What is the Systems Engineering module?
Systems Engineering is an elective module (specialisation) of the Computer Science and Informatics short-cycle programme at Academia, Slovenia: 2 years, 120 ECTS, 40 % practical training (800 hours) and the qualification Engineer of Computer Science and Informatics (inž. rač. in inf.); in parallel the British BTEC HND Computing (Network Engineering), Level 5. Taught in Slovenian (B1 required); study alongside work in Maribor or Ljubljana or study from home.
Three routes into the Systems Engineering 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 building and repairing computers and networks
Cisco and CompTIA examinations, network laboratory exercises and a first job as a system administrator.
Enquire →26–40Employed in IT support or as an administrator without a degree
Like Katja Novak (banking IT): upgrading years of experience with systems, networks and a diploma alongside work.
Enquire →30–45Technician from electrical or mechanical engineering moving into IT
Network and cloud engineer; placement at your current job, one subject at a time.
Enquire →Students of the Systems Engineering module
Curriculum: 120 ECTS, your module Systems Engineering, British BTEC HND Computing (Network 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 Computer Science and Informatics 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 | Written and spoken business communication, presentations, running meetings and teams, communicating with clients. |
| Professional English in Informatics | 5 | English professional terminology: documentation, standards, international teams and suppliers, preparation for BTEC assignments. |
| Informatics in the Enterprise | 5 | Information systems in business (ERP, CRM, document systems), processes and data, digitalisation, security and legislation. |
| Computer Systems and Maintenance | 7 | Computer architecture, hardware, operating systems, installation, configuration, diagnostics and maintenance of workstations and servers. |
| System Software | 5 | Windows and Linux: processes, memory, file systems, users and permissions, scripting (PowerShell, bash), task automation. |
| Computer Networks | 6 | TCP/IP, addressing and subnetting, routing and switching, Wi-Fi, network services (DNS, DHCP), basic security; lab configuration. |
| Programming 1 | 7 | Programming basics in a modern language: variables, conditions, loops, functions, structures, basic objects, testing and debugging. |
| Databases 1 | 7 | Relational data model, ER diagrams, normalisation, SQL (queries, joins, views); designing a database for a business case. |
| Work placement: Communication in Technology | 3 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Network Setup and Configuration | 5 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Program Coding | 5 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
Legend and sourceHide legend
Second year: your module (highlighted), common programme subjects, the open curriculum and the diploma thesis.
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Business Economics and Entrepreneurship | 5 | Costs, revenue, investment and return, business model, organisation, business idea and launching an IT company. |
| IT Product Design and Development | 5 | IT product life cycle: requirements, UX, architecture, agile development (Scrum), testing, hand-over, maintenance, documentation. |
| Work placement: Entrepreneurship and IT Product Development | 4 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Server Systems | 6 | Windows Server and Linux: directory services (Active Directory), virtualisation, storage, backups, monitoring and automation. |
| Advanced Computer Networks | 6 | LAN/WAN, VLAN, routing protocols, VPN, firewalls, wireless networks, QoS, network monitoring (Cisco-based). |
| Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking | 5 | Threats and vulnerabilities, penetration testing, network and web application security, intrusion detection, incident response, law and ethics. |
| Work placement: Systems Engineering | 4 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Work placement: Cyber Security | 2 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Open-curriculum subject: Cloud Computing and Numerical Analysis | 10 | Cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), virtualisation and containers, Azure/AWS, cloud security and costs; numerical methods and statistics. |
| Work placement: Open Curriculum: Cloud Computing, Numerical Analysis (OC) | 3 | Placement in a company – at your current job or with a partner; tasks in the field of the module, mentor from the company. |
| Subject | ECTS | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Free elective: Business Intelligence | 5 | Data warehouses, BI tools and dashboards (Power BI), analysing business data for decision support. |
| 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: Communication in Technology | 3 | Year 1 |
| Work placement: Network Setup and Configuration | 5 | Year 1 |
| Work placement: Program Coding | 5 | Year 1 |
| Work placement: Entrepreneurship and IT Product Development | 4 | Year 2 |
| Work placement: Systems Engineering | 4 | Year 2 · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Cyber Security | 2 | Year 2 · at your job or with a partner company |
| Work placement: Open Curriculum: Cloud Computing, Numerical Analysis (OC) | 3 | Year 2 |
Legend and sourceHide legend
Engineer of Computer Science and Informatics + BTEC Higher National Diploma Computing (Network 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 Computing (Network 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 · Windows Server and Linux: directory services (Active Directory), virtualisation, storage, backups, monitoring and automation.
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · LAN/WAN, VLAN, routing protocols, VPN, firewalls, wireless networks, QoS, network monitoring (Cisco-based).
Module subject · taught in Slovenian · Threats and vulnerabilities, penetration testing, network and web application security, intrusion detection, incident response, law and ethics.
Free software: Office 365, Google Apps, Oracle VirtualBox. Preparation for the certificate is part of the module; you take the exam with an authorised provider and pay for it yourself.
12 lecturers, 12 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
QuestionHow does it differ from the Computer Science programme?
Computer Science and Informatics is the older programme (2007) with the modules Software Engineering and Systems Engineering and a lower tuition fee (€215/month); Computer Science (2021) has the modules Cyber Security, AI, Application Development and Data Science (€279/month). Title: Engineer of Computer Science and Informatics or Engineer of Computer Science.
QuestionDo I need to know how to program?
No. Programming 1, networks and databases are first-year subjects and are taught from the beginning.
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.
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 Systems Engineering 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.