STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED FROM OR COMPLETED UNIVERSITY OR
PROFESSIONAL STUDY, 2023

A total of 31 580 students graduated from university study or completed professional study in 2023. The share of female students in that number amounted to 19 438, that is, 61.6%.

More female students among students who graduated from university study or completed professional study

Out of the total of 31 580 students who graduated from university study or completed professional study, 0.1% graduated from or completed the study at schools of professional higher education, 17.0% at polytechnics, 80.6% at faculties (12.3% at professional studies and 68.3% at university studies) and 2.3% at art academies.

The highest share of female students graduated from or completed professional study was recorded at art academies, 68.8%, followed by university studies at faculties, 64.4%, professional studies at faculties, 58.9%, and at polytechnics, 51.3%, while there was not a single female student at schools of professional higher education.

The largest number of students graduated from a university undergraduate study

According to the Bologna programme, the largest number of students, 31.3% of them, graduated from a university undergraduate study, followed by 30.0% of them who graduated from a university graduate study, 21.1% from a professional undergraduate study, 9.3% from an integrated undergraduate and graduate study and 8.2% from a professional graduate study. Out of the total number of students, 0.1% of them graduated from or completed the study according to the pre-Bologna programme.

The largest number of students who graduated from university study or completed professional study were in the 22 to 24 age group

Regarding age, the largest number of students who graduated from university study or completed professional study was classified in the 22 – 24 age group (44.1%) and the smallest one in the 37 – 39 age group (1.8%). There were 3.3% of students in the up-to-21 age group, 32.8% of students in the 25 – 27 age group, 8.0% in the 28 – 30 age group, 3.6% in the 31 – 33 age group, 2.3% in the 34 – 36 age group and 4.1% in the 40-and-over age group.

The greatest number of students graduated from or completed study in the field of Social sciences

In 2023, the greatest number of students graduated from or completed study in the field of Social sciences (41.1%), followed by Engineering (25.6%), Biomedicine and health (12.9%), Humanities (6.5%), Biotechnical sciences (4.8%), Natural sciences (4.3%) and Artistic field (2.7%). The smallest number of students graduated from or completed study in the Interdisciplinary fields of science (2.1%).

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

Data are the result of the annual data processing on students who graduated from university study or completed professional study at institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia in 2023. They are collected, either on paper or electronically, through the questionnaire entitled Statistical Sheet for Students Who Graduated or Completed University or Professional Study in 2023 (ŠV-50 form).

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers students who graduated from university study or completed professional study at institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia. It includes both students who graduated according to the pre-Bologna programme and those who graduated according to the Bologna programme. Data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

Higher (tertiary) education is carried out through university and professional studies.

Students are persons enrolled in institutions of higher education. There are full-time and part-time students. Full-time students are those who study according to a programme based on a full-time teaching schedule. Part-time students are those who participate in the educational programme based on a full-time or a specific teaching schedule.

Upon the completion of the university undergraduate, graduate or integrated undergraduate and graduate studies, candidates are awarded the academic title, while upon the completion of the professional undergraduate or professional graduate degree programme candidates are awarded the professional title in accordance with the Act on Academic and Professional Titles and Academic Degree (NN, No. 123/23).

Institutions of higher education are university as well as faculty, art academy and polytechnic.

Institutions of higher education can be public and private.

University is an institution that establishes and conducts university and interdisciplinary studies in at least two areas of scientific or artistic activity in a number of fields, as an autonomous and integrated process, indirectly or through its faculties, art academies and departments.

University comprises the following: faculties, art academies, departments and institutes and other units according to law.

Professional courses can also be taught at universities and their units.

Faculty is an institution of higher education, a component part of a university, where university studies are organised and conducted, and where scientific and professional work in one or more scientific or professional fields are developed. Professional studies can also be conducted there.

Art academy is an institution of higher education, a component part of a university, where artistic studies are organised and conducted, and where top artistic endeavours and scientific activity in the field of art are nourished. Professional studies can also be conducted there.

University department is a component part of a university where university courses are taught and where scientific, artistic or professional work in a particular field of science or an interdisciplinary area is developed.

Polytechnic is an institution that establishes and conducts professional courses.

University studies prepare students for performing work in science, arts and higher education, in business, public sector and society in general and also prepares them for development and application of scientific, artistic and professional achievements. University studies are organised and conducted at universities.

University education encompasses university undergraduate study, university graduate study, university professional study and doctoral study. In accordance to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), 60 ECTS credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. Study programmes may also be carried out as a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study, whose completion brings at least 300 ECTS credits.

Professional studies provide students with an adequate level of knowledge and skills that enable performance of professional occupations and prepares them for direct entry into labour market. Professional studies are conducted at polytechnics according to the Scientific Activity and Higher Education Act (NN, No. 119/22).

Professional education includes a professional short study, professional undergraduate study and professional graduate study. Professional studies last two to three years, completes upon passing all the examinations. Passing of the final examination and/or producing the final paper may also be provided by the programme of study. This brings students 120  to 180 ECTS credits. Exceptionally, professional study may last up to four years and students earn up to 240 ECTS credits.

Polytechnics can organise a professional graduate study lasting one to two years for persons who completed a professional study or a university undergraduate study.

The completion of a professional graduate study lasting one to two years, passing all the examinations, producing a final paper and passing of the final examination brings students 60 to 120 ECTS credits.

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Dubravka Rogić Hadžalić, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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