STUDENTS ENROLLED ON PROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY STUDY, WINTER SEMESTER OF 2025/2026 ACADEMIC YEAR

According to the collected data, in the winter semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, a total of 147 607 students enrolled in the institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia. Of that, 86 608 were female students, which accounted for 58.7%.

Out of the total number of students enrolled in institutions of higher education, 83.2% enrolled in faculties, 14.9% in polytechnics, 1.8% in art academies, while the fewest of them enrolled in schools of professional higher education (0.1%)

There were more female students among enrolled students

The largest number of female students enrolled in faculties and art academies. Thus, 50.7% of them attended professional studies at faculties and 62.3% attended university studies at faculties, whereas 70.0% of them attended art academies.

Full-time students were most represented in art academies

There were 73.8% of full-time and 26.2% of part-time students enrolled. The largest number of full-time students were enrolled in art academies (93.1%).

In the winter semester of the 2025/2026 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, 22.9% of them were enrolled on a professional undergraduate study, 6.1% on a professional graduate study, 35.9% on a university undergraduate study, 17.4% on a university graduate study and 17.5% of them were enrolled on a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study. There were still 0.1% of students attending an undergraduate university study following the pre-Bologna programme.

Most students enrolled on a professional or university study within a scientific field

In the 2025/2026 academic year, the highest share of students enrolled on professional and university studies was in scientific fields (91.9%), followed by interdisciplinary fields (5.8%) and artistic fields (2.3%). Regarding the scientific fields of study, the most represented were Social sciences (42.9%) and Engineering (28.8%). Visual arts (24.0%), Design (20.3%) and Music arts (18.3%) were the most represented artistic fields of study.

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 2025/2026. 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, 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, as well as 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.

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:
Mario Vlajčević, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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