Studying in Croatia: programmes and student life

A member of the European Union, the Schengen area and the euro zone, Croatia combines a Mediterranean lifestyle, a moderate cost of living and long-established public universities. The English-taught offer is still limited, but it includes sought-after programmes such as medicine. Here is how to study in Croatia from Tunisia.

Why Croatia?

• A European degree, in an EU and Schengen member country.

• A moderate cost of living compared with Western Europe.

• A Mediterranean lifestyle on the Adriatic coast.

• English-taught programmes in a few key fields.

• A safe and welcoming country.

The universities

• University of Zagreb, the largest and oldest in the country;

• University of Split;

• University of Rijeka;

• University of Osijek;

• University of Zadar;

• a few private institutions, notably in business, tourism and IT.

English-taught programmes

The English-taught offer remains more limited than in other Central European countries, but it covers:

• medicine in English at several faculties (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek), with high fees comparable to other fee-paying English-taught programmes in Europe;

• some master's programmes in economics, management, IT, engineering and sciences;

• tourism and hospitality programmes at private institutions.

For other bachelor's programmes, teaching is in Croatian, with a required language level.

Admission

You apply directly to the faculties. Depending on the programme:

• application file with your bac (or bachelor's degree) and transcripts;

• English certificate;

• entrance exam (biology, chemistry, physics for medicine) and/or interview.

Your foreign diploma must be recognised for access to studies: the faculty or the competent body assesses your documents, which must be legalised or apostilled and translated.

Applications are often made in spring and summer for an October intake.

The residence permit

Non-EU students must apply for temporary stay for study purposes, generally at the competent Croatian diplomatic mission (which may be located in another country) or after entry, according to the rules in force. Usual documents:

• admission letter;

• proof of funds;

• health insurance;

• accommodation;

• criminal record extract;

• passport.

What budget should you plan?

• Tuition fees: vary depending on the programme; medicine in English is the most expensive.

• Daily life: generally €600 to €900 per month, more in Zagreb and in tourist cities such as Split or Dubrovnik, especially in summer.

• Housing: university residences (limited places) or flat-shares.

Student life

Zagreb is a dynamic capital, with a rich cultural life and convenient transport. Split and Rijeka offer life by the sea. Croatian remains useful day to day, even though English is widely spoken by young people.

Comparing with other destinations

If the Croatian offer does not match your project, look at:

• Poland and Hungary for medicine in English;

• Portugal for a similar lifestyle;

• Malta for English-taught studies in the Mediterranean.

Typical timeline for a project in Croatia

For an October intake, here is the sequence we recommend for a Tunisian bac holder:

1. October – December: choice of field and faculties, check of the English-taught offer for the following year, registration for an English test.

2. January – March: preparation of documents (bac, transcripts, passport), translations and legalisations or apostilles.

3. March – June: applications to the faculties, and preparation for the entrance exam for medicine (biology, chemistry, physics).

4. June – July: results, confirmation of your place, payment of the first fees.

5. July – September: application for temporary stay for study purposes, housing search, health insurance.

Exact dates vary by faculty and can change from one year to the next: keep a margin of at least one month at each stage.

What to check before choosing a programme

As the English-taught offer is smaller than elsewhere, ask yourself these questions before applying:

• Is the programme taught entirely in English, including placements and exams?

• How many international students does it take each year? A small cohort can be an advantage for supervision.

• What are the exact fees for the entire programme, and can they change?

• Is university housing available to non-EU students, and when do you need to apply for it?

• Which languages are used in the partner hospitals or companies for placements?

Daily life in Croatia

• Transport: tram and bus networks in Zagreb, advantageous student passes.

• Food: university canteens offer subsidised, very cheap meals.

• Climate: continental in Zagreb (cold winters), Mediterranean on the coast (hot summers).

• Tourism: the coast attracts huge numbers of visitors in summer, which pushes up rents in Split or Dubrovnik. Sign your lease for the year before the summer if possible.

• Community: the Maghrebi community is smaller than in France or Italy, but international student associations are active and make integration easier.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• transcripts and bac diploma, legalised or apostilled and translated;

• passport valid for the entire stay;

• English certificate;

• criminal record extract (bulletin n° 3);

• proof of funds and health insurance for the residence permit.

Key takeaway: Croatia suits students who are aiming for a specific English-taught programme, such as medicine, in a European and Mediterranean setting. Check that year's offer before committing.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you identify suitable English-taught programmes and prepare for admission and any entrance exam, the recognition of your documents and the residence permit.

👉 Talk to an advisor to find out whether Croatia suits your project.