Obtaining the status

At each stage of their studies, students can obtain different statuses that allow them to receive help and make various adjustments to their studies.

As currently provided for in the Higher Education Act, students can obtain the following statuses:

Status of student with special needs:

• blind and visually-impaired students or students with visual function disorders,
• deaf and hard-of-hearing students,
• students with speech and language disorders,
• students with severe specific learning difficulties,
• physically disabled students,
• students with long-term illnesses,
• students with autism spectrum disorders,
• students with emotional and behavioural problems/difficulties.

Special statuses:

• the status of student-categorised athlete/trainer of categorised athletes;
• the status of student recognised artist/creative professional;
• the status of student participating in (sectoral) international competitions;
• parent-student status

When you enter the first year of the programme or at any time during the academic year if the requirements for granting status are met. However, we recommend that you apply for status as early as possible at the beginning of the academic year to facilitate the study process.

1. Complete the application form which you will find attached to these regulations: 
2. Indicate your adaptation needs in the application. If you need help with this, you can contact your tutor, the contact person at your faculty/academy or the Student Ombudsman.
3. Please enclose the relevant supporting documents with your application.
4. Submit your application to the faculty/academy where you are enrolled.

Here are some of the possible evidence for special status.

Students with special needs:

• Certificates from a medical or other institution,
• a decision on the granting of disabled status,
• the opinion of a Disability commission for the placement of children, adolescents or young adults with physical or mental disabilities.

Classified athletes/coaches:

• categorisation confirmed by the Slovenian Olympic Committee as an athlete in the Olympic, world, international, promising, national or youth class or an equivalent international certificate;
• elite achievements,
• the official appointment of a student by the national sports federation or club as a trainer or assistant trainer and their direct involvement in the preparation and implementation of categorised athletes programs

Recognised artists/creative professional students:

• certificate of membership in a national or international society or federation of societies involved in the arts and culture,
• status as an independent artist/cultural worker,
• awards/recognitions for outstanding achievements in the artistic or cultural field.

Participant in (regional) international competitions:

• Proof of participation in at least two (regional) international competitions.

Students parents:

• Birth certificate of the child.

Once the application has been submitted, the competent authority of the university member will decide on the application within one month.

The Status is granted for one academic year or for the entire period of study; it can also be granted for the duration of the validity of the proof of fulfilment of the requirements for this status. The duration of the special status and special needs status is decided by the competent body designated by the member faculty or academy.

Before submitting your application, discuss possible adjustments with the contact person at your faculty/academy. The Student Ombudsman can also support and assist you in determining and implementing adjustments. 

Students who are granted status can receive help and adjustments, which you can find out more about on this page.

Status may be withdrawn if it is determined that the student has misused the aids and adaptations or misrepresented the barriers to study and their impact on the fulfilment of study requirements.

Status may lapse if it has only been granted for a specific period of time (e.g. one academic year) or for the duration of the validity of the evidence. If you still need the status after the validity period has expired, you must apply for it again.

If you need help applying for the status of a student with special needs, please get in touch with the contact persons. You can find a list of contact persons here, but it is advisable to contact them before you start your studies.

You can also contact the Student Ombudsman's Office if you have any questions about your status and adjustments.