Study programme learning outcomes

The basic aim of the study programme is to educate the graduate for interdisciplinary understanding of biotechnologies in the processes of obtaining bio raw materials, active ingredients, improved varieties of agricultural plants and animal breeds, and in environmental protection. The study enables the graduate to become thoroughly acquainted with the specifics of individual biotechnologies, their development possibilities in the field of high technologies and the importance of the added value of high-tech products. He also gets acquainted with the applications of biotechnologies that provide an environmental approach and the restoration of natural resources. Of particular importance is the development of a sense for the rational integration of classical production technologies with new technologies, which are mainly based on changing the genomes of working organisms.


Mode of study

Available enrolment slots: 50 slots for full-time study, 3 slots for Slovenes without Slovene citizenship and foreigners and 3 slots for parallel studies. 


Official duration of the study programme in credits and years

The second cycle master's study programme BIOTECHNOLOGY lasts 2 years (4 semesters) and has a workload of 120 ECTS. Students are required to complete 60 ECTS each year.


Name of qualification and title conferred

  • Master of Science
  • M.Sc.

Admission requirements

Access to the master's study programme Biotechnology is granted to candidates who completed one of the following study programmes:

a) a first cycle Bologna study programme in the field of biotechnology.

b) a first cycle study programme in other fields, provided that the candidates complete other study requirements in the amount from 10 to 60 ECTS needed for further study (i.e. courses of the first cycle study programme Biotechnology): a) graduates of comparable study programmes in the field of biotechnology shall take courses from the group of compulsory professional courses, b) graduates of study programmes with a comparable extent of core courses shall take courses from the group of compulsory professional courses, c) graduates of all other fields of study who do not have a comparable extent of core and professional courses shall obtain additional ECTS from the group of compulsory core courses and compulsory professional courses.

c) a pre-Bologna professional study programme in other fields of study if the candidates additionally obtain 10-60 credit points from the group of subjects of the first cycle academic study programme in Biotechnology: a) graduates of comparable study programmes in the field of biotechnology shall take courses from the group of compulsory professional courses, b) graduates of study programmes with a comparable extent of core courses shall take courses from the group of compulsory professional courses, c) graduates of all other fields of study who do not have a comparable extent of core and professional courses shall obtain additional ECTS from the group of compulsory core courses and compulsory professional courses.

Candidates referred to in points b) and c) will be set their study requirements individually by the competent Studies Committee. The candidates shall complete these additional requirements prior to enrolment in the master's study programme.

Admission to the programme is also granted to candidates who have completed equivalent education abroad, and who enrol under the same requirements which apply for candidates who completed their education in Slovenia. Prior to enrolment in the study programme they must complete the procedure for recognition of education for the purpose of further study.

In case of limited enrolment the following selection criteria apply: 
- candidates referred to in points a) will be selected on the basis of the average grade achieved during the first cycle study programme. 
- candidates referred to in points b) and c) will be selected on the basis of the average grade achieved during undergraduate studies, and the average grade of the exams appointed to them as a condition for enrolment in the master's studies. Each of these average grades counts as 50% of the candidate’s final mark. If several candidates referred to in the previous paragraph achieve equal final mark, preference will be given to those with a higher average grade achieved during the first cycle study programme. 

Number of applications and limitations in the past 5 years: 
- 2023/24: number of applications (first priority): 62 – limitation (average grade of the last accepted candidate: 7,88)
- 2022/23: number of applications (first priority): 57 – limitation (average grade of the last accepted candidate: 7,84)
- 2021/22: number of applications (first priority): 48 – no limitation
- 2020/21: number of applications (first priority): 60 – limitation (average grade of the last accepted candidate: 7,71)
- 2019/20: number of applications (first priority): 40 – no limitation


Advancement requirements

Conditions for progression to Year 2:
A student may enrol in Year 2 if he completes 54 ECTS from study obligations of Year 1 by the end of the academic year. The competent Studies Committee may exceptionally approve the progression from Year 1 to Year 2 for a student who has gained at least 40 ECTS in Year 1, if the student can provide justifiable reasons in accordance with the Statutes of the University of Ljubljana.

Conditions for repeating a year:
Students can repeat a year provided that they complete study requirements in a total amount of at least 36 ECTS.

During their course of study students may only once repeat a year or change their study programme owing to non-fulfilment of requirements.


Transfer between study programmes

A transfer between study programmes means termination of education in the first study programme and continuation of studies in another study programme. A transfer is possible only if the the candidates meet the requirements for enrolment in the new study programme. Tansfers between various study programmes for obtaining the same level of education is possible if at least 50% of ECTS of the first study programme can be recognised (i.e. if at least 30 ECTS can be recognised in the first year of the new study programme).

Transfers are possible:
a) for candidates from second cycle Bologna master's study programmes:
- in professional fields of the Biotechnical faculty UL. The candidates shall meet the requirements for enrolment. The requirements for completion of the study programme and the year in which the student is allowed to enrol are set for each student individually by the competent Studies Committee.
- in other professional fields and of other faculties. The candidates shall meet the requirements for enrolment. The requirements for completion of the study programme and the year in which the student is allowed to enrol are set for each student individually by the competent Studies Committee.

b) for graduates of pre-Bologna study programmes:
- from the former academic study programme Biotechnology: if candidates meet the requirements for enrolment, they are enrolled in Year 2. In order to complete the study programme, they shall successfully defend a master thesis.
- from former academic study programmes in other fields: if candidates meet the requirements for enrolment, they are enrolled in Year 2. The requirements for completion of the study programme to the extent of 60 ECTS (including a successful defence of a master thesis) are set for each student individually by the competent Studies Committee.


Presentation proceedings and archive of proceedings

Biotechnology 2024-25.pdf