The Senate of Maribor University discussed the study programme and adopted it at its meeting on 25. 10. 2005. On 18. 11. 2005, the Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia granted accreditation in the procedure of introducing the study programme.

Master of Agricultural economics can continue his/her study at the doctoral level offered by domestic or foreign educational institutions. The most successful students who are especially interested in scientific research can continue their studies for two additional years and obtain a doctoral degree or can transfer directly to a uniform doctoral study programme.

The 2nd cycle (Master's) Bologna study programme "Agricultural economics" provides graduates with a wide range of employment possibilities for taking up important positions in the agricultural sector and its related fields. Graduates acquire skills and capacity to perform individual research work, educational activities and agricultural supervisory services, to manage production and to co-operate in public administration activities.

Grade Percentage Performance Excellent (10) 91 – 100% An exceptional/outstanding performance Very good (9) 81 – 90% A very good performance Very good (8) 71 – 80% A good/above average performance Good (7) 61 – 70% An adequate performance with shortcomings Sufficient (6) 51 – 60% A barely acceptable performance

The graduates will obtain all the necessary knowledge, experience and basic agro-economic principles to participate in any activity connected to agriculture and the production of healthy food. They will also obtain knowledge on developing the field. The study program is specifically oriented towards independent research. The graduates will further obtain: - the ability to tackle real life problems in agro-economic analysis by using standard scientific methods and procedures, - the ability to connect the obtained knowledge from different fields, develop skills and competences in using interdisciplinary knowledge in professional and scientific fields, - the ability to use information and communication technology and systems in agro-economy, - the ability to work in accordance with the ethics of social responsibility.

The graduates will obtain all the necessary knowledge, experience and basic agro-economic principles to participate in any activity connected to agriculture and the production of healthy food. They will also obtain knowledge on developing the field. The study program is specifically oriented towards independent research. The graduates will further obtain: - the ability to tackle real life problems in agro-economic analysis by using standard scientific methods and procedures, - the ability to connect the obtained knowledge from different fields, develop skills and competences in using interdisciplinary knowledge in professional and scientific fields, - the ability to use information and communication technology and systems in agro-economy, - the ability to work in accordance with the ethics of social responsibility.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 2nd-cycle (master's) study programme in Agricultural Economics: – A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in one of the following fields: agriculture, forestry and fishery (08), business, administration and law (04), economics (0311), personal services not further defined (1010), hotel, restaurants and catering (1013), travel, tourism and leisure (1015), personal services not elsewhere classified (1019). – A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in a field not specified in the previous paragraph. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 30 ECTS credits under the 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) academic study programme in Agriculture and Environment and the 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) professional study programme in Management in Agrifood Chain and Rural Development: Mathematics (5 ECTS), Biometrics I (4 ECTS), Farm Management I (6 ECTS), Marketing in Agri-Food Chain (5 ECTS), Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics and Marketing (6 ECTS), and Decision-Making Theory (4 ECTS). – An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: agriculture, forestry and fishery (08), business, administration and law (04), or economics (0311). – An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in a field not specified in the previous paragraph. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 30 ECTS credits under the undergraduate academic study programme in Agriculture and Environment and the undergraduate professional study programme in Management in Agrifood Chain and Rural Development: Mathematics (5 ECTS), Biometrics I (4 ECTS), Farm Management I (6 ECTS), Marketing in Agri-Food Chain (5 ECTS), Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics and Marketing (6 ECTS), and Decision-Making Theory (4 ECTS). – An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: agriculture, forestry and fishery (08), business, administration and law (04), or economics (0311). Candidates are 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. – An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in a field not specified in the previous paragraph. Candidates are awarded 30 ECTS credits and may enrol in the corresponding year of study. – A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: agriculture, forestry and fishery (08), business, administration and law (04), or economics (0311). Candidates are 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. – A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in a field not specified in the previous paragraph. Candidates are awarded 30 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 grade point average including the thesis (100%). If the thesis is not required for completion of the study programme, only the grade point average shall be considered (100%).

Candidates may transfer between study programmes in accordance with the Higher Education Act, Criteria for Transferring Between Study Programmes and other rules. In accordance with the Criteria for Transferring Between Study Programmes, candidates may enrol: - in the second year of the 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme in Agricultural Economics if they have ceased their studies in the previous study programme and will continue them under a new study programme at the same level, or if a higher education graduate is enrolling in a new study programme at the same level. Candidates may transfer from study programmes in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary (08). Candidates may transfer to the study programme provided they fulfil the following criteria: - criteria for enrolment in the first year of the 2nd-cycle study programme in Agricultural Economics; - they are transferring from a study programme leading to the acquisition of comparable competences or learning outcomes; - at least half of the study obligations evaluated according to the ECTS credit system of the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the new study programme are recognised. The transfer shall be addressed by a competent senate committee of the faculty where the candidate intends to continue his studies.

A student completes the study programme when all obligations of the programme are fulfilled, when the master’s thesis is successfully defended and when at least 120 ECTS are collected altogether.