Humanities

Humanities studies are intended for an in-depth understanding of the human being, their ideas, values, history, culture, art, and ways of thinking. The humanities do not deal only with the past, but also help explain current social changes, ethical issues, political processes, intercultural relations, and the impact of technology on modern people.

At Alma Mater Europaea University, we offer a three-year undergraduate humanities degree, consisting of six semesters or 180 ECTS credits. The program is delivered part-time in Ljubljana and in a hybrid format, which also allows students to attend lectures remotely. After successfully completing all requirements, graduates obtain the professional title of Bachelor of Humanities.

What does the humanities study?

The humanities bring together disciplines that deal with human thought, creativity, historical development, and cultural environment. These include philosophy, history, literature, ethics, aesthetics, religious studies, cultural studies, and other fields that help us understand the human experience.

In humanities studies, students do not learn only individual facts or theories. They develop the ability to compare different perspectives, identify arguments, understand texts, and assess complex issues. This kind of knowledge is important when addressing topics that do not always have one simple or final answer.

The program also includes contemporary content related to globalization, social inequalities, human rights, interculturality, sustainability, technology, and digital humanities. In this way, humanities studies connect classical questions about human beings with the challenges of contemporary society.

Humanities studies connect philosophy, history, and contemporary culture

The curriculum is designed so that students first gain a fundamental understanding of the humanities and then gradually apply this knowledge to the exploration of more demanding social and cultural issues.

The study content includes, among other things:

• ethics and political philosophy, where students address values, responsibility, justice, democracy, and human rights;
• logic and analytic philosophy, which develop the ability to formulate, test, and evaluate arguments;
• historical thinking and hermeneutics, through which students learn the interpretation of historical sources, ideas, and texts;
• aesthetics, art, and literature, which enable an understanding of creativity, visual culture, and various forms of cultural expression;
• religious studies and interreligious dialogue, focused on understanding religions and their cultural and social significance;
• world cultures and interculturality, which address different cultural environments and the relationships between them;
• contemporary social topics, such as feminism, technology, identity, globalization, inequality, and sustainability.

In the final part of the program, humanities studies also focus on applied philosophy, philosophy of law, philosophy of education, critical theory, and research into visual culture. The program concludes with the preparation of a final thesis.

Elective courses allow students to tailor their studies

Students can shape part of the program according to their interests. Elective content includes the cultural history of Slovenians, European history, anthropology of ancient worlds, feminist theory, media studies, and connections between philosophy and literature.

The program also includes current content from the digital environment. Courses such as Introduction to Digital Humanities and Critical Approaches to Digital Humanities address the use of digital methods in researching culture, history, and society. Students may also explore questions of narrative, identity, the ethics of storytelling, and philosophical dialogue with children.

Such a choice makes it possible for humanities studies to be oriented more toward philosophy, history, culture, media, the digital environment, or social issues. Elective courses do not replace the core content, but complement it with more specialized perspectives.

Research work and the development of critical thinking

An important part of the program is the research practicum, in which students address selected topics from the history of humanism and art. The research practicum is not a traditional internship or practical training within an organization. The undergraduate Humanities program does not include mandatory practical training.

Through research work, students learn how to formulate research questions, find appropriate sources, assess their reliability, and present their findings in a clear and well-argued manner.

Humanities studies primarily develop:

• critical reading of professional, historical, and media texts;
• clear written and oral expression;
• the formulation and evaluation of arguments;
• comparison of different theories and cultural perspectives;
• understanding the ethical and social consequences of decisions;
• research into humanities and interdisciplinary issues;
• the ability to connect historical content with contemporary phenomena.

These competencies are also useful outside traditional humanities professions, especially in environments where assessing information, understanding the broader context, research, and clear communication are important.

Hybrid delivery of studies in Ljubljana and remotely

Humanities studies are delivered part-time and in a hybrid format. Lectures can be attended live at the Ljubljana location or remotely. Recordings of lectures are also available to students in the online classroom.

For lectures, the required attendance share applies in accordance with the rules used at the university level. When attending lectures remotely, attendance may also be recorded by completing the required tasks in the online learning environment. Tutorials are mandatory and require the active participation of the student.

Depending on the course and the scheduled exam session, exams may be conducted live or online. In some sessions, it is also possible to take the exam at another available Alma Mater location, but the format and location of the specific exam session must always be checked.

The hybrid format increases flexibility, but humanities studies still require regular participation, independent reading, preparation of written assignments, and timely completion of study requirements.

Opportunities to apply knowledge after graduation

Graduates can use their knowledge in environments where understanding social and cultural processes, analytical work, communication, research, and content preparation are important. Opportunities depend on the requirements of the specific job position, as well as the candidate’s additional knowledge and experience.

Fields of work may include:

• public institutions, municipalities, and other public sector organizations;
• museums, galleries, theatres, festivals, and cultural organizations;
• publishing, editorial teams, media, public relations, and content creation;
• research and project teams;
• non-governmental organizations and projects in the field of human rights and community development;
• cultural tourism and the protection of cultural heritage;
• educational and advisory activities, where the candidate meets the requirements of the specific job position.

The program in itself does not lead to only one specific profession. The advantage offered by the humanities is the breadth of knowledge and the possibility of applying it in various professional environments.

Who are humanities studies intended for?

Humanities studies are suitable for candidates interested in philosophy, history, culture, art, society, and current ethical issues. They require students to be prepared for reading, discussion, writing, research, and the independent formation of well-founded positions.

Candidates who have passed the general matura exam may enroll in the program. Candidates with a vocational matura must also pass an additional exam in one of the specified matura subjects. Enrollment is also possible for candidates who completed a four-year secondary school program before June 1, 1995. If enrollment is limited, performance in the final exam or matura, as well as grades in the third and fourth years of secondary school, are taken into account.

Humanities studies enable a systematic understanding of human beings and society and develop the ability to critically assess information, express arguments clearly, and research complex issues. They connect classical humanities fields with contemporary social, cultural, and digital challenges.

1. What are the humanities and which fields do they include?

The humanities study human beings, their thinking, culture, history, art, language, values, and relationships in society. They connect fields such as philosophy, history, ethics, aesthetics, literature, religious studies, and cultural studies. Contemporary humanities also address issues of technology, identity, globalization, human rights, and social change.

2. How long do humanities studies last and what qualification do I obtain?

The undergraduate humanities degree lasts three years or six semesters and comprises 180 ECTS. After successfully completing all study requirements and the final thesis, the student obtains the professional title of Bachelor of Humanities.

3. Do humanities studies include practical training?

No. Humanities studies do not include a traditional internship or practical training in a company or institution. The curriculum includes a research practicum, but this is a research-based study requirement in which the student develops the ability to work with sources, formulate research questions, and present findings in a well-argued way.

4. How are humanities studies delivered – in person or remotely?

Humanities studies are delivered in a hybrid format. Lectures can be attended live in Ljubljana or remotely, and recordings are also accessible in the online learning environment. This approach allows greater flexibility, but the student must still regularly complete the required study obligations.

5. Are lectures and tutorials in humanities studies mandatory?

For lectures, the required attendance share applies in accordance with the general rules of Alma Mater Europaea University. When attending lectures remotely, students must complete the required tasks for attendance to be recorded. Tutorials are mandatory, as they involve active participation, discussion, and work on the content of individual courses.

6. How are exams conducted in humanities studies?

Depending on the course and the scheduled exam session, exams in humanities studies may be conducted live or online. In some exam sessions, it may also be possible to take the exam at another Alma Mater location. The exact format, date, and location must be checked for the specific scheduled exam session.

7. What is the tuition fee for the undergraduate humanities program?

The tuition fee for humanities studies is EUR 2,600 per academic year. Since the university adopts a price list for each individual academic year, it is recommended to check the current price list and any other fees related to studies before enrollment.

8. Is the Humanities program accredited and comparable to European study programs?

Yes. The Humanities program is accredited within the Slovenian higher education system and comprises 180 ECTS at the first Bologna cycle. The ECTS system enables comparability of study workload within the European higher education area. Alma Mater Europaea University also has a quality management system established according to the ISO 9001:2015 standard, though the ISO standard should be distinguished from the accreditation of an individual study program.

9. What do I receive after successfully completing my studies?

After successfully completing humanities studies and fulfilling all requirements, the student obtains the professional title of Bachelor of Humanities. Until the formal diploma award ceremony, they receive a temporary graduation certificate, which replaces the original diploma document.

10. What kind of support do students have during their studies?

Students have access to a tutoring system that includes student tutors and teacher tutors, as well as an online tutor for support in using online platforms and organizing the online study process. Tutoring is intended to make it easier to integrate into studies, provide guidance with study obligations, and offer support with various questions during studies.

11. Will I still have access to Alma Mater study materials after graduation?

No. After completing their studies or graduating, the student loses access to Alma Mater study materials. It is therefore advisable to organize any materials that may be kept for personal study needs before completing the program.

12. Where can a humanities graduate find employment?

Graduates can apply their knowledge in culture, media, publishing, the public sector, public relations, tourism, research, non-governmental organizations, and in preparing various professional content. Humanities studies develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, source analysis, well-argued expression, and understanding of social processes, while specific employment opportunities also depend on an individual’s additional knowledge and experience.