Study programme learning outcomes

The basic aim of the study programme is to educate an expert who has in-depth knowledge of the impact and action of microorganisms on the environment, biotechnological production and humans. As part of his studies, the graduate acquires knowledge and skills of working with microbes and masters all the elements of safe work in a microbiological laboratory. He also acquires appropriate skills of written and oral reporting on the results of his work and obtaining information with the help of modern information sources.


Mode of study

Available enrolment slots: 45 slots for full-time study, 3 slots for Slovenes without Slovene citizenship and foreigners and 2 slots for parallel studies. 


Official duration of the study programme in credits and years

The second cycle master's study programme MICROBIOLOGIY 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 Microbiology is granted to candidates who completed one of the following study programmes:

a) the first cycle Bologna study programme Microbiology at the Biotehnical faculty UL or a comparable study programme in the field of microbiology. 

b) a first cycle Bologna study programme in other professional fields, provided that the candidates additionaly complete 10 - 60 ECTS from courses of the first cycle Bologna study programme Microbiology. These requirements are set for each student individually by the competent Studies Committee and are determined in relation to the difference in the professional field. Candidates shall complete these study requirements by passing exams prior to enrolment in the master’s study programme:
• graduates of study programmes in the field of life sciences complete courses from the group of compulsory professional courses,
• graduates of study programmes with a comparable extent of core courses (mathematics, quantitative methods or statistics, chemistry) complete courses from the group of compulsory professional courses,
• graduates of all other professional fields who do not have a comparable extent of core and professional courses shall obtain additional requirements from the group of compulsory core courses and compulsory professional courses.

c) a pre-Bologna professional study programme in the field of microbiology.

d) a pre-Bologna professional study programme in other professional fields, provided that the candidates additionaly complete 10 - 60 ECTS from courses of the first cycle Bologna study programme Microbiology. These requirements are set for each student individually by the competent Studies Committee and are determined in relation to the difference in the professional field. Candidates shall complete these study requirements by passing exams prior to enrolment in the master’s study programme:
• graduates of study programmes in the field of life sciences complete courses from the group of compulsory professional courses,
• graduates of study programmes with a comparable extent of core courses (mathematics, quantitative methods or statistics, chemistry) complete courses from the group of compulsory professional courses,
• graduates of all other professional fields who do not have a comparable extent of core and professional courses shall obtain additional requirements from the group of compulsory core courses and compulsory professional courses.

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) and c) will be selected on the basis of the average grade achieved during undergraduate studies,
- candidates referred to in points b) and d) 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. Preference will be given to candidates with a larger number of ECTS gained form the following group of subjects: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular biology.
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 undergraduate studies.

Number of applications and limitations in the past 5 years: 
- 2023/24: number of applications (first priority): 47 – no limitation 
- 2022/23: number of applications (first priority): 49 – no limitation
- 2021/22: number of applications (first priority): 43 – no limitation
- 2020/21: number of applications (first priority): 41 – no limitation
- 2019/20: number of applications (first priority): 54 – limitation (average grade of the last accepted candidate: 7,25)


Advancement requirements

Conditions for progression to Year 2:
A student may enrol in Year 2 if he completes all 60 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 does not meet the requirement, 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 academic study programme Microbiology. The candidates shall meet the requirements for enrolment and are enrolled in Year 2. In order to complete the study programme, they shall successfully defend a master thesis.


Presentation proceedings and archive of proceedings

Microbiology 2024-25.pdf