University of Ljubljana facts for kids
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Univerza v Ljubljani
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| Latin: Universitas Labacensis | |
| Type | Public |
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| Established | 1919 |
| Rector | Gregor Majdič |
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Administrative staff
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cca 3,500 |
| Students | 37,615 |
| Location |
Ljubljana and Portorož
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| Affiliations | Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities Utrecht Network UNICA |
| Website |
Building details
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Main building of the University at 5 Congress Square, June 2015
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| University rankings | |
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| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 601–700 (2023) |
| QS World | 621–630 (2024) |
| THE World | 801–1000 (2024) |
| USNWR Global | =450 (2023) |
| Regional – Overall | |
| QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia | 33 (2022) |
The University of Ljubljana (Slovene: Univerza v Ljubljani), also known as UL, is the oldest and largest university in Slovenia. It is a public university, meaning it is supported by the government.
About 38,000 students study here. The university has 23 different schools, called faculties, and three art academies. Around 4,000 teachers and researchers work there. Another 2,000 staff members help with daily tasks.
The university offers many different study programs. These include subjects like history, science, and technology. You can also study medicine, dentistry, and even veterinary science.
The main university building is in the center of Ljubljana. Many of its schools are also located there. Over time, new buildings have been built in other parts of the city.
Contents
History of the University
Early Education in Slovenia
Before the university, some special schools existed in Slovenia. For example, in the 1600s, the Jesuits (a religious group) set up schools for philosophy and theology (the study of religion).
The first real university was created in 1810. This happened when the French ruled the area. But this university closed in 1813 when Austria took control again. They then opened a different higher education school.
The Dream of a Slovenian University
In the late 1800s, many people wanted a university where classes were taught in the Slovene language. Many talented Slovene scholars worked in other countries. Also, many Slovene students went to universities in other parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the 1890s, a group was formed to help create a Slovenian university. They even started a scholarship program. This helped find future teachers for the new university.
However, political problems stopped the university from being built for a while. It finally became possible after the Austro-Hungarian Empire ended in 1918.
Slovenia became part of the new Kingdom of Yugoslavia. On November 23, 1918, a special meeting was held to plan the university. A professor named Mihajlo Rostohar helped convince the government to approve the university.
The law to create the university was passed on July 2, 1919. Soon after, the first professors were chosen. On September 18, they formed the University Council. The first classes began on December 3, 1919.
First Years and Challenges
In 1919, the university had five main schools: law, philosophy, technology, theology, and medicine. The main building was in the central Congress Square of Ljubljana. This building was designed in 1902 and later updated by an architect from Vienna.
In the mid-1920s, the university was renamed "King Alexander University in Ljubljana." It continued to grow even with money problems. In 1941, the National and University Library of Slovenia was finished. This was a big project for the university.
During World War II, Slovenia was occupied by Italian and Nazi German forces. The university kept operating, but it faced many difficulties. Some professors were arrested. Many students joined groups fighting against the occupation.
After World War II
After World War II ended in 1945, the university faced more changes. Slovenia became part of Communist Yugoslavia. Many professors were removed from their jobs. The theology school was even taken out of the university. Some students left the country.
However, the university continued to educate students. It slowly gained more freedom from the government in the 1950s. In 1979, it was renamed "Edvard Kardelj University in Ljubljana" after a Communist leader.
In 1990, Yugoslavia broke apart. The university then got its original name back.
University Structure
Schools and Departments
As of 2018, the University of Ljubljana has 23 different schools, called faculties, and three academies. These are located all around the city of Ljubljana.
Here are some of the schools:
- Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television
- Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Academy of Music
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Arts
- Biotechnical Faculty
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy
- Faculty of Computer and Information Science
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Social work
- Faculty of Sport
- Faculty of Theology
- Veterinary Faculty
- Faculty of Health Sciences
The university started in the city center. That's where the main building and most schools are. Later, new, modern buildings were built in other areas of the city.
University Libraries
The University of Ljubljana has two main university libraries. The National and University Library of Slovenia is the main library for the whole country and for the university. It has over 1.3 million books. It also has many other resources like videos and digital files.
Another important library is the Central Technological Library. This library focuses on natural sciences and technology. Besides these, there are more than 30 smaller libraries. These are found at different schools and departments within the university.
Art Gallery
The university also has its own art gallery. It opened on June 18, 2012.
Academics and Research
The University of Ljubljana is a place for research in many areas. This includes science and the arts. Students and professors study subjects like history, social studies, languages, medicine, and technology.
The university used to be the main office for the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS). This group connects political science students from all over the world. Its main office moved in 2013.
The University of Ljubljana is ranked among the top universities in the world. In the QS World University Rankings for 2023, it was ranked between 601 and 650.
Famous People from the University
- Further information: List of University of Ljubljana people
One famous person connected to the university is Slavoj Žižek. He is a Slovenian philosopher and cultural critic. He earned his Master of Arts degree in philosophy from Ljubljana in 1975. He is now a senior researcher at the university's Institute for Sociology and Philosophy.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Liubliana para niños
- List of modern universities in Europe (1801–1945)
- Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Jožef Stefan Institute
- Ljubljana Student Organisation
