Applicants are eligible for admission to the Higher Vocational Study Programme in Wood Technology or Materials Design if they have:
successfully completed the General Matura or the Vocational Matura (or the Final Examination or an equivalent diploma obtained before 2002); or
passed a master craftsman, foreman, or managerial examination, have at least three years of relevant work experience, and have passed examinations in Slovene (or Italian or Hungarian in nationally mixed areas) and Mathematics or a foreign language at the level prescribed for the Vocational Matura.
Additional Entry Requirement – Materials Design
Applicants to the Higher Vocational Study Programme in Materials Design must also successfully complete an aptitude assessment.
The assessment consists of:
a drawing test; and
an interview with the admissions panel.
Applicants are required to bring a portfolio of their work together with a curriculum vitae (CV).
The Higher Vocational College will invite all eligible applicants in writing to attend the aptitude assessment, which is held in June or September.
The Maribor School of Woodworking, Higher Vocational College offers two Higher Vocational Study Programmes:
Wood Technology
Materials Design
Both programmes are delivered over two academic years. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded the professional title Wood Technology Technician or Materials Design Technician, respectively.
The College enriches its study programmes each year through engaging projects, close collaboration with industry, study visits to companies in Slovenia and abroad, and visits to major trade fairs. These activities encourage creativity, innovation, and professional development while giving students the opportunity to design and create their own products in the College’s well-equipped workshops.
Outstanding student work is regularly showcased at the Čar lesa (The Magic of Wood) exhibition and at a range of trade fairs and exhibitions throughout Slovenia. In 2022, the College also had the exceptional opportunity to present ten of its students’ most distinctive wooden products at Expo 2020 Dubai, providing international recognition for their creativity and craftsmanship.
Practical Training in companies enables students to gain valuable industry experience and establish contacts with potential employers while still studying, significantly enhancing their employment prospects. Students wishing to gain international experience can also participate in Erasmus+ mobility and complete their Practical Training abroad.
The College welcomes students from a wide variety of upper secondary education backgrounds, including wood technology, civil engineering, computer science, business, retail, design, and general secondary education (grammar schools).
Students wishing to gain international experience can participate in Erasmus+ mobility and complete their Practical Training abroad.
Each academic year, the programme also includes a variety of industry-focused projects. A particular highlight is the annual Project Week, during which students develop their own ideas, design products, and manufacture them using professional equipment.
The best student projects are showcased at the prestigious Čar lesa (The Magic of Wood) exhibition at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana, as well as at other exhibitions and trade fairs across Slovenia. In 2022, students’ unique creations were also exhibited at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Students have access to the College’s well-equipped workshops, where they can manufacture their own products using modern technologies, including CNC machining, laser cutting, and 3D printing.
WORK-BASED LEARNING
Wood Technology
The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Wood Technology is designed to prepare students for successful careers in one of the fastest-evolving manufacturing sectors.
The programme enables students to:
develop the knowledge and skills required for a highly sought-after profession with excellent employment prospects;
gain experience with advanced manufacturing technologies and develop an understanding of entrepreneurship and product development;
express their creativity through practical work in the College’s workshops; and
acquire the knowledge needed to establish their own business.
Graduates pursue careers in wood-processing and joinery companies, sawmills, prefabricated timber construction, the furniture industry, trading companies, and family-owned businesses. Many also choose to become self-employed entrepreneurs.
Materials Design
The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Materials Design combines creative design with practical manufacturing skills, preparing graduates for careers across a wide range of design-related industries.
The programme enables students to:
develop practical craftsmanship and technical skills;
express their creativity while acquiring professional expertise in design;
explore a variety of materials, production techniques, and emerging technologies;
participate in industry-based design projects; and
gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship and business development.
Graduates find employment in a broad range of design-related fields, including wood-processing and joinery companies, theatre and stage workshops, furniture manufacturers, retail and product design companies, businesses producing bespoke consumer products, and family-owned enterprises. Many also establish successful careers as self-employed design
STUDY PROGRAMMES
Wood Technology
The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Wood Technology prepares students to become versatile engineering professionals capable of integrating technical knowledge and practical skills to solve a wide range of engineering challenges independently or as part of a team.
Graduates develop the precision, responsibility, and professional discipline required in the modern wood-processing industry. They acquire a thorough understanding of technical drawing, computer-aided design, and the preparation of technical and technological documentation.
The programme also develops expertise in selecting appropriate materials, manufacturing technologies, and surface finishing methods to enhance both the appearance and durability of wood products.
Materials Design
The Higher Vocational Study Programme in Materials Design prepares students to develop products that are not only functional but also aesthetically appealing, giving them added value and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Modern industry increasingly integrates designers into the product development process from the earliest stages. Successful designers combine creativity with a sound understanding of manufacturing technologies, ensuring that their concepts are both innovative and practical to produce.
The programme provides students with a strong foundation in product design while developing the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to transform creative concepts into finished products. This combination gives graduates greater creative freedom and independence throughout the design process.
During their studies, students work on a variety of real-world projects in collaboration with industry partners, gaining valuable practical experience while developing their creative potential.