Slovenia (Slovenija) is a member of the European Union, Schengen Agreement and NATO. Previously one of Yugoslavia's six constituent republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991. Slovenia has four universities, located in Ljubljana, Maribor, Nova Gorica and Koper.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.