University of Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences

This programme is based on the study of marketing and public relations. It answers the questions of what integrated marketing communication means, how marketing relationships work, and what the little secrets of the great masters of advertising and public relations are. Students on the programme gain an insight into public relations, and learn about different aspects of marketing through specific marketing content, e.g. consumer behaviour, services marketing, and the research and measurement of marketing performance. The programme is designed in such a way that, in addition to theoretical content, students acquire practical knowledge through project work within individual subjects, and direct contact with the profession and with professional practice during the practical course in marketing and public relations carried out in the third year. During the practical course, students learn about current trends and happenings in the practice of marketing and public relations through direct contact with experts, and through work on practical projects. Graduates find themselves in key positions in the management of companies, governmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations, as well as in self-employment, working as consultants, planners, and implementers of marketing communication measures in the fields of advertising, public relations, online communication, sales promotion, media and creative planning, market research, sponsorship and donations as well as in self-employment.

TWhere no ideas are killed.
Cultural Studies is an exciting field at the intersection of the humanities and social sciences. It offers energetic new takes on everyday life, culture, and art, and encourages creativity, critical thought, and social responsibility. Cultural Studies provides tools for observing, grasping, and intervening into trends and transformations in the ways we live our lives; at home, in the workplace, on the streets, online, and off the grid. It is passionate about justice, equality, and sustainability, and committed to interrogating power relations in the modern world.
Inspired by life, the undergraduate Cultural studies: Studies of Cultures and Creativity programme offered by the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Social Sciences is designed to prepare you for life today, in the new world we see forming in front of our eyes. We will help you on your way to making it more just, more sustainable, and more fun.

The programme is built around courses that encourage you to understand the world from the perspectives of cultural anthropology, film and media studies, and the study of various popular-cultural forms such as videogames, science and technology studies, gender studies, religion studies, ethnic studies, philosophy, and critical theory. These perspectives are supported by courses designed to develop your creative skills by engaging with media and formats both traditional and new: from cinema to TikTok, and from novels to memes.

In short, while broadening their intellectual horizons and acquiring interdisciplinary research skills, our students write, design, and create content. Offering transferable skills, and developing flexibility and strong interdisciplinary analytical skills, our programmes are ideal for content creators of various kinds, including influencers, social activists, and media editors, as well as producers of various kinds of popular culture. They are a great starting point for future specialists in the rapidly developing fields of the creative and media industries, of the arts, of heritage protection, of interpretation, of management, and of cultural tourism. Our graduates are successful in various workplaces, from media companies large and small, to galleries and museums; from institutions managing cultural heritage to tourism; from diplomatic services, to various NGOs and research institutions.

This programme deals with complex issues of national and international security and defence. One of the broad definitions of defence science states that defence science is the science of threat phenomena and of the ways to counter those threats. So, defence science is concerned with the study of armed conflicts and wars, natural and other disasters (fires, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, nuclear accidents, etc.), cyber and ecological threats, terrorism, certain forms of crime, etc. Defence science is concerned with the concepts and practices of dealing with the aforementioned threats and consequences (which include, in particular, armed forces, protection and rescue operations, counterterrorism operations, etc.) and the dilemmas involved (e.g., civil-military relations, etc.). An important feature of defence science is its interdisciplinarity - it connects with many sciences and transfers their findings to the field of security and defense.

The Defence Science programme trains experts for the entire national defence and security system (the administrative part of the Ministry of Defence, the Slovenian Army, the Intelligence and Security Service of the Ministry of Defence, the Administration for Protection and Rescue, the entire subsystem of protection against natural and other disasters at the national and local level, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency, tand the Office for the Protection of Secret Information) for work in international security organizations (NATO and OSCE) and European Union institutions, for work in media houses (especially for national content and international security and defence), and for work in business (in the defence industry, in the field of critical infrastructure, etc.). Due to their broad social science knowledge and a wide range of competences, defence scientists are also deployable in other organisations.

This study programme focuses specifically on current challenges in the international community: legal interpretations and practices of state sovereignty, the challenge posed by failed states and de facto states, the global influence of transnational corporations, the success of international governmental and nongovernmental organisations, the role of international courts, the digitisation of diplomacy, the threatening activities of criminal groups and terrorist movements, and individual responsibility.

Students can specialise in the comprehensive International Relations module (international security, environmental protection, current conflicts) or in the European Regional Integration module (political cooperation in Europe, EU economic policy and EU foreign policy), depending on their own interests. Studies in the programme first provide historical and theoretical insight into the emergence and functioning of the modern international community, and then provide students with numerous opportunities to develop and strengthen practical skills and abilities in the analysis, critically evaluation, and shaping of the policies of international actors. The programme incorporates multiple modes of study: interactive lectures by resident and visiting faculty from around the world, discussions in seminars, use of online classrooms and digital tools, and modern pedagogical approaches such as authentic and problem-based learning, and cross-disciplinary integration.

The programme promotes international exchange as well as the strengthening of good interpersonal relationships in the academic community through the organisation of traditional picnics, sports games, and other social gatherings, as well as the hosting of first-year students, and activities in student societies. Graduates' competitiveness is ensured by their acquiring of the practical skills required for researching and writing professional analytical products (foreign policy analysis, trade and investment profile, SWOT analysis, development report, scientific essay, policy paper, country negotiating position, dossier, diplomatic note, memo, draft resolution, minutes, drafting rules of procedure), and their development of the ability to prepare oral presentations in three foreign languages. Graduates can be employed as diplomats, investment and sales analysts in transnational companies, experts in the systems of specialised agencies in the UN or in European international organisations, experts and socio-political activists in international non-governmental organisations, lobbyists, and journalists.

The Journalism study programme trains students for independent journalistic work in a modern mass media environment. Students first gain basic knowledge in political sciences, sociology, communication studies, and law, and then continue to acquire comprehensive theoretical, analytical, linguistic, and technical skills, and the competences required for practical journalistic work in print, audio-visual and electronic media.

Students are introduced to modern journalism by university teachers, as well as by prominent editors and journalists who acquaint students with the fundamental methods of journalistic work, and ways of articulation through various types and genres (see some final items on Novinarke.si | Novinarji.si). As part of a 150-hour internship, students are also directly involved in the work process of various media newsrooms. This internship therefore enables them to experience self-dependent journalistic work under the supervison of skilled mentors. After completing their studies, graduates are able to work as journalists in a wide variety of mass media. They have the ability to provide in-depth insights into social issues from various areas, they know how to effectively tackle the dilemmas of the profession, and they understand the main purpose of journalism and its responsibility to the public.

The degree programme in Media and Communication Studies, like most comparable degree programmes abroad, combines the theoretical and critical examination of media with media practice and the study of current media phenomena. At the core of the programme, in addition to general social science courses, are specific programme courses in media studies, such as media history, visual culture, the ethnography of digital media, internet studies, popular music, alternative media, consumer culture, audience studies, rhetoric, media globalisation, food, and discourse, etc. Here, students examine the cultural and social role of media and of the culture industry in modern "mediatised" society. The programme is based on both social science and humanities traditions and is offered at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

The theoretical core of the programme, which focuses on critical analysis of the cultural and social role of media and communication, is complemented by a media work placement with external practitioners. These are colleagues who work in various areas of the media and cultural industries - from photography, advertising, and content marketing, to documentary film or television production - and conduct hands-on seminars for our students. This combination of the theoretical analysis of communication, media culture, and media business with practical work in a media internship is also one of the strengths of the programme. Both the theoretical and practical parts of the programme allow students to devote themselves to different aspects of the subject at an early stage, depending on their intellectual interests and career aspirations.

Competence subjects are used to link the course with media and cultural production in practice, providing students with a basis for working in creative or scientific professions related to media, communication, and popular culture in the media and culture industry. The programme is designed for those seeking higher education qualifications for work in the mass media, whether as an editorial planner or as a researcher in audience research and programme analysis. It is also designed for those who wish to work in various areas of media planning, consulting, and organisation in businesses, organisations and institutions.

This study programme is based on the experience, knowledge, and 30-year tradition of the previous programme, which we have modernised to respond to changing circumstances and challenges both national and global, as well as to political changes (e.g. Slovenia's membership of the EU and other international organisations). In the modernised program we offer knowledge and competences that enable new generations of students to build the recognisable political science profile of a graduate, with additional and (in the Slovenian space) specific knowledge in the fields of public policy and administration, as well as in the field of the European Union. In three years, students will acquire the knowledge and competences necessary for employment in the public, non-profit, or private sectors, or for the continuation of their studies.

Graduates will have acquired a variety of knowledge and competences, such as knowledge and understanding of the field of study - political science, public policy, and administration - and its phenomena, the ability to adapt to changes in the political and administrative environment, an understanding of the diversity of countries and societies, and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice. They will also have developed the ability to work and analyse independently, to make reasoned criticism, and to elaborate alternative solutions in the form of recommendations. The knowledge and skills acquired will also enable students to develop the ability to apply knowledge in practice, and in concrete situations in the workplace, e.g. in the preparation of project proposals in the context of national and European tenders.

Graduates of the programme are employed in both the public and private (in various companies) sectors, e.g. in political institutions (parliamentary structures, political parties) and civil society organizations (non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, trade unions, chambers), in public and state administration (in governmental or administrative departments, in ministries, agencies), in local self-government (in municipal structures), in various international, especially European, institutions (in the structures of the European Parliament or the European Commission, or in European agencies or European parties, or non-governmental organizations at the EU level), in the media (as journalists, editors, commentators, analysts), and in institutional research settings (public and private institutes, application-oriented analytical units).

The Political Science - Studies of Politics and the State study programme provides insight into political doctrines and theories, into the terms and concepts of political science, into the history of political thought, and into the workings of modern political processes and institutions. The programme is theoretically and practically oriented, enabling students to understand contemporary events in the world and their role in them. They are also trained in the use of research and analytical methods. This is a very open programme, with up to 33% electives. By choosing subjects, students can focus on different areas that interest them personally, and that offer the possibility of employment, such as in foreign affairs, public administration, human resource management, political parties, business management, lobbying, public relations, policy management, non-governmental organisations, local self-government, research organisations, European institutions, and multinational corporations.

The Social Informatics study programme builds on forty years of research and teaching in data analysis, in methodology, and in the social science aspects of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme is a response to the many challenges and opportunities presented by the continuing evolution of digital and interactive technologies.

The programme offers two majors: Digital Technologies and Society and Applied Social Science Informatics. The first direction is primarily aimed at those interested in understanding the needs, uses, outcomes, and social role of the internet and of digital services, while the second direction focuses on computer skills for the use and (co-)design of internet and IT solutions. This gives students the opportunity to create professional profiles that qualify them for employment in rapidly growing sectors of digital society, or else enable them to continue their studies on various master's degree programmes. Employment opportunities for graduates of both programmes are many and varied, as knowledge in the field of social informatics is increasingly needed in a wide range of companies, organisations, and institutions, in government administration, and in the public and private sectors at home and abroad. Students of social informatics who graduate in either field will be able to participate in the planning, evaluation, and implementation of internet and online services, and will be qualified to analyse the big (electronic) data generated by the use of such services. Graduates are employed in various organisations, e.g.: the National Institute of Public Health, the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Valicon, Petrol, Outfit7/Ekipa2, Telekom Slovenije, and Studio Moderna.

The Sociology study programme is distinctly modern and offers a balanced range of basic theoretical and methodological knowledge as well as special sociological content, with an emphasis on integration between social science disciplines. The programme is organised in such a way that it constantly guides students to apply sociological knowledge in dealing with concrete content and social issues. In this way, we enable students to familiarise themselves with relevant professional fields, and establish contacts with future employers shortly after they begin their studies.

Graduates of the programme successfully start and continue their careers in:
- the private sector - in marketing departments, human resources services, media houses, and the corporate sector;
- international and national non-governmental organisations - in institutes, think tanks (brain trusts), activist groups, international professional associations, and development agencies;
- government institutions and municipalities - in ministries, government agencies, offices, political parties, public administration;
- public institutions - in education, culture, social welfare, and sports.

This study programme provides a broad range of social science knowledge with an emphasis on human resource management, and focuses on understanding the relationship between modern human resource management practices and policies, and broader organisations and society. Students develop knowledge in basic social science disciplines, with an emphasis on a broader sociological understanding of society and modern social change. Building on this, the programme provides specific skills that enable graduates to successfully work and plan human resource policies, recruitment, job analysis, supervision of education and knowledge management, the promotion and career development of employees, the creation of evaluation and reward systems, and the regulation of management-employee relations. We use interactive and problem-based approaches combined with direct collaboration with companies and guest lecturers.

Thanks to the acquisition of basic sociological knowledge (both theoretical and applied) combined with expertise in human resources, organisational, managerial, legal and other areas, the career of a graduate is open to analytical, professional, consultation, and managerial work in the field of human resources organisation in companies, societies, public institutions, state administrations, international institutions, and other organisations. And, thanks to its interdisciplinarity, this programme can lead to work in other areas according to the orientation of the student.