HIGHER EDUCATION IN CROATIA
Higher education is performed through university and professional studies. University studies are performed at universities while professional studies are performed at polytechnics and schools of professional higher education. Professional studies can be performed at universities only exceptionally, with the prior consent by the National Council for Higher Education.
University study qualifies students for performing jobs in science and higher education, business community, public sector and society in general, as well as training them for developing and applying scientific and professional achievements.
University study includes three levels: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate.
1. Undergraduate university study normally lasts for three to four years and students earn 180-240 ECTS credits. Upon completion students are awarded an academic title of baccalaureus or baccalaurea (prvostupnik or prvostupnica) with a reference to a specialisation, which qualifies a student for a specialized work in art or science. Students can continue their studies at graduate university study or specialist professional graduate study or enter the labour market.*
2. Graduate university study normally lasts for one to two years and students earn 60-120 ECTS credits. A total number of credits earned at undergraduate and graduate study is at least 300 ECTS credits.
Upon completion of undergraduate and graduate study, students are awarded an academic title of Magister or Magistra with reference to a specialization.
Students can continue their studies at postgraduate university study or enter the labour market.*
3. Postgraduate university study normally lasts three years. Upon completion students are awarded an academic title of Doctor of Science or Doctor of Arts. Universities may also organise a postgraduate specialist study lasting one to two years and award a title of a specialist in a certain field.
Professional study offers students an appropriate level of knowledge and skills enabling them to perform professional occupations, and trains them for a direct entry into the labour market.
Professional study includes two levels: professional study and specialist professional graduate study.
Professional study last two to three years and students earn 120-180 ECTS credits. Exceptionally, following the approval of the National Council for Higher Education, professional study may last up to four years and students earn up to 240 ECTS credits. Upon completion of professional study with less than 180 ECTS credits students are awarded a professional title of professional baccalaureus or baccalaurea (prvostupnik or prvostupnica) with a reference to a specialization. Upon completion of professional study with 180 ECTS credits or more students are awarded a professional title of professional baccalaureus or baccalaurea (prvostupnik or prvostupnica) with a reference to a specialisation.
Students can continue their studies at specialist professional graduate study or graduate university study or enter the labour market.*
Specialist professional graduate study last one to two years and students earn 60-120 ECTS credits. Upon completion students are awarded a title of a specialist of the respective profession. Students can continue their studies at graduate university study or enter the labour market.*
* The enrolment requirements for all levels of university and professional studies are determined by higher education institutions themselves
A university, polytechnic or school of professional higher education shall determine a procedure for selecting candidates in a manner that guarantees equality of all candidates regardless of their race, gender, language, religion, political or other believes, national or social origin, assets, birth, social status, disability, sexual orientation and age. A university, polytechnic or school of professional higher education shall determine criteria (achievements from previous education, type of completed education, results of an entrance or other exam, special knowledge, skills or abilities etc.) These shall be a base for classification and selection of candidates.
From the moment the Republic of Croatia becomes a full member of the European Union, students who are citizens of the EU member states shall have the same rights pursuant to the Scientific Activity and Higher Education Act and shall enrol in studies under same conditions as Croatian citizens. The enrolment quota for foreign citizens can be limited or reduced when it comes to military or police education or other studies of interest for national security.
Undergraduate and professional study
A university, polytechnic or school of professional higher education shall determine types of secondary education that are appropriate for entrance into a certain undergraduate or professional study. Exceptionally, under conditions stipulated by a higher education institution, a study may be enrolled by an individual without relevant education, in cases of highly gifted individuals when there are reasons to expect that they will complete their study successfully with no previous education.
Graduate study
A graduate study may be enrolled by an individual who has completed a relevant undergraduate study. A university shall determine undergraduate studies relevant for the enrolment into each graduate study as well as conditions for enrolment of candidates who have completed another undergraduate study or a graduate university study. Individuals with completed professional study may enrol into a graduate study if this is stipulated by enactments of the university implementing that study. Enrolment may be conditioned by taking differential exams.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study may be enrolled by an individual who has completed a relevant graduate study. A university may stipulate other conditions for enrolment into the postgraduate study.
Higher education institutions
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Higher education institutions are universities, polytechnics and schools of professional higher education with all its constituents.
University is an institution that organises and implements university studies in at leas two scientific an/or art areas in a greater number of fields and interdisciplinary studies. University constituents are: faculties, art academies, departments, institutes, foundations, associations, student centres, health care institutions, libraries, and technological centres.
- Faculty is a higher education institution that as a university constituent organises and carries out university studies, and develops scientific research and professional work in one or more scientific and professional fields. The faculty may also establish and carry out professional studies.
- Academy of arts is a higher education institution that as a university constituent organises and carries out university artistic studies, and develops first-rate artistic creative endeavour and scientific research in arts. The academy of arts may also establish and carry out professional artistic studies.
- University department is a university constituent that participates in the implementation of study programmes and develops scientific, artistic and professional work in a single field of science or in an interdisciplinary area of science, and participates in the implementation of university studies.
- The university institute is a university constituent founded for performing scientific activity in a single or several related scientific fields, normally related to higher education process at the university. A university institute may perform highly professional work and participate in teaching according to enactments passed by the university.
Polytechnic and school of professional higher education are institutions that organise and implement professional studies. A polytechnic implements at least three different studies in at least three fields.
There are currently around 130 higher education institutions in the Republic of Croatia which can be found in the Overview of Institutions in the Higher Education System:
7 universities: University of Dubrovnik, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, University of Rijeka, University of Split, University of Zadar, University of Zagreb and University of Juraj Dobrila in Pula
13 public polytechnics: Social Studies Polytechnic in Zagreb, Technical Polytechnic in Zagreb, Polytechnic in Karlovac, Polytechnic Lavoslav Ružička in Vukovar, Polytechnic "Nikola Tesla" in Gospić, Polytechnic Marko Marulić in Knin, Polytechnic in Požega, Polytechnic in Rijeka, Polytechnic in Varaždin, Polytechnic in Slavonski Brod, Polytechnic in Šibenik, Health Studies Polytechnic in Zagreb, Polytechnic of Međimurje in Čakovec
3 public schools of professional higher education: Police Academy in Zagreb, College of Agriculture in Križevci, College of Management in Tourism and IT in Virovitica
3 private polytechnics: Polytechnic in Velika Gorica, VERN Business College, Polytechnic for media, business and management
25 private schools of professional higher education: American College of Management and Technology, International Graduate School for Management in Zagreb, RRiF School of Financial Management, Theology faculty "Matija Vlačić Ilirik", Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Business School "Libertas", Business School in Višnjan, Business School "Utilus" in Zagreb, School of Professional Higher Education "Agora" in Zagreb, Business School "Minerva" in Dugopolje, Business School in Zagreb, School of Information Technologies in Zagreb, Business and Management School "Baltazar Adam Krčelić" in Zaprešić, School for Workplace Safety in Zagreb, Polytechnic School in Pula, Zagreb School of Economics and Management, Zagreb School of Management, Polytechnic School in Bjelovar, School of Information Technologies, Business School "Minerva", School of Journalism, School of Professional Higher Education "Hrvatsko zagorje" in Krapina, Polytechnic School in Zagreb, TV-AKADEMIJA School of Multimedia Communication Technologies, School of Applied Informatics, School of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Management "Zrinski", School of Public Relation and Media Study "Kairos".