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Croatia

Study Master in Croatia 2024

Study in Croatia

Education in Croatia
Croatia has a strong literacy rate of 98.1 percent. The quality of living here is also ideal, especially due to the quality of education that citizens are given. Children begin to learn at the age of six or seven and continue their education in primary school through eighth grade. This is free education, provided by the government. Secondary education is not compulsory, though. Students can continue education through age 18 at the secondary level. At this secondary level, students often enroll in vocational schools. A large number of art and music schools exist here.

Higher Education in Croatia
The country has a current total of eight universities. Those include the following:

  • University of Zadar
  • University of Osijek
  • University of Zagreb
  • University of Pula
  • University of Dubrovnik
  • University of Split
  • University of Rijeka
  • Dubrovnik International University

The University of Zadar was initially founded in 1396. The second university to be established here was the University of Zagreb, which was established in 1669. This facility is the oldest continuously operating university in the southern portion of Europe.

In addition to these schools, which offer a range of educational focuses and opportunities, students can consider any of the other schools available, including 23 higher education schools (19 of which are private and considered a higher-level) or the 11 polytechnics available. Additionally, students may enroll in one of the specialized schools available, of which there are 132 institutions of higher education. Overall, the country has a high rate of enrollment of students. More than 145,000 students enroll in these higher education schools.

Areas of Focus
As with most countries, the race is on to educate students to learn and grow in the areas of health research, scientific research, and in technology. This is where many students enrolled in higher education schools in the country are focusing their attention. As a main component of this, there are over 200 companies, education system institutions, and government schools operating with the specific goal of furthering education in these areas. The largest of these is Ruder Boskovic Institute.

Educational Opportunities
Students enrolling in these programs generally will enroll in a three-cycle education system, somewhat like what is available throughout much of the Western cultures. Students spend up to four years as an undergraduate and then move on to graduate studies. Students may spend an additional year there or even as many as four more years of education. Some students (and it is not as common as in other areas) will move on to post-graduate work. This makes it easier for international students to move into programs in Croatia.

Education here is available nearly year-round. Most students attend during the standard academic year which begins in October and will go through September with time off throughout the year. Exams are scheduled throughout the year as well since most schools operate on a semester schedule.

Costs of Higher Education
The cost of going to school at a higher education facility depends on various factors, including whether or not the school is private or public. The schools themselves set tuition and fees, not the government. Costs for international students will range significantly from one school to the next.

For most undergraduate degree programs, international students can expect to spend about €800 to €2500. The cost for technical schools tends to be significantly higher than this. The highest-costing programs include those in the sciences and medical programs. The costs for postgraduate education is more, but will range significantly from one school to the next.

Travel Visa
Students need to have a student residence permit. This is obtained through a consulate of Croatia in your home country or may be done through a local police officer once you arrive in the country. It is best to have this in place before arriving.

Overall, education in Croatia can be diverse and exciting. Schools are often looking for students who wish to come into the country to help to diversify its population.

Change currency

Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    269
  • Share of utilities

    52
  • Internet subscription

    24
  • Local transportation

    44

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    7
  • Cinema ticket

    6
  • Pint of local beer

    3

About Croatia

Croatia is a former Yugoslav republic on the Adriatic Sea. Part of Croatia is a barren, rocky region lying in the Dinaric Alps. The Zagorje region north of the capital, Zagreb, is a land of rolling hills, and the fertile agricultural region of the Pannonian Plain is bordered by the Drava, Danube, and Sava Rivers in the east. Over one-third of Croatia is forested.

Croatia today has a very high Human Development Index. The International Monetary Fund classified Croatia as an emerging and developing economy, and the World Bank identified it as a high-income economy.

Individuals hoping to experience a unique culture and a diverse population may wish to study in Croatia. The country, officially called the Republic of Croatia, is located in Central Europe. With a land mass of over 21,851 miles, this country sits in both the Balkans and the Mediterranean.More than 4.28 million people call this country home. The country is also a member of the European Union, which makes it easy for transportation throughout the area. Croatia has 20 counties. Its capital, which is also the largest city, is Zagreb.

Climate
The climate present in Croatia tends to range based on the actual location. However, it has a rainy winter season as well as a warm to hot summer. The mean temperature ranges between 27 degrees F at its lowest to 65 degrees F in the summer months. Those who visit the higher elevation areas, including the snowy hills and mountains will see significantly lower temperatures. Additionally, the country gets about 140 inches of rain each year, making it a wet climate most of the time.

Society
Varieties of factors affect the overall quality of life present in Croatia. People here are very religious, with Roman Catholics being the largest population of individuals present. However, the country is growing and changing in terms of its economy. Though it still has a strong industrial and agricultural sector, the country's economy has grown to be significantly more prominent. Nevertheless, this is a country with numerous traditions and ways of life.

Cost of Living
For international students planning to live here, it is important to consider the cost of living. Overall, for a student, this will be between €500 and €1000 per month, sometimes lower or higher. Most students live in dorms, but they may need to rent housing depending on the school selected. Additionally, there are fees for books, transportation, and expenses the student may have. Depending on the type of lifestyle the student plans to have, it may be necessary to have more funds on hand.

Visa Requirements

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Visa (Viza C) / Student Residence Permit

Price and currency

HRK 500

The application fee for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying is 500 Kuna (around 65 EUR).

International students receiving a grant from the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports and the Agency for Mobility and EU Programs are exempted from this fee but they should pay for the cost of the issuance of the residence card in the amount of 240,00 HRK (approximately 35,00 EUR) and the duty stamp fee of 20,00 HRK (approximately 3,00 EUR).

Who can apply for the visa?

International students who wish to study in Croatia must apply for a temporary residence permit if their stay in Croatia is for a period of more than 90 days.

Citizens of the European Union do not need a visa. However, a passport and an identity card are required. For everyone else, a visa is needed, which can be obtained from your nearest Croatian consulate.

Information on countries subject to the visa requirement can be found on the web site of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs: http://www.mvep.hr/en/consular-information/visas/visa-requirements-overview/

Where can you make the application?

Diplomatic Mission or Consulate of the Republic of Croatia

The visa application (Viza C) must be submitted to the diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Croatia in the foreign national’s home country. The visa application can be submitted either in person or via e-mail.

Website:

How to make the application?

Candidates must fill in the visa application form (Viza C) and submit it along with the required documents to the Croatian embassy or consulate in their place of residence. Candidates can submit the application through email or in person.

The following documents must be submitted:

  • One-color photograph 35x45 mm
  • A valid passport and photocopy of a passport (non-EU citizens) or identity card (EU citizens)
  • Proof of secured housing (e.g. written proof of secured accommodation in the student dormitory or an apartment lease and proof of the landlord’s apartment ownership for students in private accommodation). Please note that upon your arrival in Croatia, within 48 hours, you have to register your address at the Foreigners Office at the local Police Administration Office. If you are staying at a hotel or student dormitory your address will be automatically registered.
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself: a scholarship or proof of having access to finances in the amount of at least 1,000 Kuna per month for 12 months. The proof of receiving a scholarship is issued by the legal entity granting the scholarship and the proof of finances is issued by a bank in the form of a bank statement.
  • Proof of admittance to a higher education institution in Croatia written in the Croatian language.

When should you apply?

Students submitting an application to the diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Croatia in their home country should do so prior to their scheduled arrival in Croatia. The usual procedure can take three months or longer (including the time needed for all the necessary documents to be translated into Croatian). There is also a fast-track option for handling the application and students can request this at the diplomatic mission or consulate, in which case they pay a higher fee.

The temporary residence permit is usually granted for the duration of one year or for the duration of the academic year.

Processing time

3 Months

Work opportunities

All full-time students at Croatian higher education institutions can apply for occasional student work. The same applies to international students.

In Croatia, the employment of full-time students is handled by the Student Service Center (Student Services) which has subsidiaries in all university towns and elsewhere.

International students attending short study programs (exchange students, guest students) have to check with the higher education institution they are applying to whether or not they are allowed occasional student work via the student service center and under which conditions.

If an international student is allowed occasional student work via the Student Service Center, she/he can register by coming in person to the Student Service Center and filling out a form.

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.