The education system of the Republic of Croatia comprises the following:
Early and preschool upbringing and education
for children from six months until the beginning of primary school. School year generally starts on 1 October of current year and lasts until 1 June of the following calendar year.
Primary education
mandatory for all children, mostly from six to fifteen years of age; the obligation to attend primary school applies to all children whose temporary residence is in the Republic of Croatia, notwithstanding their citizenship. Primary school lasts eight years and offers regular and extraordinary programs. Children over 15 who have not completed primary school can enroll in the primary education system for adults.
Secondary education
Upon completion of primary education, students have the opportunity to continue their education in secondary education institutions whose attendance is not mandatory; gymnasiums, vocational schools and art schools. All students are entitled to attend the first class of secondary schools under the same conditions, however depending on the total number of posts foreseen by the yearly decision of the Minister competent for education. Candidates’ applications and enrolment on the first classes of secondary schools are conducted through the National Information System of Secondary School Application and Enrolment. Secondary education starts with secondary school enrolment, while the knowledge and skills acquired during secondary school prepare for either work or further education. Tailor-made procedures are foreseen for the education of disabled students in regular or special classes and educational groups, whereas students with more serious disabilities attend special institutions. Gymnasiums prepare students for further education, vocational schools train them for entering the labor market, offering them at the same time the opportunity to continue their further education, and finally art schools provide with knowledge, develop skills, capacities and creativity in various areas of art. After secondary school, students can take the School leaving exam (matura) at A (higher) or B (lower) level. School leaving exams can be taken by other candidates who completed secondary education abroad which is comparable to the four-year secondary education in Croatia. The institution performing this task is the National Centre for External Evaluation of Education: www.ncvvo.hr
Higher education
is provided by universities, faculties or academies of art, polytechnics and colleges. Students from EU Member States can enroll their study programms under the same conditions as Croatian citizens.
School year (primary and secondary education) starts on 1 September and lasts until 31 August. In the course of the school year pupils are entitled to winter, spring and summer breaks.
The academic year starts on 1 October of the current year and ends on 30 September of the following calendar year.
