How to Study in Croatia for International Students

Croatia is a great place for international students wishing to study abroad because it has several renowned universities. There are several grants and scholarships available to aid with living and tuition expenses. With its rich history, music, and gastronomy, Croatia also has a thriving culture. Croatia offers world-class educational facilities, a magnificent coastline, charming villages, and an outstanding study abroad experience.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Croatia currently has 42 universities, from which 24 universities are a part of the public sector and 18 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Croatia you should definitely check out are University of Zagreb, University of Split, and Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia.

Being able to study in Croatia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Croatia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Croatia

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Croatia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 0 Euros to 7,800 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,070 Euros and 17,200 Euros.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Croatia

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Croatia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb 5,000 Euros
University of Split 2,000 Euros - 4,000 Euros 1,115 Euros - 4,000 Euros
College of Occupational Safety and Health 3,199 Euros - 3,200 Euros 3,200 Euros
Marko Marulic Polytechnic in Knin 0 Euros - 980 Euros
University in Rijeka 1,070 Euros - 1,285 Euros 1,070 Euros - 5,000 Euros
University of Zagreb 3,700 Euros 2,000 Euros - 3,700 Euros

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Croatia

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Zagreb School of Economics and Management 7,400 Euros 10,400 Euros
Algebra University College 5,700 Euros 6,120 Euros
University College Arca 2,500 Euros
University of Applied Sciences Baltazar, Zapresic 2,700 Euros - 3,000 Euros
Aspira University College 4,350 Euros - 6,400 Euros 4,850 Euros - 4,980 Euros
European Business School Zagreb 2,900 Euros 2,900 Euros - 3,450 Euros
Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia 7,800 Euros 17,200 Euros
VERN University 6,825 Euros 6,825 Euros

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Croatia, check out the Cheap Universities in Croatia!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Croatia for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Croatia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Croatia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Croatia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Croatia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Croatia and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Algebra University College

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Aspira University College

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University in Rijeka

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Croatia

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Croatia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Zagreb and University of Split. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Croatia.

University of Zagreb

University of Split

Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Croatia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Croatia.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Croatia

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Croatia. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Croatia as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Croatia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Visa Type C.

To start your student visa application in Croatia, you will need to present the following:

  1. Completed and signed visa application form
  2. Valid passport, with at least 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years
  3. A recent color photo
  4. Evidence of medical insurance
  5. Proof of financial resources to support stay
  6. Confirmation letter or proof of acceptance from the host university

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Croatia is 631 HRK.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Complete the requirements to apply for visa.
  2. Submit the requirements at a Croatian embassy or consulate, or the nearest VFS Global Visa Application Center.
  3. Provide additional information or documents upon request of the consulate or embassy.
  4. Attend an interview upon request of the consulate or embassy.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Croatia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!