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EuroEducation.net The European Education Directory |
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| Croatia |
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Structure of Educational System Pre-higher Education System Higher Education System Administrative structure of higher education Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition |
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: Sveučilište (University) Veleučilište (Polytechnic) Visoka škola (School of Professional Higher Education) School leaving and higher education credentials: Svjedodžba o maturi Svjedodžba o završnom ispitu Diploma organizacije medjunarodne mature Svjedodžba preddiplomskog stručnog studija Diploma specijalističkog diplomskog stručnog studija Svjedodžba preddiplomskog sveucilisnog studija Diploma diplomaskog studija Diploma poslijediplomskog specijalističkog studija Doktor znanosti/ Doktor umjetnosti STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 6 Age of exit: 15 Structure of school system: Primary Type of school providing this education:
Osnovna
škola Length of program in years: 8 Age level from: 6 to: 14 Secondary Type of school providing this education:
Gimnazija Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 14 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Svjedodžba o maturi Specialized Secondary Type of school providing this education:
Gimnazija Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 14 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma organizacije medjunarodne
mature (International Baccalaureate) Specialized Secondary Type of school providing this education:
Umjetnička
škola (Art School) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 14 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Svjedodžba o završnom ispitu Vocational Type of school providing this education:
Strukovna
škola (Vocational School) Age level from: 14 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Svjedodžba o
završnom ispitu and a vocational qualification. School education: The eight years of primary education are divided into
two stages: classes one to four and five to eight. Secondary education
comprises grammar schools, vocational schools and art schools. Grammar schools
are divided into general, mathematics and IT, linguistic, classical and
scientific schools. Vocational schools offer courses lasting for one, two,
three or four years, including a period of practical instruction. Art schools
include music, dance, visual art and design. Students must pass an entrance
examination to enter university in professional fields. When the State
Secondary School Leaving Examination becomes operational - in 2008/9 for
grammar schools, and 2009/10 for four-year vocational schools - it is expected
to replace the entrance examination in most higher education institutions. Higher education: The Croatian higher education system comprises six
universities, with some eighty faculties, art academies,and schools of
professional higher education; five polytechnics; six independent schools of
professional higher education and nine private accredited schools of
professional higher education. The mission of universities is scientific,
artistic and developmental research, especially the implementation of
scientific research programmes that are of strategic interest to Croatia;
artistic endeavour and professional work, as well as the undergraduate,
graduate and postgraduate education based on them. The mission of polytechnics
and schools of professional higher education is professional higher education and
artistic and professional activities in accordance with the needs of their
local community. Schools of professional higher education are mostly teacher
academies or institutions established in certain fields where the need or
resources to establish a full polytechnic were lacking. The higher education
system in the Republic of Croatia is currently undergoing a comprehensive
reform in order to be part of the European Higher Education Area by 2010 and
implement the Bologna Declaration, signed by Croatia in 2001. The new Act on
Scientific Activity and Higher Education (2003, amended 2004) establishes a
mixed system supporting on the one hand the specialist education at
polytechnics, schools of professional higher education and universities, and on
the other the academic education conducted solely at universities. The Act
treats private and public higher education institutions equally. It also
stipulates that a binary system will be established by 2010 so that
professional studies will be offered only at Polytechnics and Schools of
professional higher education and academic studies at universities. From
January 2007, all universities will become fully integrated universities and
their faculties will lose the status of legal entities. Under the new Act,
academic and professional education are organised according to the system of
transferable credits (ECTS). Main laws/decrees governing higher
education: Decree: Act on Scientific Activity
and Higher Education (amended 2004) Year: 2003 Concerns: All further and higher
education institutions. Academic year: Classes from: Oct to: Jun Long vacation from: 15 Jun to: 30 Sep Languages of instruction: Croatian Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level: Certificate: Polytechnics and Schools of Professional Higher
Education and Universties offer two, three and four years' professional
undergraduate studies (leading to a Certificate after three years and 180 ECTS
credits) and train highly professional, artistic and, in some cases, scientific
workers. Upon completion of a professional degree course, the students are
awarded a professional baccalaureate specifying the title of the profession.
The graduates are allowed to continue their studies at a second stage or at the
university. Polytechnics and Schools of Professional Higher Education also
offer graduate study courses in one or two years leading to a diploma after
accumulating 300 ECTS credits. The graduates are allowed to continue their
studies at the university. University level studies: University level first stage: Undergraduate
Studies: Universities
offer three to four-year courses at undergraduate level leading to a degree
after accumulating 180 ECTS credits which qualifies students for specialized,
artistic or scientific work. They can continue their studies at university or
in non-university institutions or enter the labour market. University level second stage: Graduate
Studies: Universities
offer one to two-year courses at graduate level leading to a degree after
accumulating 300 ECTS credit points. The title of Doctor in Medicine is awarded
after six years and 360 credit points. Graduates can continue their studies at
university or in non-university institutions or enter the labour market. University level third stage: Postgraduate
Studies: The Specialist Degree is awarded after one to two
years of postgraduate studies, the Doctor of Sciences and the Doctor of Arts
after three years. Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and
primary/basic school teachers Primary
school teachers must follow a teacher training programme for four years and a
one-year internship. They obtain the title of Diplomirani učitelji. Training of secondary school teachers Secondary
school teachers follow a 5-year course and obtain the title of Profesor. Training of higher education teachers Qualified candidates are appointed to the positions of
asistent (assistant), viši asistent (senior assistant), predavač (lecturer),
viši predavač (senior lecturer), docent (assistant professor), izvanredni
profesor (associate professor), and redovni profesor (full professor). Lektor
(lecturer) and viši lektor (senior lecturer) are language specialists in
institutions offering foreign language and literature courses. A retired full
professor is eligible for the title of Profesor Emeritus. Candidates for the
title of university professor are required to satisfy the requirements for an
appointment to the relevant lecturing/academic grade as stipulated by the law. NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i športa Republike
Hrvatske (Ministry of Science, Education and Sport) Head: Dragan Primorac, Minister Trg hrvatskih velikana 6 Tel: +385(1) 4569000/ 4594444 Fax: +385(1) 4617962/ 4594290 EMail: ured@mzos.hr WWW: http://www.mzos.hr Nacionalno vijeće za visoku naobrazbu (National
Council for Higher Education) Head: Antonije Dulčić, President Savska 41/VIII Tel: +385(1) 4594381 Fax: +385(1) 4594380 EMail: ured@azvo.hr Role of governing body: Expert and
advisory body responsible for the development and quality of the overall higher
education system in the Republic of Croatia. Agencija za znanost i visoko obrazovanje (Agency for
Science and Higher Education) Savska 41/VIII Tel: +385(1) 4594381 Fax: +385(1) 4594380 EMail: ured@azvo.hr Role of governing body: Specialized
institution that carries out professional tasks related to the assessment of
scientific activity in higher education, and the recognition of diplomas and
qualifications through the ENIC/NARIC. Rektorski zbor (Rectors' Conference) Head: Damir Magaš, President Trg maršala Tita 14 Tel: +385(1) 4564012 Fax: +385(1) 4830602 EMail: rc@unizg.hr WWW: http://www.unizg.hr/rz/ Role of governing body: Coordinates
the activities and participates in the development of higher education. Vijeće Veleučilišta i Visokih škola (Council of
Polytechnics and Schools of Professional Higher Education) Head: Mladen Havelka, President Zdravstveno veleučilište, Mlinarska cesta
38 Tel: +385(1) 4669750 Fax: +385(1) 4668080 EMail: dekan@vmskola.hr Role of governing body: Coordinates
the activities of Polytechnics and Schools of Professional Higher Education and
participates in the development of higher education. ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to non university higher
education studies Name of secondary school credential
required: Svjedodžba o maturi For entry to: All
programmes. Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential
required: Svjedodžba o maturi For entry to: All
programmes Entrance exams required: Entrance
examinations are administered by higher education institutions. However,
institutions offering courses of study in technical sciences give direct access
to high school students with excellent grades in order to attract more
students. Numerus clausus/restrictions: Yes Foreign students admission Definition of foreign student: A student
with citizenship other than Croatian. Quotas: Yes. Higher education
institutions propose quotas to the university senates. Admission requirements: Foreign
students need a certified copy of their school-leaving certificate and any
required secondary education documents submitted in their English translation.
The certificate must be validated by the Ministry of Science, Education and
Sports. Entry regulations: A student visa
is required Health requirements: Health
insurance is required. Language requirements: Foreign
students who do not speak Croatian or do not have a certificate of Croatian
language proficiency are requested to complete a 2-semester course in the
Croatian language and sit for a final examination. Application procedures: Apply to individual institution for
entry to: All programmes Recognition of studies &
qualifications: Studies pursued in home country (System
of recognition/accreditation): Recognition of foreign credentials testifying to
completion of primary or secondary education is carried out by the Ministry of
Science, Education and Sports. The recognition of higher education
qualifications is carried out by the Agency for Science and Higher Education at
its ENIC/NARIC office. Studies pursued in foreign countries
(bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Department for Recognition of Foreign Primary and
Secondary School Certificates, Ministry of Education and Sports Trg hrvatskih velikana 6 Tel: +385(1) 4569000 Fax: +385(1) 4617962 WWW: http://www.mzos.hr ENIC/NARIC Office, Agency for Science and Higher
Education Head: Emita Blagdan Savska 41/VIII Tel: +385(1) 4594565 Fax: +385(1) 4594579 EMail: enic@azvo.hr Deals with credential recognition for
entry to: University and Profession Services provided & students dealt
with: It disseminates information on Croatian and foreign higher education
systems relevant for the recognition procedure, promotes fair and consistent
practice in credential assessment, and is a referral service to support the
recognition of Croatian and international qualifications. It has no authority
to recognize foreign programmes and degrees. Other information sources on recognition
of foreign studies: Higher education institutions. Multilateral agreements concerning
recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Convention
on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the
European Region Year of signature: 1997 Name of agreement: Convention
on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher
Education in the States Bordering the Mediterranean Year of signature: 1976 Name of agreement: Convention
on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education
in the States Belonging To the Europe Region Year of signature: 1979 Name of agreement: Lisbon
Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in
the European Region Year of signature: 2001 Bilateral agreements concerning
recognition of foreign credentials Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the
Republic of Hungary on Recognition of Diplomas and Higher Education Degrees
obtained in the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Hungary Year of signature: 1997 Name of agreement: Agreement
between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the
Slovak Republic on Recognition of Equivalence of Education Documents Issued in
the Republic of Croatia and the Slovak Republic Year of signature: 1999 STUDENT LIFE Main student services at national level Department for Student Standard, Directorate for
Higher Education, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports Strossmayerov trg 4 Tel: +385(1) 4594444 Fax: +385(1) 4594469 EMail: kenan.bravo@mzos.hr WWW: http://www.mzos.hr National student associations and unions Croatian Student Union Trg zrtava fasizma 13 Tel: +385(1) 4551026 Fax: +385(1) 4551027 EMail: csu-ssh@net.hr WWW: http://www.net.hr Health/social provisions Social security for home students: Yes Cost/fee (per year): 0 (Kuna) Social security for foreign students: Yes Cost/fee (per year): 3600 (Kuna) Foreign student social security
provisions: Based on a student visa, foreign students may obtain health insurance
under a local carrier. Special student travel fares: By road: Yes By rail: Yes By air: Yes Available to foreign students: Yes Student expenses and financial aid Student costs: Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Kuna) Maximum: 9240 (Kuna) Foreign students tuition fees: Maximum: 27000 (Kuna) Bodies providing information on student
financial aid: Department of Student Standard, Directorate for Higher
Education, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports Strossmayerov trg 4 Tel: +385(1) 4594444 Fax: +385(1) 4594469 WWW: http://www.mzos.hr Deals with: Grants Category of students: Undergraduate
and graduate foreign students Publications on student services and
financial aid: Title: Study Abroad 2005-2006 Publisher: UNESCO Year of publication: 2005 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION &
EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible
for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Directorate for International Cooperation, Ministry of
Science, Education and Sports Head: Radovan Fuchs, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Strossmeyerov trag 4 Tel: +385(1) 4594451 Fax: +385(1) 4819331 EMail: ured@mzos.hr WWW: http://www.mzos.hr Participation of country in multilateral
or bilateral higher education programmes Name of exchange programme: CEEPUS Name of exchange programme: Erasmus
Mundus Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: A 1-5
grading system is used. Grades (ocjena) are: 5: odličan (excellent); 4: vrlo
dobar (very good); 3: dobar (good); 2: satisfactory (dovoljan); 1: nedovoljan
(insatisfactory). Highest on scale: 5 Pass/fail level: 2 Lowest on scale: 1 Main grading system used by higher
education institutions Full Description: A 1-5
grading scale, with 5: odličan (excellent); 4: vrlo dobar (very good); 3: dobar
(good); 2: dovoljan (satisfactory); 1: nedovoljan (insatisfactory). Highest on scale: 5 Pass/fail level: 2 Lowest on scale: 1 NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2005-2006 Source: IAU from Agency for Science and Higher Education, Croatia, December 2005 Copyright © IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED) |
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