We educate for the needs of the economy.
Vision
To connect the diversity of the world through education. In our lecture rooms are working people and school-leavers, Slovenians and students from 19 countries, engineers and creatives – and all of them work on assignments from real companies.
Mission
We educate for the needs of the economy. We design programmes with employers, 40 % of the degree is practical training in companies, and our lecturers come from the profession, not from the textbook.
Values
- Care We value people, the community and the environment. The Student Office replies within one working day and the career adviser knows you by name.
- Courage We are bold in shaping a better future: the first British accreditation of a short-cycle college in Slovenia (2015), the AcademIQ AI tutor (2025).
- Reliability We are a responsible and reliable partner – ISO 9001 quality system since 2001, the first educational institution in Slovenia to hold it.
- Enabling Our success is the result of our students' and partners' success: recognition of knowledge gained through work, studying alongside work, from home.
Excellent results for students
Graduates on the principle of "the right skills for the real world", ready for the domestic and international labour market; we measure academic success, personal growth and satisfaction.
Cooperation with stakeholders
Employers, the local environment, ministries; partner laboratories, institutes, universities and schools at home and abroad.
A sustainable and agile organisation
Future-oriented, efficient, investing in development and digitalisation; balanced sources of income.
Outstanding colleagues
A diverse team, a stimulating and safe working environment; colleagues connected to the economy.
From representing foreign schools to a short-cycle college with British accreditation – 32 years in Maribor.
Beginnings in Maribor. Academia starts out as a representative of foreign language and business schools – over time more than 60 schools in 16 countries and 10,000 participants sent to study abroad.
Language school and employment. A language school for adults (business language, Cambridge exams), a concession for active employment policy programmes (around 5,000 participants from the Podravje region), a ministry award for achievements in employment; the first PHARE projects and representation of the César Ritz hotel school.
Academia becomes a short-cycle college. Entry in the ministry's register as one of the first private short-cycle colleges; 2001 first intake – 64 students on the Sales programme; the first educational institution in Slovenia with ISO 9001 certification.
Renewed programmes. The first 20 graduates (2004); Accountant/Economist (2005), Civil Engineering (2007), Mechanical Engineering (2008) – all programmes credited with 120 ECTS; 2008 entry in the register of research organisations; 2009 two national quality awards from the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education; 2010 the Security Engineering programme developed with the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of the Interior.
Excellence and Europe. AAA credit rating certificate (among the top 3 % of companies); 2013–2015 a European project including 900 long-term unemployed people from Maribor; 2015 institutional British accreditation – the first and only short-cycle college in Slovenia.
An international school. 2016 the first international short-cycle programmes (Business, Engineering, Art & Design, Construction) and the first intake of international students, studying in English; 2017 first verification of British HND programmes; 2018 Diploma of the Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges for excellence (employability 97 %); 2019 the Computer Science and Informatics programme, Academia Magazine.
Second best in the world. British BTEC School of the Year award – silver: 2nd place among 784 schools from 60 countries. The first Erasmus+ projects in which Academia coordinates (DigiWomen) and participates (DIG4LIFE).
Oxford, Forbes, artificial intelligence. First participation in the University of Oxford's Map the System programme (the only Slovenian finalist); the managing director on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list; Erasmus Charter 2021–2027; 2022 the Olympic Committee's "Athlete-Friendly Education" certificate; 2023 the first Artificial Intelligence elective module at a short-cycle college in Slovenia and the AcademIQ AI tutor.
30 years. Awards from the Styrian Chamber of Commerce and the Maribor Chamber of Crafts on the 30th anniversary; bronze award of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce for the AcademIQ innovation; Interreg projects ANCHOR and PATHS, Erasmus+ EMStep and DGVET-30; European funds for reimbursing graduates' tuition (up to €2,755); students from 23 countries; NAKVIS external evaluation.
A record intake and DUALIS. The Intergenerational Fund (tuition repaid after employment); the first public micro-credentials (5 ECTS) in Slovenia; the Balkan Link team's Excellence Award in Oxford; an example of good practice in introducing AI in a European Commission JRC publication; guidelines for the responsible use of AI; NAKVIS confirmation and ISO 9001 renewal with no non-conformities; the most Erasmus+ funding among short-cycle colleges (€129,475); Academia leads the European project DUALIS (€1.25 M, 102 scholarships); renewed Business/Economics, Media Production and Mechanical Engineering programmes; enrolment of the 26th intake – more than 900 students from 19 countries.
V svojih besedah
Študenti leta, diplomanti in predavatelji o študiju na Academii – kratki posnetki brez scenarija. Več zgodb in videov na strani zgodb.
A small school with a big impact.
Three independent systems check us. In 2026 all three said yes.
NAKVIS – external evaluation 2025/26
The Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education carried out an external evaluation on 6–7 Nov 2025 and found that the school fully meets the quality standardsand in some areas achieves above-average results: a clear strategy, international accreditation, links with industry, digital support for study, monitoring of learning outcomes. Confirmation received 18 Mar 2026.
Full report (PDF) →ISO 9001:2015 – SIQ
We have had a quality management system since 2001 – the first educational institution in Slovenia to do so. The SIQ Slovenia renewal audit on 14 May 2026 was completed with no non-conformities; scope: short-cycle higher education, international projects, training. Next audit in April 2027.
News on the 2026 audit →British accreditation – HND programmes
The BTEC Higher National Diploma programmes are verified annually by the British accreditation body (first verification May 2017). In 2020 we were the 2nd best vocational school of the year in the world among 784 schools from 60 countries.
Double diploma →Internal quality system
The Quality Monitoring and Assurance Committee (3 lecturers + 7 students), annual self-evaluation reports, student and lecturer surveys after every subject, a graduate employability survey (2026: 97 % employed, 82 % promoted, most would recommend us), student representatives involved in strategic documents.
- POKI – green quality mark of the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (18/18 points)
- Credit rating excellence (Dun & Bradstreet)
- Opinion of the NAKVIS Council 2016: "an example of good practice"
What we learnt from the 2025 evaluation
The opportunities noted by the NAKVIS panel are in our plan for 2026/27: greater involvement of international students in governing bodies, digital feedback tools, more active subject groups and a graduates' club – we launched the alumni community with this redesign.
Alumni →Quality and excellence
Quality and excellence – ISO · POKI · NAKVIS · awards · NAKVIS 2025 – external quality evaluationWho stands behind our diplomas.
What others have said about us.
| Recognition | Year | Awarded by |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze award for the AcademIQ innovation (AI tutor) | 2025 | Styrian Chamber of Commerce |
| KEYS! project – Erasmus+ European good practice | 2025 | European Commission |
| Partner of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative | 2025 | EIT |
| Maribor – My Living Room: example of good practice | 2025 | Soroptimist International Europe |
| Award for 30 years of operation | 2024 | Styrian Chamber of Commerce · Maribor Chamber of Crafts |
| Award for outstanding achievement in short-cycle higher education – mag. Vida Perko, MSc | 2022 | Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges |
| Best company mentor – Sara Božanić · best mentor – Dejan Šmid | 2022 | Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges |
| Platinum credit rating excellence | 2022 | Dun & Bradstreet |
| BTEC School of the Year silver award – 2nd place among 784 schools from 60 countries | 2020 | British accreditation body |
| Award for international cooperation – Žan Dapčevič | 2019 | Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges |
| Diploma for excellence – the first private short-cycle college | 2018 | Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges |
| Two national awards for quality in adult education | 2009 | Slovenian Institute for Adult Education |
Erasmus+, Interreg and national projects – we develop education, not just deliver it.
Academia leads or participates in European and national development projects: scholarships for dual study, the labour market in the Danube Region, digital skills, mobilities. These are the school's projects – students' diploma projects are a separate matter and are published on the module pages.
DUALIS
A pilot model of Erasmus+ scholarships for talent in strategic STEM fields: 102 scholarships in 5 countries, 50+ industry partners, 2–4-month placements abroad. 2026–2028, €1.25 M + €2.53 M co-funding; first scholarships for 2027/28.
Project →ANCHOR
A public-private partnership for better labour market governance amid demographic change in the Danube Region: 12 partners from 8 countries, strategies and pilots for attracting and retaining talent. 4/2025–9/2027.
Project →PATHS
Personal support for young people's lives and careers in rural areas: 13 partners from 9 countries, youth support centres, camps, mentor training. 4/2025–3/2028.
Project →Student and staff mobilities
The most Erasmus+ funding among short-cycle colleges in Slovenia (€129,475): 24 student mobilities, 13 staff mobilities, two blended intensive programmes (Spring Week).
Project →Who decides – and where students have their say.
The school's founder is ACADEMIA d.o.o. The school is led by the Head (academic leadership, chairing the Lecturers' Assembly) and the Managing Director. The Strategic Council, Lecturers' Assembly, Study Committee, Quality Committee and subject groups are composed in accordance with the Higher Vocational Education Act and the Founding Act; students have representatives on the Strategic Council and the Quality Committee.
Management
The Head provides academic leadership and chairs the Lecturers' Assembly; the Managing Director runs operations, staff and development.
- mag. Vida Perko, univ. dipl. ekon.Head of the school
- Žan DapčevičManaging Director
Strategic Council
Adopts the development strategy, annual work plan, annual report and price list; its members are lecturers, graduates, employers and students.
- mag. Majda Kraljchair
- dr. Jože Ravničanlecturer
- mag. Dušan Vrbanlecturer
- Aleksandra Saška Grudenlecturer
- Lea Lahlecturer
- Darko Dajčmangraduate
- Lidija Majcenemployers · Styrian Chamber of Commerce
- Aleš Pulkoemployers · Maribor Chamber of Crafts
- Mirjana Zgagaemployers · Employment Service of Slovenia
- Maja Rantašastudent · Computer Science
- Milena Stadler Pernatstudent · Business/Economics
Lecturers' Assembly
Decides on teaching matters, appoints lecturers, instructors and laboratory assistants and adopts the rules for students with special status; meets at least three times a year.
- mag. Vida Perkochairs as Head of the school
- 76 lecturers, 39 instructors, 2 laboratory assistantsteaching staff 2026/27
- Bojan Dapčevićplacement coordinator
Heads of subject groups (7)
Vodje strokovnih aktivov vodijo aktive po predmetnih področjih: člani aktivov usklajujejo kakovostno izvajanje vsebin študijskega programa, korelacije med predmeti ter kriterije preverjanja in ocenjevanja znanja, si izmenjujejo izkušnje pri delu s študenti, načrtujejo ekskurzije in obravnavajo pripombe študentov; letno se srečajo na predavateljski konferenci.
- mag. Vida Perkoeconomics
- dr. Jože RavničanMechanical Engineering
- mag. Ervin SchaffComputer Science and Informatics
- doc. dr. Mitja ReichenbergMedia Production
- Bojan DapčevićCivil Engineering
- Jakob DemšarSecurity Engineering
- dr. Tina Baličforeign languages
Study Committee
Decides on admission and progression, recognises knowledge gained through work and non-formal learning and proposes programme updates.
- Maja Mrđa, mag.chair
- mag. Stevan Čukalacmember
- Natalija Žunkomember
Quality Monitoring and Assurance Committee
Leads self-evaluation, sets quality methods and criteria, works with NAKVIS and monitors graduate employability; it also includes student representatives.
- Nina Gaube Kokolchair
- dr. Darko Friščićlecturer
- dr. Luka Martin Tomažičlecturer, member
- mag. Stevan Čukalaclecturer, member
- Ernest Adrovićpredstavnik študentov · Varovanje
- Eva Zajcpredstavnica študentov · Medijska produkcija
- Jan Debeljakpredstavnik študentov · Računalništvo in informatika
- Matej Novakpredstavnik študentov · Strojništvo
- Milena Črešnarpredstavnica študentov · Gradbeništvo
- Nik Tišlerpredstavnik študentov · Računalništvo
- Tina Vidicpredstavnica študentov · Ekonomist
Support services
The Student Office handles study matters, the placement coordinator company placements, the International Office Erasmus+ and projects, and the Careers Centre advice for students and alumni.
- Marjan Fridauerstudent Office
- Andrej Sternišastudent Office
- Bojan Dapčevićplacement coordinator
- Barbara JozičićInternational Office and projects
- Nina Gaube KokolInternational Office and projects
- Natalija ŽunkoInternational Office and projects
- Urška HorvatInternational Office · Erasmus+
The people who answer you.
Lecturers from the business world
The Lecturers' Assembly has 76 lecturers, 39 inštruktorjev in 2 laboranta (nekateri v dveh vlogah). Pogoj za predavatelja VSŠ: najmanj druga bolonjska stopnja (magisterij), tri leta delovnih izkušenj v stroki in vidni dosežki. Večina jih je hkrati zaposlena v podjetjih, ki zaposlujejo naše diplomante.
Lecturers' Assembly and working with us →Join the team
We are looking for lecturers from industry, instructors for exercises and company mentors – for the renewed modules (AR and VR, artificial intelligence, innovative business models) and for Ljubljana.
Vacancies and requirements →Maribor, Ljubljana or from home.
Maribor – headquarters
Glavni trg 17b, 2000 Maribor · 02 228 35 35. Computer laboratories, interactive screens, a photo and video studio, facilities for up to 1,000 students; partner laboratories for mechanical engineering, civil engineering and security.
Maribor campus →
Ljubljana – unit
Leskoškova 12, 1000 Ljubljana · 01 330 22 44. Afternoon lectures on weekdays for all modules of Business/Economics, Computer Science, and Computer Science and Informatics; the remaining modules in Maribor or from home.
Ljubljana location →
Study from home
Live lectures online and recordings, exercises in virtual laboratories, the AcademIQ AI tutor, exams and placements near you.
Study from home →What you need to have to hand.
Public documents
Being prepared for publication
- Founding Act and statutes
- Rules: study regulations, graduation, recognition of prior learning, disciplinary rules
- Annual work plan and annual report
- Summary of the self-evaluation report
- ISO 9001 certificate and NAKVIS confirmation (PDF)
Journalists and partners: everything in one place.
Academia in the media
Articles, features and interviews about Academia – newest first; the title opens the original article (in Slovenian).
- Svet24 · advertisementStudy and work at the same time and receive a scholarship or a subsidy
- Siol.net · sponsored contentCareer stories of four students of the Academia short-cycle college
Media contact
info@academia.si (subject: "media") · 02 228 35 35. We reply within one working day.
V svojih besedah
Študenti leta, diplomanti in predavatelji o študiju na Academii – kratki posnetki brez scenarija. Več zgodb in videov na strani zgodb.
We reply within one working day. Personally.
For admissions, company cooperation, Erasmus+, media or quality – tell us who the message is for and it will reach the right person.