Univerza na Primorskem Fakulteta za matematiko, naravoslovje in informacijske tehnologije
Presentation of the study
The doctoral study programme Suicidology and Mental Health is offered in Slovenian and English language.
The programme is a specialised doctoral programme aimed at training students for independent and internationally competitive scientific research in the field of suicidology and mental health. It is the first programme of its kind in Slovenia and represents an important contribution to the development of high-quality research on suicidal behaviour. The programme is characterised by a high degree of elective content tailored to the research interests of doctoral candidates, as well as a wide range of specialised courses.
Through original research work, students deepen their theoretical and methodological knowledge, develop critical thinking and innovation, and strengthen their ability to connect with other scientific disciplines. The programme equips them to identify and study complex societal problems, transfer knowledge into practice, lead demanding research projects, and act responsibly in accordance with professional and research ethics.
Programme information
Programme name: Suicidology and Mental Health
Type of programme: doctoral study programme, 3rd cycle
Degree awarded: “doktor znanosti” equiv. to a Doctoral degree
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
ECTS-credits: 180
Mode of study: part-time
Language of instruction: Slovene, English
Place of study: Koper
Accreditation: the programme is accredited in accordance with the Higher Education Act and is officially recognised.
Admission to the 1st year shall be granted to applicants having:
- a Master’s degree (second cycle); or
- a degree from a study programme regulated by EU directives or any other fast-track master’s programme equivalent to 300 ECTS creditss; or
- a degree from an undergraduate university study programme (study programmes adopted before 11 June 2004); or
- a degree from a Master’s study programme (study programmes adopted before 11 June 2004). This candidate will be recognized study obligations in the amount of 60 ECTS credits.
The Faculty highly recommends prior education in the areas of psychology, biopsychology, medicine, biology, statistics, social work, social sciences and humanities.
Admission requirements are also met by candidates who have completed a comparable study programme abroad and who, in accordance with the law, have been granted the right to continue their studies in the programme.
In case of enrolment restrictions in the 1st year, candidates will be chosen on the basis of:
- average grade of exams in previous study cycle – 60 %,
- grade of the final work at the previous cycle of study – 20 %,
- number of points collected on the entrance exam – 20 %.
In the entrance exam the candidate’s presentation of the previous research work, his previous achievements in the scientific and professional field (published scientific and professional articles, awards, prizes and other) and motivation letter will be evaluated. The scoring method is defined by the UP FAMNIT commission.
“Transfer between study programmes” refers to a situation in which a student enrolled in a particular study programme does not complete it (i.e. discontinues education in the enrolled programme) and directly enrols into a higher year of a new study programme, whereby both the previous and the new programme must belong to the same Bologna cycle (level). When considering the possibility of transferring to a new study programme, the comparability of the programmes and the student’s completed study requirements in the previous programme are taken into account.
Admission to year 2 or year 3 of the doctoral study programme Suicidology and Mental Health on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is open to candidates of other third-cycle doctoral degree programme, provided that the following conditions have been met:
- the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to the study programme of Suicidology and Mental Health;
- completion of the first study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies as those envisaged by the study programme of Suicidology and Mental Health; and
- other conditions in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes have also been met (a comparable course structure, course requirements completed).
Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider the comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes. The Committee may also assign bridging exams to the candidate.
A candidate transferring from a related study programme abroad may also be admitted under the transfer criteria, provided that, in accordance with the law, they have been granted the right to continue their studies in the doctoral study programme Suicidology and Mental Health through the recognition procedure of foreign education.
In the case of limited enrolment, candidates are selected based on the average grade of all completed study requirements in the study programme from which the candidate is transferring.
A student may progress to the next year of study if they obtain 42 ECTS from the current year of study and complete all requirements of the previous year. Within the 42 ECTS required for progression to the 2nd year, the student must complete Mental Health and Suicidology and also Individual Reseach Work 1.
In exceptional cases involving individual circumstances of the student (illness or extraordinary circumstances), progression to the next year may be allowed with a lower number of ECTS credits, but not fewer than 30 ECTS. In such cases, the decision on enrolment is made by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.
A student who has not completed all obligations required for progression to the next year may, during the course of studies, repeat a year once, provided that they have obtained at least 21 ECTS credits of the enrolled year. If a student repeats a year, they are not entitled to the “graduate status period” (absolvent status), and their student status expires at the end of the 3rd year.
By progressing or repeating a year, a student retains student status and, consequently, the rights and benefits defined by law. In accordance with the law, a student may apply for an extension of student status, but for no more than one year.
In the 2nd year of study, students select two internal elective courses from the set of internal electives defined by the study programme.
More information on elective courses and study tracks is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).
General competencies
- Ability to autonomously search and acquire professional knowledge and to furthermore integrate new discoveries within the existing knowledge.
- Autonomy in scientific research work.
- Capacity for critical reasoning and understanding of current events in the fields of suicidology and mental health.
- Ability of connecting, transferring and placing contributions of suicidology and mental health into a broader social context.
- Capability of collaborating, leading and directing not only individual, but also team work.
- Ability for understanding, acknowledging and following ethical work practices in scientific research, while abiding the principles of tolerance and multiculturalism.
Subject-specific competencies
- Ability to use a wide pallet of highly qualitive research methods for a better understanding of suicidology and mental health.
- Development of multidisciplinary and multilevel research practices and flexible implementation of discoveries in different cultural contexts.
- Applying theoretical knowledge into practice by creating and providing effective preventive, interventive and postventive activities.
- Capability to embrace and expand the latest discoveries of suicidology and mental health in international suicidological, psychological and psychiatrical circles.
- Sovereign ability to impart discoveries and knowledge of suicidology and mental health to a wider audience.
- Sovereign ability to impart discoveries and knowledge of suicidology and mental health to the media.
- Qualification to implement and evaluate preventive strategies of suicidology and mental health on a national scale and to collaborate with preparation of national suicide prevention programmes.
- Development of reflective and critical views on research process and discoveries.
- Following ethical guidelines and holding a highly responsible posture while solving concrete sensitive situations in the context of suicidology and mental health.
Doctoral students can pursue a research career in the academic sector, public or private research institutions, as well as in various fields where there is a need for applied knowledge in the fields of mental health and suicide prevention. A wide range of both theoretical and practical knowledge provides students with a variety of employment opportunities in many fields, where the need to invest in prevention, intervention or research programs on mental health and suicidology is recognized as an important step towards improving the mental health of employees, specific vulnerable groups or the general population. The possibility of participating in applied projects during studying in this doctoral programme gives students an important advantage for better integration into the work environment.