Professional development of academic staff is largely based on scientific and professional (artistic) work. Such professional development is extremely important for career progression as it is one of the criteria for greater engagement of teachers and their acquisition of a higher rank/title (explained in section Entry to the profession).

Professional development can be organised as specialization, higher level of formal education, participation in symposiums, courses, congresses, seminars and conferences and similar activities. An institution is obliged to provide conditions for professional development of staff, as well as the conditions to implement it during the working hours.

Academic staff holding the rank of full and associate university professor are entitled to a yearlong absence, i.e. sabbatical leave, every seven years.

The conditions and procedure for exercising the right to sabbatical are regulated by Statute. The same act regulates the right to leave for the purpose of education and professional development.