What is the Security Engineering programme?
Security Engineering is an elective module (specialisation) of the Engineering – Security short-cycle programme at Academia, Slovenia: 2 years, 120 ECTS, 40 % practical training (800 hours) and the qualification Engineer of Security (inž. var.). Taught in Slovenian (B1 required); study alongside work in Maribor or study from home.
Three routes into the Security Engineering programme. 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 attracted by the army, police or private security
Security engineer with training at the shooting range and the safe-driving track; entry into a security service without additional courses.
Enquire →25–40Employed in the Slovenian Armed Forces, police, prison service or a security service
Like Aljoša Medved (Slovenian Armed Forces): a course directly linked to the profession, everything passed at the first attempt, promotion to a management role.
Enquire →30–45Security guard or technician with years of experience but no degree
Security manager – a recognised qualification, leading teams and planning security.
Enquire →Students of the Security Engineering programme
Curriculum: 120 ECTS, the Security Engineering programme
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. (OC) marks the open curriculum that Academia fills with industry content. All subjects are taught in Slovenian.
First year: common professional and business subjects. One subject at a time, with the examination straight after the lectures; the placement starts in the second semester.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Entrepreneurship | 5 | Costs, revenue and pricing of security services, business model of a security company, quotations and contracts, basics of entrepreneurship. |
| Business Communication and Leadership | 5 | Communicating with clients and teams, de-escalation in conflict, leading shifts and meetings, reports. |
| Computing and Informatics in Security | 5 | IT tools in security: records and reports, CCTV and alarm systems on a computer, data protection, information security. |
| Professional Communication in a Foreign Language | 5 | Professional English for security: foreign guests and partners, security procedures, reports and documentation, international standards. |
| Information and Communication Systems | 4 | Radio communications, control centres, CCTV, alarm and intrusion systems, access control, system integration and data protection. |
| Occupational Health and Safety | 5 | Health and safety legislation, risk assessment, hazards of the security guard's job, fire safety, first aid, personal protective equipment. |
| Law and the State System | 4 | Constitutional order, separation of powers, sources of law, police, judiciary and private security in the legal system, legal terminology. |
| Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Ethics and Integrity | 4 | Human rights and their limits in security work, non-discrimination, data protection, code of ethics, integrity and anti-corruption. |
| Introduction to Private Security | 5 | Private Security Act, forms of security, licences and conditions, status of security personnel, standards and supervision, history of the sector. |
| Criminal Law and Criminalistics | 5 | Criminal offences and misdemeanours, self-defence and necessity, criminal procedure, criminalistic tactics, securing a crime scene. |
| Work placement: Communication | 6 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the programme, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Security | 7 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the programme, mentor from the company. |
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Second year: professional subjects, practical training and the diploma thesis.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law | 4 | Administrative procedure, authorities and inspections, administrative acts, legal remedies, misdemeanour procedure and the role of security staff. |
| Security Personnel Measures | 4 | Lawful measures of a security guard: warning, identification, search, detention, use of force and restraints, proportionality and reporting. |
| Organisation of Transports, Interventions and Public Gatherings | 5 | Cash and valuables transport, intervention services and response times, securing public gatherings and events, plans and police cooperation. |
| Close Protection Planning | 4 | Threat assessment, protection plan, routes and locations, teamwork, communication, protection at events and on travel. |
| Close Protection Tactics | 4 | Formations and movement of the protection team, vehicle and foot work, response to attack, evacuation, area control; field exercises. |
| Specialist Driving | 2 | Safe and defensive driving, convoy and escort driving, evasion and withdrawal, driving in emergencies; practical training on a track. |
| Weapons and Shooting | 2 | Weapons legislation, safe handling, types of weapons and ammunition, shooting technique, maintenance and storage; supervised range training. |
| Private Security Management, Supervision Procedures and Methods | 4 | Running a security service: work organisation, staff and shifts, quality standards, internal supervision, risk management, client relations. |
| Security Planning | 4 | Threat assessment of a site or organisation, security plan, physical and technical security, fire and crisis preparedness, business continuity. |
| Cooperation with Other Security Bodies | 4 | Working with police, army, fire service, civil protection, inspectorates and rescue services; information sharing, joint response. |
| Technical Means in Property Protection Systems (elective) | 5 | Technical security: alarm, intrusion and fire systems, CCTV, access control, mechanical protection, system design and maintenance. |
| Work placement: Organisation | 7 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the programme, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Close Protection | 3 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the programme, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Management | 3 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the programme, mentor from the company. |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Thesis | 5 | A real challenge from security practice: analysis, solution 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 | 6 | Year 1 |
| Work placement: Security | 7 | Year 1 |
| Work placement: Organisation | 7 | Year 2 · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Close Protection | 3 | Year 2 · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Management | 3 | Year 2 · at your job or with a partner company |
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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:
Programme subject · taught in Slovenian · Administrative procedure, authorities and inspections, administrative acts, legal remedies, misdemeanour procedure and the role of security staff.
Programme subject · taught in Slovenian · Lawful measures of a security guard: warning, identification, search, detention, use of force and restraints, proportionality and reporting.
Programme subject · taught in Slovenian · Cash and valuables transport, intervention services and response times, securing public gatherings and events, plans and police cooperation.
Programme subject · taught in Slovenian · Threat assessment, protection plan, routes and locations, teamwork, communication, protection at events and on travel.
Recognised professional qualification (Ministry of the Interior): security guard, security technician; security supervisor (+1 year of experience); security manager and bodyguard (+3 years of experience)
19 lecturers, 8 instructors teach on this programme – 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
QuestionDoes the diploma give me a security guard licence?
The diploma directly confers the professional qualification of security guard and security technician; for supervisor you need a further 1 year, for security manager and bodyguard 3 years of work experience (Ministry of the Interior). The service ID card is issued by the Ministry under the prescribed procedure.
QuestionAre shooting and driving compulsory?
Weapons and Shooting and Specialist Driving are subjects of the programme (2 ECTS each) with training at the shooting range and the safe-driving track.
QuestionIs the course recognised for those employed in the army or police?
The placement is recognised at your job if your tasks are in the field of security; examinations already passed are recognised regardless of when you passed them.
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 Security Engineering programme? What next?
Leave your e-mail. Within one working day the International Office replies in English: whether the programme 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.