undergraduate study programmes
contemporary tourism practices
Name of programme: CONTEMPORARY TOURISM PRACTICES
Type of study programme: Professional study programme (first Bologna cycle)
Head of study programme: Assist. Prof. Dr Milica Rančić Demir
Contact: milica.rancic1@um.si
Professional title: Diplomant/ka turizma (VS), dipl. tur. (VS);
Bachelor of Applied Arts, B.A.A.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 180 ECTS credits
Internship: 560 hours
Implementation mode: full-time study (language of study: Slovenian and English)
Study location: Ljubljana (English programme) and Brežice (Slovenian programme)
prospective students (undergraduate)
The fundamental objective of the first-cycle professional study programme Contemporary Tourism Practices is to educate graduates to be capable of organising, marketing and implementing a tourism activity. Their work will primarily focus on solving problems relating to the design and implementation of tourism products and services
in organisations where they will be employed or self-employed, which means that as competent professionals, graduates will be able to work in companies that perform any tourism activity as well as in any other company that acts in a cooperative or complementary capacity when it comes to designing tourism products and services.
CURRICULUM FOR contemporary TOURISM PRACTICES
YEAR 1
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM | VS-01 | winter | EN | Vita Petek, Tjaša Alegro | 40 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 115 | 6 |
| CULTURAL HERITAGE IN TOURISM | VS-02 | winter | EN | Anja Mlakar, Tjaša Alegro | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TOURISM | VS-03 | winter | EN | Gregor Jagodič, Katja Kokot | 20 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 110 | 6 |
| INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND ETHICS IN TOURISM | VS-04 | winter | EN | Anja Mlakar, Hana Kuhar | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 120 | 6 |
| DIGITAL COMMUNICATON IN TOURISM | VS-05 | winter | EN | Dušan Vrban, Hana Kuhar | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| ENGLISH FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS 1 | VS-06 | winter | EN | Biljana Božinovski | 8 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN FOR TOURISM BUSINESS 1 | VS-07 | winter | EN | Igor Rajner | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| TOURISM LAW | VS-08 | summer | EN | Jerneja Šavrič | 30 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 130 | 6 |
| HISTORY OF EUROPE FOR TOURISM | VS-09 | summer | EN | Alenka Černelič Krošelj, Biljana Božinovski | 20 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| RHETORICS FOR TOURISM WORKERS | VS-10 | summer | EN | Jasna Potočnik Topler, Hana Kuhar | 15 | 15 | 20 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| TRAVEL AGENCY BUSINESS | VS-11 | summer | EN | Katja Kokot | 25 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 120 | 6 |
| GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM – APPLICATION IN PRACTICE | VS-12 | summer | EN | Jani Kozina, Erik Kralj | 40 | 0 | 15 | 25 | 100 | 6 |
| ENGLISH FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS 2 | VS-13 | summer | EN | Biljana Božinovski | 8 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN FOR TOURISM BUSINESS 2 | VS-14 | summer | EN | Igor Rajner | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
YEAR 2
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DATA ANALYSIS IN TOURISM | VS-15 | winter | EN | Boštjan Brumen, Mihaela Franjić | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 120 | 6 |
| MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES | VS-16 | winter | EN | Mitja Gorenak, Mihaela Franjić | 40 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 110 | 6 |
| TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS (TAC) - HOTEL BUSINESS | VS-17 | winter | EN | Saša Zupan Korže, Nadja Mlakar | 20 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 130 | 6 |
| SPORTS TOURISM | VS-18 | winter | EN | Tomi Špindler, Erik Kralj | 25 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 40 | 3 |
| ENGLISH FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS 3 | VS-19 | winter | EN | Biljana Božinovski | 8 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN FOR TOURISM BUSINESS 3 | VS-20 | winter | EN | Vlasta Kučiš | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| BASICS OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOR THE FIELD OF TOURISM 1 | VS-21 | winter | EN | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| INTRODUCTION IN DESTINATION MANAGEMENT | VS-23 | summer | EN | Katja Čanžar, Nadja Mlakar | 30 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 110 | 6 |
| *Free elective course: HEALTH TOURISM | VS-40 | summer | EN | Milica Rančić Demir, Katja Kokot | 25 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 115 | 6 |
| BASICS OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOR THE FIELD OF TOURISM 2 | VS-24 | summer | EN | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| INTERNSHIP 1 | VS-25 | summer | EN | Boris Prevolšek | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 |
| LOCAL GUIDE AND TOUR GUIDE | VS-26 | summer | EN | Igor Rajner | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| EVENTS IN TOURISM | VS-27 | summer | EN | Jan Oršič, Nadja Mlakar | 15 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| TOURISM PRACTICUM – TOURISM MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND | VS-28 | summer | EN | Vita Petek, Nadja Mlakar | 0 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 60 | 3 |
YEAR 3
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREATIVITY ON TOURISM PROMOTION | VS-29 | winter | EN | Dušan Vrban, Tjaša Alegro | 0 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 130 | 6 |
| FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT (F&B MANAGEMENT) | VS-30 | winter | EN | Mojca Polak, Nadja Mlakar | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 130 | 6 |
| QUALITY IN TOURISM | VS-31 | winter | EN | Jana Vilman, Katja Kokot | 10 | 15 | 2 | 8 | 55 | 3 |
| BASICS OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOR THE FIELD OF TOURISM 3 | VS-32 | winter | EN | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE 1: *Tourism Security | VS-39 | winter | EN | Boris Prevolšek, Mihaela Franjić | 20 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 130 | 6 |
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE 2: *Health Tourism | VS-40 | winter | EN | Milica Rančić Demir, Katja Kokot | 25 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 115 | 6 |
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE 3: *Experience design | VS-41 | winter | EN | Jana Vilman, Tjaša Alegro | 0 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 125 | 6 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE A: *GASTRONOMY AND ENOGASTRONOMY | VS-43 | summer | EN | Vita Petek, Nadja Mlakar | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE B: *THE BASIC OF SUPPLY CHAIN IN TOURISM | VS-48 | summer | EN | Andrej Lisec, Mihaela Franjić | 30 | 0 | 24 | 6 | 30 | 3 |
| INTERNSHIP 2 | VS-37 | summer | EN | Boris Prevolšek | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 400 | 14 |
| GRADUATE THESIS | VS-38 | summer | EN | Milica Rančić Demir | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 280 | 10 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | COURSE COORDINATOR | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE | ||||||||||
| TOURISM SECURITY | VS-39 | winter | EN | Boris Prevolšek | 20 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 130 | 6 |
| HEALTH TOURISM | VS-40 | winter | EN | Milica Rančić Demir | 25 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 115 | 6 |
| EXPERIENCE DESIGN | VS-41 | winter | EN | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 125 | 6 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE A* | ||||||||||
| CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TOURISM | VS-42 | summer | EN | Marjetka Rangus | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 45 | 3 |
| GASTRONOMY AND ENOGASTRONOMY | VS-43 | summer | EN | Alenka Černelič Krošelj | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| WINE TOURISM | VS-44 | summer | EN | Maja Borlinič Gačnik | 20 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 3 |
| GAMBLING TOURISM | VS-45 | summer | EN | Boris Prevolšek | 15 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 50 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE B* | 0 | |||||||||
| CURRENT ISSUES IN TOURISM | VS-46 | summer | EN | Milica Rančić Demir | 20 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| RURAL DEVELOPMENT | VS-47 | summer | EN | Boris Prevolšek | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| THE BASICS OF SUPPLY CHAIN IN TOURISM | VS-48 | summer | EN | Andrej Lisec | 30 | 0 | 24 | 6 | 30 | 3 |
*For each group, select one study unit.
CU - course unit
L – lectures
S – seminar
FW - field work
IW – individual work
ECTS – credits
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Enrolment in the professional study programme Contemporary Tourism Practices is open to candidates who have completed:
the matura exam,
the vocational matura exam,
or a school-leaving exam under any four-year secondary school programme.
If a decision is taken to limit enrolment, candidates will be selected based on:
grade point average in matura, vocational matura or school-leaving exam - 60%
and academic results in the third and fourth year of secondary school - 40%.
CONDITIONS FOR PROGRESSION
Students may progress to the second year if they have met first-year requirements and accumulated at least 48 ECTS credits, whereby they must meet all requirements from the following course: Introduction to Tourism.
All first-year requirements must be met and 48 ECTS credits accumulated from the second year for progression to the third year. Students must meet the requirements from the following course units: Events in Tourism, Sports Tourism.
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
Graduates of the first-cycle professional study programme Contemporary Tourism Practices will gain the following subject-specific competences from the study programme:
general knowledge about tourism as a specific service activity at a national and international level,
knowledge of Slovenia as a tourism destination and of the most important tourism regions worldwide,
understanding of the basic categories of company management and economics,
understanding of the basic principles of planning and managing a tourism destination and tourism structures,
basics of dealing with people at work,
mastering the fundamental principles and skills of intercultural and digital communication in tourism,
communication competences in three foreign languages, in-depth linguistic knowledge and terminology from the tourism sector,
use of basic information technologies and the specifics of information solutions in the tourism sector,
practical knowledge of various forms of tourism products, separating their mission and purpose,
ability to design creative tourism products in various fields,
knowledge of trends in tourism,
understanding of the importance of security in a modern tourism environment,
practical knowledge of the functioning of hotels, tourism facilities, food establishments and destination organisations,
knowledge of the fundamental organisational and legal characteristics of the Slovenian and international tourism sectors,
knowledge of the concept, process and content of marketing at a tourism organisation,
demonstrating values in line with the principles of sustainable tourism and ethical standards,
evaluation of the quality of services and experiences in tourism.
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFERS
In accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes, candidates may enrol:
In the second or higher year of the first-cycle professional study programme Contemporary Tourism Practices, when education is ceased under the initial study programme in the field of hotels, restaurants and catering, travel, tourism and leisure, social sciences, business and administration, sales, marketing and advertising, management and administration, and working life, and then continued under this study programme at the same level.
In the second year of this study programme, when the transfer involves enrolment of a graduate of short-cycle higher vocational education from the field of hotels, restaurants and catering, travel, tourism and leisure, social sciences, business and administration, sales, marketing and advertising, management and administration, and working life.
Transfer is possible if:
a candidate meets the conditions for enrolment in the first year of the first-cycle professional study programme Contemporary Tourism Practices,
a candidate is transferring from a study programme which, upon completion, guarantees the acquisition of comparable competences or learning outcomes,
upon transfer recognition is given to at least half the study requirements under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme.
Upon applying for enrolment, the candidate requests the recognition of education, which is decided upon by the competent committee of the Senate of the Faculty where the candidate intends to continue their studies. In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, the candidate submits the following to the Faculty:
an application for the recognition of knowledge and skills at the University of Maribor,
a transcript of records (exams) with grades obtained and the number of credits,
confirmed curricula under which the knowledge has been obtained,
proof of payment of the procedure.
When transferring from one study programme to another, completed study requirements may be recognised for the candidate, taking into account the content, scope and complexity of knowledge of the new programme, and they may be assigned new requirements to complete the new study programme.
POSSIBILITIES OF CONTINUING STUDIES (IN THE SECOND BOLOGNA CYCLE)
A graduate of the professional study programme may enrol in second-cycle post-graduate master’s study programmes in accordance with the conditions determined by the study programme.
tourism: cooperation and development
Name of programme: TOURISM: COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Type of study programme: Academic (first Bologna cycle)
Head of study programme: Prof. Dr Jasna Potočnik Topler
Contact: jasna.potocnik1@um.si
Professional title: diplomant/ka turizma (UN), dipl. tur. (UN);
Bachelor of Arts, B.A.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 180 ECTS
Internship: 400 hours
Implementation mode: full-time study (language of study: Slovenian)
Study location: Brežice
prospective students (undergraduate)
Given the requirements and needs of further development of the tourism sector, the fundamental objective of the first-cycle academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development is focused on training professionals to perform tasks in specific segments of tourism and to perform operational tasks in commercial and non-commercial sectors, as well as in state administration in the field of tourism (tourism directorate, self-governing local communities, agencies, institutes), and create, market and implement high-quality tourism services, develop tourism destinations and receptive tourism, preserve and promote Slovenian cultural and natural heritage, develop acceptance and tolerance, promote revitalisation of rural areas and balanced regional development, environmental protection, etc. Graduates of the first-cycle academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development will be able to analyse work issues, devise solutions for them, organise the implementation of proposed solutions and also implement them operationally.
The objectives of the first-cycle academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development are as follows:
forming a graduate who is able to independently and immediately direct and implement work tasks in the field of tourism activity;
training a professional capable of optimum application of theoretical knowledge in tourism practice and solving professional issues that arise in the work process;
training a leader who will know how to search for new sources of knowledge and apply new methods in the work process, especially when it comes to designing, promoting and managing tourism destinations and services;
providing graduates with appropriate fundamental knowledge necessary to continue education in the second cycle.
CURRICULUM FOR TOURISM: COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
YEAR 1
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOURISM THEORIES | UN-01 | winter | SL | Vita Petek, Tjaša Alegro | 40 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 120 | 6 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL IDEA | UN-02 | winter | SL | Katja Kokot | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 120 | 6 |
| MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY | UN-03 | winter | SL | Mitja Gorenak, Mihaela Franjić | 30 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 110 | 6 |
| INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS LAW | UN-04 | winter | SL | Borut Bratina, Peter Podgorelec, Jerneja Šavrič | 30 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| HOSPITALITY AND RELATIONS IN TOURISM | UN-05 | winter | SL | Anja Mlakar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| BASICS OF RESEARCH THOUGHT AND WRITING | UN-06 | winter | SL | Anja Mlakar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| ENGLISH IN TOURISM 1 | UN-07 | winter | SL | Hana Kuhar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| HERITAGE AND TOURISM | UN-08 | summer | SL | Anja Mlakar, Nadja Mlakar | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 120 | 6 |
| HOTEL BUSINESS | UN-09 | summer | SL | Saša Zupan Korže, Nadja Mlakar | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 100 | 6 |
| GEOGRAPHY IN TOURISM | UN-10 | summer | SL | Marko Koščak, Erik Kralj | 40 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 90 | 6 |
| IT IN TOURISM | UN-11 | summer | SL | Boštjan Brumen, Mihaela Franjić | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 100 | 6 |
| ENGLISH IN TOURISM 2 | UN-12 | summer | SL | Hana Kuhar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 1 | UN-13 | summer | SL | Vlasta Kučiš | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
YEAR 2
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | T | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYCHOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION IN TOURISM | UN-14 | winter | Maja Turnšek, Katja Kokot | 0 | 40 | 20 | 0 | 120 | 6 |
| HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | UN-15 | winter | Mitja Gorenak, Hana Kuhar | 40 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 110 | 6 |
| DATA ANALYSIS | UN-16 | winter | Mihaela Franjić | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 100 | 6 |
| RHETORIC IN BUSINESS AND EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION | UN-17 | winter | Jasna Potočnik Topler | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| ENGLISH IN TOURISM 3 | UN-18 | winter | Hana Kuhar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 2 | UN-19 | winter | Vlasta Kučiš | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 1 | UN-20 | winter | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| DESTINATION MANAGEMENT | UN-21 | summer | Tina Šegota, Nadja Mlakar | 30 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 110 | 6 |
| MEDIA, POPULAR CULTURE AND TOURISM | UN-22 | summer | Jasna Potočnik Topler, Tjaša Alegro | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 100 | 6 |
| TOURISM PRACTICUM – TOURISM MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND | UN-23 | summer | Vita Petek, Nadja Mlakar | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 60 | 3 |
| FREE ELECTIVE COURSE: Health and thermal tourism in Slovenia | UN-43 | summer | Milica Rančić Demir, Katja Kokot | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 50 | 3 |
| FREE ELECTIVE COURSE: Gastronomy and enogastronomy | UN-44 | summer | Saša Poljak Istenič, Nadja Mlakar | 10 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 50 | 3 |
| EXPERIENCES IN TOURISM | UN-26 | summer | Jana Vilman | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| GERMAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 3 | UN-27 | summer | Vlasta Kučiš | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 2 | UN-28 | summer | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
YEAR 3
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIOLOGY OF TOURISM | UN-29 | winter | Marjetka Rangus, Biljana Božinovski | 20 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 110 | 6 |
| MARKETING RESEARCH IN TOURISM | UN-30 | winter | Tina Šegota, Tjaša Alegro | 30 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 120 | 6 |
| FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | UN-31 | winter | Nevenka Maher, Katja Kokot | 40 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 100 | 6 |
| THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM 3 | UN-32 | winter | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE FROM THE GROUP: INNOVATION Event management | UN-51 | winter | Tina Šegota, Tomi Špindler, Biljana Božinovski | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE 1Sports tourism | UN-40 | winter | Tomi Špindler, Erik Kralj | 25 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 40 | 3 |
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSE 2Tourism security | UN-39 | winter | Boris Prevolšek, Mihaela Franjić | 30 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE FROM THE GROUP: ACTIVE, GREEN, HEALTHYTourism promotion | UN-46 | summer | Maja Turnšek, Tjaša Alegro | 0 | 20 | 30 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| INTERNSHIP | UN-37 | summer | Tomi Špindler | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 400 | 15 |
| GRADUATE THESIS | UN-38 | summer | Milica Rančić Demir | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 340 | 12 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE | COURSE CODE | SEMESTER | INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORE ELECTIVE COURSES | |||||||||
| TOURISM SECURITY | UN-39 | winter | Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell | 30 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 3 |
| SPORTS TOURISM | UN-40 | winter | Tomi Špindler | 25 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 40 | 3 |
| SUPPLY CHAINS IN TOURISM | UN-41 | winter | Andrej Lisec | 30 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 40 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE FROM THE GROUP: ACTIVE, GREEN, HEALTHY | |||||||||
| TOURISM AND THE ELDERLY | UN-42 | summer | Jana Goriup | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| HEALTH AND THERMAL TOURISM IN SLOVENIA | UN-43 | summer | Milica Rančič Demir | 20 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 50 | 3 |
| GASTRONOMY AND ENOGASTRONOMY | UN-44 | summer | Saša Poljak Istenič | 10 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 50 | 3 |
| TOUR GUIDING | UN-45 | summer | Mitja Gorenak | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| TOURISM PROMOTION | UN-46 | summer | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 20 | 30 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN TOURISM | UN-47 | summer | Sonja Mlaker Kač | 10 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| FREE ELECTIVE COURSE OR ELECTIVE COURSE FROM THE GROUP: INNOVATION | |||||||||
| SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT | UN-35A | summer | Tanja Lešnik Štuhec | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 45 | 3 |
| QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM | UN-49 | summer | Maja Borlinič Gačnik | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| INNOVATIVE TOURISM | UN-50 | summer | Marko Koščak | 10 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| EVENT MANAGEMENT | UN-51 | summer | Mitja Gorenak | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
** Prosto izbirni predmet je izbirni predmet, ki ga lahko študent opravi v okviru izbirnih predmetov na matični fakulteti ali na drugih visokošolskih zavodih. Prosto izbirni predmet si lahko študent na UN študijskem programu Turizem izbere izmed ponudbe prosto izbirnih predmetov drugih članic Univerze v Mariboru oziroma skladno z meduniverzitetnimi dogovori in mora ustrezati številu ECTS izbirnega predmeta na matičnem programu. Ustreznost izbranega predmeta preverja vodja študijskega programa na podlagi priloženega učnega načrta izbranega predmeta. Po uspešno opravljenem predmetu na drugi članici, se študentu tako opravljen predmet prizna kot opravljen izbirni predmet na matičnem programu.
CU - course unit
L – lectures
S – seminar
FW - field work
IW – individual work
ECTS – credits
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to Article 38 of the Higher Education Act, enrolment in the academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development is open to candidates who have completed:
A - the matura exam,
B - vocational matura in a secondary school programme in a related field and an exam in one of the following matura courses: mathematics, foreign language, history, economics and geography. The selected course may not be a course which the candidate has already taken in the vocational matura;
C - any four-year secondary school programme prior to 1 June 1995.
If a decision is taken to limit enrolment, candidates referred to in
points A and C will be selected based on:
- grade point average in the general matura or school-leaving exam - 60% of points (0.6 weight)
- grade point average in the third and fourth years - 40% of points (0.4 weight)
candidates referred to in point B will be selected depending on:
- grade point average in vocational matura - 40% of points (0.4 weight)
- grade point average in the third and fourth years - 40% of points (0.4 weight)
- grade in one matura exam course - 20% of points (0.2 weight)
CONDITIONS FOR PROGRESSION
Students progress to the second year if they have met all first-year requirements and accumulated at least 48 ECTS credits. All requirements from the following courses must be met: Tourism Theory.
All first-year exams must be passed and 48 ECTS credits accumulated from the second year for progression to the third year. All requirements from the following courses must be met: Destination Management, Human Resource Management.
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
The subject-specific competences are defined mainly within individual study courses, which, through a well-rounded study programme, develop the specialised profile of a graduate capable of performing professional tasks in their chosen business function at a certain level of tourism and in the professional field of the graduate’s employment.
The subject-specific competences acquired through the academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development are as follows:
knowledge and understanding of the fundamental phenomena and concepts in tourism,
linking of the knowledge of tourism with interdisciplinary knowledge,
coordination, communication, managing, planning and evaluation of tourism products,
analysis of events in the work process and synthesis of possible measures that will optimise processes and services in a tourism organisation,
mastering of three foreign languages for good communication with business partners and clients in the tourism sector,
understanding of the central concepts and applied approaches to running tourism organisations,
use of information and communication technology in tourism and the ability to participate in the development of tourism information systems,
knowledge of technological trends and the role of new media in tourism,
design and implementation of products pertaining to active and healthy tourism,
exhibiting the values of responsible and green tourism.
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFERS
Transfers between study programmes are possible in line with the Higher Education Act, Criteria for Transfers between Programmes and other regulations.
The following possible transfers to the academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development are envisaged:
The following possible transfers to the academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development are envisaged:
In accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes, candidates may enrol:
In the second or higher year of the first-cycle academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development, when education is ceased under the initial study programme in the field of hotels, restaurants and catering, travel, tourism and leisure, social sciences, business and administration, sales, marketing and advertising, management and administration, and working life, and then continued under this study programme at the same level.
In the second year of this study programme, when the transfer involves enrolment of a graduate of short-cycle higher vocational education from the field of hotel, restaurants and catering, travel, tourism and leisure, social sciences, business and administration, sales, marketing and advertising, management and administration, and working life.
Transfer is possible if:
a candidate meets the conditions for enrolment in the first year of the first-cycle academic study programme Tourism: Cooperation and Development,
a candidate is transferring from a study programme which, upon completion, guarantees the acquisition of comparable competences or learning outcomes,
upon transfer recognition is given to at least half the study requirements under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme.
Upon applying for enrolment, the candidate requests the recognition of education, which is decided upon by the competent committee of the Senate of the Faculty where the candidate intends to continue their studies. In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, the candidate submits the following to the Faculty:
an application for the recognition of knowledge and skills at the University of Maribor,
a transcript of records (exams) with grades obtained and the number of credits,
confirmed curricula under which the knowledge has been obtained,
proof of payment of the procedure.
When transferring from one study programme to another, completed study requirements may be recognised for the candidate, taking into account the content, scope and complexity of knowledge of the new programme, and they may be assigned new requirements to complete the new study programme.
POSSIBILITIES OF CONTINUING STUDIES (IN THE SECOND BOLOGNA CYCLE)
A graduate of the academic study programme may enrol in second-cycle post-graduate master’s study programmes in accordance with the conditions determined by the study programme.
post-graduate study programmes
tourism destinations and experiences
Name of programme: TOURISM DESTINATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Type of study programme: Master’s study programme (second Bologna cycle)
Head of study programme: Assoc. Prof. Dr Marko Koščak
Contact: marko.koscak@um.si
Professional title: magister/-ica turizma, mag. tur.; Master of Arts, M.A.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 120 ECTS credits
Internship: Internship is not provided in the traditional format but is instead integrated into the courses Practicum 1, 2, and 3.
Implementation mode: full-time study (language of study: Slovenian and English)
Study location: Ljubljana (English programme) and Brežice (Slovenian programme)
prospective students (postgraduate)
The basic aim of the second-cycle master’s study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences is in-depth education and training of development and management professionals in all structures of the tourism and public sectors, where such professionals encounter tourism-related content.
These are professionals who must manage and solve development issues that come up in the work process in tourism, and be able to apply their knowledge in the optimum functioning of a tourism organisation within the tourism system.
In terms of content, the aims of tourism studies are directed towards:
These are professionals who must manage and solve development issues that come up in the work process in tourism, and be able to apply their knowledge in the optimum functioning of a tourism organisation within the tourism system.
In terms of content, the aims of tourism studies are directed towards:
in-depth research of tourism supported by a critical analysis of the impact of tourism and its placement in digitalisation and the experience economy,
innovative design of tourism experiences supported by knowledge of global good practices and successful decision-making,
strategic planning of destination development supported by an awareness of the responsibility of the tourism sector and the importance of all tourism players working together.
Based on these aims graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and put it in practice to achieve all general and subject-specific competences set out in the proposed study programme.
The full-time master’s study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences is free-of-charge for all citizens regardless of age. Anyone who has not yet used the option of enrolling in a master’s study programme and has completed any other professional study programme (Bologna cycle 6/2-OLD PROFESSIONAL STUDY PROGRAMMES) may enrol in the full-time master’s study programme (the possibility of a free-of-charge master’s studies does not apply to graduates of the old academic programme).
The full-time master’s study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences is free-of-charge for all citizens regardless of age. Anyone who has not yet used the option of enrolling in a master’s study programme and has completed any other professional study programme (Bologna cycle 6/2-OLD PROFESSIONAL STUDY PROGRAMMES) may enrol in the full-time master’s study programme (the possibility of a free-of-charge master’s studies does not apply to graduates of the old academic programme).
CURRICULUM FOR TOURISM DESTINATIONS AND EXPERIENCES (MASTER’S STUDY PROGRAMME)
YEAR 1
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPERIENCE DESIGN IN TOURISM | MAG-01 | winter | EN | Jana Vilman, Tjaša Alegro | 0 | 25 | 15 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| SUSTAINABLE, GREEN AND RESPONSIBLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT | MAG-02 | winter | EN | Marko Koščak, Katja Kokot | 20 | 0 | 20 | 10 | 130 | 6 |
| SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM | MAG-03 | winter | EN | Andreja Trdina | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| GUEST IN THE CENTRE OF TOURISM PHENOMENON | MAG-04 | winter | EN | Jana Goriup, Mihaela Kežman | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| ENGLISH IN TOURISM – HIGHER LEVEL 1 | MAG-05 | winter | EN | Hana Kuhar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| PRACTICUM 1: INTRODUCTION & DESIGNING ELEMENTS OF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY | MAG-06 | winter | EN | Marko Koščak, Katja Kokot | 0 | 40 | 0 | 15 | 35 | 3 |
| MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS | MAG-07 | summer | EN | Tanja Lešnik Štuhec, Katja Kokot | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 140 | 6 |
| MEDIA AND TOURISM: STORYTELLING IN TOURISM | MAG-08 | summer | EN | Maja Turnšek | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| DATA ANALYSIS IN TOURISM 1 | MAG-09 | summer | EN | Boštjan Brumen, Mihaela Franjić | 0 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 145 | 6 |
| POLITICAL ASPECTS OF TOURISM | MAG-10 | summer | EN | Marjetka Rangus | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| PRACTICUM 2 – TOURISM DESTINATION BENCHMARKING ANALYSIS | MAG-11 | summer | EN | Marjetka Rangus, Nadja Mlakar | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 140 | 6 |
YEAR 2
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | LANGUAGE | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RURAL AND PROTECTED AREA DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING | MAG-12 | winter | EN | Tanja Lešnik Štuhec, Erik Kralj | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 130 | 6 |
| RESEARCH METHODS | MAG-13 | winter | EN | Tina Šegota, Erik Kralj | 15 | 15 | 20 | 0 | 130 | 6 |
| BUSINESS PLANNING IN TOURISM | MAG-14 | winter | EN | Gregor Jagodič | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR | MAG-15 | winter | EN | Gregor Jagodič | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 140 | 6 |
| ANALYZING AND MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN TOURISM | MAG-16 | winter | EN | Akos Nagy, Mihaela Franjić | 0 | 20 | 25 | 0 | 135 | 6 |
| ELECTIVE 1: THE POWER OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS IN TOURISM | MAG-29 | winter | EN | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| DATA ANALYSIS IN TOURISM 2 | MAG-18 | summer | EN | Mihaela Franjić | 0 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 55 | 3 |
| PRACTICUM 3: FROM IDEA TO EXECUTION OF TRAVEL ITINERARY | MAG-19 | summer | EN | Mitja Gorenak | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| ENGLISH IN TOURISM – HIGHER LEVEL 2 | MAG-20 | summer | EN | Hana Kuhar | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| FREE ELECTIVE COURSE: TRANSPORT AND TOURISM | MAG-34 | summer | EN | Andrej Lisec, Mihaela Franjić | 30 | 0 | 24 | 6 | 30 | 3 |
| FREE ELECTIVE COURSE: PSYCHOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION IN TOURISM- HIGHER LEVEL | MAG-38 | summer | EN | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE 2: CHALLENGES OF CONTEMPORARY HOTEL BUSINESS | MAG-37 | summer | EN | Saša Zupan Korže | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
| MASTER'S THESIS | MAG-24 | summer | EN | Milica Rančić Demir | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 330 | 12 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | COURSE COORDINATORS | L | S | TUTORIALS | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GERMAN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION FOR TOURISM | MAG-40 | Vlasta Kučiš | 10 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 6 | |
| THE BASICS OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN TOURISM | MAG-41 | Mojca Kompara Lukančič | 0 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 6 | |
| THE POWER OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS IN TOURISM | MAG-29 | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND POLITICS OF IMAGES | MAG-30 | Andreja Trdina | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| RHETORIC AND PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD | MAG-31 | Jasna Potočnik Topler | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| CULTURAL TOURISM AND IDENTITY OF EUROPE | MAG-32 | Marjetka Rangus | 0 | 30 | 0 | 5 | 55 | 3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF WELLNESS CENTERS | MAG-33 | Milica Rančić Demir | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| TRANSPORT AND TOURISM | MAG-34 | Andrej Lisec | 30 | 0 | 24 | 6 | 30 | 3 | |
| CHALLENGES OF SPORTS TOURISM | MAG-35 | Tomi Špindler | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| TOURISM IN THE 3RD LIFE CYCLE | MAG-36 | Jana Goriup | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| CHALLENGES OF CONTEMPORARY HOTEL BUSINESS | MAG-37 | Saša Zupan Korže | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| PSYCHOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION IN TOURISM – HIGHER LEVEL | MAG-38 | Maja Turnšek | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |
| PROJECT MANAGEMENT EU & NATIONAL PROJECTS | MAG-39 | Marko Koščak | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 |
CU - course unit
L – lectures
S – seminar
FW - field work
IW – individual work
ECTS – credits
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Enrolment in the study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences is open to candidates who have completed:
A first-cycle study programme in a relevant field: 1013 (hotel, restaurants and catering), 1015 (travel, tourism and leisure), 0388 (social sciences), 0488 (business and administration), 0416 (sales), 0414 (marketing and advertising), 0413 (management and administration), 0417 (working life), 0314 (geography).
A first-cycle study programme in another field if prior to enrolment in the programme the candidate has completed study requirements essential for further study, totalling 10-60 ECTS credits, under the first-cycle programme, a supplementary study programme or by taking bridging exams prior to enrolment in the first year of the study programme. Candidates must complete the following course units: Introduction to Tourism (6 ECTS credits) and Destination Management (6 ECTS credits).
A professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004, in a relevant field: 1013 (hotel, restaurants and catering), 1015 (travel, tourism and leisure), 0388 (social sciences), 0488 (business and administration), 0416 (sales), 0414 (marketing and advertising), 0413 (management and administration), 0417 (working life), 0314 (geography).
A professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in another field if prior to enrolment in the programme the candidate has completed study requirements essential for further study, totalling 10-60 ECTS credits, under the first-cycle programme, a supplementary study programme or by taking bridging exams prior to enrolment in the first year of the study programme. Candidates must complete the following course units: Introduction to Tourism (6 ECTS credits) and Destination Management (6 ECTS credits).
An academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004, in a relevant field: 1013 (hotel, restaurants and catering), 1015 (travel, tourism and leisure), 0388 (social sciences), 0488 (business and administration), 0416 (sales), 0414 (marketing and advertising), 0413 (management and administration), 0417 (working life), 0314 (geography). Candidates are typically awarded 60 ECTS credits and may enrol in the second year of the study programme provided they satisfy the transfer criteria laid down in the accredited study programme.
An academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in another field as laid down in the fifth indent. Up to 60 ECTS credits are recognised for such candidates within the study programme, and they may enrol in the corresponding year of the programme.
A professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004, and a programme leading to a specialisation adopted prior to 11 June 2004, in a relevant field: 1013 (hotel, restaurants and catering), 1015 (travel, tourism and leisure), 0388 (social sciences), 0488 (business and administration), 0416 (sales), 0414 (marketing and advertising), 0413 (management and administration), 0417 (working life), 0314 (geography).
Candidates are typically awarded 60 ECTS credits and may enrol in the second year of the study programme provided they satisfy the transfer criteria laid down in the accredited study programme.
Candidates are typically awarded 60 ECTS credits and may enrol in the second year of the study programme provided they satisfy the transfer criteria laid down in the accredited study programme.
A professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004, and a programme leading to a specialisation adopted prior to 11 June 2004, in another field. Up to 60 ECTS credits are recognised for such candidates within the study programme, and they may enrol in the corresponding year of the programme.
Applications will be processed by the FT UM Academic Affairs Committee, which will determine the scope and type of study requirements that are to be recognised and the extent and nature of the study requirements that are yet to be fulfilled.
CONDITIONS FOR PROGRESSION
Students may progress to the second year if they have met first-year requirements and accumulated at least 45 ECTS credits.
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
Graduates of the second-cycle master’s study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences will acquire the following subject-specific competences in particular:
ability to analyse, synthesise and predict solutions and consequences in the operation of tourism organisations and destinations in terms of sustainable development of destinations and the welfare of the local people, employees and guests,
knowledge of management of tourism organisations, destinations and experiences,
knowledge of analysis of trends in tourism with emphasis on digitalisation, the experience economy and requirements of responsible tourism,
understanding of the basic concepts of planning complex social networks of cooperation and involvement of social partners in the development of tourism at the organisational, local and regional levels,
understanding of the basic and more complex concepts in logistical processes in the tourism sector,
knowledge of analysis of guests’ needs and integration of tourism needs into innovative integral tourism products,
understanding of the financial analysis of one’s own business idea,
understanding of the models of modern organisational structure of tourism organisations and investment in the tourism sector,
knowledge of strategic planning of marketing communication with emphasis on digitalisation in tourism,
ability to address practical problems in process treatment of operations in modern organisational systems,
understanding of the basic concepts in researching the needs, motives and behaviour of consumers in the marketing of tourism services,
•knowledge of the analysis of political aspects of tourism with the aim of systematically understanding political and tourism events and processes at the level of local, national, European and global tourism policies.
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFERS
In accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Programmes, transferring to the second-cycle master’s study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences is possible for candidates enrolled in study programmes in the following fields: hotels, restaurants and catering; travel, tourism and leisure; social sciences; business and administration; sales; marketing and advertising; management and administration; working life; geography, which upon completion guarantee similar competences, and for whom at least half of the study requirements based on the European Transfer Credit System (ECTS) are recognised from the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme.
Depending on the extent of study requirements recognised from the first study programme in Slovenia or abroad, the student may enrol in the same year or a higher year of the study programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences. Under the recognition procedure, fulfilled study requirements that may be recognised fully or partially are identified, and study requirements required for completion of the new study programme are laid down.
contemporary tourism studies
Name of programme: CONTEMPORARY TOURISM STUDIES
Type of study programme: Doctoral (third Bologna cycle)
Head of study programme: Prof. Dr Boštjan Brumen
Contact: phd.ft@um.si, bostjan.brumen@um.si
Professional title: Doktor/ica znanosti (s področja turizma), dr.; Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 180 ECTS credits
Internship: Although internship is not envisaged within doctoral studies, collaboration with the business sector and addressing specific situations in practice are encouraged within applied research assignments.
Implementation method: part-time study (language of study: Slovenian, English)
Study location: Brežice, online
Tuition fee: € 4490 (for Academic year 2025/26)
prospective students (postgraduate)
The aim of the University of Maribor’s third-cycle study programme in Contemporary Tourism Studies is to form a profile of a doctoral candidate who will be qualified to conduct research in the tourism sector and capable of managing tourism development projects and who will direct the future development of tourism through critical reflection.
As tourism practices are decidedly interdisciplinary in nature and relate to various forms of tourism, the knowledge and skills that the study programme encompasses are designed so as to provide doctoral students with in-depth knowledge of the profession, which they proceed to build upon through specific tourism content.
The whole is complemented by methodological-research knowledge and skills, by means of which an individual becomes qualified to conduct research independently,
As tourism practices are decidedly interdisciplinary in nature and relate to various forms of tourism, the knowledge and skills that the study programme encompasses are designed so as to provide doctoral students with in-depth knowledge of the profession, which they proceed to build upon through specific tourism content.
The whole is complemented by methodological-research knowledge and skills, by means of which an individual becomes qualified to conduct research independently,
bringing new scientific findings and enabling the continuation of scientific work on the one hand and practical application of the knowledge obtained on the other.
Through their ability to critically reflect, the knowledge gained by the doctoral candidates will enable them to further engage in scientific research by publishing scientific monographs and articles or by participating in or managing highly complex research projects.
This study programme has another important objective, as it encourages students to pursue continuous studies at all levels and rounds off the entire study vertical at the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor.
Through their ability to critically reflect, the knowledge gained by the doctoral candidates will enable them to further engage in scientific research by publishing scientific monographs and articles or by participating in or managing highly complex research projects.
This study programme has another important objective, as it encourages students to pursue continuous studies at all levels and rounds off the entire study vertical at the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor.
CURRICULUM FOR contemporary tourism studies
YEAR 1
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | T | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobilities studies and tourism studies epistemology | DR-01 | winter | Jelena Farkić, Stuart Paul Hayes | 20 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 6 |
| Research methods in tourism | DR-02 | winter | Tina Šegota | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 220 | 9 |
| Transferable skills – The use of academic resources | DR-03 | winter | Mitja Gorenak | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 3 |
| Individual research work 1 | DR-04 | winter | mentors | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 350 | 12 |
| Elective course 1 | DR-05 | summer | depending on the choice | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 |
| Elective course 2 | DR-06 | summer | depending on the choice | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 |
| Individual research work with research idea proposal | DR-07 | summer | Mitja Gorenak, mentors | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 460 | 18 (3) |
YEAR 2
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | T | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective course 3 | DR-08 | winter | mentors | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 |
| Individual research work with disposition preparation and PhD theme submission | DR-09 | winter | Marjetka Rangus, mentors | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 700 | 24 (3) |
| Individual research work and data collection | DR-10 | summer | Maja Turnšek, mentors | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 700 | 24 (3) |
| Data Analysis and Processing | DR-11 | summer | Boštjan Brumen | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 6 |
YEAR 3
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | 2025-26 INSTRUCTORS | L | S | T | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferable skills – Managing tourism organizations | DR-12 | winter | Gregor Jagodič | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 3 |
| Individual research work 2 | DR-13 | winter | mentors | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 800 | 27 |
| Preparation and defense of PhD thesis | DR-14 | summer | mentors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 900 | 30 (6) |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE UNIT | CU CODE | SEMESTER | COURSE COORDINATOR | L | S | T | FW | IW | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digitalization and security in tourism | DR-15 | Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Development of tourism destinations | DR-16 | Marko Koščak | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Tourism Futures | DR-17 | Adele Ladkin | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Employees in the tourism of the future | DR-18 | Mitja Gorenak | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Consumption, identities and place | DR-19 | Andreja Trdina | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism | DR-20 | José-Carlos García-Rosell | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Rural tourism research | DR-21 | Črtomir Rozman | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Literary tourism and literary tourism discourse | DR-22 | Jasna Potočnik Topler | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Tourism attractions | DR-23 | Johan R. Edelheim | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Tourist images of the world | DR-24 | Marjetka Rangus | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Digital Communication in Tourism | DR-26 | Tina Šegota | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 | |
| Uncertainties and comprehensive risk management in tourism | DR-27 | Iztok Podbregar | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 6 |
CU - course unit
L – lectures
S – seminar
FW - field work
IW – individual work
ECTS – credits
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Enrolment in the doctoral study programme is open to candidates who have completed:
a second-cycle study programme;
a study programme leading to an academic qualification, adopted prior to 1 June 2004, consisting of 240 ECTS credits;
an integrated master’s study programme consisting of 300 ECTS credits;
a professional study programme (adopted prior to 11 June 2004) and a study programme leading to a specialisation, whereby the candidate has accumulated 240 ECTS credits. Prior to enrolment, the candidate must complete additional course units from the second-cycle master’s study programme, totalling 30 ECTS credits (Sociology of Culture and Tourism; Sustainable, Green and Responsible Tourism Development; Experience Design in Tourism; Data Analysis in Tourism 1; Data Analysis in Tourism 2; Research Methods in Tourism).
The duration of the study within study programmes leading to professions regulated by EU directives must be aligned with said directives. Integrated master’s study programmes leading to other professions in the Republic of Slovenia as arising from the seventh paragraph of Article 33 of the Higher Education Act consist of 300 ECTS credits and last for five years.
Before applying for the doctoral study programme, it is recommended that the candidate contact their potential mentor and present to them their study and work achievements thus far, along with the idea/problem the candidate would like to study in detail within the doctoral study.
Selection criteria in the event of limited enrolment:
If a decision is taken to limit enrolment, candidates will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
If a decision is taken to limit enrolment, candidates will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
a
After completing the application acceptance process, the FT UM will organise a selection interview, which is a condition for the acceptance of a candidate to the study. The selection interview takes place before the FT UM Doctoral Studies Committee.
From among the candidates who applied, the FT UM Doctoral Studies Committee will select the candidates to be accepted to the doctoral study in accordance with the places available.
The Committee shall take the following into account:
− success in the former study programme – up to 20% and
− results of the selection exam – up to 80%.
The assessment of performance in the postgraduate study comprises:
− grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− diploma in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− if a candidate completes the study programme without a final thesis, the grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme (up to 20%) will be taken into account
− The assessment of performance in the academic study programme, adopted prior to 11 June 2004, comprises:
− grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− final thesis diploma in the study programme – up to 10%,
− if a candidate completes the study programme without a final thesis, the grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme (up to 20%) will be taken into account.
The Committee shall take the following into account:
− success in the former study programme – up to 20% and
− results of the selection exam – up to 80%.
The assessment of performance in the postgraduate study comprises:
− grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− diploma in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− if a candidate completes the study programme without a final thesis, the grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme (up to 20%) will be taken into account
− The assessment of performance in the academic study programme, adopted prior to 11 June 2004, comprises:
− grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme – up to 10%,
− final thesis diploma in the study programme – up to 10%,
− if a candidate completes the study programme without a final thesis, the grade point average of exams taken in the post-graduate study programme (up to 20%) will be taken into account.
CONDITIONS FOR PROGRESSION
Conditions for progression to the second year:
Students progress to the second year if they have completed first-year requirements totalling at least 48 ECTS credits; it is mandatory to complete the course units a) Mobilities Studies and Tourism Studies Epistemology and b) Research Methods in Tourism.
Students progress to the second year if they have completed first-year requirements totalling at least 48 ECTS credits; it is mandatory to complete the course units a) Mobilities Studies and Tourism Studies Epistemology and b) Research Methods in Tourism.
Conditions for progression to the third year:
To progress to the third year, students must have completed all first-year requirements and second-year requirements totalling at least 48 ECTS credits. In addition, candidates must complete individual research work with disposition preparation and PhD theme submission and submit their dissertation disposition.
To progress to the third year, students must have completed all first-year requirements and second-year requirements totalling at least 48 ECTS credits. In addition, candidates must complete individual research work with disposition preparation and PhD theme submission and submit their dissertation disposition.
Progression under exceptional conditions:
If a student fails to meet the progression requirements but can show justified grounds for this, the FT UM Academic Affairs Committee may approve exceptional enrolment in the next year at the student’s request and set a deadline by which the student must meet the missing requirements. Justified grounds are determined in the Statute of the University of Maribor.
If a student fails to meet the progression requirements but can show justified grounds for this, the FT UM Academic Affairs Committee may approve exceptional enrolment in the next year at the student’s request and set a deadline by which the student must meet the missing requirements. Justified grounds are determined in the Statute of the University of Maribor.
Repeating a year:
During their time of study in the programme, students have the option to once repeat a year or change the study programme due to failing to meet study requirements. Repeating is possible in cases defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor if a student meets at least half of the requirements for the year in which the student is enrolled, amounting to a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. Repeating a year is also possible for a student who completed study requirements for the year in which the student is enrolled amounting to under 30 ECTS credits if justified grounds arose as determined in the Statute of the University of Maribor. Repeating a year is subject to approval by the FT UM Academic Affairs Committee based on the student’s written application and enclosed written proof of justified grounds as defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor.
During their time of study in the programme, students have the option to once repeat a year or change the study programme due to failing to meet study requirements. Repeating is possible in cases defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor if a student meets at least half of the requirements for the year in which the student is enrolled, amounting to a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. Repeating a year is also possible for a student who completed study requirements for the year in which the student is enrolled amounting to under 30 ECTS credits if justified grounds arose as determined in the Statute of the University of Maribor. Repeating a year is subject to approval by the FT UM Academic Affairs Committee based on the student’s written application and enclosed written proof of justified grounds as defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor.
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
After completing the study, doctoral candidates will:
produce new knowledge in tourism studies:
understand and master theoretical imagination and conceptual and analytical thinking about mobility and tourism practices,
be thoroughly familiar with and critically reflect on paradigms and epistemology of tourism studies,
define themselves in a substantiated and reflected manner within the interdisciplinary field of tourism studies,
apply interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to tourism research,
independently produce new knowledge on tourism through scientific and research work.
Promote sustainable development of tourism as a positive social force:
critically reflect on the current issues in tourism and relating to their knowledge of trends in an independent and substantiated manner,
understand the structures of how tourism functions and interpret connections between various parts of the tourism system,
research and critically analyse power relationships in tourism,
develop innovative and sustainable solutions and predict the consequences of various phenomena in tourism,
plan and manage tourism development projects,
critically judge security situations in tourism and determine the adoption of measures to ensure the safety of tourism participants,
help form strategic policies for tourism development at the level of destinations and organisations,
develop legislative proposals in the field of tourism,
demonstrate a socially responsible attitude to tourism implementation in practice.
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFERS
In accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes, enrolment in the second year of the third-cycle doctoral study programme in Contemporary Tourism Studies is open to candidates who have completed:
- a study programme leading to a master of science degree adopted prior to 11 June 2004 and for whom 60 ECTS credits are recognised on enrolment,
- an academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 and a study programme leading to a specialisation; 60 credits will be recognised for such candidates on enrolment.
Transfers are possible between study programmes:
- which, upon completion, guarantee the acquisition of comparable competences/learning outcomes;
- between which at least half of the study requirements under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme may be recognised in accordance with criteria for recognising knowledge and skills acquired prior to enrolment in the programme.
- a study programme leading to a master of science degree adopted prior to 11 June 2004 and for whom 60 ECTS credits are recognised on enrolment,
- an academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 and a study programme leading to a specialisation; 60 credits will be recognised for such candidates on enrolment.
Transfers are possible between study programmes:
- which, upon completion, guarantee the acquisition of comparable competences/learning outcomes;
- between which at least half of the study requirements under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme may be recognised in accordance with criteria for recognising knowledge and skills acquired prior to enrolment in the programme.
In accordance with the higher Education Act and the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes, transfer between courses is regarded as the termination of a student’s education in the study programme in which they enrolled and a continuation of their education in a new study programme, whereby all or part of the requirements the student has already completed in the first study programme are recognised as requirements completed in the second study programme.
Applications for enrolment are handled by the UM’s Faculty of Tourism Academic Affairs Committee, which determines the appropriate year in which the candidate may enrol and assigns the requirements which the candidate must complete by the end of the study or in accordance with the conditions for progression to a higher year of the study programme.
The following is judged in the processing of the application:
- similarities of the field of study,
- previously completed study requirements and knowledge and skills acquired,
- comparability of curricula and competences.
Applications for enrolment are handled by the UM’s Faculty of Tourism Academic Affairs Committee, which determines the appropriate year in which the candidate may enrol and assigns the requirements which the candidate must complete by the end of the study or in accordance with the conditions for progression to a higher year of the study programme.
The following is judged in the processing of the application:
- similarities of the field of study,
- previously completed study requirements and knowledge and skills acquired,
- comparability of curricula and competences.