University education

Under the new higher education act passed in 2010, the Croatian system has been reformed in line with the Bologna Process. Reforms have included the introduction of a structure for the award of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and the obligation to use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Study programmes are now offered at three levels in conformity with the three Bologna cycles.

Preddiplomski sveučilišni studij (undergraduate university studies)

Programmes leading to the degree of University Baccalaureus/Baccalaurea (Sveučilišni Prvostupnik/Prvostupnica) have a duration of 3 to 4 years. The degree provides access to advanced programmes at the university or professional education level as well as to the labor market. The admission requirement is a Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi.

Diplomski sveučilišni studij (graduate university studies)

Magistar (master’s) programmes are the next step, post completion of a baccalaureus programme and is geared towards building in deep knowledge through academic research. The nominal duration is usually 1 to 2 years. Integrated (unitary) programmes are also offered, where the degree of Magistar is awarded without the completion of a separate initial Baccalaureus programme. In that case, the minimum admission requirement is a Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi and the nominal duration of the programme is 5 to 6 years.

Students who complete a master’s programme in a technical specialization are awarded the academic degree of magistar inženjer/ magistrica inženjerka (mag. ing). Students who obtain a master’s degree in medicine are awarded the degree of doktor medicine.

Postgradu Poslijediplomski sveučilišni studij or postgraduate university studies generally lead to the title of university specialist - Sveučilišni Specijialist. This category of programmes has a nominal duration of 1 to 2 years.

In terms of level, the Sveučilišni Specijalist is comparable to a HBO or WO master’s degree with a similar specialization in the Netherlands, depending on the content and type of study.

PhD

It usually takes 3 years to pursue a doctorate. After defending his/her doctoral thesis, the candidate is awarded the degree of doktor znanosti (Doctor of Science) or doktor umjetnosti (Doctor of Arts). This degree is comparable to a doctorate degree in the Netherlands.

Higher professional education

In Croatia, higher education with a professional focus is taught at polytechnics (veleučilište) and higher professional education institutions (visoka škola). These institutions are dedicated exclusively to higher professional education programmes, which are offered at two levels.

Preddiplomski stručni studij (undergraduate professional studies) Strucni Pristupnik/Pristupnica (professional short-cycle degree):Programmes leading to a professional short-cycle degree, or Stručni Pristupnik/Pristupnica, have a duration of 2 to 2½ years. The degree provides access to the labour market as well as to a professional baccalaureus programme. The admission requirement is a Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi.
Stručni Prvostupnik/Prvostupnica (professional Baccalaureus/ Baccalaurea): Programmes leading to the degree of Professional Baccalaureus/Baccalaurea (Stručni Prvostupnik/Prvostupnica) have a duration of 3 to 4 years. This degree provides access to advanced programmes with a professional orientation and to the labour market. The admission requirement is a Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi or degree of stručni pristupnik.