Announcing the 2026/2027 Call for Enrolment in Postgraduate Study Programmes of the UM

We are announcing the 2026/2027 Call for Enrolment in Postgraduate Study Programmes of the University of Maribor. The first application period opens on 31 March 2026. There are 54 master's and 36 doctoral study programmes available for enrolment. General provisions of the Call, available enrolment places and admission requirements are available on the my.um.si website > Future Students > Enrolment in Postgraduate Studies.

The first application period for enrolment in the first year of master's studies will remain open until:

4 September 2026 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States as well as Slovenians in the border regions and abroad;
30 April 2026 for citizens of non-EU Member States.

The first application period for enrolment in the first year of doctoral studies will remain open until:

4 September 2026 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States;
30 April 2026 for Slovenians in the border regions and abroad and citizens of non-EU Member States.

More information about the Faculty of Tourism’s postgraduate programmes – the master’s programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences and the doctoral programme Contemporary Tourism Studies – is available at ft.um.si website at Prospective students>Study toursim>Postgraduate programmes.

Follow the application deadlines and apply in time for enrolment in the upcoming academic year!

On Thursday, 26 March 2026, the Faculty of Tourism UM hosted its traditional M&M Day in Brežice, an event organised twice a year. The spring edition in Brežice is regularly complemented by the FT Career Fair, which provides an important opportunity for students to connect with employers and explore options for internships, student work, or future employment. The autumn M&M Day, on the other hand, takes place in Ljubljana, where the study programmes are delivered in English.

M&M Day is designed to foster connections between students and staff and to create space for collaboration and the exchange of ideas in a more interactive setting. This year’s morning programme once again took the form of joint classes held in English, where full-time students from Brežice and students from the Ljubljana unit, who study in English, worked together in mixed groups. This approach encourages collaboration, active knowledge exchange, and strengthens connections among all students of the faculty, while also reflecting its international and inclusive orientation.

Following the joint classes, students attended the FT Career Fair, which was held for the first time in the faculty’s new premises at Trg izgnancev. A total of 15 tourism-related organisations presented themselves at the fair. Students had the opportunity to meet representatives of travel agencies, hotels, destination organisations, and other tourism stakeholders, and to gain first-hand information about career opportunities in the sector – from compulsory internships to student work and future employment. We are particularly pleased to see our alumni among the exhibitors.

The following organisations participated: Agencija Oskar, Turistična agencija Palma, Relax Turizem, ZPTM Brežice, Grand Plaza Hotel & Congress Center Ljubljana, AlpeAdria Booker, Terme Čatež, Terme Paradiso, Kozjanski park, Posavski muzej Brežice, Terme Olimia, Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana, CPT Krško – SPOT Posavje, Happy Tours and Posavc.

The event enabled students to establish direct contact with potential employers, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain insight into expectations and opportunities within the tourism industry, helping them make informed decisions about their future career paths.

The day also included a joint lunch and informal networking, further strengthening connections among students. At the end of the programme, the Student Council of the Faculty of Tourism organised a fun quiz with prizes, bringing the day to a relaxed and engaging close.

Once again, M&M Day confirmed its role as an important meeting point for students, staff, and industry. By connecting students across different study environments and facilitating direct interaction with the professional field, the event fosters a strong sense of community and opens up new opportunities for collaboration and development.

At the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, we celebrate culture, literature and creativity.

On the occasion of 8 February, the Slovenian Cultural Holiday, and 21 March, World Poetry Day, the Faculty of Tourism once again highlighted the importance of creativity and organised the USTVARJALNA FT literary competition for the second consecutive year.

An inspiring reflection on creativity, perseverance and the path towards one’s goals can also be found in the verses of the Slovenian poet Tone Pavček:

Ko hodiš, pojdi zmeraj do konca.
Spomladi do rožne cvetice,
poleti do zrele pšenice,
jeseni do polne police,
pozimi do snežne kraljice,
v knjigi do zadnje vrstice,
v življenju do prave resnice.
A če ne prideš ne prvič ne drugič
do krova in pravega krova,
poskusi vnovič in zopet in znova.

Students of the Faculty of Tourism know well that creativity plays an important role in tourism studies. In this field, innovative ideas and original approaches help create unique experiences, new perspectives and fresh ways of connecting people with places and cultures.

Tourism is not only about providing services; it is also about telling stories, designing experiences and finding new ways of connecting people with destinations, stories and cultures. Creativity enables the development of innovative tourism products, original promotional approaches and authentic tourism and hospitality services.

Encouraging creativity during studies is therefore not only an artistic challenge, but also an important competence for working in a dynamic and increasingly competitive tourism sector.

This year, more than 20 students participated in the USTVARJALNA FT literary competition. Some contributed selections of literary works that inspire them, while three students submitted original literary pieces. The authors are:

Ana Rokavec
Vladimir Nikonov
Ana Marija Papaz

On the occasion of World Poetry Day, we are pleased to publish their contributions.

Long live creativity!

The new Higher Education Act (ZVIS-1, Official Gazette RS no. 56/25) in Article 13 stipulates that higher education institutions shall conduct a direct interview with foreign citizens on the suitability of the candidate according to the enrollment conditions of the study programme.

This applies for foreign citizens who have submitted an application for enrollment for higher education studies in the Republic of Slovenia and come from one of the countries with a higher migration risk, as determined by the list of countries whose citizens must have visas when crossing the external borders of the European Union, in accordance with the law regulating the conditions and methods of entry, departure and stay of foreigners in the Republic of Slovenia. The purpose of the interview is to assess the candidate’s suitability with regard to the enrolment requirements of the study programme.

The Faculty of Tourism will inform candidates about the interview procedure and schedule via the email address provided in their application for admission. The interview will be conducted remotely via MS Teams, in the language of the study programme for which the candidate has applied. It will be carried out by members of the appointed committee. The invitation to the interview will include the date and time (CET).

The Faculty of Tourism will not charge any additional fees for conducting the interviews for candidates applying for enrolment in the 2026/27 academic year. Candidates who attend and successfully complete the interview will receive a confirmation of successful completion, which will be sent to the email address provided in their application. Their application will proceed to the next stage of the admission process.

If a candidate does not pass the interview, does not attend it, or if the interview is repeatedly interrupted due to inadequate internet connection or technical issues on the candidate’s side, a decision rejecting the application will be issued. Consequently, the candidate’s application will be rejected. By issuing the rejection decision, all procedures related to the candidate’s application for admission, as well as any other applications within the same call for enrolment, are fully terminated. No appeal is possible.

The Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor, in cooperation with Turizem Bohinj and with the support of Julian Alps Community and Slovenia Outdoor GIZ, organized a discussion on the challenges of outdoor tourism on March 6 in Bohinj, as part of the Bohinj Ski Touring Festival. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders who are directly or indirectly involved in the Slovenian outdoor tourism and outdoor sports scene.

The plenary session was opened by Martin Šolar, who spoke about respectful and responsible visitation of the fragile mountain environment. Klemen Belhar then examined the motivations and behavior of outdoor tourists from an anthropological perspective. Jon Heshka, a Canadian colleague of the Faculty of Tourism, presented different aspects of risk management in various high-risk outdoor activities, while Norwegian professor and researcher Truls Engstroem discussed the role of modern technologies and tools in supporting the development and marketing of outdoor products and destinations.

At the round table, moderated by Marjetka Rangus (Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor), representatives of different stakeholder groups exchanged perspectives and viewpoints on the topic. Dubravka Kalin (Tourism Directorate, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport), Špela Berlot Veselko (CIPRA Slovenia), Aleš Zdešar (Triglav National Park), Klemen Langus (Turizem Bohinj / Julian Alps Community), and Grega Šilc (Hike&Bike Agency) highlighted various challenges related to balancing the growing number of visitors and demand for nature-based activities with limited space, nature conservation, and the quality of life of local communities.

The event, which also provided opportunities for networking and social interaction, concluded with a specialized workshop on risk assessment and evaluation. The workshop was prepared by Jon Heshka for Slovenian outdoor providers and destinations. The excellent feedback on the entire event confirmed the importance of knowledge exchange, connecting stakeholders, and strengthening dialogue about the coordinated and balanced development and management of outdoor tourism in Slovenia.

The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will host the international academic and professional conference TEDU26 from 23–25 September 2026 in Brežice, Slovenia.

The conference will explore the intersections of wine, cultural heritage, and contemporary tourism development, bringing together researchers, tourism professionals, destination managers, winemakers, and other stakeholders engaged in wine tourism, heritage interpretation, and innovative tourism experiences.

The aim of the conference is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the role of wine as a cultural, social, and tourism phenomenon, while highlighting new approaches to heritage interpretation and sustainable destination development.

The conference programme will focus on three thematic tracks. However, submissions are not limited to the topics listed below.

Wine, Identity and Destination Narratives

The cultural, social, and symbolic meanings of wine in shaping place identity
Innovative approaches in wine tourism development and destination management
Integration of wine, gastronomy, and local traditions in tourism experiences
Cooperation networks and governance models for wine destinations
Case studies of successful wine regions and heritage-based storytelling

Heritage, Memory and the Culture of Wine

Wine as a form of intangible and living cultural heritage
Historical, archaeological, and religious dimensions of wine culture
Heritage landscapes and their preservation through tourism
Wine traditions as tools for community identity and collective memory
Interpretive strategies linking tangible and intangible heritage
Storytelling and creative reinterpretation of heritage in tourism
Music and wine

Digital Futures and Innovation in Wine and Heritage Tourism

Digital transformation in wine and heritage interpretation (AR/VR, immersive media)
Smart tourism and data-driven innovation in destination development
Digital storytelling, social media, and influencer cultures in wine tourism
Branding and marketing heritage-based destinations in the digital age
The role of AI, creative technologies, and design thinking in tourism innovation
Challenges and opportunities for small producers and heritage institutions in the digital transition

The conference will feature keynote lectures by Dr. Marianna Sigala and Dr. Emanuela Panke, focusing on wine tourism, cultural heritage, and tourism development.

Call for abstracts

Researchers, professionals, and practitioners are invited to participate in the conference as speakers.

Authors may submit an abstract of up to 500 words, which should clearly present:

research objectives
methodology
main findings
relevance to the conference theme

Submissions should be made via the ONLINE FORM.

More information about the conference programme, important dates, and participation details will be published soon at TEDU26 conference website: TEDU26 CONFERENCE - Faculty of Tourism

The international conference TEDU26 is part of the activities of the INTERWINE project (Combining cultural heritage and eno-tourism to create a sustainable cross-border destination).

Project Description & Goals: The main objective is to strengthen the role of culture and sustainable tourism by developing a new joint tourism product that connects the rich cultural heritage and viticulture traditions of the cross-border region. The project focuses on improving the destination's appeal and ensuring economic recovery through stakeholder capacity building.

Key Results: The project will establish recognizable tourist routes between Slovenia and Croatia, create the "InterWine Manual" for future cooperation, and set up dedicated "InterWine spaces" in Velika Gorica, Pušća, and Brežice to promote local producers and heritage.

Financing: This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Slovenia-Croatia Programme from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Total Project Budget: 1,383,080.02 EUR.

Students and recent graduates are invited to apply for Alumni@ASF, a special initiative within the international event Adriatic Sea Forum – cruise, ferry, sail & yacht, dedicated to maritime tourism in the Adriatic region.

The Forum will take place on 25–26 June 2026 in Venice and is organised in partnership with the Port Authority of the Northern Adriatic Sea.

Through the Alumni@ASF initiative, 30 selected students and recent graduates from across Europe will have the opportunity to attend the Forum free of charge. Participants will be able to:

follow discussions with leading experts from the maritime tourism sector,
connect with international industry professionals,
gain insights into current trends in cruise, ferry, sailing and yacht tourism in the Adriatic region.

How to apply

Candidates need to complete the application form available on the Forum website.

📅 Application deadline: 29 May 2026

Selected applicants will be granted free access to the Forum sessions.

This initiative offers a valuable opportunity for students interested in tourism, maritime transport, destination development and the future of tourism in the Adriatic region.

A monograph by Dr Charles Mansfield and Dr Jasna Potočnik Topler, titled Travel Writing for Tourism and City Branding: Methodologies for Writing about Urban Spaces, has been published by the University of Maribor Press and co-financed by ARIS. It is a Slovenian translation of the original monograph.

Travel Writing for Tourism and City Branding: Urban Place-Writing Methodologies. The monograph contributes to the professionalisation of travel writing. Its approach establishes a new connection between tourism and city branding, which will encourage new travel writers and bloggers to produce thoughtful, high-quality content. The book demonstrates that literary travel writing is a research process that an author–researcher can apply in spaces where value is created. This research process extracts, preserves and communicates that value, while also serving the writer as a tool for in-depth exploration of place. Travel writing as research is presented as a methodological practice that researchers can learn and apply in their projects, both in academic contexts and in the commercial context of city branding. Examples of literary travel writing from the authors’ research projects are examined, and their effects are further analysed. The monograph contributes new insights, also by including research findings on urban spaces obtained through this new method.

The Slovenian version of the monograph is available free of charge at the following link: Potopisno pripovedništvo za turizem in znamčenje mest: Metodologije pisanja o urbanih prostorih | University of Maribor Press

Today, 18 February, the first application period opened for enrolment in the undergraduate study programmes of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, for the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants can apply to the programmes Contemporary Tourism Studies (VS) and Tourism: Cooperation and Development (UN).

The first application period will be open until 18 March 2026 and applies to both EU and non-EU citizens. Applications are submitted entirely online via the eVŠ portal.

More information about both study programmes and application deadlines is available on our website under the Prospective students – Undergraduate programmes section.

For additional information or assistance with the application process, please contact the Student Office at referat.ft@um.si or +386 8 20 57 067.

Would you like to share your experience with your tutor? Do you have suggestions for improving tutoring? Your opinion matters.

At the University of Maribor, a unified questionnaire for evaluating tutors’ work and student satisfaction with tutoring is available throughout the study year. It enables students to provide feedback on their experiences with tutors and suggest improvements. The results represent an important source for the further development and quality enhancement of tutoring at UM.

The questionnaire is anonymous. Access is possible using your UM digital identity (to ensure that only UM students access the questionnaire).

It only takes a few minutes to complete, but it contributes to improving student support in the future.

👉 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MEASURING SATISFACTION WITH TUTORING AT UM

Thank you for your participation.

Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of the Tutoring System at UM)