Erasmus guide University of Zagreb
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia.
Study abroad at University of Zagreb: overview
Study abroad at University of Zagreb makes sense when you want the widest course catalogue in Croatia inside a genuinely historic institution. Founded in 1669, the University of Zagreb (Sveučilište u Zagrebu) is the oldest and largest university in South-East Europe, organised as a federation of 29 faculties and academies rather than one central campus. Useful proof points: around 50,000 students university-wide; a real but faculty-dependent international mix; strengths spanning law, economics, engineering, medicine and the humanities. Before choosing, confirm your host faculty's teaching language, course list and housing situation directly.
Enrollment
Approx. 50,000 students across 29 faculties and academies
International Mix
A meaningful but faculty-dependent international/exchange population; exact share varies widely by faculty and programme.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want the widest possible course catalogue in Croatia and are comfortable dealing with a decentralised, faculty-run system rather than one central campus.
Language of instruction: Croatian (majority of courses), English (a growing but faculty-dependent selection of exchange-friendly courses)
Exchange & application at University of Zagreb
Start with home-university nomination through Erasmus+, CEEPUS or a bilateral agreement, then a faculty-level application, Learning Agreement and course approval. At University of Zagreb, exchange rules and course offerings sit largely at faculty level, so validate everything with your specific host faculty, not only the central international office.
✅Requirements
- Nomination by the home university's international/exchange office
- Completed faculty-level application form after nomination
- Learning Agreement listing proposed courses at the host faculty
- Proof of language proficiency where the host faculty requires it (Croatian or English, depending on the programme)
- Valid passport/ID and proof of health insurance
📨Nomination Process
Students nominated by their home university under a formal exchange agreement (Erasmus+, CEEPUS, or a bilateral inter-institutional agreement) with the University of Zagreb.
🧭Orientation Week
Recommended arrival: About one week before the semester start (late September for winter, mid-to-late February for summer) to complete faculty registration and, for non-EU students, residence-permit steps.
ESN Zagreb and individual faculties run welcome/orientation sessions in the first week of each semester.
Events hub: https://esn-zagreb.hr/
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Semester | May 1 | Not separately published centrally — confirm with your host faculty shortly after nomination closes |
| Summer Semester | November 1 | Not separately published centrally — confirm with your host faculty shortly after nomination closes |
Arrival Checklist
- Non-EU students: apply for your Temporary Residence Permit for Study at the local police administration as soon as possible after arrival.
- Register with your host faculty's student registry and confirm your Learning Agreement courses are actually running.
- Apply for a ZET student transport pass once your faculty confirms enrolment.
- Get a Croatian prepaid SIM/eSIM and, if needed, an OIB (personal ID number) for banking or a long-term rental contract.
Academics & courses at University of Zagreb
Academics run on the ECTS credit system with ECTS-Croatia grading, but registration, attendance rules and exam culture vary by faculty. Check the real teaching language of your target courses — many are still taught only in Croatian outside a handful of internationally oriented programmes.
📝Course Registration
Registration is decentralised: each faculty runs its own student administration (studentska referada) and course-enrolment system, typically at the start of each semester.
🎓Credit System
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), Croatia being a full Bologna Process participant; a standard full-time semester load is around 30 ECTS.
💯Grading System
Numerical scale from 1 (fail) to 5 (excellent, izvrstan); a 2 is the minimum passing grade at most faculties.
✍️Exam Culture
Attendance requirements and exam formats (continuous assessment vs. final exam) vary significantly by faculty; some faculties run strict minimum-attendance rules while others rely mainly on final exams.
📚Library Access
Access to the National and University Library (NSK) and individual faculty libraries after activating a student account.
Tuition & fees at University of Zagreb
Exchange students under a formal agreement pay no tuition fees. Full-degree international students face fees that vary hugely by faculty, from roughly EUR 1,100 to over EUR 10,000 per year, so always confirm on your target faculty's own admissions page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (exchange students pay no tuition) | |
| Full degree – international | EUR 1,100-10,400/year (varies by faculty) |
EUR 0 (exchange students pay no tuition)
EUR 1,100-10,400/year (varies by faculty)
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Zagreb
Housing near University of Zagreb should move in parallel with your application. SC Zagreb dormitory places are limited and deadline-driven (May 15 / November 15), so most students end up comparing residence, private room and commute together.
University of Zagreb offers official housing
Cheapest option but limited and deadline-driven — apply the moment your exchange place is confirmed.
Apply for housingFull housing guide
Find housing in Zagreb
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Zagreb
Use the central International Relations Office for visa/residence questions, but route academic, course and housing questions to your specific host faculty's international coordinator from week one.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU/EEA students, as part of the residence-permit process; recommended for everyone regardless of status.
🏥Campus Clinic
Dom zdravlja Zagreb - Centar is the nearest public health centre for most central faculties; several private clinics near Ban Jelačić Square serve international patients in English.
🧠Mental Health
Counselling support is organised at faculty level for most programmes; ask your host faculty's student affairs office about available services early rather than waiting for exam stress.
Home-country EHIC for EU/EEA students
Private/travel insurance policies accepted by MUP for the residence-permit process (check the current accepted-provider list with the International Relations Office)
Campus services
International Relations Office (Ured za međunarodnu suradnju)
Central coordination for exchange nominations, visa/residence guidance, and general orientation information.
Faculty-level International Coordinators
Course registration, Learning Agreement approval, and day-to-day academic support at your specific host faculty.
SC Zagreb (Studentski centar)
Student dormitories, subsidised student canteens (menze), and student cultural/sports facilities.
ESN Zagreb
Orientation events, buddy programme, social trips and informal peer support for incoming exchange students.
Student life at University of Zagreb
Student life at University of Zagreb depends on faculty-level student unions and ESN Zagreb's Erasmus programming rather than one central campus scene — join both early instead of waiting for a single 'campus life' to appear.
Student Clubs
- Faculty-level student unions (studentski zborovi)
- ESN Zagreb social and travel events
- Sports clubs organised through SC Zagreb
Buddy Program
ESN Zagreb buddy programme pairing incoming exchange students with local student volunteers
Sports & Recreation
- SC Zagreb sports facilities and student leagues
- University sports days organised at faculty level
Public Groups & Communities
ESN Zagreb (Facebook/Instagram)
International Students in Zagreb (Facebook)
Your First 2 Weeks
- Register with your host faculty's student administration and confirm your Learning Agreement courses are actually scheduled.
- Apply for your ZET student transport pass and, if non-EU, start the residence-permit process immediately.
- Join ESN Zagreb's welcome week events to meet other exchange students fast.
- Visit Dolac Market and set up your weekly grocery routine before the semester gets busy.
Key exchange dates at University of Zagreb
The critical dates are nomination (by 1 May for winter/1 November for summer), faculty-level application, Learning Agreement, arrival/orientation and exam periods. Keep resit sessions visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Winter semester nomination
March 1 - May 1
Home universities nominate students for the winter semester/full academic year within this window.
-
2
Summer semester nomination
September 1 - November 1
Home universities nominate students for the summer semester within this window.
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3
Orientation and enrolment
Late September (winter) / late February (summer)
Faculty-level enrolment and ESN Zagreb orientation happen in the week before classes start.