What is the Automation and Robotics module?
Automation and Robotics is an elective module (specialisation) of the Mechanical Engineering short-cycle programme at Academia, Slovenia: 2 years, 120 ECTS, 40 % practical training (800 hours) and the qualification Engineer of Mechanical Engineering (inž. str.); in parallel the British BTEC HND Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), Level 5. Taught in Slovenian (B1 required); study alongside work in Maribor or study from home.
Three routes into the Automation and Robotics module. Which is yours?
Designed for study alongside work and for first-time students: lectures in the afternoon, all recorded, and 800 hours of practical training in a company – possibly at your current job. Instruction is in Slovenian.
First-time students who have always been interested in machines, robots and tools
Like Ajla Pedljič: process engineer in two years, with analytical thinking and project work.
Enquire →25–40Operator, maintenance technician or CNC technician in production
Taking over robot cells and automated lines as an engineer; placement at your current job.
Enquire →30–45Electrical or mechatronics technician without a degree
Mechanical engineer for Industry 4.0 alongside work; one subject at a time, recorded.
Enquire →Students of the Automation and Robotics module
Curriculum: 120 ECTS, your module Automation and Robotics, British BTEC HND Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) in parallel
Lectures run one subject at a time, twice a week between 16.30 and 20.30, and are all recorded on the Orbita platform. Every subject has at least three examination dates. Your module is highlighted; (OC) marks the open curriculum that Academia fills with industry content. All subjects are taught in Slovenian.
The first year is common to all modules of the Mechanical Engineering programme. One subject at a time, with the examination straight after the lectures; the placement starts in the second semester.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Business Communication and Leadership | 5 | Communication in a technical environment: technical reports, presentations, meetings, leading a small production team, conflict resolution. |
| Communication in a Foreign Language | 5 | Professional English for mechanical engineering: technical documentation, standards, instructions, foreign suppliers and customers, preparation for BTEC. |
| Computing and Informatics | 5 | Engineer's computer tools: spreadsheets and data, technical documentation, CAD basics, production information systems (ERP), data security. |
| Work placement: Communication in Technology | 3 | 100 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Materials in Mechanical Engineering | 5 | Metals and alloys, polymers, composites and ceramics: structure, properties, heat treatment, testing and material selection. |
| Manufacturing Technology | 7 | Manufacturing processes: machining, forming, casting, welding, CNC and additive manufacturing (3D printing), process planning and measurement. |
| Ensuring Safety and Sustainability | 3 | Health and safety in production, machine safety (Machinery Directive, CE), risk assessment, environmental aspects and sustainable production. |
| Work placement: Materials and Technologies in Mechanical Engineering | 5 | 150 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics in Mechanical Engineering | 6 | Mathematics for engineers with computer tools: functions, vectors, derivatives and integrals in technical calculations, statistics and measurement. |
| Machine Elements | 6 | Bolted joints, shafts, bearings, couplings, gears and drives, springs, seals: selection, calculation and standards. |
| Computer Modelling | 5 | 3D modelling and technical documentation in SolidWorks/Catia: sketches, parts, assemblies, drawings, basic simulation. |
| Work placement: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering | 5 | 150 hours in a company |
Legend and sourceHide legend
Second year: your module (highlighted), common programme subjects, the open curriculum and the diploma thesis.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Entrepreneurship | 5 | Costs and costing in production, investment and return, business model, organisation and business idea; economic analysis of a technical improvement. |
| Quality Assurance and Process Reliability | 4 | Quality systems (ISO 9001), statistical process control, metrology, FMEA, lean production and continuous improvement, reliability. |
| Work placement: Analysing and Optimising Business Processes | 2 | 70 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanics | 4 | Statics, strength and dynamics: forces and moments, stresses and strains, beams, rotation and vibration, basics of FEM simulation. |
| Product Design and Technical Regulations | 4 | From idea to product: development and design, tolerances and ISO standards, technical regulations and CE marking, documentation, prototyping. |
| Work placement: Fundamentals of Design Engineering | 2 | 60 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Automation in Production | 4 | Sensors and actuators, pneumatics and hydraulics, PLCs, HMI, automated lines and Industry 4.0; PLC programming in the lab. |
| Robot Programming and Integration | 4 | Industrial and collaborative robots: kinematics, programming (teach, offline), grippers and sensors, cell safety, line integration. |
| Work placement: Managing Automation and Robotic Systems | 3 | 90 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd elective: Tooling OR Production Management OR Maintenance (132 contact hours, 8 ECTS + placement 120 hours, 4 ECTS) | 12 | Second elective module of the national curriculum: tooling and tool design, production planning with CAM/CNC, or maintenance of mechatronic and energy systems; with placement. |
| Open-curriculum subjects (Academia: industry content, AI in production) | 9 | Content set by Academia with companies: AI and data in production, digital twins, new technologies, employer projects; updated yearly. |
| Work placement: Open Curriculum | 2 | 60 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Thesis | 5 | A real challenge from a manufacturing company: technical solution, analysis and documentation; industry mentor, defence before a board; published on academia.si. |
40 % of the course takes place in a company. If you are employed, the placement is recognised at your current job when your tasks are in the field of the module; we arrange the mentor and the agreement.
| Placement by subject | ECTS | When |
|---|---|---|
| Work placement: Communication in Technology | 3 | Year 1 · ~100 hours |
| Work placement: Materials and Technologies in Mechanical Engineering | 5 | Year 1 · ~150 hours |
| Work placement: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering | 5 | Year 1 · ~150 hours |
| Work placement: Analysing and Optimising Business Processes | 2 | Year 2 · ~70 hours |
| Work placement: Fundamentals of Design Engineering | 2 | Year 2 · ~60 hours |
| Work placement: Managing Automation and Robotic Systems | 3 | Year 2 · ~90 hours · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Open Curriculum | 2 | Year 2 · ~60 hours |
Legend and sourceHide legend
Engineer of Mechanical Engineering + BTEC Higher National Diploma Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
A parallel programme to the British specification – no additional years of study; BTEC assignments are written in English. The HND opens entry to the 3rd year at partner universities abroad.
Short cycle degree, 120 ECTS, SQF 6
BTEC HND Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), Level 5
Tools, equipment and certificates
Assessment is based on products, presentations and written and oral examinations, with written feedback after each assessment. The tools and equipment you work with:
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Sensors and actuators, pneumatics and hydraulics, PLCs, HMI, automated lines and Industry 4.0; PLC programming in the lab.
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Industrial and collaborative robots: kinematics, programming (teach, offline), grippers and sensors, cell safety, line integration.
17 lecturers, 9 instructors, 1 laboratory assistant teach on this module – practitioners from companies, not full-time academics. Teaching is in Slovenian; the virtual laboratories in Orbita are available at any time, also from home.
Where it leads: roles, the job market, the next step
What it costs and how it is paid
QuestionDo I need a secondary school in mechanical engineering?
No. The requirement is a matura (general or vocational) or a master craftsman/foreman/managerial examination with 3 years of experience and an aptitude test; materials, technology, machine elements and CAD are taught from the beginning.
QuestionHow many modules do I choose?
Two: in the 2nd year one from the 1st elective (Automation and Robotics or Energy Engineering, 11 ECTS) and one from the 2nd elective (Tooling, Production Management or Maintenance, 12 ECTS).
QuestionIs the placement recognised at my current job?
Yes, if your tasks are in the field of the module; Academia arranges the mentor and the tripartite agreement. 800 hours in total over two years.
LanguageCan I study in English?
No. All programmes and modules are delivered in Slovenian. You need Slovenian at CEFR level B1; if you are below B1, you take the free Slovenian course for foreign students alongside your studies. Lecturers and the International Office communicate with you in English before and during enrolment.
More questions (1)Fewer questions
LanguageHow is my Slovenian checked?
During admission Academia checks your level of Slovenian. Students below B1 are placed on the compulsory free Slovenian language course.
Foreign secondary school, Slovenian B1, residence permit – we guide you through it
Electronic application, any time, free of charge
Academia decides whether your foreign secondary-school certificate meets the entry requirements – no ministry procedure. Submit the electronic application for recognition at any time; we tell you whether a translation is needed.
Slovenian at B1 + free course
Studies are in Slovenian. If your Slovenian is below B1, you join the compulsory free Slovenian course for foreign students alongside the first year.
eVŠ portal · residence permit
Apply through the national eVŠ portal within the deadlines announced with the call for enrolment 2027/28, with Academia as your first choice. Academia issues a certificate of enrolment for the temporary residence permit.
1 October 2027
Lectures start on 1 October 2027. If you are employed or registered with the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ), you can start immediately after enrolment. Price list 2026/27; enrolment fee €298 (€0 at enrolment).
Interested in the Automation and Robotics module? What next?
Leave your e-mail. Within one working day the International Office replies in English: whether the module is right for you, how your foreign certificate is recognised, how the Slovenian language requirement works and what it costs – plus the curriculum and timetable.