Master in Leadership in Open Education (Second Level)

Modern society is characterised by major and rapid changes related to technological development, globalisation, limited resources, migrations and numerous other challenges. In managing these changes, it is necessary to use all available potentials, which requires changes in the field of education. On a global scale, open education, which increases the accessibility and flexibility of education with solutions based on new information and communication technologies (ICT), is becoming increasingly important. It enables more rational use of resources and is more appropriate regarding to the needs of new generations.

Study program was prepared in cooperation with the UNESCO Chair on Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Learning at the Jožef Stefan Insitute. It is designed based on experience from our joint online mentoring program Open Education for a Better World with contributions of many international experts included in both. The program contributes to the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendations on Open Educational Resources by building capacities needed to meet their goals.

There are individual consultations offered to candidates, students and graduates to help them when choosing their path of study and career. You are welcome to contact us any time before, during or after your studies. We also help in finding financial support for your study costs (scholarships, sponsors).

Programme description

The syllabus has a distinct interdisciplinary character connecting information technologies, business and educational sciences.

The programme consists of obligatory subjects, compulsory elective subjects, general elective subjects, team project, individual project and master’s thesis.

Nine obligatory subjects enable acquisition of in-depth knowledge, which is necessary for understanding of contemporary working principles in all key segments of open education, namely in its (1) design, (2) implementation and (3) management, which are considered to be three key segments of the study programme, and are consistently addressed in both years of study. Students may choose on which segment they want to focus by selecting one of the three compulsory elective subjects, and may further supplement their professional profile with three additional elective subjects. Team project, individual project and master’s thesis are obligatory parts of the study program. With an emphasis on solving challenging open education tasks, they require interdisciplinary understanding of the field and add to the development of students’ general competences. For more detailed information, we provide also a list subject-specific competences.

Knowledge is assessed by project results and their public presentations, by seminar papers, midterm examinations, written and oral examinations. The student completes his / her studies by defending a master's thesis in front of a three-member committee.

Students will have the opportunity to be in contact with relevant current problems and trends through a strong network of participating individuals, companies and other partner institutions that shape development in the field of open education through their research and innovation.

The study process will take place partly at the UNG premises in the Lanthieri Castle, Vipava, and partly online as presented in the implementation plan. Due to its highly international nature, it will be conducted mostly in English.

General competences

Subject-specific competences

Implementation plan

Curriculum of the study programme

Admission requirements

A first degree in the fields of technical or information sciences, natural sciences, humanities, multimedia and design sciences, business and organizational sciences, and pedagogical and other social sciences, with a total of at least 180 ECTS.

Applicants with a first degreee in other fields of study (180 ECTS) should send the application to the School’ study programme committee. Depending on the direction of the previous study, the study commission may determine additional study obligations in the range of 10 to 60 KT. The candidate fulfills the obligations prior to enrolling in the master’s study program.

Please note that courses are available in English language.

How to apply

Educational and professional goals

The main objective of the study programme is to educate graduates who will be able to manage projects, initiatives, communities and strategic development in the area of open education in a competent manner. They will be qualified for planning, implementation and management of open education at all levels of formal education and in non-formal education, in academic and business environments. They will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement open education on a full scale of granularity, from learning outcomes, courses, study programmes to institutional, national and transnational levels. Graduates will know how to improve educational processes by using modern information and communication technologies and successful didactic practices in a reasonable way. With the full understanding of connections between technological and pedagogical as well as business and social aspects, they will be able to professionally analyse, develop and manage also education systems at the national level or wider. This will enable them to conceive strategies and policies and competently provide management in the field of open education.

Access to further studies

After the completion of Master’s Study programme, candidates can continue their study in different study programmes leading to the doctoral degree, in accordance with the enrollment requirements.