Croatia is a small yet highly geographically diverse country located in the South East of European Union.
Besides its well-known beautiful Adriatic Sea coastline, Croatia also has mountain regions, which are ideal for weekend explorations in untouched nature. Croatia is one of Europe’s sunniest spots. Even in October, the weather remains pleasant.
- Croatia is a member country of the EU since July 1, 2013.
- Multi-lingual environment
- Well-taught and quality programs
- Affordable tuition fees
- Low cost of living, considerably lower than in lots of other European countries
- Cheap student housing
- Easily readable and comparable degrees in the European Higher Education Area
- An open-minded country that welcomes international students
Come to Croatia to study and enjoy a rich historical and cultural heritage alongside the beautiful environment!
Multi-lingual environment
The multi-lingual environment will make your day to day communication easier and help you integrate into the new setting. Even though Croatia is relatively small by territory size and population (4.28 million people), Croatian people are multi-lingual.
From the European Commission survey conducted in 2005 almost 50% of Croatians were speaking English, 34% German, 14% Italian, 4% French and Russian, and 2% Spanish language.
Since the survey was conducted before Croatia entered the European Union in 2013, the percentage number of people speaking different languages is much higher now. This is, as well, due to the fact nowadays children from the first grade of primary school are learning at least one foreign language, most commonly English or German.
Higher education in Croatia
Throughout the country, there are 128 higher education institutions, with the largest university being the University of Zagreb.
The University of Zagreb is the largest university with more than 75,000 enrolled students, but also it is the oldest university in South-Eastern Europe, founded in 1669.
Higher education in Croatia is divided into universities and professional courses.
There are two types of higher education institutions to choose between in:
- polytechnic schools – higher level education
- universities – which constitute highest level education.
University study programs have three levels:
- undergraduate
- graduate
- postgraduate
Their goal is to prepare students for working in science and higher education, private and public sector and society in general, as well as to develop and apply scientific and professional knowledge. Undergraduate programs usually last three or four years, after which students are awarded an academic title of Bachelor. After finishing the graduate program, which lasts one or two years, students have an academic title of Master.
When it comes to professional study programs, their aim is to provide students with an appropriate level of knowledge and skills required to work in applied professions. Professional study programs are organized into short professional studies, undergraduate professional studies, and specialist graduate professional studies.
The Republic of Croatia is a part of the Bologna Process since 2001, the process of higher education reform, which means there is a system of:
- easily readable and comparable degrees in the European Higher Education Area,
- two main cycles, undergraduate and graduate,
- ECTS credits for promoting student mobility,
- promotion of European cooperation in quality standards.
