PhD Biomedicine

PhD Biomedicine – University of Ljubljana

The PhD in Biomedicine at the University of Ljubljana (UL) is a four-year interdisciplinary doctoral programme offered in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The programme comprises eight semesters and 240 ECTS credits, bringing together biomedical sciences, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, genetics, public health and related scientific disciplines.

The programme is implemented through collaboration between six University of Ljubljana faculties and three national research institutes. Its primary objective is to develop independent, creative researchers capable of conducting advanced scientific investigations and contributing new knowledge to biomedical sciences, healthcare and the understanding of human and animal health.

Programme Overview and Research Objectives

The interdisciplinary Biomedicine doctoral programme integrates theoretical knowledge with extensive independent scientific research.

Students develop advanced competencies in biomedical research methodologies, experimental investigation, scientific analysis and the application of research findings to complex biomedical problems.

A major emphasis is placed on individual research work. At the beginning of their studies, doctoral candidates develop an individual study programme in collaboration with their supervisor and scientific field coordinator.

The programme includes compulsory core subjects, theoretical electives and individual research electives selected according to each student’s research interests.

Scientific Fields and Specialisations

The programme offers 12 scientific fields covering different areas of biomedical research.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Focuses on advanced biochemical and molecular biological research, cellular processes, bioinformatics and modern technologies used to investigate biological systems.

Pharmacy: Covers molecular pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical biology, pharmaceutical technologies, nanomedicine, pharmacokinetics, health economics and pharmacoepidemiology.

Genetics: Identified as an available scientific field. Detailed track-specific curriculum information is not provided.

Public Health: Focuses on population health, determinants of health, public health interventions and interdisciplinary scientific research methods.

Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine: Explores laboratory diagnostics, biomarkers, molecular testing, advanced omics technologies, personalised diagnostics and clinical research.

Medicine — Clinical Orientation: Develops knowledge of clinical research methods, medical research ethics, scientific publications and the investigation of clinical medical problems.

Medicine — Basic Orientation: Examines fundamental biological processes relevant to medicine, cellular mechanisms, molecular biology, genetics, cancer research and translational medicine.

Medical Microbiology: Focuses on pathogenic microorganisms, infectious diseases, laboratory diagnosis, pathogen mechanisms and infection prevention.

Neuroscience: Investigates nervous system function using genetic, biochemical, electrophysiological, imaging and computational research methods.

Toxicology: Identified as a specialised scientific field with admission requirements involving toxicology, biochemistry, chemistry and related biomedical disciplines.

Veterinary Medicine: Focuses on animal physiology, genetics, pathology, disease mechanisms, veterinary research methods and animal health sciences.

Scientific Aspects of Health Professions: Available from the 2025/26 academic year and intended for graduates of specified healthcare and related academic disciplines.

Interdisciplinary Research and Institutional Collaboration

The programme involves six University of Ljubljana faculties: the Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Veterinary Faculty and Faculty of Health Sciences.

Research collaboration also involves the Jožef Stefan Institute, National Institute of Chemistry and National Institute of Biology.

These partnerships provide doctoral candidates with opportunities to work within a multidisciplinary academic and scientific research environment.

Individual Doctoral Research

Scientific research forms the central component of the doctoral programme.

Students select theoretical and research subjects based on their chosen scientific field and proposed research topic.

The individual study programme must be approved by the doctoral supervisor and the scientific field coordinator.

The programme emphasises collaboration with national and international experts, advanced research methods and independent scientific investigation.

Admission Requirements

Admission is open to applicants who have completed an eligible second-cycle Master’s degree or another recognised qualification.

Graduates of certain integrated Master’s programmes, earlier university qualifications and specified professional specialisation programmes may also qualify.

Admission requirements can vary by scientific field. Some applicants may need to complete additional academic obligations depending on their previous qualifications.

Applicants holding foreign qualifications must undergo the University of Ljubljana’s recognition procedure for further education.

Selection Criteria

If the number of applicants exceeds available places, selection considers previous academic performance and the results of a selection examination.

Scientific publications, research achievements, awards, professional specialisations and other relevant academic accomplishments may also be considered.

Applicants must identify an academic mentor before enrolment and submit a conceptual outline of their proposed doctoral research.

Language of Instruction

The supplied programme summary lists English and states that language arrangements are agreed with international students.

Supervision and academic communication may be conducted in English. However, the source does not explicitly confirm that every scientific field and course is delivered entirely in English.

Doctoral Qualification

After successfully completing the prescribed academic and research requirements, graduates receive the scientific title Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), equivalent to the Slovenian title doktor znanosti / doktorica znanosti.