Doctor of Sciences (PhD)

10 (SQF), 8 (EQF), third cycle

3 years, 180 ECTS

Admission to the first year of study shall be granted to the candidates who have completed:

a) a master’s (second cycle) study programme;

b) an undergraduate academic study programme, adopted before 11 June 2004 (pre-reform study programme);

c) a specialisation study programme after having graduated from a study programme, adopted before 11 June 2004 (pre-reform study programme), provided that a candidate has completed all the study obligations relevant for further study prior to enrolment. Study obligations in the amount from 30 ECTS to 60 ECTS credit points are determined by the competent Faculty Commission, based on the individual application, taking into account the field of previous study. Additional examinations must be completed prior to entry into the programme or during the previous study;

d) a unified master’s study programme, if the study programme carried 300 ECTS credit points and lasted 5 years;

e) a comparable education abroad and have been, in the process of recognition of their qualification and in accordance with Assessment and Recognition of Education Act, legally granted the right to continue their studies in the study programme.

In case of enrolment limitation the candidates are selected according to:

• average grade of all exams (50 %),
• grade of their previous degree dissertation (50 %).

Along with the application candidate shall also enclose:

1) short research proposal for the doctoral study and
2) basic personal data of the candidate.

The research proposal (7,000-15,000 characters with spaces, bibliography is not part of the sum of characters) must be structured in sets and includes:

1) title page with the name and surname of the candidate, the proposed title of the research topic in the dissertation (if possible at this stage), and the name and surname and academic title of the most suitable mentor in doctoral studies (if possible at this stage),

2) indication and short description of the research topic (definition) (definition of the theoretical starting points of the research, definition of the research question (problem) and research objectives),

3) intended methods of work,

4) expected results and original contribution to science and

5) indication of basic literature and sources.

Basic information about the candidate must contain:

1) short curriculum vitae (up to 2,500 characters with spaces, possibly in indents and

2) bibliography of the candidate (if any).

Expert Commission reviews the candidate’s application. The Commission invites the candidate to an interview before enrolment and the most suitable mentor for the intended field of research is determined. The interview is also an opportunity to reshape the research field in order to provide appropriate mentoring. If the candidate’s research plans are incompatible with the research contents of the competent Department of the Faculty, the candidate is advised not to enrol. It is necessary to obtain the consent of the expert Commission and the mentor prior to enrolment.

Enrolment in a higher year of study (according to the criteria for transferring between study programmes and conditions for accelerated advancement)

Transferring between study programmes is possible according to the Higher Education Act, Criteria for transferring between study programmes and other regulations of this field.

Transfer between study programmes is the enrolment in the higher year of the study programme, in case of leaving the studies in the first (initial) study programme and continuation of studies in another study programme of the same degree. The transition takes into account the comparability of the study programmes and the completed study obligations of the candidate in the initial study programme. The transition between study programmes is also enrolment of the graduate in the higher year study programme of the same degree.

Transfer is possible between study programmes:

• which on completion of studies ensure the acquisition of comparable competencies, and
• between which it is possible, under the recognition criteria, to recognise at least half of study requirements under the ECTS system from the first study programme relating to compulsory subjects of the second study programme.

Transferring between study programmes is granted to candidates, if the following conditions have been met:

• the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to the study programme,
• the Senate of the Faculty or the competent Faculty Commission estimates that the candidate can be recognized for at least half of the ECTS points obligations from the previous study programme, which relate to the compulsory subjects of the study programme to which the candidate is transferring;
• the completion of the initial study programme, which the candidate is transferring from, ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies as those envisaged by the study programme.

Enrolment is also open to candidates of a comparable study programme abroad who have been, in the process of recognition of their previous studies (in accordance with Assessment and Recognition of Education Act), legally granted the right to continue their studies in the study programme.

Applications for transferring between study programmes are considered by the relevant Commission. In accordance with the Criteria for transferring between study programmes the Commission takes into account the comparability between study programmes and study obligations the candidate has completed in the previous study programme that can be recognized in this study programme. The candidate may also be required to complete differential exams as defined by the relevant Faculty Commission.

In case of enrolment limitation, the candidates are selected according to the average grade obtained during the study programme they are transferring from. Candidates can apply for recognition of passed examinations during previous education based on the submission of the subject curriculum. The Senate of the Faculty or the competent Faculty Commission makes the decision on the recognition of examinations on the proposal of the department.

Enrolment places

Subject-specific competences

The acquired subject-specific competences enable the doctoral candidate to directly apply the specialist knowledge, skills and values. They are developed during the course of the studies through different forms and methods of teaching.

The subject-specific competences are listed in each curriculum under the heading ‘Objectives and competences’. The subject-specific competences of students at the end of their studies may vary slightly depending on the choice of elective subjects. However, the main subject-specific competences developed by the proposed programme can be summarised in the following points:

• knowledge of the theoretical and methodological concept of geography, the subject of its study, and a broad, critical and reflective understanding of the science of geography, its social significance and development;
• mastery of modern research methods and techniques in the science of geography;
  insight into the development of contemporary interdependencies between different natural, social and spatial systems, and an understanding of the interaction of different landscape factors on landscape reality;
• the ability to interpret and evaluate natural and social geographical phenomena and to analyse and critically assess current natural, social and political developments;
• knowledge and understanding of the fundamental problems and processes of contemporary geography and the interrelationships and relationships with its sub-disciplines in managing and guiding sustainable development;
• knowledge of the protection and development of complex social and natural spaces, such as coastal and border areas, the Mediterranean and other areas of natural and cultural contact;
• competence in planning sustainable development options in Slovenia and Europe and in implementing sustainable development;
• competence in understanding environmental (including climate) change and natural disasters;
  Knowledge and understanding of the developments and problems in the fields of political geography and the geography of globalisation;
• knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the geography of tourism and the geography of transport;
• knowledge and understanding of the applied potential of geography in the field of specialist management of different geographically relevant areas;
• knowledge and understanding of the geography of marginality.

The PhD programme provides an excellent basis for PhD students to work in scientific and academic institutions, to conduct research and to guide policy in relation to social, environmental and spatial phenomena, inter-ethnic relations, understanding contemporary environmental change and international integration.