Frequently Asked Questions, Phd in Applied Artificial Intelligence

Alma Mater Europaea is based in Slovenia, with its main headquarters in Maribor and an additional campus in Koper.

The PhD program is however designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate the professional commitments of our candidates and the entire program can be completed online. Additionally, two optional in-person gatherings each year for students are planned. These meetings are not mandatory and are not necessarily held in Slovenia; they may, for example, be organized alongside major conferences or similar events.

The Alma Mater’s PhD in Applied AI is deeply research-oriented and aims to shape the next generation of innovators, researchers, and thought leaders who will drive the future of AI technology. Doctoral candidates will get an opportunity to work on a variety of projects under the mentorship of our distinguished faculty. Doctoral supervisors include members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, which unites two thousand leading scholars, 34 of whom are Nobel Prize winners.

The program is suitable for both full-time students and those who work. You can study from any time zone or study while working in one of our partner corporations and research labs throughout the European Union.

The Applied AI PhD study is open to citizens or residents of any country who have previously completed bachelor’s or master’s degree studies or equivalent in any discipline, typically received after four or five years of higher education.

The candidates who do not have a background in Computer Sciences, AI, or related fields take introductory training in computer science and applications of AI in areas such as management, economics, public policy, medicine, or others, in the first few months of their studies.

Yes, it is a fully accredited and globally recognized PhD degree. The accreditation decision is available on Slovenian Ministry of Education website.

Yes, it is a fully accredited study in Slovenia and, therefore, a EU recognized Doctorate degree.

The program lasts 3 years. Sixty (60) ECTS credit points are assigned each year. One ECTS credit point usually equals on average between 25 and 30 hours (workload).

All classes at Alma Mater begin each year in October, but exact dates vary by study program.

Yes. Attendance at lectures is mandatory for Alma Mater students.

Classes are conducted in English language.

Our studies can be considered Part-time and directed mainly to students and professionals who are already working.

Yes, Alma Mater students have student status.

Alma Mater uses modern ICT (e-student record book, online classrooms, email, SMS) combining live lectures, video conferencing, recorded lessons, electronic communication, and electronic study materials.

Doctoral candidates will get an opportunity to work on a variety of projects under the mentorship of our distinguished faculty. Doctoral supervisors include members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, which unites two thousand leading scholars, 34 of whom are Nobel Prize winners.

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of AI, including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and AI ethics. It is curated by a globally renowned faculty, pioneering research in AI, and is regularly updated to reflect the rapid advancements of the field.

The study program spans 36 months, but there is potential to complete it sooner. It consists of six semesters, each lasting four months. Each November and March, students meet for intense week-long in-person sessions in Vienna, Austria, Maribor, Slovenia, or New York City, US. In the first four semesters there are classes, and in the last two semesters, students finish their research projects and dissertations.

The degree obtained upon completion of the program is a Doctor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

Our standard enrolment process begins with an evaluation of the candidate’s background and experience. The next step is pre-registration, which is free, non-binding, and opens in February 2026. 

This is followed by an online interview with the program director (or their deputy) to discuss the specific content of the PhD project. Specifically, we aim to assess your research interests and motivation to pursue a PhD. 

Upon a positive outcome, the enrolment process can be finalized by July 2025.

To enroll at Alma Mater, you need to:

1. Contact our enrollment office and share your CV for a first assessment of your background.
2. Complete the online pre-registration form on the eVŠ portal of the Slovenian Ministry, which is non-binding and free of charge.
3. Wait for a confirmation email from Alma Mater's administration office.
4. Proceed with the actual enrollment following the instructions contained in the email from Alma Mater with all the details for finalizing the registration.

The tuition fee schedule is 12.000€/year. We have 50% scholarships available to reduce the fees to 6.000€/year. Contact us.

Yes. The tuition fee can be paid in one, two, or five installments. In the case of installment payments, an administrative fee of €20 is added to each installment. No interests are applie

In addition to the tuition fee, students must pay an admission fee of €100 for each academic year and a one-time fee of €50 for the issuance of the Record Book of Knowledge and Competences.

We currently do not have internal job openings and prospective students are encouraged to explore external opportunities to support their studies. Alma Mater is open to collaborating with the external partners identified by the prospective students.

The program is suitable for both full-time students and those who work.You can study from any time zone or study while working.

Yes, students are encouraged to participate in relevant international conferences, which often offer discounted participation fees for students. While Alma Mater does not cover participation or travel costs, we strongly support students in presenting their research and networking within the academic community.

The candidates need to have:

• completed master’s degree studies or equivalent in any discipline, which is typically received after four or five years of higher education
• English proficiency