For the first time in the 2018/2019 academic year, by adopting a special enrollment quota for university students who are members of the Croatian national minority and Croatian diaspora, one of the most important requirements in the field of education and science of our compatriots living outside the Republic of Croatia as well as one of the conclusions of the Council of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Abroad was met.
This special quota refers to two categories, as defined under Article 2 of the Act on Relations of the Republic of Croatia with Croats Abroad (Official Gazette No. 124/2011 and 16/2012): one for the members of the Croatian national minority in 12 European countries (Republic of Austria, Republic of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Italian Republic, Republic of Kosovo, Hungary, Romania, Republic of North Macedonia, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Serbia) and one for Croatian emigrants and their descendants in overseas and European countries.
The program's recognisability evidences the success of the project in the Croatian academic community and the interest expressed to date in studying in the Republic of Croatia of high school graduates, members of the Croatian national minority, and the Croatian diaspora.
In the 2022/2023 academic year, several higher education institutions have provided special enrollment quotas for members of the Croatian national minority and the Croatian diaspora:
University of Zagreb,
Catholic University of Croatia,
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek,
University of Split,
University of Zadar,
University North of Varaždin, and
College of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, thereby allowing successful implementation of one of the very significant projects aimed at connecting young Croatians abroad to their homeland by them coming to Croatia, learning more about the Croatian culture, language, and everyday life and receiving a high-quality education.
Steps in the process
As in previous years, candidates should apply directly to the school of their choice to enroll in a study program within the special quota for members of the Croatian national minority and the Croatian diaspora in the 2022/2023 academic year. It should be noted that schools rank these candidates independently, according to the previously published criteria, and reserve the possibility to administer entrance exams.
It is important to note that candidates do not have to take the state graduation exam in the Republic of Croatia but have to provide proof of having completed secondary education in their country of residence. The recognition of foreign secondary education qualification (foreign secondary education qualification attesting the completion of secondary education in general, grammar and art school programs) is carried out by the Education and Teacher Training Agency or by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training (recognition of foreign secondary education qualification attesting the completion of secondary education in vocational programs). It is essential to contact the above institutions in a timely manner to complete the entire process on time.
For ease of reference, the Central State Office has prepared tables with a list of schools, deadlines, and specific requirements available
HERE.
In addition, the full texts of the calls for applications and all the detailed requirements are available at the following links:
Call for Applications of the University of Zagreb
Call for Applications of the Catholic University of Croatia -
Undergraduate and Graduate University Study Program and
Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Study Program in Medicine
Call for Applications of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Enrollment on the University of Zadar for Members of the Croatian National Minority and the Croatian Diaspora Undergraduate and Graduate Study Program
Call for Applications of the University of Split
Call for Applications of the University North
Call for Applications of the College of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar - Undergraudate Study Program and
Specialist Graduate Professional Study
Certificate of Belonging to the Croatian People
Besides the application to the school of their choice, candidates who decide to participate in the special enrollment quota must submit an application for the recognition of foreign secondary education qualification and an application for the issuance of a Certificate of Belonging to the Croatian People.
The Certificate of Belonging to the Croatian minority or the Croatian diaspora is issued by the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.
The following documents are required for the issuance of the Certificate:
- Application form
- Short curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation stating the motives for applying and requesting the Certificate
- Copy of valid travel documents of the country of which he/she is a citizen
- Proof of residence outside the Republic of Croatia
- Birth certificate
- Proof of belonging to the Croatian people - one of the following public documents of the candidate or his/her parent or an ancestor if it contains information on Croatian nationality:
- Extracts of an entry from the Register of Births/Birth Certificate
- School Diploma or a copy of pupil record book
- Transcript of Records
- Employment record book
- Military record book
- Marriage Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Certificate of Baptism
- Decision on Admission to Croatian Citizenship under Art. 16 or 11 of the Act
- Written statement by the head of the competent DM/CO of the Republic of Croatia or community/association of the Croatian emigrants/minority
If belonging to the Croatian people is to be proven by a public document of an ancestor, it is necessary also to prove the kinship and submit the birth certificate of a parent, i.e., his/her parent, all the way to the ancestor who is a member of the Croatian people.
Furthermore, the documents required for issuing the Certificate of Belonging to the Croatian people can be submitted by the candidate in person, by mail, or by e-mail:
upisne-kvote@hrvatiizvanrh.hr. The originals are to be presented for inspection upon receiving the Certificate.
Of course, we are at your disposal – if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us!
