During its 4th regular session on 17 June 2010, the Council of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education – NAKVIS officially accredited the single discipline postgraduate study programme "Geography" (3rd Bologna cycle - PhD), implemented by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor, Slomškov trg 15, SI-2000 Maribor, in accordance with Article 51h and chapter 2 of Article 23 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 – U-I-370/06-20 and 15/08- Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia: U-I-370/06-20, 64/08, 86/09), and with reference to Article 2 of the valid Rules of Procedure of the Accreditation Senate (Pravila o delu Senata za akreditacijo) and article 2 of the Criteria for the Accreditation and External Evaluation of Higher Education Institutions and Study Programmes (Merila za akreditacijo in zunanjo evalvacijo visokošolskih zavodov in študijskih programov – Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 101/04). During its 40th regular session on 29 January 2019, the Senate of the University of Maribor confirmed the change in the duration of studies from three to four years.

To advance from the first to the second year, the student must complete the compulsory subjects and the obligations of the year in the amount of at least 54 ECTS. To advance from the second to the third year, the student must complete all the obligations of the first year and the obligations of the second year in the amount of at least 54 ECTS. To advance from the third to the fourth year, the student must complete all obligations of the second year and obligations from the third year in the amount of at least 57 ECTS. Advancing with missing requirements At the request of the student, the Commission for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor may exceptionally approve their advancement to the next year. This enrolment is granted to a student who could not fulfil the obligations for justified reasons, defined in the "Instructions for the assessment of student applications and justified reasons in accordance with Articles 85, 121 and 214 of the Statute of the University of Maribor, published on the University of Maribor website", and has fulfilled the set-out obligations of the previous years and obligations in the amount of more than 30 ECTS of the year they are enrolled in, if they are expected to fulfil other obligations. Repeating the year A student who does not meet the conditions for advancing to the next year and has not yet repeated a year or changed their study programme may re-enrol in the same year. Repeating the year may exceptionally be allowed by the Commission for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor to a student who has regularly participated in all forms of higher education work set out in the study programme and completed obligations in the amount of less than 30 and not less than 15 ECTS of the year they are currently enrolled in, defined in the "Instructions for the assessment of student applications and justified reasons in accordance with Articles 85, 121 and 214 of the Statute of the University of Maribor are published on the website of the University of Maribor". The student can repeat the year once during the study. The student can also advance faster if they meet the conditions for such advancement, which are stated in the Statute of the University of Maribor. The student can study in several study programs under the conditions specified in more detail in the Statute of the University of Maribor. Repeating the year, advancing with missing requirements, and extending the student status are defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor.

The programme does not contain parts that can be completed individually.

Graduates of the 3rd Bologna cycle – PhD study programme "Geography" will acquire broad knowledge in the theory and methodology related and specific to Geography. Their specialist skills and competences will qualify them for a professional career in many different areas and fields in the economic sector, but particularly in fields such as spatial planning, environmental protection, intellectual entrepreneurship and project management. The study programme "Geography" (3rd Bologna cycle – PhD) provides students with specialist knowledge, skills and competences as well as with advanced methodological competences in the fields of spatial planning and environmental protection. In addition, graduates of this study programme will acquire advanced knowledge, skills and competences that will enable them to conduct sound research in the fields of the Humanities and Social and Behavioural Sciences, and to conduct subject-specific developmental and planning activities. Graduates of this study programme will also acquire comprehensive specialist theoretical knowledge and methodical-methodological skills that will enable them to successfully recognize, assess and resolve Geography-specific problems, and that will enable them to engage in and supervise research, developmental and academic project activities. Graduates of the 3rd Bologna cycle – PhD study programme "Geography" will acquire broad knowledge in the theory and methodology related and specific to Geography that will also qualify them for a professional career in the non-economic sector, particularly in administration, libraries, statistical offices, institutes and institutions devoted to spatial planning, in publishing, as intellectual entrepreneurs or as project managers. The study programme "Geography" (3rd Bologna cycle - PhD) provides students with specialist knowledge, skills and competences as well as with advanced methodological competences in the fields of spatial planning, environmental protection and tourism. In addition, graduates of this study programme will acquire advanced knowledge, skills and competences that will enable them to conduct sound research in the fields of the Humanities and Social and Behavioural Sciences, and to conduct subject-specific developmental and planning activities. Graduates of this study programme will be qualified to work on research, developmental and academic projects as specialists with advanced knowledge, skills and competences that will enable them to understand theoretical and methodological concepts, to critically assess and reflect on subject-and-problem-specific issues, to critically assess and evaluate data independently and autonomously, to apply theoretical and methodological knowledge for the purposes of solving even the most complex specialist-field-specific problems independently and autonomously, to develop new knowledge and to design new solutions for specialist-field-specific problems, to plan, supervise and manage challenging and demanding systems and operational procedures, and to plan, supervise and manage academic and developmental projects in the domestic and in an international environment. In addition to conducting academic, scientific and specialist work, graduates of this study programme will be qualified to conduct and supervise various activities related to the specialist areas of spatial planning and environmental protection as professional consultants in public and private institutions, as experts in specialist-field-specific media, and as specialist in the service sector. Furthermore, graduates of this study programme will be also qualified to work as education planers in educational and vocational institutions.

Individual subjects and modules included in the 3rd Bologna cycle – PhD study programme "Geography" are oriented towards providing the students with sophisticated, horizontally-connected applied specialist knowledge, skills, and competences that will render them capable to conduct and complete complex specialist and academic tasks and thrive within a societal context, associated with spatial planning, environmental protection and subject-specific teaching practice. The programme is divided into two parts: obligatory subjects and elective courses. The obligatory subjects cover the basic Geography-specific fields: Physical Geography, Social Geography, Regional Geography and the Basics of Academic and Specialist Research Work. Elective courses are represented by specialist subjects from individual fields and applied Geography-specific subjects from the fields of School Geography, Physical Geography and Social Geography, as well as subjects from the fields of Environmental Protection, Spatial Planning and Applied Geography. The programme enables the students to select the elective courses freely based on their personal interests and based on the topic of their dissertation. Candidates who decide to focus their studies on Physical Geography are provided with a vast and attractive selection of topic-specific subjects. The same applies for candidates, who choose to focus on Social Geography. The choice of didactic subjects enables the students to orientate their study and research endeavours towards the field of School Geography. Through this, the interested students are provided with the opportunity to establish a continuity with the previous (2nd Bologna cycle – MA) postgraduate subject-specific study programme. The horizontal connectedness between subjects is less distinct. It is observed in the scope of the individual fields of interest (Physical Geography, Social Geography and School Geography). Candidates are provided with the opportunity to select elective courses that are interconnected with regard to (specialist) content (e.g. subjects from the fields of Physical Geography, Social Geography, Regional Geography and Geography-specific Didactics). Vertical connectedness is represented by means of an enhancement of the basic obligatory subjects with advanced elective courses, specific to the topic of the doctoral thesis. The students are free to select from among the available elective courses and thus to a certain degree shape the specialist profile they desire to acquire. The vertical connectedness between the subjects is based on the subjects being geared towards reinforcing and enhancing specialist knowledge emanating from the basic subjects taught throughout the 2nd Bologna cycle – MA study programme. The content conveyed in the scope of the 3rd Bologna cycle – PhD programme is based on curricula enhanced with more intricate and detailed content. During the 2nd semester of the 1st year of studies and during the 3rd and 4th semester of the 2nd year of studies, the students are obligated to complete individual research work. The content of the individual research work must be focused on the dissertation topic. Students can also complete their obligatory individual research work within the scope of a department-lead research project. The candidates may choose the mentor that shall supervise their individual research work on their own. The 3rd year of studies is dedicated entirely to the completion of the doctoral thesis.

The examining and grading system is regulated with the Statute of the University of Maribor: http://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Akti%20univerze%20v%20Mariboru/Uradno-10.pdf and the Rules on Examination and Grading at the University of Maribor, no. A4/2009-41 AG and its amendments: http://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Strani/studij-na-um.aspx. 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. All curricula are published on the web link: http://www.ff.um.si/studenti/studijski-programi/ and 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. In order to achieve good study results, the study progress of students of the programme Geography is monitored individually: (1) with intensive communication and counselling provided by the holders of individual courses; (2) with intensive communication and counselling, which is carried out by the intended mentor of the doctoral thesis and is carried out within the framework of individual research work.

The study programme is intended for the acquisition of postgraduate education in accordance with Article 33 of the ZVIS (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 119/2006). Main objectives of the study programme: - training of personnel who will be able to maintain and transfer knowledge in the field of geography and to critically evaluate the achievements of the science of geography, - training of personnel who will be able to create and develop new knowledge in the field of geography, new research methods and new forms of knowledge transfer to users, - training of personnel who will be able to identify and, using scientific methods and ethical principles, evaluate the phenomenon under consideration, - training of personnel who will be qualified for research work in the field of applied and school geography after the completion of the study programme.

Through the programme, the candidates acquire the following general competencies: - Ability to understand theoretical and methodological concepts in the field of geography and related sciences - Ability to develop critical reflection about one's own work and the work of others and to independently and critically evaluate sources and literature - Ability to independently use theoretical and methodological knowledge in dealing with demanding topics - Ability to plan and manage demanding work procedures and research projects - Ability to transfer theoretical knowledge into practice, evaluate one's own practice, and develop new theoretical concepts, - Ability to use and develop research methods and create new knowledge - Ability to communicate with geography experts and experts from other fields in the domestic and international environments, - Professional criticism, responsibility, and initiative, - Ability to ethically reflect on the results of research work and to establish standards of professional ethics.

The candidates acquire the following subject-specific competencies: - Knowledge of geography, the ability to combine knowledge from different fields and its application in research work, - Mastering geographical research methods and procedures required for independent research in the field of geography, - Ability to participate in the development of school curricula and involvement in research and development activities. - Ability to comprehensively understand and evaluate the landscape, - Ability to identify and evaluate phenomena and processes in society, - Ability to identify ecological and development conflicts and landscape potentials, - Ability to design a regional and geographical representation of the landscape, - Ability to use quantitative methods in research work, - Ability of didactic application and reconstruction of geographical topics, - Ability to analyse and evaluate the pedagogical process, - Ability to effectively lead and direct the pedagogical process, - Understand the functioning of ecosystems, - Ability to geomorphically analyse the landscape, geomorphic processes, and their significance for mankind, - Ability to evaluate the relationship between mankind and the climate, - Ability to analyse and strategically direct economic and demographic development, - Ability to analyse and evaluate the tourist potential of a region, - Ability to identify demographic trends and perform a quantitative evaluation, - Ability to actively participate in spatial and urban planning.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Geography: - A 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme. - An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004. - A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 60 ECTS credits: Population Geography (6 ECTS), Economic Geography (6 ECTS), Social and Cultural Geography (6 ECTS), Ecological Geography (6 ECTS), Geography of Slovenia (6 ECTS), and five elective courses (5 x 6 ECTS). - A study programme educating students for professions regulated by EU directives or another unified (long-cycle) master’s study programme corresponding to 300 ECTS credits. Candidates who completed an equivalent study programme abroad and have their qualifications recognized in the Republic of Slovenia also meet the admission requirements.

In case of limited enrolment, the selection of candidates will be based on the following criteria: - the average study grade (10%) - diploma or master 's thesis grades (10%), and - elective exam (80%). Elective exam obligations can be replaced by professional and scientific work in the amount of 50% of the exam obligations. The main criteria for research work are publications such as: - research monograph, - independent research article in a monograph, - original or reviewed scientific articles in journals with an impact factor (JCR) or in journals indexed in SCI, SSCI, or A&HCI databases, and in journals listed by the criteria of the Faculty of Arts for awarding titles. The main criteria for specialist work are publications such as: - specialist monograph - independent specialist article in a monograph, - published specialist contributions at conferences, - specialist articles and/or peer review of these articles, Editing a monograph or journal, Other forms of documented specialist activity.

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.

The student may have recognized knowledge and skills acquired before enrolment and in various forms of formal or non-formal education, which the student demonstrates with certificates and other documents that show the content and scope of the work in a way that allows evaluation according to ECTS. According to the content and complexity, the recognized knowledge and skills must fully or partially correspond to the general or subject-specific competencies determined by the study programme Geography. Ex. Rules on the recognition of knowledge and skills acquired before enrolment in the study programme: http://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Akti%20univerze%20v%20Marib oru/Pravilnik%20o%20priznavanju%20znanj%20in%20spretnosti,%20pridobljenih%20 pred%20vpisom.pdf.

The student completes their studies when they complete all the obligations included in the programme and collect 240 ECTS, submit a doctoral dissertation and successfully defend it publicly. Before submitting the doctoral dissertation, the student must meet other conditions defined in the Rules on Doctoral Studies of the Doctoral School at the University of Maribor.