Universities in Croatia

Located across the Adriatic sea to the east of Italy, Croatia is an attractive destination for visitors, with a warm climate and much history and culture to enjoy. An EU nation, Croatia is also a good choice for international students owing to its high quality of education.

There are over 50 universities and colleges in Croatia, and they can be divided into either public or private education institutions.

Public institutions

These universities are publicly funded and were established by the state to provide higher education. The following types of public institutions of education in Croatia are:

Universities – These will offer degrees in a wide range of disciplines, across bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. Examples include the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, the University of Split and the University of Zagreb.

Polytechnics & Colleges – Polytechnics and colleges in Croatia offer a more focused range of degree courses, often with a view to preparing students for a specific vocation. Examples include the Polytechnic of Rijeka and the Polytechnic of Požega.

Private institutions

Private Universities, polytechnics and colleges are also available in Croatia.

Examples include the private universities Libertas University and VERN’ University, and the private college RIT Croatia.

Language of instruction

The majority of the population of Croatia speak Croatian as their 1st language, and most universities in Croatia use Croatian as their language of tuition. Many universities also offer courses taught in English, such as the University of Zagreb, which offers a range of courses taught in English.

As ever, when moving to a new country, it is important to also try to learn the local language, and learning some Croatian will help you to maximize your experience during your studies.

The top ranked universities in Croatia

University	Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024	Best Global Universities	QS World University Ranking
University of Zagreb	1001-1200	517	651-660
University of Split	1201-1500	789	1201-1400
University of Rijeka	1501+	1327	1201-1400
University of JJ Strossmayer Osijek		1631	1201-1400
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)			1001-1200