Univerza v Ljubljani (University of Ljubljana), Ljubljana

Slovenia's first and largest university, and one of Europe's largest, traces its roots back to the early 19th century. While certain academies, like those of Philosophy and Theology, emerged in the 17th century under Jesuit influence, the formal establishment of the University occurred in 1810 under the French Imperial administration as the Écoles Centrales in the Illyrian Provinces. Yet, the quest for a distinctly Slovenian university gained momentum in the mid-19th century. In 1848, Slovenians began advocating for their own university, a demand that gained clarity in 1898 when the Carniolan provincial assembly voiced the need for a Slovenian university to the Vienna government.

After the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, Slovenians petitioned the Belgrade government for the establishment of a university in Ljubljana, culminating in the signing of the Slovenian University Act by Prince Regent Alexander in 1919, with operations commencing the same year. Initially housing four faculties—law, arts, medicine, and theology—the university swiftly expanded to include a technical faculty following opposition to its initial establishment outside the university.

During its inaugural academic year, the University of Ljubljana enrolled roughly 900 students, mirroring pre-war Austrian figures. By 1941, it had conferred degrees upon 2,600 graduates. Initially, over a quarter of professors hailed from non-Slovenian backgrounds, but over time, Slovenians increasingly filled these roles. In 1941, the completion of Jože Plečnik's National and University Library marked a significant milestone in the university's infrastructural development during the inter-war period. In addition to the library, the institution also operates an art gallery, open since 2012.