What is the Data Science module?
Data Science is an elective module (specialisation) of the Computer Science short-cycle programme at Academia, Slovenia: 2 years, 120 ECTS, 40 % practical training (800 hours) and the qualification Engineer of Computer Science (inž. rač.); in parallel the British BTEC HND Computing (Data Science), Level 5. Taught in Slovenian (B1 required); study alongside work in Maribor or Ljubljana or study from home.
Three routes into the Data Science 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 like mathematics, numbers and patterns
Analyses on real company data, a portfolio and a first job in analytics or development.
Enquire →26–38Employed in controlling, logistics or marketing with Excel
Like Denis Narat: automating what is done by hand – SQL, Python and BI alongside work, placement at your current job.
Enquire →30–45Career change from administration or finance
Data analyst with knowledge of business processes; one subject at a time, recorded.
Enquire →Students of the Data Science module
Curriculum: 120 ECTS, your module Data Science, British BTEC HND Computing (Data Science) 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 Computer Science programme. One subject at a time, with the examination straight after the lectures; the placement starts in the second semester.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Programming | 5 | Algorithmic thinking and programming in a modern language and IDE: variables, structures, functions, objects, testing and debugging. |
| Networks and Computer Systems | 6 | Networks and systems: TCP/IP, addressing, routing, Wi-Fi, servers and services, basics of network security; lab configuration. |
| Database Design and Development | 5 | Relational data model, normalisation, SQL (queries, views, transactions), security and access rights. |
| Numerical Analysis | 5 | Mathematical foundations for engineers: numerical methods, statistics and probability applied to data analysis and programming. |
| Computer Systems Architecture (OC) | 5 | Modern computer systems: processors, memory, virtualisation, cloud and server architectures; open curriculum updated with employers. |
| Work placement: Computer Systems Architecture (OC1) | 2 | 60 hours in a company |
| Work placement: Computing Fundamentals I and II | 7 | 215 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Business Communication | 4 | Written and spoken business communication, presentations, negotiation, teamwork and clients; presenting a technical solution to management. |
| Management and Business Economics | 7 | Basics of economics and management: costs, revenue, investment, organisation, leading people and projects, entrepreneurship. |
| Professional Terminology in a Foreign Language (English) | 5 | Professional English for computing: documentation, standards, international teams and suppliers, preparation for BTEC. |
| Work placement: Management and Communication | 4 | 120 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Free Elective Subject | 5 | A subject of your choice from the school's offer (e.g. cyber security, AI, application development) or a recognised subject from another school – 5 ECTS. |
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Second year: your module (highlighted), common programme subjects, the open curriculum and the diploma thesis.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Informatics and Security | 5 | Information security foundations: risks, network threats, backups, passwords and identities, ISO 27001, company security policy. |
| Discrete Structures | 5 | Logic, sets, relations and functions, combinatorics, graphs and trees, basic number theory – foundations for algorithms and data analysis. |
| Data Mining | 6 | Finding patterns in large data sets: data preparation, association rules, clustering, classification, predictive models, evaluation. |
| Applied Analytical Models | 6 | Statistical and predictive models for business decisions: regression, time series, customer segmentation, demand forecasting, interpretation for management. |
| Work placement: Data Science | 8 | 245 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence | 6 | Business process analysis, data warehouses, BI tools and dashboards, decision support, legal framework for data use. |
| Project Work in Computing | 8 | Managing an IT project from requirements to hand-over: agile/Scrum, documentation, teamwork, client presentation; project for a real company. |
| Work placement: Business Intelligence | 3 | 90 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analytics (OC) | 6 | Collecting, cleaning and analysing data, visualisation and reporting (SQL, Python, Power BI); open curriculum updated with employers. |
| Work placement: Data Analytics (OC2) | 2 | 60 hours in a company |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Thesis | 5 | A real challenge from a company: product, documentation and analysis; 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: Computer Systems Architecture (OC1) | 2 | Year 1 · ~60 hours |
| Work placement: Computing Fundamentals I and II | 7 | Year 1 · ~215 hours |
| Work placement: Management and Communication | 4 | Year 1 · ~120 hours |
| Work placement: Data Science | 8 | Year 2 · ~245 hours · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Business Intelligence | 3 | Year 2 · ~90 hours |
| Work placement: Data Analytics (OC2) | 2 | Year 2 · ~60 hours |
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Engineer of Computer Science + BTEC Higher National Diploma Computing (Data Science)
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 Computing (Data Science), 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 · Information security foundations: risks, network threats, backups, passwords and identities, ISO 27001, company security policy.
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Logic, sets, relations and functions, combinatorics, graphs and trees, basic number theory – foundations for algorithms and data analysis.
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Finding patterns in large data sets: data preparation, association rules, clustering, classification, predictive models, evaluation.
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Statistical and predictive models for business decisions: regression, time series, customer segmentation, demand forecasting, interpretation for management.
Free software: Office 365, Google Apps, LinkedIn Learning, Oracle VirtualBox, Eclipse, Java SE JDK, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, StarUML. Preparation for the certificate is part of the module; you take the exam with an authorised provider and pay for it yourself.
11 lecturers, 10 instructors 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 to know how to program?
No. Programming, networks and databases are common first-year subjects and are taught from the beginning.
QuestionWhen do I choose the module?
The first year is common to all four modules of the Computer Science programme; you make the final module choice after the first year.
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 Data Science 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.