- About DOBA
- Study programmesFully ONLINE in English
- Online study
- Teachers and Research
- Alumni Club
- Conference 2026
DOBA University of Applied Sciences is an accredited independent higher education institution based in Maribor, Slovenia. It is recognized as a leading provider of online business studies, offering flexible, internationally accredited, and career-relevant education for ambitious learners in Slovenia and around the world.
With a proven online study model, strong academic foundations, and a clear international orientation, DOBA University of Applied Sciences combines academic quality with practical relevance and modern digital delivery.
DOBA University of Applied Sciences Maribor was established on 5 December 2003 by a decision of the Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Higher Education.
The university is part of the DOBA Business Group and has developed into a recognized higher education institution with a clear strategic focus on innovation in teaching, internationalisation, and responsiveness to the evolving needs of learners and employers.
The development of DOBA’s study provision reflects a consistent commitment to academic progression and institutional growth. In 2005, the university introduced its first professional higher education programmes. Master’s programmes followed in 2008, and in 2019 the doctoral programme was launched, completing the full vertical structure of higher education.
Today, DOBA University of Applied Sciences offers education across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, providing students with opportunities for academic advancement, professional growth, and lifelong learning within a coherent and modern educational environment.
The academic profile of DOBA University of Applied Sciences is grounded in interdisciplinarity, practical orientation, and close cooperation with industry and society. Study programmes are designed in line with contemporary development trends, international standards, and the needs of the modern working environment.
Particular emphasis is placed on the development of professional, managerial, and leadership competences that enable graduates to respond effectively to complex business challenges and to contribute responsibly to organisational and societal development.
The university’s academic approach combines theoretical foundations with practical application. This ensures that students not only acquire relevant disciplinary knowledge, but also develop the analytical, strategic, and problem-solving capabilities required in dynamic professional contexts.
DOBA University of Applied Sciences implements modern, digitally supported forms of study that require a high level of independence, responsibility, and active engagement from students. The university’s online learning environment is designed to support meaningful interaction, structured progression, and high academic standards, while also enabling flexibility for diverse learner profiles.
This approach is particularly suitable for students who combine study with work, family life, or other personal and professional commitments, and who seek a demanding yet adaptable educational experience.
DOBA’s online model is not based on convenience alone. It is built on pedagogical design, quality assurance, and the deliberate use of digital tools to support learning outcomes, student participation, and academic achievement. The quality of delivery is confirmed by two international accreditations in the field of digitally supported study.
With its reliable and well-established model of online delivery, the university ranks among regional leaders and follows international quality standards in the provision of digital higher education. DOBA is the only higher education institution in Slovenia and South-Eastern Europe holding two international accreditations for online study.
DOBA University of Applied Sciences is actively integrated into the European and global higher education area. Its international orientation is reflected in the design of its programmes, the diversity of its student body, its engagement in international academic and professional networks, and its commitment to quality benchmarks that extend beyond the national context.
Each year, more than 2,000 students from 46 countries study at DOBA, confirming the university’s international character and growing reputation. This global reach demonstrates both the relevance of its study model and the attractiveness of its programmes to learners seeking internationally credible and accessible higher education.
The university’s international standing is further reinforced by its commitment to academic quality, innovation in teaching and learning, and responsiveness to the needs of students and employers in an increasingly interconnected world.
Scientific research and development activities play an important role at DOBA University of Applied Sciences. These activities are carried out through national and international partnerships and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the development of the economy, and the broader progress of society.
The university regularly organizes scientific and professional conferences, symposia, and other academic events that foster dialogue between higher education, research, and practice. In doing so, it strengthens its role as a space for knowledge creation, critical reflection, and professional exchange.
In addition to formal degree education, DOBA also offers lifelong learning opportunities, thereby supporting the continuous development of individuals, organisations, and communities in a time of rapid economic, technological, and social change.
Fact: 10,000+ students and graduates from 46 countries worldwide.
