of doctoral studies for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship and citizens of non-EU Member States – foreigners.

Candidates shall submit their application for enrolment and all required supplemental documents via the eVŠ web portal. (opens in a new tab) In the second application period, each candidate may submit one (1) application for enrolment. The application shall be considered as submitted in time if it is completed and submitted via eVŠ by 5 September 2025.

For more information refer to the Call for Enrolment.

For more information about postgraduate study at the Faculty of Tourism UM, visit: https://www.ft.um.si/en/prospective-students/study-tourism/#postgraduate-programme

For students coming from more distant places, the following housing options are available in Brežice:

Private Student Dormitory RELIVE
A novelty in the 2025/26 academic year is the option of subsidized accommodation in the private student dormitory RELIVE. Nine subsidized beds* will be available in a modern, student-friendly environment, located in close proximity to the Faculty and the town centre – [Student Dormitory Relive].
FT UM Student Apartments
The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, offers 4 apartments (17 beds in total), featuring double rooms with shared facilities (kitchen, dining room, bathrooms). Allocation of beds is carried out in accordance with the call for applications. Subsidies do not apply to these apartments.
Private Accommodation
Students can access a list of private accommodation providers on the FT UM website. Some of them can also be included in the subsidized housing scheme* in the upcoming academic year.

All information and regularly updated lists of private accommodation providers are available on our website:
https://www.ft.um.si/bodoci-studenti/studentsko-zivljenje/#bivanje

Please note: all accommodation options are located in Brežice, Slovenia.

* Subsidy for accommodation in the private student dormitory RELIVE and for private providers under the subsidy scheme:

The monthly subsidy in the 2025/26 academic year amounts to 100.64 EUR. The procedure is managed by the Student Dormitory Ljubljana;
Applications for subsidized accommodation are submitted via the eVŠ online portal between 1 July 2025 and 31 May 2026.

Eligibility criteria
The subsidy is available to students who:

are citizens of the Republic of Slovenia or citizens of European Union member states,
hold student status,
are not employed and do not conduct self-employment activities,
meet the income threshold,
have permanent residence at least 25 km away from the place of study,
are not excluded from student dormitories.

The complete conditions are available in the Public Call for Applications for the 2025/26 Academic Year, and we recommend reviewing them carefully before submitting your application.

Students can choose among 58 courses from various fields.
You may apply earned ECTS credits as part of open electives of the study programme in which you are enrolled if the study programme offers open elective courses and allows the selection of a specific course; otherwise, the completed course is included in your diploma supplement as an additionally fulfilled study obligation.
You may apply if you are a student of the University of Maribor and you have a valid student status in the current academic year.

You may apply for the ECTS accredited extracurricular activities at the time of enrolment in a higher year of study in line with enrolment periods determined by each faculty, but no later than 30 September 2025.

More information on the Call and individual courses is available on the Extracurricular Activities subpage.