PhD Environmental Protection

PhD Environmental Protection – University of Ljubljana

The PhD in Environmental Protection 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 and is designed to develop advanced scientific research competencies for addressing complex environmental challenges.

The programme brings together expertise from 13 university faculties, integrating natural sciences, engineering, biotechnology, medicine, law, economics, social sciences and humanities. Its primary objective is to prepare highly qualified researchers who can investigate environmental problems independently and develop comprehensive solutions by combining knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines.

Programme Overview and Research Objectives

The doctoral programme emphasises interdisciplinary environmental research, critical analysis and independent scientific investigation. Students develop the ability to examine environmental protection challenges from different scientific perspectives and integrate specialised knowledge into comprehensive research-based approaches.

The programme prepares doctoral candidates for creative and independent scientific research, with an emphasis on solving complex environmental problems through interdisciplinary cooperation.

Interdisciplinary Academic Collaboration

The programme is delivered through collaboration between 13 faculties at the University of Ljubljana.

These faculties contribute expertise from engineering, natural sciences, biotechnology, medicine, economics, law and social sciences, providing an interdisciplinary academic environment for environmental research.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed an eligible second-cycle Master’s degree or another qualification recognised under the university’s doctoral admission regulations.

Graduates of integrated Master’s programmes carrying 300 ECTS credits and certain older university qualifications may also qualify. Applicants holding specific professional specialisations may be required to complete additional coursework of 30–60 ECTS credits before enrolment.

Foreign qualifications are assessed through the University of Ljubljana’s recognition procedure.

Research Supervision and Application Requirements

Applicants must obtain written acceptance from a doctoral mentor or co-mentor no later than enrolment.

Candidates must also submit a brief conceptual outline of their proposed doctoral research.

Applications are submitted through the Slovenian eVŠ online application portal in accordance with the university’s doctoral enrolment call.

Selection Criteria

If enrolment is restricted, applicants are assessed using previous academic performance, dissertation presentation results, scientific achievements and research awards.

Academic performance accounts for 50% of the selection score, while the selection examination accounts for the remaining 50%.

The availability of suitable research supervisors is also considered.