Why Croatia
Croatia is a diversified country that has been a considerably more popular study-abroad option in recent years. Croatia is the ideal fusion of many different cultures because it is situated in between the western and eastern worlds.
At Croatian universities, international students can earn a comparable degree for a fraction of the cost as in Europe's most well-known countries such as Germany, Finland, etc. Because of its political and economic stability, Croatia is a safe destination for overseas students. Students who pick Croatia have a wide range of programmes at highly recognized universities where they can pursue a top-notch education. In higher education institutions across Croatia, a comprehensive range of degree programmes and exchange programmes are offered in English and these certifications are recognized and accepted all over the world. Croatia is a higher education destination for international students wishing to study in Europe, with the additional advantage of study abroad scholarships and outstanding career opportunities.
Choose Croatia as your next study destination!
- Great central location in Europe: connected to most European cities
- Safety and security:17th in the world by the 2021 Global Peace Index
- Welcoming, friendly and multi-lingual environment : most of the young population speak English
- Job opportunities: full time and students able to work through student contracts
- Low every day and living costs: compared to other European destinations
- Schengen country: from January 2023 with border free travels
Facts and figures
- Country name: Republic of Croatia
- Local form: Republika Hrvatska
- Date of independence: 25 June 1991
- Government type:
Since the adoption of the 1990 Constitution, Croatia has been a democracy. Between 1990 and 2000 it had a semi-presidential system and since 2000 it has a parliamentary system.
- Time zone:CET (GMT+1)
- International dialling code: +385
- Monetary unit: Croatian Kuna – HRK
Learn Croatian
The official language in Croatia is Croatian. You can also decide to learn Croatian in one of the private language schools which offer Croatian as a foreign language and learning the native language eases your survival in the country always. In addition, you can try out free Croatian courses, lessons, exercises and quizzes.
Croatia Welcomes you !
Finance and living costs
Depending on the city and type of housing (student dorm or privately rented housing), the average monthly living costs in Croatia are estimated to range between 400 and 700 EUR. In general, larger cities like Split and Zagreb, as well as well-known tourist destinations, are more expensive than smaller ones. The US and Western Europe are still more expensive than Croatia.
Opportunities
There are both long and short term academic programmes offered in Croatia at numerous universities and educational institutions. Every student, researcher, and professor may always find a suitable programme in Croatia. Study opportunities are available to prospective students who do not speak Croatian, and who want to learn a new language.
Quality of Higher education
Students looking to study in a nation known for its stunning coastline, fusion of Mediterranean and South-Eastern European charm, and a rich historical and cultural heritage should consider Croatia. There are 133 higher education facilities in Croatia overall, including some on the breathtaking Adriatic coast. In addition to having a rich academic history and more than 1600 study options, Croatia is a safe location with affordable living expenses and a multilingual populace. It is simpler for international students (from Europe and beyond) to study in Croatia and have their studies recognised in their home countries thanks to the Croatian higher education system's three cycles (undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate). Additionally, higher education studies in Croatia are organised according to the system of transferable credits (ECTS). Croatia has both public and private higher education institutions. Almost all universities and polytechnics are public institutions, while most colleges of applied sciences are private institutions. The Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE) is the organization in charge of ensuring the quality of higher education in Croatia, according to the Act on Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education, which was implemented in 2009. In accordance with European Standards and Guidelines, the Agency offers external evaluations of higher education institutions utilizing several quality evaluation methods. ASHE is a registered EQAR me
Student Work
International students can work in Croatia using the Student Service administered by the Student Centre. Student Service offers matching services to put students in touch with potential employers. The Student Service offices are typically divisions of regional Student Centers (Studentski centar), which are also in charge of providing free or heavily discounted housing and meals for students. Both residents of the EU and people from other countries can use the Student Service. The Student Service offers temporary, part-time student jobs that let students fit their work commitments around their academic obligations. The minimum net amount for the salary, which is calculated hourly, is 29,30 HRK/hour (3,88 EUR/hour at the rate of exchange in April 2022).
Study in Croatia at a Glance
The people of Croatia are kind, upbeat, proud of their history, and welcoming. They place a high priority on their careers, families, and education. Croats are immensely proud of their globally renowned independent nation and want others to welcome them and learn about Croatian history and culture because achieving freedom took ages. Croatians take great pride in their country's historical connections to Western Europe.
A wide range of degree programmes or exchange programmes are offered at higher education institutions all around Croatia for potential students who speak Croatian (or are learning the language). Those who are interested in studying but do not speak Croatian can also do so. Numerous institutes of higher learning in Croatia provide degree programmes, courses, and summer schools in English for overseas students. Croatian language classes are also available at some higher education institutes.
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What to study
The higher education system in Croatia is binary, giving potential students the option of choosing between two higher education specializations: University education consists of academic courses that are only taught at universities and those prepare students for careers in science, higher education, the public and private sectors, as well as in broader societal contexts. Undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programmes are available for these studies. Undergraduate and graduate courses may occasionally be combined under particular study plans. Professional studies provide students with the skills required for direct entry into the labour force. Universities, polytechnics, and colleges offer these services. Professional studies include the professional undergraduate short-cycle programme as well as undergraduate and specialized graduate professional studies.
How to Apply
The admissions procedure and its prerequisites can vary depending on the status of international students and the kind of study programme they are enrolled in. Therefore, it is essential that students check these in accordance.
In Croatia, the following categories of international student status are typical:
- Students pursuing degrees (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate)
- Exchange learners (Erasmus+, CEEPUS, bilateral partnerships)
- Guest scholars (free-movers, short-term study)
Students from EU member countries have the same opportunities to enroll in study programmes that Croatian nationals have. Please check with the prospective HEI since there may be unique enrollment requirements for citizens of third countries. Depending on the degree of study, there are both general and institution-specific prerequisites for admission to a higher education institution.
Qualified candidates must fill out an application form and choose up to 10 study programmes from any Croatian higher education institution to apply to in order to be considered for admission to study programmes taught in the Croatian language. It is preferable to immediately contact the school of interest to learn about admission standards for study programmes in English (or other international languages) that are geared toward international students.