Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education on 19th of December 2024 isued the decision about accreditation of uniform master study program Pharmacy.

According to Article 85 of the UM Statutes (Official Journal of the Republic of Slovenia, No.100/2023 -UPB14), students are enrolled in higher years if they have fulfilled all the obligations stipulated by the study programme and the UM Statutes. A student who has not fulfilled all the requirements may be granted admission to a higher year by the Student Affairs Committee of a member university, at their request, if they have fulfilled more than half of the requirements, if they have not been able to fulfil the requirements for justifiable reasons, and if it is expected that they will fulfil the requirements by the deadline set by the Committee. In order to advance to the next higher year, the student must have completed the requirements of the following courses: ADVANCEMENT FROM 1st TO 2nd YEAR: In order to advance to the 2nd year, the student must complete the study requirements prescribed by the programme and the curriculum in the extent of 55 ECTS for the 1st year and pass the following examinations: Introduction to Pharmacy and Legislation, Mathematics and Biostatistics, Biophysics, Cell Biology, General and Inorganic Chemistry, Anatomy with Histology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Introduction to biologics and biosimilars. ADVANCEMENT FROM 2nd to 3rd YEAR: In order to advance in the 3nd year, the student must complete all the study requirements of the 1st year and requirements prescribed by the programme and the curriculum in the extent of 55 ECTS for the 2nd year and pass the following examinations: Physiology with Foundations of Pathophysiology, Microbiology, Pharmaceutic Chemistry I., Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutic Technology I. General Pharmacology, and Physical Pharmacy. ADVANCEMENT FROM 3rd to 4th YEAR: In order to advance in the 3nd year, the student must complete all the study requirements of the 2nd year and requirements prescribed by the programme and the curriculum in the extent of 54 ECTS for the 3nd year and pass the following examinations: Special Pharmacology, Pharmaceutic Chemistry II., Pathology, Pharmaceutical Technology II., Quantitative and Qualitative Instrumental Analysis, Social Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, Drug Stability, Pharmacognosy, and elective courses 1 and 2. ADVANCEMENT FROM 4th to 5th YEAR: In order to advance in the 5nd year, the student must complete all the study requirements of the 3rd year and requirements prescribed by the programme and the curriculum in the extent of 54 ECTS for the 4th year and pass the following examinations: Clinical Biochemistry, Analysis and Control of Drugs, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy I., Pharmacotherapy II., Nutraceutics and Functional Nutrition, Industrial Pharmacy, and elective courses 5–8.

Unified Master’s Study Programme Pharmacy does not predict conditions for completing individual parts of the programme.

Future graduates of the study programme Pharmacy will complete their studies with all the necessary competencies to pass the professional examination and thus be directly employable in public and private pharmacies. Due to the complementarity with other programmes, such as chemistry and chemical engineering, general medicine, dental medicine, nursing, etc., as well as the involvement in the clinical environment (e.g. UMC MB, etc.), and on the basis of the close cooperation of the two faculties with the pharmaceutical industry (Lek d.d., Marifarm d.o.o.), graduates of the programme will have the possibility of employment in all the above-mentioned fields. They will also be able to look for additional employment opportunities more widely, as the acquired competencies will be suitable for work in other industries related to the programme content, such as diagnostic laboratories, national laboratories for health protection, clinically oriented development institutions and other companies active in the field of health care.

The criteria and methods for checking and assessing student learning outcomes are publicly published and are implemented in accordance with the approved curriculum, course syllabuses and course information. The assessment system is regulated in accordance with the UM Statutes (https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20230930_Statut-Univerze-v-Mariboru-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB-14.pdf ) and the Rules on Examination and Grading of the University of Maribor as amended and supplemented (https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pravilnik-o-preverjanju-in-ocenjevanju-znanja-na-Univerzi-v-Mariboru-stev.-A4-2009-41-AG-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB1.pdf), both publicly available documents. Learning outcomes are defined by curricula. These are publicly published and accessible to everyone. They can be accessed on the moja.UM portal under the individual study programme: https://moja.um.si/studijski-programi/Strani/default.aspx?jezik=S . Each course description defines in detail how students will be assessed and what their obligations will be. In this way, students can compare or check the content and levels of knowledge of specific courses on the basis of the publicly published syllabus content. Teachers and staff encourage students to work on their own, to check their knowledge on a regular basis throughout the study process, thus enabling them to monitor their own progress in their studies. Students are also verbally informed of the criteria and methods of assessment at the start of the course. In the light of the analysis of the pedagogical process and the evaluation of the programme, the curricula are updated accordingly, where the literature, assessment and teaching methods are updated. New elective subjects are also introduced in the light of trends and innovations. The performance of students in fulfilling the obligations of the study programme is determined by examination and assessment of knowledge, which is the basis for obtaining grades and credits in the individual courses of the study programme and for the progression of students and their path to further study, and at the same time provides students with feedback on the level of their acquired knowledge. The analysis of the examinations for each academic year is also included in the preparation of the self-evaluation report, and the analysis of the examinations is previously discussed by the Student Affairs Committee and the Senate of the MF, which also includes the students. The results of the examinations are entered in the official electronic record of the Academic Information Subsystem (AIPS). The results may be entered by the examiner who has access to the list of examinees or by the Student Affairs Office within 2 working days of receipt of the completed examination reports signed by the examiner. Examination records shall be filed in the student's personal file or in special records containing the results of examinations. The results and grades of the written examinations are published on the MF UM e-notice board no later than 8 days after the written examination, in compliance with the legislation on the protection of personal data. The student has the right to access the written examination within 30 days from the date on which the grade was published. The student's performance in examinations, colloquia and other forms of assessment shall be assessed by positive and negative grades. Positive marks are excellent (10), good (9 and 8), good (7), pass (6). Negative grades range from 1 to 5. The Senate of the University of Maribor has also adopted a recommended uniform grading scale with detailed descriptions of the individual grades, which can be found at: https://moja.um.si/student/Documents/Predlog%20ocenjevalne%20lestvice_oktober_2014.docx The examination periods are published in the publicly available study calendar for each study year, and are divided into three examination periods - winter examination period - summer examination period - autumn examination period

Main objectives of the study programme Pharmacy: 1. to acquire well-rounded knowledge, develop skills and abilities to understand and apply scientific, theoretical and practical knowledge in a practical environment, and develop the ability to carry out research work in a broader field of pharmaceutical and related sciences; 2. to prepare future graduates to take responsibility in managing the most complex work systems and processes, with the ability to solve problems in new or irregular situations, in broader or multi-disciplinary contexts related to pharmacy; 3. that upon completion of their studies, the graduate is able to develop critical reflection, formulate and transfer information appropriately in management of teamwork, including in interdisciplinary teams involving experts from different fields of healthcare, natural sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities, in the broader spectrum of healthcare and/or the development and production of new medicines.

Pharmacy students will develop general competencies that are transferable to other related (e.g. chemistry and chemical technology, pharmaceutical engineering) or seemingly less related fields (e.g. organisational sciences and humanities). The latter is mirrored through the expected acquired skills and competencies as well as the attitude towards fellow human beings. As part of their studies and practical training, students will acquire: - Professional expertise through the study of theoretical and methodological concepts; - The ability to transfer and apply theoretical knowledge into practice and to identify needs for further education; - Skills to deal with professional and work-related tasks efficiently and correctly, in an organised manner, including searching for new sources of knowledge and use of scientific methods; - Skills to follow workplace systems, e.g.: standardised procedures, protocols, regulations, quality system assurance; - The ability to identify and define problems at work by being involved in resolving the issues and providing possible solutions; - The ability to communicate within and across disciplines, to work cooperatively and as part of a team (including interdisciplinary teams of professionals from different disciplines in health sciences, natural sciences and social sciences); - Effective and polite communication with individuals from different fields; - Professional criticism and responsibility, initiative and autonomy in decision-making and in managing the most complex work, and honouring confidentiality; - To develop a keen sense of empathy for one’s fellow man in health and in illness, while understanding the impact of different social and economic circumstances on one's position in society. The study programme focuses on: - the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge, knowledge analysis and synthesis, - the development of communication skills, - working in an international environment; - using interdisciplinary connections to solve complex problems; - ethical commitment to the profession and professional ethics; and - acquiring knowledge of ethics in pharmacy and, in a broader sense, healthcare.

The subject-specific competencies acquired by the future graduate are in line with the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC (and as amended in 2013/55/EU), and reflect the needs of the modern professional from the field of pharmacy. The competencies acquired by future graduates of Pharmacy will be crucial for the successful transfer of acquired knowledge into practice, i.e. in pharmacies, clinical settings or R&D laboratories. As defined in Directive 2005/36/EC (and as amended in 2013/55/EU), persons qualified as pharmacists "are specialised professionals in the field of medicinal products". Therefore, the training of students in this study programme will provide the following key subject-specific competencies, knowledge and skills: - knowledge of basic sciences that are the fundamentals of pharmacy, such as plant and animal biology, physics, general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, general and applied biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, technical terminology, pharmacognosy; - basic knowledge and practical skills for quality execution of pharmaceutical care in the treatment of disease with medicines and medical devices and in the prevention and early detection of disease, including knowledge of pharmacotherapy, clinical pharmacy, clinical biochemistry, pathology, clinical nutrition, clinical pharmacology; - thorough knowledge of medicinal products and the substances used in their manufacture, including knowledge of pharmaceutical chemistry, analysis and control, quality of medicinal products, industrial pharmacy and the development of nutraceuticals or food supplements; - understanding of the processes of modern technologies in pharmaceutical practice, such as physical, chemical, biological and microbiological testing of medicinal products, including knowledge of quality control and stability of medicinal products; - comprehensive understanding of metabolism and effects of medicinal products and the action and use of toxic substances, covered the field of pharmacology with toxicology, - the ability to analyse scientific data related to medicines critically and based on evidence through knowledge of how to find relevant information and evidence, how to critically assess it, and how to evaluate the socio-economic aspects of treatment, which includes skills in biomedical informatics and social pharmacy; - knowledge of ethical and legal aspects of the pursuit of pharmacy and the ability to comply with professional standards and legislation in decision-making and action, including knowledge of current national and European legislation; - knowledge of preventive pharmacy and health promotion programmes through knowledge of pharmacy and hospital pharmacy; - understanding of scientific methods and awareness of the importance of a continuous professional development through involvement in professional and scientific research work; - knowledge of the preparation of magistral preparations and galenical products (including under special conditions of manufacture), which is facilitated by pharmacy practice. According to Directive 2005/36/EC (and as amended in 2013/55/EU), the graduate of this study programme will be granted a formal qualification with the right of access to the following activities (subject to additional professional experience requirements): - preparing pharmaceutical dosage forms of medicines; - the manufacture and testing of medicinal products; - testing of medicinal products in a drug testing laboratory; - storage, warehousing and wholesale distribution of medicinal products; - preparation, testing, storage and supply of medicinal products in public pharmacies; - preparation, testing, storage and dispensing of medicinal products in hospitals; - participation in the treatment process under the supervision of a doctor and advising on self-medication and pharmaceutical care (assessing the seriousness of the patient's problems, deciding on the type of advice to be given); - carrying out all activities involving the prevention, implementation and control of pharmacy activities; - information and advice on medicines.

An applicant for enrolment to the unified master’s study programme Pharmacy is an individual a) who passed the General Matura examination, b) who passed – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Pharmacy Technician and a General Matura exam in Chemistry OR Physics OR – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Chemistry Technician and a General Matura exam in Biology OR – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Veterinary or Cosmetic Technician and a General Matura exam in Physics. The chosen General Matura course must not be a course that the candidate has already passed in the Vocational Matura examination. c) who passed any 4-year secondary school programme before 1.6.1995

In case of passed resolution in the event of limited enrolment, candidates from point a) shall be selected based on • overall success at General Matura (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40% of points), • success at individual subjects from General Matura: biology, biotechnology, physics or chemistry (20% of points); candidates from point b) shall be selected based on • overall success at Vocational Matura (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40% of points), • success at it the course from General Matura (20% of points). Candidates from point c) shall be selected based on • overall success at final exam (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40% of points), • success at a subject from final exam: biology, biotechnology, physics or chemistry, or in the last year of secondary school that the course was held (20% of points).

Transfers between programmes are possible in accordance with the Higher Education Act, the Criteria for Transitions between Study Programmes and other regulations. According to the criteria for transitions, the UMS programme Pharmacy is open to candidates who are transferring from a study programme which, at the end of their studies, provides for the acquisition of comparable competencies or learning outcomes and, at the time of transfer, is recognised for at least half of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) requirements from the first study programme that are related to the compulsory courses of the second study programme. Anyone may apply who: 1. Meets the conditions for enrolment in the 1st year of the UMS programme Pharmacy, i. e: a) those who passed the General Matura examination, b) those who passed: – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Pharmacy Technician and a General Matura exam in Chemistry or Physics – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Chemistry Technician and a General Matura exam in Biology – Vocational Matura examination within the secondary school programme Veterinary or Cosmetic Technician and a General Matura exam in Physics. The chosen General Matura course must not be a course that the candidate has already passed in the Vocational Matura examination. c) who passed any 4-year secondary school programme 6. 1.6.1995 2. has successfully completed the first year of the same level study programme from the fields of medicine, dentistry or pharmacy (all 60 ECTS), In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in Study Programmes of the UM No. 012-2019-2, the candidate must provide the following information to the faculty: • application for recognition of knowledge and skills at UM, • a certificate of completion of the study requirements with the grades obtained and the number of credits, • the approved curricula according to which the knowledge has been acquired, • a receipt for payment for the procedure. Selection criteria Candidates from point a) shall be selected based on • overall success at General Matura (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year (40% of points), • success at individual subjects from General Matura: biology, biotechnology, physics or chemistry (20% of points); candidates from point b) shall be selected based on • overall success at Vocational Matura (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year (40% of points) • success at individual Matura exam (20% of points), Candidates from point c) shall be selected based on • overall success at final exam (40% of points), • overall success in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40% of points), • success at a subject from final exam: biology, biotechnology, physics or chemistry, or in the last year of secondary school that the course was held (20% of points). When transferring from one study programme to another, the candidate may have completed the study obligations recognised, taking into account the content, scope and complexity of the knowledge of the new programme, and be assigned new requirements to complete in order to graduate in the new study programme.

In the course of their studies, students may have knowledge, skills or competencies acquired recognised prior to enrolment: - formally acquired knowledge and skills are those acquired in the context of educational and higher education institutions and demonstrated by various publicly valid certificates and diplomas, which confirm a publicly valid level of education or qualification of the candidates. - informally acquired are those skills and competencies acquired by candidates within or outside educational and higher education institutions, as evidenced by certificates of acquired knowledge or skills (courses, workshops, seminars, etc.). The basic criterion for recognition or non-recognition is the comparability of knowledge acquired elsewhere with the courses, skills and competencies of the UMS programme Pharmacy. The recognition process is based on the Rules on on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in Study Programmes of the University of Maribor No. 012/2019/2 https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pravilnik-o-priznavanju-znanj-in-spretnosti-v-studijskih-programih-UM-st.-012-2019-2.pdf

In order to complete the study, the student must complete all the requirements set out in the study programme and the curricula of the courses, totalling 300 ECTS. The completion of the study is conditional upon successful completion of practical training in the Pharmacy Practice; the student must also complete research work for the master's thesis, write and defend it before a committee appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UM.