During its 25th regular session, on 21 April 2011, the Council of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education – NAKVIS officially accredited the single major non-pedagogical study programme "Sociology" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA), implemented by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor, Slomškov trg 15, SI-2000 Maribor, in accordance with paragraph 7 of chapter 11 of Article 51h and chapter 7 of Article 51p of the Higher Education Act of the Republic of Slovenia (ZVis) (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 119/06 – official consolidated text, 59/07 – Scholarship Act of the Republic of Slovenia (ZŠtip), 15/08 - Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, 64/08, 86/09 and 62/2010 – Exercise of Rights to Public Funds Act of the Republic of Slovenia (ZUPJS)), and with reference to Article 56 of the valid Criteria for the Accreditation and External Evaluation of Higher Education Institutions and Study Programmes – Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 95/2010).

To pass to the 2nd year, the student must collect at least 57 ECTS. The conditions for repeating the year, extending the student status and advancing with missing requirements are determined by the Statute of the University of Maribor.

The 2nd level degree study programme Translation and Interpretation does not have any conditions for the completion of individual parts of the programme.

Graduates of the postgraduate 2nd Bologna cycle – MA study programme are eligible for enrolment in corresponding 3rd Bologna cycle – PhD studies.

The demand for highly skilled and competent translators is high both in Slovenia as well as in the broader European sphere. As English is regarded as the lingua franca in the European as well as in the broader global realm, translators and interpreters working with the language combination of English-Slovene have access to many professional opportunities. Due to Slovenia bordering on Austria and Hungary, translators and interpreters working with the respective language combinations of German-Slovene and/or Hungarian-Slovene are in frequent demand as well. Graduates of the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will be qualified to work both as professionals in the public (ministries, public administration, national and international agencies and organisations etc.) and the private sector (national and international companies, translation agencies etc.), or as freelance translators and/or interpreters. A great demand for highly skilled and competent translators is also expressed by institutions of the European Union, where English and German represent two of the main working languages. Graduates of the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will acquire subject-specific translation and interpreting kills and become qualified to work as professional translators and/or interpreters. Graduates of the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will also acquire a string of general competences that will enable them to seek employment in various other professional areas and fields. Students enrolled in the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will also have the opportunity to acquire additional skills competences from another field of study through taking elective courses based on personal preference, or by engaging in additional advanced professional training measures. Graduates of the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will be qualified to work as professional translators and/or interpreters for domestic or foreign translation agencies, for domestic public administration institutions, or for European and other international organisations and institutions. Graduates of the single major non-pedagogical postgraduate study programme "Translation and Interpreting" (2nd Bologna cycle - MA) will also be qualified to work in media (as reporters, (TV) presenters, hosts (TV, radio) etc.); publishing (as editors, cultural managers etc.); tourism; advertising (as professionals skilled in intercultural mediation and communication); as language consulatns (as proofreaders of academic, scientific, or specialised texts composed in Slovene and/or German, English or Hungarian); in public relations; in the social or the economic sector; as freelances composing and translating texts for various clients (agencies, companies, institutions, organisations); or as consultants working for cultural institutions (libraries, museums, galleries etc.), which express the demand for employees with German, English, or Hungarian language skills and knowledge about the corresponding cultural environment.

The study programme is based on common obligatory and elective subjects that are connected vertically and horizontally.

The examining and grading system is regulated with the Statute of the University of Maribor: https://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/GlavniDokumenti2013/Statut%20Univerze%20v%20Mariboru%20(NPB%203).pdf and the Rules on Examination and Grading at the University of Maribor, no. A4/2009-41 AG: https://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/GlavniDokumenti2013/Pravilnik%202009.pdf. Accordingly, the methods and forms of examining and grading knowledge in the curricula are defined for each individual study unit of an individual study programme. Methods of continuous examining and grading of knowledge are encouraged, enabling students to continuously monitor their own progress and assess their acquired knowledge and skills. Depending on the individual study units and the order of their implementation, the individual obligations of students are mutually coordinated in such a way that some study units require more continuous work, others a greater deal of independent research work (preparation of a quality seminar paper); some units are completed with written or oral exams. All curricula are publicly published in the catalogue of Bologna subjects: https://aips.um.si/PredmetiBP5/main.asp In addition, students have access to AIPS UM (Academic Information Subsystem of the University of Maribor), which provides insight into the activities of individual students (exam records, detailed insight into the number of exam attempts and all completed and uncompleted obligations).

According to the definition of scientific research content, the single- specialization 2nd level degree study program Translation and Interpretation is belongs one ofamong the humanities. The role of the programme in the development of the country derives primarily from the very nature of translation as a humanistic study and manifests itself as a response to the growing globalization processes in modern society: on the one hand, the study programme underlines the Slovene language as the mother tongue, national language, and official language, as well as emphasisingzes its role as a fundamental aspect of national identity. The study programme enables a narrow and specialized master's study, in which students are trained for to become becoming translators and interpreters. The need to create a programme arises from the role and position of translators and interpreters in modern society and from intensive contacts between individual speaking areas in many fields such as politics, economics, law, cooperation in the EU, and other international organizations, etc. Recently, globalization and related social changes have modified the field and way methods of work of translators and interpreters. Translation and interpreting has become a highly complex activity that takes place in a variety of translation and interpretation environments. Therefore, the broader goal of the study programme is oriented to offer students both in-depth scientific and practical education;, and its narrower goal is to provide knowledge in the field of translation and/or interpretation from English, German, Hungarian, and Croatian into Slovene and from Slovene into these mentioned languages. The aim of the study programme is for students to acquire theoretical knowledge in the field of translation, linguistics, and cultural-specific contents related to current topics about the Slovene language as their mother tongue. Related to this is another objective of the study programme, - to prepare graduates for independent and in-depth scientific work within the framework of a possible doctoral study. All the knowledge mentioned so far also represents an important foundation for upgrading knowledge in the field of translation and interpretation, which is the main objective of the study programme. The latter includes special knowledge, skills, and abilities brought about by targeted work with the mother tongue and the chosen foreign language/selected foreign languages, taking into account modern contrastive methods of language teaching, pragmatic dimensions of their use, and of course intensive training of communication skills, and transmission and knowledge about translation methods and strategies, and as well as successful wording strategies in each target language when interpreting. A further objective of the study program is to train graduates for interdisciplinary work, as it encourages students' research in the field of translation studies and professional criticism, provides practical knowledge in the field of translation and interpretation, encourages students' initiative and independence, and enables professionalism and ethically responsible student behaviour. The aim of the study programme is also to train students to work also outside the field of translation and interpretation. Namely, the study programme also enables them to acquire special skills that are necessary for functioning in the diverse cultural connection of the modern world. This involves work such as, e.g., proofreading, editorial work, writing texts in a foreign language, etc. Elective courses play an important role in improving specific knowledge in the field of linguistics, literature, and cultural specifics of all four languages and economics, law and international organizations, as the fundamentals for new knowledge and discoveries are right at the crossroads of individual disciplines and sciences. A further objective of the study programme is to enable students to be able to train for translation and interpreting even within a single foreign language and to be able to choose the study of translation and interpreting for the Croatian language. These possibilities represent a special feature of the 2nd level degree study programme Translation and Interpretation in the area of Slovenia. The basic goal of the study programme is to train broad-minded graduates who, due to the included scientific and specific contents, are qualified for independent work in the field of translation studies, translation and interpretation, as well as outside it in various fields of the commercial and non-commercial sectors.

Graduates of the single-specialization 2nd level degree study programme Translation and Interpretation gain a broad view of the profession. The acquired key general competencies provide them with transferable and widely used social and technical competencies. The contents included in the study programme train graduates for autonomous learning and improvement, which is essential for translators and/or interpreters when entering the market and staying remaining there. Graduates also develop the ability to anticipate solutions, perform an analysis and synthesis, and link all interdisciplinary content interdisciplinary and transfer theoretical knowledge into practice. Their lifelong learning abilities are strengthened. Furthermore, they are committed to professional ethics, develop communication skills for tolerant and correct professional discourse, acquire social competencies (networking in their own professional work, developing the ability to constructively participate in group work and cooperation between among groups, responsibility) and technical competencies (the use of communication and information technologies, research). They master the research methods of translation studies and understand and use analytical and synthetic thinking, which is important for understanding written and spoken professional texts in the mother tongue and foreign language. An integral part of the programme is also practical training in the work environment of a translator and/or interpreter.

Subject-specific competencies ensure the qualification of students for quality professional counselling and independent work in the field of translation and interpretation for Slovene, German, English, Hungarian, and Croatian, prepare them for further study and motivate them for the ability of independent lifelong learning. The subject-specific competencies that students acquire can be divided into research, general subject-specific, intercultural competencies, competencies in the field of translation and interpretation, and information technology. Research competencies: ability to search and use scientific literature, ability to independently organize and acquire knowledge and skills, ability to analytically anticipate solutions and consequences, independent assessment and formation of more demanding professional and scientific knowledge. General subject-specific competences: integration of acquired problem-solving skills, especially those arising in intercultural communication situations, transfer of theoretical communication and translation studies models into understanding and their solution on regarding examples of good practice, understanding of language communication as situational, social and cultural interactive activities, ability to connect acquired knowledge with new ones and include them for solving problems in new situations;, ability for independent work and group work;, ability for social interaction to solve complex professional problems;, ability to use successful communication strategies (written and oral expression) in the mother tongue and foreign languages;, successful oral and written communication in a professional (foreign) language at a high level. Intercultural competences: sensitivity to culturally conditioned differences, sense of cognitive and culturally acquired aesthetic and ethical values and plurality, ability to understand the historically grounded complexity of individual social phenomena, knowledge and understanding of inter-lingual or intercultural mediation processes, framework analysis and evaluation of individual segments of Slovene and foreign cultural history. Competences in the field of translation and interpreting: solving translation and interpreting problems facing real requirements, ability to analysze different textual styles to improve translation/interpreting processes, awareness and justification of translation decisions within and outside professional circles, exercising ethical issues of translation and duties in carrying out a successful translation or interpretation process from acceptance of the order to submitting a translation or perform an interpretation, use of basic and specialized language manuals, ability to translate/interpret general, literary and professional texts, use of appropriate translation strategies and translation tools and interpretation strategies and technical means (interpretation booths). Competences in the field of information technology: professional and information literacy, use of information technology (knowledge of methods and procedures for obtaining and processing linguistic and other information necessary for the translation process on the Internet), design of documents and websites, design and processing of databases, managing translation tools and technical means for interpretation.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme in Translation and Interpreting: 1. A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in the field of language acquisition – translation and interpreting in vertically coherent language options: English/German/Hungarian/Croatian (0231). 2. A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in a field not specified under point 1. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 12 ECTS credits under the 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme, a supplementary study programme, or by taking bridging exams: Translating – Interpreting options: Translation 3 (3 ECTS), Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). Translation – Translation options: Translation 3 (first language option; 3 ECTS), Translation 3 (second language option; 3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). Interpreting – Interpreting options: Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (first language option; 3 ECTS), Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (second language option; 3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). 3. An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in any field. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 12 ECTS credits under the 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme, a supplementary study programme, or by taking bridging exams: Translating – Interpreting options: Translation 3 (3 ECTS), Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). Translation – Translation options: Translation 3 (first language option; 3 ECTS), Translation 3 (second language option; 3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). Interpreting – Interpreting options: Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (first language option; 3 ECTS), Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting (second language option; 3 ECTS), Slovene for Students of Other Languages 1 (3 ECTS), and Slovene for Students of Other Languages 3 (3 ECTS). 4. An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in the field of language acquisition – translation and interpreting in vertically coherent language options: English/German/Hungarian/Croatian (0231). Candidates are typically awarded 60 ECTS credits and may enrol in the second year of study provided they satisfy the transfer criteria laid down in the accredited study programme. 5. An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in a field not specified under point 4. Candidates are typically awarded 10-20 ECTS credits and may enrol in the corresponding year of study. 6. A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in the field of language acquisition – translation and interpreting in vertically coherent language options: English/German/Hungarian/Croatian (0231). Candidates are typically awarded 60 ECTS credits and may enrol in the second year of study provided they satisfy the transfer criteria laid down in the accredited study programme. 7. A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in a field not specified under point 6. Candidates are typically awarded 10-20 ECTS credits and may enrol in the corresponding year of study.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available enrolment places, candidates shall be ranked according to: 1) Grade point average including the thesis (if the thesis is not required for completion of the study programme, only the grade point average shall be considered): 50%. 2) Depending on the selected study option, grade awarded for the examination: 50%. a) Interpreting – Interpreting options: Average grade in Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting for both selected language options. b) Translation – Translation options: Average grade in Translation 3 for both selected language options. c) Translation – Interpreting options: Average grade in Translation 3 for the translation language option and Introduction to Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting for the interpreting language option.

Transfers between programmes are possible in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes (UL RS 14/19). Applicants who meet conditions for enrolment in the proposed programme and the conditions for transfer between programmes will be told what year they may enrol in and what missing course units they must complete if they wish to conclude their studies under the new programme. Transfers are possible between programmes: – which guarantee the acquisition of comparable competences on completion and between which at least half the course units under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the first study programme relating to compulsory units of the second study programme may be recognised under the criteria for recognising knowledge and skills acquired prior to enrolment in the programme.

In the 2nd level degree study programme Translation and Interpreting, students can may have recognized the knowledge and skills acquired before enrollment in various forms of formal education, which the student proves with certificates and other documents. The scope and content of the submitted work are evaluated according to the ECTS system up to a maximum of 10 ECTS, which can replace the obligations under the set master's study programme Translation and Interpreting. Based on the individual applications of students, the Department of Translation Studies decides on the professional suitability of recognized knowledge and skills. Knowledge acquired in the framework of lifelong learning in the fields of English, German, Hungarian and Slovene language and literature is recognized in full without limitation of the total number of ECTS, provided that the subjects are in accordance with the curriculum of the 2nd level degree studies and/or in accordance with certain additional study obligations. Applications for the recognition of knowledge and skills that are recognized to students on the basis of research assignments, scientific articles in recognized scientific journals, professional studies obtained before enrollment in the program, will be considered by the Faculty of Arts in accordance with the regulations. The candidate submits an application for the recognition of knowledge and skills to the Commission for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Arts. The Commission than seeks the opinion of the Department of Translation Studies and then issue a decision in accordance with the proposal of the Department of Translation Studies.

The student completes the single-specialization study programme when they complete all obligations set by the study programme in the amount of 120 ECTS. The student must pass all exams and prepare and defend a master's thesis within the master's seminar, as specified in the curriculum.