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Study Transfer from Croatia: from Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek to a New University

Study Transfer from Croatia: from Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek to a New University

17.09.2026

7 min read Lesezeit

Croatia is a special location in the NC-free offering: in Osijek there is a German-language medical programme, Zagreb, Split and Rijeka teach in English, and all degrees are recognised as EU degrees without additional procedures.

If it still does not work out — because an exam repeatedly fails, the location does not feel right, or something has changed personally — we arrange the study transfer to universities in Bosnia, Serbia, Malta and further. Passed subjects transfer with you; those who plan early typically lose no academic year.

Which Medical Faculties Are There in Croatia?

Admission follows entrance examinations in biology, chemistry and physics, not the school-leaving grade. Tuition fees depend on faculty and programme and range from approximately 9,000 to 13,000 EUR per academic year.

Why Do Students from Croatia Transfer to Another University?

One Subject Becomes a Bottleneck

Croatian curricula are sequentially structured. Those who fail a foundational subject often cannot complete the academic year — a semester's delay quickly becomes a full year.

Language in Clinical Operations

By the clinical section at the latest, Croatian becomes important in patient contact. Those who find this impedes access find better conditions at a university with consistently English-language clinical operations.

Something Has Changed Personally

Family, relationship, finances, relocation — legitimate reasons for a location change and no reason to abandon the degree.

How Does the Study Transfer from Croatia Work?

  1. Review documents. Transcript of Records with ECTS and grades plus enrolment certificate. Free and non-binding.
  2. Determine target year. Matching against the curriculum of the target university before anything is submitted.
  3. Reserve a place. Places in higher years are allocated upon receipt of complete documents.
  4. Recognition procedure. The target university formally recognises credits; we assist with translations and notarisation.
  5. Enrol and continue studying. Deregistration in Croatia is the final step.

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Where Can You Transfer To from Croatia?

University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foča (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

One of our core locations, for which we hold representation in German-speaking countries. State faculty with its own university hospital, human and dental medicine in English, listed in ANABIN, EU-compliant accreditation until 2033. 3,500 EUR per academic year, starting in November, practical year optionally completed entirely at a German teaching hospital. The geographical and cultural proximity makes the transfer from Croatia particularly straightforward. Assessments here are typically very high — transfer students generally enter a high year of study. To the Foča study guide.

University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine (Serbia)

Large public university with its own university hospital, human medicine in English, 360 ECTS, MD degree. 1,500 EUR per quarter, i.e. 6,000 EUR per academic year. To the Niš location article.

MediCampus Europeo, Malta

Campus in Il-Furjana near Valletta, human medicine in English, Maltese MFHEA licence, English as official language in daily life. Transfer from the second year onwards, 14,500 EUR per year with single payment. To the Valletta location article.

The complete list of all NC-free options can be found in the Study transfer article on Bulgaria.

How High the Assessment Turns Out Depends on the Individual Case

All paths mentioned here are designed to give you the highest possible year placement through us — without or with minimal loss of time. However, this only becomes binding after your documents have been reviewed. As a rule of thumb: usually no more than two exams may be outstanding, whose ECTS credits must not exceed a certain upper limit, for a transfer to the next higher year to be possible. What is feasible in your case is clarified in the free consultation.

What the Transfer Means Financially

Croatia costs approximately 9,000 to 13,000 EUR per academic year. Foča costs 3,500 EUR, Niš 6,000 EUR. With a transfer in the third year, that is around 22,000 to 38,000 EUR less in tuition fees over the remaining four years, plus the lower living costs of 450 to 500 EUR per month. Our placement fee is success-based.

Why You Should Seek Advice as Early as Possible

  • Places are limited and allocated upon receipt of complete documents.
  • Deadlines are running: Foča starts in November, Malta in October, Niš admits quarterly.
  • Being enrolled is the better starting position — hence the consultation before the next resit.

Reviewing your documents takes a few days and costs nothing. Book a free study consultation.

Author's Opinion

Osijek is one of the most interesting addresses anywhere for German speakers — a complete medical degree in German, in the EU, without NC. Those who do well there should stay.

But what I see time and again: when language in clinical daily life becomes a hurdle, perseverance does not help — only a location where patient contact works linguistically does. That decision is best made early — a transfer is not a failure.

Conclusion

  • From all Croatian faculties — Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek — a study transfer is possible.
  • Passed subjects are transferable; those who plan in time lose no academic year.
  • Most common destinations: Foča (3,500 EUR per year), Niš (6,000 EUR), MediCampus Europeo Malta (14,500 EUR).
  • Initial consultation and document review are free; the fee is success-based.

Croatia is a strong location — but no location suits everyone. What matters is how early you get in touch.

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions about Study Transfer from Croatia

From which Croatian universities do you arrange transfers?

From all four: Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek — from both the English and German-language programmes.

I am studying in Osijek in German — can I continue in German at the target university?

Instruction at Foča, Niš and Malta is in English. Your previous credits are still recognised; only the language of instruction changes.

Will I lose study time during the transfer?

As a rule, no, if the transfer is planned in time.

Do I have to be deregistered in Croatia first?

No. The transfer is planned while you are still enrolled.

Which year of study can I enter?

To Foča and Niš typically from the second to fifth year, to Malta from the second year onwards.

What does the consultation cost?

Nothing. Initial consultation and document review are free; the fee is only charged upon successful placement.

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About the author

Marcel Kloos

Swiss-licensed dentist and founder of Medschool Experts

Marcel Kloos founded Medschool Experts while studying abroad; since then, over 500 study places have been secured. The Stuttgart-born dentist studied dentistry from 2015 to 2021 in Sofia and holds a Swiss dental licence.

Today he lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time as its owner.

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