First Release

Year: LXII.
Zagreb, 01 August 2025
OBR-2025-4-5

ISSN 1334-0557

STUDENTS ENROLLED ON PROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY STUDY, WINTER SEMESTER OF 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

According to the collected data in the winter semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, a total of 147 454 students enrolled on the institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia. The share of female students was 86 145 (58.4%).

Out of the total number of students enrolled on institutions of higher education, 83.3% enrolled in faculties, 14.9% on polytechnics, 1.7% in art academies and 0.1% on schools of professional higher education.

There were more female students among enrolled students

The largest number of female students enrolled on faculties and art academies. Thus, 50.8% of them attended professional studies in faculties and 62.2% attended university studies in faculties, whereas 69.9% of them attended art academies.

Full-time students were most represented in art academies

There were 73.2% of full-time and 26.8% of part-time students enrolled. The largest number of full-time students were enrolled on art academies (92.2%).

In the winter semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, 99.9% out of the total number of students followed the Bologna programme. Less than 0.1% of students were enrolled on a professional short study, 23.4% of them were enrolled on a professional undergraduate study, 5.6% on a professional graduate study, 35.5% on a university undergraduate study, 17.7% on a university graduate study and 17.6% of them were enrolled on a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study. There were still less than 0.1% of students attending an undergraduate university study who followed the pre-Bologna programme.

Scientific fields were the most often chosen fields of study

In the 2024/2025 academic year, the highest share of students enrolled on professional and university studies attended scientific fields (92.0%), followed by interdisciplinary fields (5.8%) and artistic fields (2.2%). Regarding the scientific fields of study, the most often chosen were Social sciences (43.0%) and Engineering (28.7%). Visual arts (22.8%), Music arts (19.4%) and Design (18.3%) were the most often chosen artistic fields of study.

 

1 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY TYPE OF INSTITUTION, YEARS AND MODE OF STUDY, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

  Mode of study Total 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 6th year
Institutions of higher education All 147 454 53 447 47 576 34 250 5 668 5 389 1 124
  Full-time 107 998 41 440 34 606 22 625 4 236 4 000 1 091
Schools of professional higher education All 27 15 6 6 - - -
  Full-time 5 2 3 - - - -
Polytechnics All 21 959 7 470 6 864 7 368 257 - -
  Full-time 10 327 3 703 3 068 3 301 255 - -
Faculties All 122 836 45 078 39 881 26 309 5 219 5 225 1 124
  Full-time 95 238 36 915 30 794 18 810 3 792 3 836 1 091
Professional study  All 20 945 7 805 6 854 6 246 40 - -
  Full-time 11 297 4 939 3 687 2 651 20 - -
University study  All 101 891 37 273 33 027 20 063 5 179 5 225 1 124
  Full-time 83 941 31 976 27 107 16 159 3 772 3 836 1 091
Art academies  All 2 632 884 825 567 192 164 -
  Full-time 2 428 820 741 514 189 164 -

G-1 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY PROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY STUDY AND YEAR OF STUDY, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

2 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY TYPE OF STUDY, YEARS OF STUDY AND SEX, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

  Sex Total 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 6th year
Institutions of higher education  All 147 454 53 447 47 576 34 250 5 668 5 389 1 124
  Male students 61 309 23 459 19 298 14 584 1 862 1 759 347
  Female students 86 145 29 988 28 278 19 666 3 806 3 630 777
According to pre-Bologna programme All 48 17 9 16 2 4 -
  Male students 47 17 9 15 2 4 -
  Female students 1 - - 1 - - -
Undergraduate university study All 48 17 9 16 2 4 -
  Male students 47 17 9 15 2 4 -
  Female students 1 - - 1 - - -
According to Bologna programme  All 147 406 53 430 47 567 34 234 5 666 5 385 1 124
  Male students 61 262 23 442 19 289 14 569 1 860 1 755 347
  Female students 86 144 29 988 28 278 19 665 3 806 3 630 777
Short professional study All 115 107 8 - - - -
  Male students 60 56 4 - - - -
  Female students 55 51 4 - - - -
Professional undergraduate study  All 34 505 11 763 8 825 13 620 297 - -
  Male students 18 091 6 377 4 477 7 076 161 - -
  Female students 16 414 5 386 4 348 6 544 136 - -
Professional graduate study All 8 311 3 420 4 891 - - - -
  Male students 3 812 1 583 2 229 - - - -
  Female students 4 499 1 837 2 662 - - - -
University undergraduate study  All 52 444 20 229 14 551 16 286 1 378 - -
  Male students 21 376 8 842 5 900 6 147 487 - -
  Female students 31 068 11 387 8 651 10 139 891 - -
University graduate study All 26 073 11 248 14 825 - - - -
  Male students 9 726 4 435 5 291 - - - -
  Female students 16 347 6 813 9 534 - - - -
University integrated undergraduate and graduate study All 25 958 6 663 4 467 4 328 3 991 5 385 1 124
  Male students 8 197 2 149 1 388 1 346 1 212 1 755 347
  Female students 17 761 4 514 3 079 2 982 2 779 3 630 777

G-2 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY TYPE OF STUDY, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

3 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY GROUPS OF INSTITUTIONS, TYPE OF STUDY AND SEX, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

  Sex Total Schools of professional higher education Polytechnics Faculties Art academies
Total Professional study University study
Institutions of higher education  All 147 454 27 21 959 122 836 20 945 101 891 2 632
  Male students 61 309 18 11 649 48 850 10 296 38 554 792
  Female students 86 145 9 10 310 73 986 10 649 63 337 1 840
According to pre-Bologna programme All 48 - - 48 - 48 -
  Male students 47 - - 47 - 47 -
  Female students 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Undergraduate university study All 48 - - 48 - 48 -
  Male students 47 - - 47 - 47 -
  Female students 1 - - 1 - 1 -
According to Bologna programme All 147 406 27 21 959 122 788 20 945 101 843 2 632
  Male students 61 262 18 11 649 48 803 10 296 38 507 792
  Female students 86 144 9 10 310 73 985 10 649 63 336 1 840
Professional  short study All 115 - 45 70 70 - -
  Male students 60 - 19 41 41 - -
  Female students 55 - 26 29 29 - -
Professional undergraduate study All 34 505 27 17 243 17 235 17 235 - -
  Male students 18 091 18 9 224 8 849 8 849 - -
  Female students 16 414 9 8 019 8 386 8 386 - -
Professional graduate study All 8 311 - 4 671 3 640 3 640 - -
  Male students 3 812 - 2 406 1 406 1 406 - -
  Female students 4 499 - 2 265 2 234 2 234 - -
University undergraduate study All 52 444 - - 51 150 - 51 150 1 294
  Male students  21 376 - - 21 024 - 21 024 352
  Female students 31 068 - - 30 126 - 30 126 942
University graduate study All 26 073 - - 25 349 - 25 349 724
  Male students 9 726 - - 9 514 - 9 514 212
  Female students 16 347 - - 15 835 - 15 835 512
University integrated undergraduate and graduate study All 25 958 - - 25 344 - 25 344 614
  Male students  8 197 - - 7 969 - 7 969 228
  Female students 17 761 - - 17 375 - 17 375 386

G-3 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY TYPE OF INSTITUTION, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

4 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY SCIENTIFIC, INTERDISCIPLINARY, AND ARTISTIC FIELDS OF STUDY AND SEX, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

  Total Scientific fields of study
Natural sciences Engineering Biomedicine and health Biotechnical sciences Social sciences Humanities
Total 147 454 5 895 38 983 19 199 5 316 58 362 7 951
Female students 86 145 3 637 11 918 14 572 3 317 37 312 5 772
Schools of higher professional education 27 - - - - - 27
Female students 9 - - - - - 9
Polytechnics 21 959 - 7 621 5 333 493 7 866 29
Female students 10 310 - 1 593 4 089 237 4 111 10
Faculties 122 836 5 895 31 362 13 866 4 823 50 353 7 859
Female students 73 986 3 637 10 325 10 483 3 080 33 077 5 726
Professional study 20 945 - 6 019 1 304 287 12 781 -
Female students 10 649 - 1 429 1 006 159 7 711 -
University study 101 891 5 895 25 343 12 562 4 536 37 572 7 859
Female students 63 337 3 637 8 896 9 477 2 921 25 366 5 726
Art academies 2 632 - - - - 143 36
Female students 1 840 - - - - 124 27

4 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY SCIENTIFIC, INTERDISCIPLINARY, AND ARTISTIC FIELDS OF STUDY AND SEX, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

(continued)

  Interdisciplinary fields
of science and arts
Artistic fields of study
Interdisciplinary scientific field Artistic and interdisciplinary fields within science and arts Theatre arts Film arts Music arts Visual arts Applied arts Dance arts and movement arts Design Interdisciplinary artistic field
Total 8 279 179 198 165 639 751 484 34 601 418
Female students 7 272 104 126 76 362 583 382 31 430 251
Schools of higher professional education - - - - - - - - - -
Female students - - - - - - - - - -
Polytechnics 617 - - - - - - - - -
Female students 270 - - - - - - - - -
Faculties 7 424 28 - - 76 41 319 - 526 264
Female students 6 823 21 - - 39 27 244 - 371 133
Professional study 5 - - - - - - - 366 183
Female students 5 - - - - - - - 250 89
University study 7 419 28 - - 76 41 319 - 160 81
Female students 6 818 21 - - 39 27 244 - 121 44
Art academies 238 151 198 165 563 710 165 34 75 154
Female students 179 83 126 76 323 556 138 31 59 118

G-4 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BY SCIENTIFIC, INTERDISCIPLINARY, AND ARTISTIC FIELDS OF STUDY AND SEX, 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

The data are the result of the annual data processing on students enrolled in institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia in the winter semester of the academic year 2024/2025. The data are collected through a questionnaire entitled the “Registration Sheet for the Enrolment of Students on Professional and University Study” (ŠV-20 form), which is filled in by students in the process of enrolment in all years of professional or university study in either paper or electronic format. The majority of institutions of higher education submit their data electronically through the Information system of institutions of higher education of the University Computing Centre or on their own.

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers students enrolled in institutions of higher education in the territory of the Republic of Croatia in winter semester. It includes students who were enrolled according to the Bologna programme in line with the Act on Scientific Activity and Higher Education (NN, No. 119/22) as well as those who continued their studies according to the pre-Bologna programme. The data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

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 while they work or perform some other activity requiring a specific programme and methods of performing studies in line with an operational teaching plan.

Studies are organised by study programmes and classified according to the Ordinance on Scientific and Interdisciplinary Areas, Fields and Branches, and Artistic Area, Fields and Branches (NN, No. 3/24).

Institutions of higher education are universities as well as faculties, art academies and polytechnics.

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, directly or through its faculties, art academies and departments.

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

Professional studies can also be taught at universities and their component parts.

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 is 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 study programmes are conducted, 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 study prepares students for performing work in science and higher education, in business, public sector and society in general and also prepares them for the development and application of scientific and professional findings. University studies are organised and conducted at universities.

University education is comprised of university undergraduate study, university graduate study, university integrated undergraduate and graduate study, university professional study and doctoral study. In accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), 60 ECTS credits should be accrued during the course of one academic year.

University undergraduate study, which normally lasts for three to four years and during which students earn 180 to 240 ECTS credits, enables students to continue their studies at a university graduate study or to enter the labour market.

University graduate study normally lasts one to two years and students earn 60 to 120 ECTS credits during the course of their studies. The total number of credits earned at university undergraduate and graduate studies is at least 300 ECTS credits.

Professional study provides students with an adequate level of knowledge and skills that enables the performance of professional occupations and prepares them for direct entry into the labour market. Professional studies are conducted at schools of professional higher education or at polytechnics but can also be conducted at universities.

Professional study (professional short study and professional undergraduate study) lasts two to three years and students earn 120 to 180 ECTS credits during the course of their studies. Exceptionally, a professional study may last up to four years and students earn up to 240 ECTS credits during its course.

Polytechnics can organise a professional graduate study lasting one to two years for persons who completed a professional study or university undergraduate study. Upon the completion of a professional graduate study, students earn 60 to 120 ECTS credits.

Academic year starts on 1 October of the current year and ends on 30 September of the following calendar year.

 

Abbreviations  
   
ECTS European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
NN Narodne novine, official gazette of the Republic of Croatia
   
Symbols  
   
- no occurrence

 

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