Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Slovenia
By Muntasir • Published May 14, 2025 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Money & Budgeting
Slovenia charges no tuition for full-time bachelor's and master's study to EU/EEA citizens. Non-EU students typically pay 2,000 to 15,000 euros a year, and most students need around 600 euros a month to live.
💶 Bachelor's tuition for non-EU students: 2,000-11,000 euros a year
Master's tuition for non-EU students: 2,000-15,000 euros a year
Doctoral tuition for non-EU students: 2,000-6,000 euros a year
🏠 University dormitory in Ljubljana: about 110-230 euros a month
Private room in Ljubljana: 80-500 euros a month
Who pays tuition in Slovenia
Citizens of EU and EEA member states, plus Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, pay no tuition fee for full-time bachelor's and master's programs at Slovenian public universities, according to the University of Ljubljana . This exemption does not stretch to part-time study or to a second degree at the same level, so a second bachelor's or a part-time master's carries a fee even for EU citizens, per Study in Slovenia .
Non-EU/EEA (third-country) citizens without permanent residence in Slovenia generally pay tuition, billed as one lump sum per academic year rather than in installments.
Tuition fee ranges by degree level
Fees vary widely between faculties and programs, so treat the ranges below as a planning guide rather than a fixed price for every course, according to Study in Slovenia .
| Level | Annual tuition (non-EU students) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,000-11,000 euros |
| Master's | 2,000-15,000 euros |
| Doctoral | 2,000-6,000 euros |
Check the exact figure for your program on the faculty's own price list before you apply, since the gap between the low and high end of each range is large and depends on the field and the university.
Other costs beyond tuition
You need valid health insurance for your whole stay in Slovenia, arranged before enrollment. Faculties also add small annual enrollment and material fees on top of tuition, which vary by institution, so confirm the full price list rather than budgeting on tuition alone.
If you qualify for a scholarship, whether a merit-based award, a fund tied to your home country, or a university emergency grant, it lowers your real monthly cost significantly. Check what funding you can combine with your tuition status before you finalize your budget, since the gap between a fully self-funded student and a scholarship recipient is often the difference between a tight budget and a comfortable one.
Cost of living in Ljubljana
Ljubljana, as the capital and largest student city, sets the upper end of the country's living costs. The University of Ljubljana recommends budgeting at least 600 euros a month for living costs, on top of any tuition.
| Item | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| University dormitory (international students) | 110-230 euros |
| Private room in a shared flat | 80-500 euros |
| Subsidized student meal | up to 5 euros |
| Student public transport pass | around 20 euros |
Dormitory prices depend heavily on which residence hall you land in. The University of Ljubljana's own data puts the average dormitory cost for foreign students at around 197 euros a month, ranging from about 119 euros in the cheapest hall to 231 euros in the most expensive.
Your student status also gives you access to a national subsidized meal scheme, which brings the price of a full meal at a participating restaurant or canteen down to a few euros. Combined with a student transport card, these two subsidies do more to shrink your monthly budget than almost anything else you can plan for in advance.
Cost of living outside Ljubljana
Smaller university towns such as Maribor, Koper, and Nova Gorica generally cost less for housing and daily expenses than Ljubljana, though official published figures for these cities are harder to find than for the capital. Ask the international office at your target faculty for current local price examples before you commit to a budget.
Building a realistic monthly budget
For a student in Ljubljana relying on a dormitory place, a workable monthly budget looks like a room around 150-200 euros, subsidized meals and groceries around 150-200 euros, transport around 20 euros, and 100-150 euros for phone, study materials, and other spending. Students in a private rental should raise the housing line to match their actual rent, since private rooms range far more widely than dormitory beds.
A few habits keep costs down without cutting into your studies: cook with groceries instead of eating out every day, buy the student transport card as soon as you arrive, use the subsidized meal scheme for at least one meal a day, and buy second-hand textbooks from students finishing your program. None of these habits require giving up your social life, but together they can cut a meaningful amount off a tight monthly budget.