Get to know the School of Advanced Social Studies. We are one of the leading centres of interdisciplinary social sciences, committed to excellence and the practical application of knowledge, actively addressing key social challenges since 2006.
The School of Advanced Social Studies (SASS) in Nova Gorica was established as an independent private higher education institution on 15 June 2006.
The teaching process began in 2007 at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In the academic year 2007/08, SASS launched the undergraduate study programme Applied Social Studies, which was later renamed Social Management (BA), as well as the Master’s study programme Intercultural Management.
In 2008, the doctoral study programme Sociology was accredited, completing the full vertical structure of study programmes (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels). One year later, a second study vertical began to take shape in the field of Social Management, with the accreditation of the higher education professional programme Social Management (BAA) and the corresponding master’s programme (currently inactive).
In the academic year 2012/13, the existing programmes were joined by the higher education professional and master’s study programmes Psychosocial Support. In November 2019, the School of Advanced Social Studies renamed the master’s programme to Psychosocial Counselling (MA).
On 30 September 2022, the Faculty of Media was merged with the School of Advanced Social Studies (SASS). Since the merger, SASS has also been delivering the following study programmes of the former Faculty of Media:
The study programmes and their implementation, as well as all rights and obligations arising from student status, remain unchanged.
The practically oriented research work of our scientific staff and higher education teachers addresses issues of great importance from both economic and broader social perspectives.
Social problems and challenges never rest. Our researchers focus on a wide range of current and sensitive topics, such as:
Researchers at SASS do not shy away from sensitive topics. Instead, they address them with full respect for the standards of scientific impartiality and methodological rigour and integrity.
Two key institutes operate within SASS:
The faculty also holds the prestigious title of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence.
Our vision and mission are grounded in four fundamental principles that comprehensively guide our research and teaching processes. These principles ensure that SASS develops a broad, interdisciplinary social science profile that is internationally competitive and highly applicable on the labour market. In doing so, we foster intellectual reflection and transfer scientific insights into both local and global contexts.
Our aim is to equip responsible individuals who are capable of performing their work competently and actively responding to societal conditions. This commitment to the four guiding principles enables SASS to make a meaningful impact at the local, national and international levels.
Although individual social sciences are relatively well developed in Slovenian society, their interconnectedness remains limited. This fragmentation is also reflected in the professional profiles produced by existing educational institutions, where relatively narrow specialisations prevail—resulting in graduates who are less adaptable in the labour market. Before the establishment of SASS, a broader interdisciplinary or even transdisciplinary social science profile was practically non-existent, despite the fact that such a profile would often be far more desirable in the labour market than a highly specialised one. The faculty actively promotes interdisciplinarity in both its teaching and research activities.
The social sciences are becoming increasingly internationalised. Success in integrating into the international environment and achieving international standards in research and teaching outcomes has become—also within the social sciences—a key measure of performance.
Within the faculty, we place particular emphasis on high theoretical awareness and methodological excellence in both research and teaching. The experience and international recognition of our academic staff and researchers provide a solid guarantee of research and teaching excellence—across all projects aimed at students, stakeholders in the economy, the local community, the region, the state and other users.
In many social science fields, the direct practical applicability of knowledge is still insufficiently emphasised. This applies both to the transfer of knowledge from the academic sphere into the economy, the state, and the wider public and non-governmental sectors, and to the insufficient alignment between graduate profiles and labour market demands, which increasingly require broader profiles with strong methodological and applied competences.
Practical relevance at the faculty is reflected in two aspects: in the structure of our study programmes as well as in our research activities.
Where Study Becomes an Experience
The values of our organisational culture serve as the fundamental ethical and moral compass of SASS. They define our internal culture, academic standards, and our relationship with the broader environment. These values form an essential foundation for creating an intellectually honest and independent research environment, where the well-being of the entire academic community is prioritised.
We are committed to upholding the highest academic and ethical standards, which foster growth, creativity and mutual trust, thereby ensuring long-term excellence in our work for the wider society. Explore below how each of the seven values guides our activities.
A commitment to truthfulness as the guiding principle of scientific and educational work, meaning the pursuit of new insights into the phenomena studied and the dissemination of knowledge about them in a credible and intellectually honest manner.
The right to free creation, research and dissemination of knowledge.
The independence of the faculty and its staff from political, economic and ideological centres of power.
The commitment of the faculty and its staff to upholding academic standards and ensuring the well-being of students, other stakeholders, the academic community and society as a whole.
Achieving the highest quality standards in all areas of the faculty’s work.
The ability to generate new knowledge, original intellectual reflection and innovative solutions to social and technological challenges.
The shared commitment of staff and students to common goals and principles, founded on mutual respect and understanding.