The study program was confirmed at the University of Maribor Senate meeting on the 21st of June 2005 and was accepted by the Council for Higher Education of Republic of Slovenia on the 18th of November 2005. The study program was confirmed again at the University of Maribor Senate meeting on the 20th of December 2011 and was accepted by The Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education on the 17th of October 2013.

Students advance to the 2nd study year if they acquire at least 50 ECTS credits by passing the 1st study year exams and if they have passed the exams in the following study subjects: Study course Textile Materials - Organic Chemistry (6 ECTS) - Polymers (6 ECTS) - Analytical Methods in Textile Industry (6 ECTS) - Selected Chapters in Physics (6 ECTS) Study course Engineering Design of Textile Materials - Creative Design (6 ECTS) - Collection Development (6 ECTS) - Computer-aided Design of Textile Products (6 ECTS) - Presentation Techniques and Virtual Catalogues (6 ECTS) Students who do not fulfil all the obligations for advancement may, at their request, be granted enrolment in the 2nd study year by the Commission for Study Affairs of the University Member, if they have fulfilled more than half of the 1st year study obligations (more than 30 ECTS) and completed the above study subjects, but only if they were unable to fulfil the obligations for justified reasons which are determined in the Statute of the University of Maribor, and if it is expected that they will fulfil the obligations. Repetition of the study year: A student who has not fulfilled all the obligations for transition to a higher study year may be granted a repetition of the study year by the Commission for Study Affairs of the University Member, in accordance with the provisions of the Statute of the University of Maribor.

The study programme is comprehensive and does not provide for the completion of individual parts of the programme.

Postgraduate study in the 3rd cycle study programmes at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of University of Maribor or at other higher-education institutions. The candidates can enrol into the 3rd cycle study programmes in accordance with the conditions of the institution that offers the postgraduate study program.

Engineer of the 2nd cycle study programme Design and Textile Materials is qualified for developing new products, processes and technologies, independent management, organisation and management of technical and technological production preparation, management of larger technological processes, leading and taking part in applied research activities, with aim to create new technologies and products, transfer and introduction of new technologies and products as well as applied research results into the industrial working environment.

Information on study programmes offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the UM is available on the website https://www.fs.um.si/studij/studijski-programi/

There are no other obligations.

Examination and assessment of students’ learning outcomes is carried out in accordance with the criteria and methods defined in the Rules on Examination and Assessment of Knowledge at the University of Maribor, available at https://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Strani/studij-na-um.aspx. Criteria and methods of assessing the knowledge within an individual study subject are part of the SUBJECT-SPECIFICation and are publicly available on the website https://aips.um.si/PredmetiBP5/main.asp. For all subjects in all study programmes of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, knowledge assessment is regulated by a single "Assessment Scale" which is available at https://www.fs.um.si/studij/informacije-o-studiju/izpitni-sistem/. Methods of ongoing assessment and evaluation of knowledge are encouraged, thus enabling students to monitor their own progress in their studies.

The restructuring of the Slovenian economy in accordance with the European guidelines for the restructuring of the European textile and clothing industry requires an extended postgraduate study programme supplemented with modern knowledge. The opportunities of the Slovenian textile economy are mainly in highly demanding technologies and materials, which are intended primarily for technical textiles and their specific use. In the clothing industry, knowledge in the field of design, planning and preparation of production will be required. Therefore, we want to achieve the following goals with the postgraduate master's study programme of the 2nd level of Design and Textile Materials: • Create highly educated staff who will be able to change and manage production programmes that represent a perspective for the textile and clothing industry. They need to be able to manage complex technological processes and design products that can be marketed even in demanding global markets. • Enable the connection of theoretical orientation with development trends, new knowledge bases and new research concepts, which is a condition for successful and effective postgraduate study. • Increase the flexibility of the use of information systems and computer technologies, especially with an emphasis on engineering design and new textile materials. • Ensure a continuous and scientifically connected transition to doctoral studies. • Ensure faster integration of master’s students in research and development units of companies of different sizes and in institutes and other economic and scientific centres. • Educate a new type of master's students who will be able to integrate knowledge in the field of high technologies, new materials and design. It is this knowledge that enables the conquest and penetration of textile and clothing products into new market niches which, due to their high complexity, bring higher added value. Based on the acquired knowledge and competencies and qualifications, graduates of the 2nd level master's degree will be able to realize their employment opportunities and careers in the professional field with employment in business or non-commercial sectors, as well as in the scientific field by continuing their studies in the 3rd Bologna cycle.

Students in the postgraduate master's study programme of the 2nd level in Design and Textile Materials acquire the following general competencies: • Knowledge in the field of new technological processes, new textile materials, ecology, computer science and informatics, artistic and engineering design, textile design for interior, design and manufacture of textile products. • Knowledge of the development and placement of one's own idea, inventiveness, folklore tradition. • Fundamentals of engineering economics and issues of environmental protection and operation in other areas related to textile materials and engineering design in textiles. • Guidelines for independent and creative scientific research work. • Ability to analyse, synthesize and predict solutions and consequences. • Mastering research methods, procedures and processes, developing critical and self-critical assessments. • Ability to apply knowledge in practice. • Autonomy in professional work. • Development of communication skills, especially of communication in international environment. • Ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics. • Cooperativeness, group work (also in the international environment).

Students in the postgraduate master's study programme of the 2nd level in Design and Textile Materials acquire the following subject-specific competencies: • Mastering production programmes that represent a perspective for textiles and clothing industry. They need to be able to manage complex technological processes and plan more technologically demanding products that can also be marketed on world markets. • Conquering new technological procedures and processes. • Implementation of other technologies in textile products (intelligent textiles). • Creating new design solutions related to new techniques and high technologies. • Integrated approach to design solutions (ecology, economics, management). • Scientific-research approach in the field of development or improvement of new, high quality products. • Acquisition and application of knowledge in the field of marketing. • Management of demanding technological processes and product design. • Deepening and continuous monitoring of scientific findings in the field of new textile fibres, materials, composites, and modified textile materials. • Scientific research approach in the field of engineering design and textile materials. • Knowledge and understanding of the justifications and history (development) of the basic discipline. • Ability to solve concrete work problems using scientific methods and procedures. • Coherent mastery of basic knowledge, the ability to integrate knowledge from different fields and applications. • Ability to place new information and interpretations in the context of the core discipline. • Understanding the general structure of the core discipline and the connection between its subdisciplines. • Understanding and application of methods of critical analysis and of development of theories and their use in solving concrete work problems. • Development of skills and abilities in the application of knowledge in a specific professional field. • Use of information and communication technology and systems in a specific professional field.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme in Design and Textile Materials: 1. A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in one of the following field: fashion, interior and industrial design (0212), chemistry (0531), chemical engineering and processes (0711), textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) (0723), materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) (0722), or environmental sciences (0521). 2. A 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme in one of the following fields: environmental protection technology (0712), fine arts (0213), or architecture and town planning (0731). Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 27 ECTS credits under the 1 st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme, a supplementary study programme, or by taking bridging exams: Fibreforming polymers (6 ECTS), History and Culture of Dressing (5 ECTS), Drawing and Painting (4 ECTS), Construction of Textiles (6 ECTS), and Basics of Textile Design (6 ECTS). 3. An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: fashion, interior and industrial design (0212), chemistry (0531), chemical engineering and processes (0711), textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) (0723), materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) (0722), or environmental sciences (0521). 4. An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: environmental protection technology (0712), fine arts (0213), or architecture and town planning (0731). Prior to enrolment, candidates shall pass the following courses corresponding to 27 ECTS credits under the 1st-cycle (bachelor’s) study programme, a supplementary study programme, or by taking bridging exams: Fibreforming polymers (6 ECTS), History and Culture of Dressing (5 ECTS), Drawing and Painting (4 ECTS), Construction of Textiles (6 ECTS), and Basics of Textile Design (6 ECTS). 5. An undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: fashion, interior and industrial design (0212), chemistry (0531), chemical engineering and processes (0711), textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) (0723), materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) (0722), or environmental sciences (0521). 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. 6. An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: environmental protection technology (0712), fine arts (0213), or architecture and town planning (0731). Candidates are awarded 45 ECTS credits and may enrol in the corresponding year of study. 7. A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: fashion, interior and industrial design (0212), chemistry (0531), chemical engineering and processes (0711), textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) (0723), materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) (0722), or environmental sciences (0521). 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. 8. A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in one of the following fields: environmental protection technology (0712), fine arts (0213), or architecture and town planning (0731). Candidates are awarded 45 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%).

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 Design and Textile Materials if they have ceased their studies in the previous study programme in the field of fashion, interior and industrial design (0212), chemistry (0531), chemical engineering and processes (0711), textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) (0723), materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood) (0722), or environmental sciences (0521) and will continue them under this study programme at the same level. 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 Design and Textile Materials; - 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 the Committee for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, the candidate shall submit to the faculty: - an application for the recognition of knowledge and skills at the University of Maribor; - proof of fulfilled study obligations (exams) including grades and ECTS credits; - validated course syllabi according to which knowledge was acquired; - a receipt of payment for the recognition procedure. If under the recognition procedure enough fulfilled study obligations is recognized that the candidate meets the criteria for enrolment in the second year of the 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme in Design and Textile Materials, enrolment in the second year is approved and study obligations required for completion of the new study programme are laid down. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available enrolment places, candidates shall be ranked according to grade point average.

Criteria for recognition of knowledge and skills are regulated by the Rules on Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in Study Programmes of the University of Maribor which regulate the procedures for identifying, verifying, and recognizing knowledge and criteria for recognizing knowledge and skills acquired by candidates through formal and non-formal learning prior to enrolment and while studying at the University of Maribor. The rules can be found at https://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Strani/studij-na-um.aspx. The basic criterion for recognition is the comparability of knowledge acquired elsewhere with learning units, skills and competences. Examination, in terms of content and complexity, whether they fully or partially correspond to the general and/or subject-specific competencies determined by the study programme.

A student who completes all the obligations prescribed by the study programme and thus collects at least 120 ECTS credits completes his/her studies.