New Study Programme in Speech and Language Therapy and Surdopedagogy at UP PEF

date: 26.11.2025

category: News

A new five-year study programme in Speech and Language Therapy and Surdopedagogy will be offered at UP PEF for the first time in the 2026/2027 academic year. The programme was accredited by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (NAKVIS) at its session on 20 November 2025.

The integrated master's programme in Speech, language therapy and Surdopedagogy trains professionals to work with individuals of all age groups who have difficulties in communication, language, speech, swallowing, feeding, and hearing. In the early years of study, the programme provides students with a gradual acquisition of medical, pedagogical, special education, and rehabilitation knowledge and skills, as well as psychological, linguistic, and other fundamental knowledge and competences. In the later years, students progressively develop their knowledge and competences in specific areas of speech and hearing therapy. Graduates will be qualified to work in the areas of prevention, diagnostics, intervention, and counselling within education, healthcare, and social services. They will be trained for effective communication and collaboration with other professionals and with parents or guardians. The programme emphasises acceptance of diversity and the removal of barriers to ensure equal opportunities for all participants, through an interdisciplinary and holistic approach.

Candidates may enrol in the integrated study programme if they meet the following admission requirements: completion of the general matura or completion of any four-year secondary school programme (before 1 June 1995). Among the special conditions, it should be noted that the study programme is open to individuals without speech or language disorders and to those who demonstrate non-verbal expressiveness in communication. All applicants must pass a pre-entry assessment to verify whether they meet the required communication, speech, and language competences. This includes demonstrating Slovenian language proficiency at level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with appropriate documentation submitted before the start of the selection process.

The accreditation and subsequent introduction of the integrated master's programme in Speech and Language Therapy and Surdopedagogy is of great importance for Slovenia as a whole. Statistical data show that in the past decade the number of children in the Republic of Slovenia experiencing difficulties or disorders in communication, language, and/or speech (in expression and/or comprehension) has increased. According to the Slovenian Association of Speech and Language Therapists (DlogS), the profession is also in high demand, as the ratio of speech therapists to the general population (0.1 therapist per 1,000 inhabitants) in Slovenia lags significantly behind that of comparable European countries.