STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED UNIVERSITY OR PROFESSIONAL STUDY, 2025

A total of 31 435 students completed their university or professional studies in 2025. The share of female students in that number amounted to 19 414, that is, 61.8%.

More female students among students who completed their university or professional studies

Out of the total of 31 435 students who completed their university or professional studies, fewer than 0.1% of students completed the study at schools of professional higher education, 15.7% at polytechnics, 82.1% at faculties (13.2% at professional studies and 68.9% at university studies) and 2.1% at art academies.

The highest share of female students who completed their university or professional studies was recorded at art academies, 69.8%, followed by university studies at faculties, 64.8%, professional studies at faculties, 58.5%, at polytechnics, 49.9%, while there was not a single female student who completed studies at schools of professional higher education.

The largest number of students completed university undergraduate studies

According to the Bologna programme, the largest number of students, 32.1% of them, completed a university undergraduate study, followed by 28.9% of them who completed a university graduate study, 19.9% who completed a professional undergraduate study, 10.0% who completed an integrated university undergraduate and graduate study, 8.9% who completed a professional graduate study and fewer than 0.1% who completed a professional short course. Out of the total number of students, fewer than 0.1% of them completed the study according to the pre-Bologna programme.

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

Regarding age, the largest number of students who completed their university or professional studies was classified in the 22 – 24 age group (43.7%) and the smallest one in the 37 – 39 age group (2.0%). There were 3.3% of students in the up-to-21 age group, 32.0% of students in the 25 – 27 age group, 8.3% in the 28 – 30 age group, 3.6% in the 31 – 33 age group, 2.2% in the 34 – 36 age group and 4.9% in the 40-and-over age group.

Most students completed their university or professional studies in scientific fields

In 2025, the largest number of students who completed their studies were from the scientific field of study (91.1%), followed by the interdisciplinary field of study (6.5%), and the artistic field of study (2.4%).

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

The data are the result of the annual data processing on students who completed their university or professional studies at institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia in 2025. They are collected, either on paper or electronically, through the questionnaire entitled Statistical Sheet for Students Who Completed University or Professional Study in 2025 (ŠV-50 form).

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers students who completed their university or professional studies at institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia. It includes both students who completed their university or professional studies according to the pre-Bologna programme and those who completed them 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 an academic title with an indication of the profession, while upon the completion of a professional undergraduate or professional graduate study, candidates are awarded a professional title with an indication of the profession 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, directly or through its faculties, art academies and departments.

University comprises the following: faculties, art academies, departments and institutes and other units in accordance with the 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 arts 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 scientific area is developed. It participates in the conducting of a study.

Polytechnic is an institution that establishes and conducts professional studies.

University studies prepare students for performing work in science, arts and higher education, in business, public sector and society in general and they also prepare them for the 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 specialist study and doctoral study. In accordance with 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 the performance of professional occupations and prepare them for direct entry into the labour market. Professional studies are conducted at a polytechnic, but they can also be conducted at a university in accordance with the Scientific Activity and Higher Education Act (NN, No. 119/22).

Professional education includes a professional short study, a professional undergraduate study and a professional graduate study. Professional studies last two to three years and are completed upon passing all the examinations. Passing the final examination and/or producing the final paper may also be required according to the study programme. Upon completion of the study, students acquire 120 to 180 ECTS credits. Exceptionally, a professional study may last up to four years, whereby 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:
Mario Vlajčević, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Marija Gojević, Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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