Croatia has an extremely beautiful and varied nature, and is especially known for its beautiful beaches on the Adriatic coast of Istria and Dalmatia. Croatia has a rich history and culture; Despite its small size, the country has seven items on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Istria was part of the ancient Roman Empire, which can be seen on many of the buildings, and in the southernmost city, Pula, there is a Roman arena such as the Colosseum in Rome. Tourism is an important part of the Croatian economy. You can read more about Croatia’s culture and history at Study in Croatia.
As one of countries starting with letter C listed on Countryaah, Croatia has a large number of institutions of higher learning. One of the largest and oldest institutions is the University of Zagreb, with just over 75,0000 students. Croatia has been part of the European Higher Education Area since 2001, including adapting Croatian education programs to the requirements of the Bologna Process.
Before the global crisis, the Croatian economy experienced growth rates of 4-6% annually, but feels like the large part of Europe the crisis hard. Public debt is a serious problem and unemployment is rising, especially among young people.
Worth knowing
Vocational training in Croatia
The current system of vocational education in Croatia is used by more than half of the pupils in the oldest classes of the primary school, divided into 290 schools.
In 2012, the Danish Agency for Vocational Education and Training (ASOO) implemented a new reform called VET, which among other things focuses on increasing the quality of vocational education and training in Croatia.
The vocational educations must give students the opportunity to acquire qualifications corresponding to upper secondary or primary school level and are divided into three categories:
One-year and two-year programs within basic subjects, divided into 23 programs.
Three-year programs in crafts, divided into 93 programs.
Four-year programs in the technical disciplines, divided into 83 programs.
You can read more about vocational education in Croatia on the website of the Danish Agency for Vocational Education (ASOO)
Internship
If you are thinking of taking all or part of your own internship abroad, read the section on internships abroad for vocational education under the section Primary school, vocational education and youth education.
Economics and education
According to Topschoolsintheusa.com, tuition fees for Croatian higher education are determined by the specific institutions of higher education themselves, and the exact amounts thus vary. It is therefore a good idea to contact the educational institution you are interested in and consult with them about the specific amount.
At the undergraduate level, the amount can be between 800 and 3,600 Euros per year, depending on education and institution. For example, tuition fees for science programs are higher than for humanities programs.
You can read more about tuition fees at Study in Croatia. Here you can also read about the possibilities for scholarships and financial support for your stay.
Work in Croatia
Unemployment in Croatia is relatively high, and particularly high for young people. The total unemployment rate is 18.8% (Eurostat, January 2014).
Student job
As a full-time student in a Croatian higher education, you can apply for a job alongside your studies. If you are on a study stay in Croatia through an exchange agreement with your Danish education, it is a good idea to check whether the agreement allows you to work alongside your studies. You can read more about job opportunities in Croatia here.
Practical conditions
Visa
For stays in Croatia with a duration of more than 3 months, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit. The Croatian Embassy in Copenhagen can help you with this.
On Study in Croatia’s website you can read about how to apply for a residence permit in Croatia.
You can also read about the current visa requirements for Danes on the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
Housing
If you are going on a study stay in Croatia, and you are interested in a dorm room, you should check with the international office at the educational institution you are going to study at. Not all educational institutions offer housing, and at the moment dormitories are only offered to the international students who come to Croatia on official exchange programs such as. Erasmus program. However, it is a good idea to consult with your specific educational institution about the exact agreements and applicable conditions.
You can read more about studio flats in Croatia here.
If you are not interested in a studio apartment, or are going to Croatia for another type of stay, you can rent a private home. The prices for rental apartments vary depending on which city you are going to live in, the location of the apartment, etc. However, Study in Croatia gives the following estimate:
- Approx. 150 Euro per month for a room in an apartment with shared kitchen and bathroom.
- Approx. 250 Euro per month for a private one bedroom apartment.
Study in Croatia has a page with useful tips for house hunting in Croatia.
