What is the Catholic Institute?

The Catholic Institute is the first step towards the founding of a catholic university. The Institute was founded by the Slovenska škofovska konferenca (Slovenian Episcopal Conference), whose membership includes all Slovenian dioceses. The Institute is engaged in research and development activities in the social sciences and humanities. Its primary mission, however, is to form institutions or faculties (schools) of higher education in most diverse fields of study and research, as well as university-level libraries, research centers and student dormitories, all of which will ultimately combine, in accordance with the appropriate legislation of the Republic of Slovenia, into an internationally recognized catholic university in Slovenia. Currently the Institute comprises the Faculty of Business Studies, the research library Studia Slovenica and the Institute for Human Rights Law.

Does the Catholic Institute intend to form other schools or faculties in addition to the FBS

Yes indeed. The Catholic Institute will form several additional faculties, starting mainly in the social sciences and humanities, which will combine into the Catholic University of Slovenia.

What do you mean by »catholic« university or faculty

The term »catholic« means that the Katoliški inštitut (Catholic Institute) and the FBS were founded by the Catholic Church in Slovenia. Compared with the majority of other universities and other institutions of higher learning in Slovenia, which were founded and are owned and funded by the State, the Katoliški inštitut and the FBS are independent private institutions that are owned by the Catholic Church. A catholic university's mission and program follow the principle of holistic humanism, whereby the dignity of the human person is the goal, not only the means, of science.

What is the program of the FBS for the academic year 2011/2012?

In the academic year 2011/12 the FBS will offer the first year curriculum of the university-level Program in Business Studies that will implement the norms of the Bologna Declaration.

What are the advantages of enrolling at the FBS?

- Small number of enrollment positions: The FBS is dedicated to the antithesis of mass education, that is, building a creative community of students and professors, personal approach to instruction, study in small groups, openness to internal dialog and constant exchange of ideas in practice and with broader society. The small class size fosters direct individual contacts between students and faculty, which leads to an optimal engagement of students' capabilities and instructors' knowledge. This ensures a more thorough acquisition of knowledge by the student.

- Integrity of the program of study: The university-level Program in Business Studies offers a thorough instruction in the fields of business Studies and economics, including the basic principles of law and the art of public communication.

- Holistic humanistic approach: The program of study includes holistic humanism, which builds upon professional expertise a formation in values, ethics, truth and social responsibility in business decisionmaking.

- Application of the theory in practice: seminars and recitations will emphasize the application of the learned material in practice, such that it will be possible to evaluate on a contunuing basis whether or not the students are acquiring appropriate competences specific to the course.

- Extensive international activity: The FBS cooperates with the Fédération Internationale des Universités Catholiques (International Federation of Catholic Universities) in Paris and other established and recognized institutions of higher education in Europe, North and South America, through the exchange of professors and by facilitating the participation of its students in programs offered by foreign universities and faculties.

Do I have to be a catholic in order to enrol at the FBS?

No. Religious affiliation (or lack of it) does not play any role in pursuing studies at the FBS. While the Katoliški inštitut (Catholic Institute) and the FBS were conceived and founded on catholic values, it is important to emphasize that the catholic university is an all-Slovenian project, both geographically and in terms of ideas, and wishes to involve all who are aiming for goodness, beauty and truth.

What are the conditions for enrollment at the FBS?

One of the following conditions is required for enrollment in the university-level programme in Business Studies:

a) a successfully completed secondary school leaving examination (matura examination or poklicna matura examination plus an exam in one of the general subjects),
b) a successful completion of any four-year high school program before June 1, 1995.

If enrolment is restricted, candidates are selected with regard to their general success in the high school final examination (matura or poklicna matura) and their general success in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school.

The leadership of the FBS will invite all applicants for an individual interview, where they will be informed about the nature of the FBS and its educational program.

What is the deadline for application for admission to the FBS?

Applications for admission to the FBS are accepted until mid-October 2011. As an independent institution the FBS is not bound by the deadlines effective at other universities. 

How do I apply for admission to the FBS?

Complete the application form  and send the completed form to: Katoliški inštitut, Ciril-Metodov trg 9, 1000 Ljubljana. 

Where is the FBS located?

The FBS is located in the center of Ljubljana, in newly renovated premises with modern equipment and furnishings for its instructional and research programs. The classrooms and lecture halls, as well as a reference library and a photocopying service room for students' needs, are in the same building at Krekov trg 1, which is also accessible to the handicapped. A city bus stop is conveniently located in front of the entrance. A more extensive research library, which directly supports the scholarly activities of the faculty, is under the auspices of the Research Institute Studia Slovenica.

The Administration and faculty offices of the FBS are located at Ciril – Metodov trg 9, very close to Krekov trg 1.

Check out the locations on the map.

How much does it cost to enroll at the FBS?

Tuition for a year of study at the FBS amounts to 2,400 EUR.

Why is it necessary to pay tuition?

Tuition charges allow the FBS to be independent of government funds and politics; they also assure academic freedom and quality of instruction, both of which are essential for the accomplishment of its goals and competence of the program of study. In Slovenia, separation of Church and State is mandated by the constitution. The Katoliški inštitut (Catholic Institute) thus does not receive funds for its activities and projects from the government: consequently it depends on donations from domestic and foreign persons and organizations. Part of the burden is carried by the students, who are required to pay tuitiion. However, a comparison with some schools shows that the tuition charged by the FBS, given its emphasis on quality and the resulting higher expenditures, is lower than those charged by formally comparable schools.

How can the students pay the tuition charges?

Students will be able to pay tuition in 10 instalments of 240 EUR. Methods of payment can be subject of individual discussion with each candidate, if needed or desired. A 10% discount will be given in the case of an immediate payment of the entire tuition.

Is financial aid available for students who have difficulties paying the tuition?

The FBS can help a student obtain appropriate loans from one of the banks that are underwriting the program of study. More information on this matter is available from the Office for Student Affairs.

Is my status as student at the FBS any different from that of students at other (state) schools?

No. Students at the FBS have the same legal status as students at other (state) institutions, with the same rights and benefits (health insurance, student food coupons, residences in student dormitories, stipends, etc.).

As a student at the FBS, am I allowed to buy student coupons, find work via the student services etc.?

Yes. Much like all students at other (state) institutions, students at the FBS can buy student coupons, find work via the student services and enjoy other student privileges.

Am I as a student at the FBS eligible for residency in a student dormitory?

Yes. Much like all students at other (state) institutions, students at the FBS can apply for residency in a student dormitory. Students at the FBS even have priority over other students in catholic student dormitories such as študentski dom  Vincencij, študentski dom Janeza F. Gnidovca.

Are students at the FBS allowed to apply for stipends?

Students at the FBS can apply for all stipends that are available to students at other (state) institutions.

Will the FBS also offer stipends?

After a successfully completed first year of study the students can compete for special academic or professional stipends that cover the cost of study and actively direct them into career development.

Will the FBS also offer a postgraduate program?

Yes. The FBS is already preparing a graduate masters program (MBA), which will have three specializations: companies, financial institutions and public non-profit sector, and a doctoral program as well.

Who will teach at the FBS?

The FBS will employ top-quality professors and established experts from Slovenia and abroad.

When will the classes (lectures, seminars, recitations) at the FBS take place?

Classes (lectures, recitation, seminars) at the FBS will ordinarily meet from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM, with a break for lunch.

How does the FBS engage in international cooperation?

The Katoliški inštitut (Catholic Institute) has already made connections with established and recognized institutions of higher learning and scientific research institutes in Europe, and North and South America. Letters of agreement have been signed with the Fédération Internationale des Universités Catholiques (International Federation of Catholic Universities) in Paris, Boston College, Georgetown University, Oxford University (Campion Hall and Blackfriars Hall), Université Catholique de Lyon, Universidad de Navarra, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and many others. More information on international cooperations. 

The FBS is committed to a continuous exchange of professors, scientific workers and cooperators in higher education. It enables and encourages its students to participate in programs offered by foreign universities and faculties, for fulfilling their study obligations

Where will the FBS students get literature for their studies?

Students at the FBS will have access to Studia Slovenica, the central library and archive of the Slovenian catholic university project. The collection at this moment contains about 60,000 units and more than 700 titles of periodic publications, and is an important resource for the programs of instruction and scientific research at the faculties and institutes that are being formed by the Katoliški inštitut (Catholic Institute). The materials are constantly being updated with new contents.

What title or degree will the graduates get upon a successful completion of studies at the FBS?

After the successfully completed Program of study, the graduate will be conferred the degree of diplomirani ekonomist (UN) / diplomirana ekonomistka (UN) (Bachelor of Economics (UN)).

What opportunities are available to students after graduating from the FBS?

The Program of study enables its graduates to continue in the graduate masters program (MBA) of the FBS in three anticipated specializations (companies, financial institutions and public non-profit sector) or in graduate programs at other institutions of higher learning with faculties offering similar programs. Graduaes who do not wish to pursue graduate studies can find fruitful employment and begin a professional career.

What employment opportunities are available to FBS graduates?

The Program enables its graduates to find direct employment in all organizations in the private, public and non-profit sector, which includes businesses, institutions, government agencies, banks and insurance companies.

Graduates have the potential to pursue their professional and scientific careers in leadership positions at for-profit and non-profit organizations as well as government agencies. They can, for example, among many possible avenues of fruitful employment, fulfill their potential as analysts and advisors at consulting companies, as internal supervisors and tax advisors for small family-owned businesses (where the owner needs to have the knowledge for running a small business and controlling the risks associated with it), as economic researchers and analysts for banks, public administration agencies, or research institutes. They may also pursue similar work in organizations in other EU member countries, as the intended comparability of this Program with other programs of study will result in graduates whose knowledge will be competitive with that of graduates of similar programs at other institutions of higher education in other EU member countries.