On 25 April 2008, the Senate of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor, accredited the third cycle postgraduate study programme titled Organization and Management of Business and Work Systems. On 17 June 2008, the Senate of the University of Maribor accredited the study programme. Based on Article 51 of the Higher Education Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 119/06-UPB3) and based on the Criteria on accreditation of higher education institutions and study programmes ((Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 101/04), the Accreditation Senate of the Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Higher Education delivered a favourable opinion on the study programme at its 15th meeting on 12 March 2009. The study programme was in the course of the accreditation renewal procedure validated April 23, 2015, by the University of Maribor, Senate of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences Kranj, and, after that, September 22, 2015, by the Senate of the University of Maribor, the decision about the study programme accreditation renewal was granted by the Council of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (SQAA) as of February 16, 2017.

In order to progress from the first year of studies into the second year of studies, the students in their Third-Cycle of the Organization and Management of Business and Work Systems Study Programme have to fulfil certain duties along the Study Programme, namely to the extent of 45 ECTS points in their current year of studies, whereas it is mandatory to pass the exam on the subject “Scientific Research of Social Phenomenon” and duties deriving from the individual research work. When progressing from the second year of studies to the third year of studies in the Third-Cycle of the Study Programme, the students have to fulfil duties to the extent of 51 ECTS points of their current year of studies and all the duties deriving from the first year of studies.

At the moment, the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme does not include parts which can be completed singly.

Postdoctoral studies.

Methods of testing knowledge are defined in the each individual course syllabus.

The essential objective of the Business and Work Systems Doctoral Study Programme is to educate outstanding experts for: Understanding of the business environment in terms of business and production system engineering, Independent and prospective research work, In-depth research and generation of new methods of planning, organization, management and control of business and production processes and systems, and evaluation of their broadest applicability, Critical thinking and analytical solving of the most demanding business problems from the aspect of the interest field of study. During their Doctoral studies the students will deepen their knowledge and comprehension of the quality management, system ergonomics, management of business processes and projects, management of product development and technological processes, ecological management, innovation processes, and organization of technological systems.

A graduate of the Business and Work Systems Doctoral Study Programme is a top-expert with theoretical and practical knowledge needed for the research of the management of quality, planning of development and upgrading of the ergonomics system foundations and management of business processes and projects. The PhD student masters the development of products and technological processes, builds and develops the ecological management on the basis of innovation processes, and develops the theory of technological systems` organization. Moreover, the PhD student is also able to take on the most demanding tasks in analysing, planning, designing, developing, and managing of business and work systems, both in the state, non-government as well as the commercial organizations. Doctors of Philosophy from the field of Business and Work Systems are trained to: Identify, analyse, and solve the problems in the field of research, development, and operational work in large, medium-sized and small enterprises, Manage the independent entrepreneurial plans and programmes in large, medium-sized, and small companies, Search and evaluate the business systems’ strategic development opportunities responsibly, Develop, design, construct, and manage the modern managerial research methods in the study in essential, support, and management processes from the information and management aspect, Manage and handle the projects of construction and development of business, organizational and complex work systems, Transfer the theoretical knowledge into everyday practice and the ability to synthesise the knowledge from the field of business and work systems, organization, informatics, and human resources, Develop the standards for a high-quality and professional autonomous work, Anticipate, plan, organize, control, and manage the operation of the business system effectively and efficiently, Use the modern information technologies in the process of management successfully, Develop the communication skills for a successful work in the business and work environments and to analyse the in-depth understanding of relevant relationships in the mentioned environments, Understand the problems of the systems and activities at micro and macro levels and to master the responsive messages of the complex systems. During their studies the PhD students have numerous opportunities for development and research work and for critical confrontation of engineering and business theory with the entrepreneurial practice. Through such manner of study the PhD students are trained simultaneously for both development and research work in the practice and quick taking over of responsible tasks, which enables them to perform even the most demanding research, development, consultant, and other professions in the professional and scientific fields.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Organization and Management of Business and Work Systems: - 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 30 ECTS credits under the 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme: Statistics in Research (7 ECTS), Business and Production Information Systems (8 ECTS), Asset Lifecycle Management (7 ECTS), and Multi-Project Management (8 ECTS). - A study programme educating students for professions regulated by EU directives or another unified (long-cycle) master’s programme corresponding to 300 ECTS credits.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available enrolment places, candidates shall be ranked according to: – grade point average (20%), – grade awarded for the thesis (20%), and – candidate’s bibliography (60%) evaluated in accordance with the Criteria for the Appointment of Faculty Ranks for University Teachers, Researchers and Other Employees in Higher Education (available at https://www.um.si/o-univerzi/dokumentno-sredisce/habilitacije/).

Valid for enrolment from the 2025/26 academic year:
If the number of applications exceeds the number of available enrolment places, candidates shall be ranked according to: – grade point average (20%), – grade awarded for the thesis (20%), and – candidate’s bibliography (60%) evaluated in accordance with the Criteria for the Appointment of Faculty Ranks for University Teachers, Researchers and Other Employees in Higher Education (available at https://www.um.si/o-univerzi/dokumentno-sredisce/habilitacije/ ). If the thesis is not part of a previous course of study, 40% of the average grade is taken into account.

In accordance with the transfer criteria, candidates who completed the following may be admitted to the second year of study of the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Organization and Management of Business and Work Systems: 1. A master of science study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004. Candidates are awarded 60 ECTS credits. 2. A specialisation following an undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004. Candidates are awarded 60 ECTS credits. Candidates may transfer to the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Organization and Management of Business and Work Systems from other 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programmes in the field of natural sciences and mathematics (computer-intensive methods and applications, algorithms, optimization, simulations), engineering and engineering trades (computer science and informatics), or social sciences (economics, management and organization, law) provided they lead to the acquisition of comparable competences or learning outcomes, candidates meet the admission requirements, and there are enough places available. The Faculty’s Academic Affairs Committee decides on the recognition of study obligations and in accordance with the criteria for the recognition of knowledge and skills acquired before enrolment in the study programme recognises 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. Candidates shall submit a printout of the study programme and a certificate of passed exams. The Committee determines study obligations that are to be fulfilled in order to earn a doctoral degree under the new study programme.

Criteria for recognition of knowledge and skills are regulated by Regulations on knowledge and skill recognition in study programmes of the University of Maribor.

Students complete their studies after having fulfilled all the duties envisaged under the Study Programme and written and defended the Doctoral Dissertation successfully and, thus, collected a total of at least 180 ECTS. In accordance with Rules And Regulations On Doctoral Studies At The University Of Maribor, students must publish research papers with the results of research in the field of doctoral dissertation prior to defending of the doctoral dissertation, in the internationally recognized scientific journals indexed in JCR in one of the world languages, as the first author. Candidates for the promotion of doctors of science must meet the conditions set out in article 157 of the UM Statute, as well as the criteria, set out in article 30 of the Rules and Regulations on Doctora?l Studies at the University of Maribor.