Study Medicine at University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine
University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine · Croatia
English-taught medical degree with around 50 places per cohort.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Medicine
Tuition fees
6,000 EUR per semester (Medicine and Dentistry)
Duration
6 years
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Written entrance test in biology, chemistry and physics
Intake
Autumn semester
Recognition
Automatically recognised across the EU
Living costs
approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month
Total students
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
6 years
Climate
Average daytime highs by month.
✓ Placement without a grade cut-off — we place you regardless of your school-leaving grades. We go through the specific requirements together.
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Why study medicine abroad at this university?
The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka was founded in 1955 and is the university's oldest institution. The English-taught Medicine programme lasts six years and comprises 360 ECTS, with a maximum of 50 students per cohort. Tuition is calculated at €200 per ECTS credit. The clinical partner is the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka.
- Programmes: Medicine
- Language of instruction: English
- Standard duration: 6 years
- Start of studies: Autumn semester
- Requirement: General higher-education entrance qualification. Check in a free study consultation whether you meet the requirements for placement at this university through Medschool Experts.
Study medicine or dentistry: programmes and language of instruction
Structure, duration, language of instruction and degree — for every programme at this university.
- Medicine: The Medicine programme leads to a medical degree. The pre-clinical phase establishes the scientific foundations; the clinical phase adds patient-facing work.
Study conditions and campus life abroad
The programme comprises six years and 360 ECTS. It begins with two pre-clinical years of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology and embryology, complemented by Croatian lessons. From the third year, the clinical phase follows: internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, neurology and psychiatry, combined with placements at the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka. The final year consists mainly of practical work and works like a full clinical internship year.
Admission: how to get a place to study medicine abroad
The basic requirement for placement at this location is a general higher-education entrance qualification. When placed through Medschool Experts, there is no separate entrance test. Get in touch to find out whether we can place you at this university, and book a free study consultation.
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- Support with your start, preparation and finding accommodation
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- Guidance all the way to your first job
Preparing properly with Medschool Experts
We handle the complete application, including all formalities, and submit it on time. We guide you through the study visa, enrolment, and administrative requirements on the ground. Because Croatia is an EU member state, recognition of your degree within the EU is generally straightforward — we advise you on the requirements for your specific target country. We remain your point of contact after your studies begin.
Tuition fees and living costs to study medicine abroad
The tuition fee is 6,000 EUR per semester (Medicine and Dentistry). Before making any decision, ask the International Office to confirm the amount in writing, specifying whether accommodation, insurance, and registration fees are included.
Additional one-off costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and usually a deposit for accommodation. Budget approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month for living costs.
Degree recognition and career prospects
The degree from the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine comes from Croatia, an EU member state. Under the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC, the medical diploma from Rijeka is recognised automatically throughout the EU/EEA and in Switzerland. No equivalence assessment or knowledge test is required.
For your licence to practise, contact the competent authority of the country where you want to work. Most countries require proof of medical-level proficiency in their national language, and processing times vary.
After that, you can start specialist training at any accredited hospital or practice, on the same footing as graduates of domestic medical schools. The Croatian you learn alongside your studies in Rijeka is not wasted effort either: it keeps Croatian hospitals open to you as employers.
Alumni now practising internationally
Former students of this university who, according to publicly available sources, now work as doctors or dentists internationally. Anonymised overview — not an indication of any cooperation with Medschool Experts.
The city as a place to study medicine
Rijeka is a port city on the Kvarner Bay in north-western Croatia with around 108,000 inhabitants. In 2020 it was a European Capital of Culture. Its location near the Slovenian and Italian borders makes it easy to reach by car or train from Central Europe. Living costs are lower than in Zagreb or Split, especially rents.
- City: Rijeka
- Country: Croatia
- Living costs: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month
- Entry: Student visa required
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Federally recognised dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded the company while still studying abroad himself; since then more than 500 study places have been arranged. Originally from Stuttgart, he studied dentistry in Sofia from 2015 to 2021 and is a federally recognised dentist.
He now lives in Bern and runs the company full-time as its owner. He visits the partner universities in person on a regular basis.
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Student story
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FAQ: studying medicine abroad at this university
What are the entry requirements for University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka?
You need a general higher-education entrance qualification (A-levels or equivalent). There is no numerus clausus, so your school-leaving grade does not determine your place. You will also need a sufficient command of English and a student visa.
How do I apply through Medschool Experts?
Medschool Experts handles placement at this location without a grade-based admission cap. Whether we can place you with your profile is something we clarify in a free, no-obligation consultation — where we also discuss which university is the best fit for you.
What does it cost to study at University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine?
The tuition fee is 6,000 EUR per semester (Medicine and Dentistry). Additional costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and accommodation. Always ask the International Office to confirm every figure in writing — figures quoted by third-party portals can vary significantly.
How much money do I need per month in Rijeka?
Budget approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month for living costs. This is well below Western European levels. The exact amount depends mainly on whether you live in student accommodation or privately.
How is the programme structured and how long does it take?
The programme lasts 6 years. First comes the pre-clinical phase with the theoretical foundations, then the clinical phase with examination courses and placements at affiliated hospitals. The final year is primarily practical in focus.
Is the degree recognised in the EU?
As Croatia is an EU member state, medical degrees are automatically recognised across the EU under the Professional Qualifications Directive, provided graduation requirements are met. For non-EU countries you wish to practise in, confirm requirements separately.
Will I receive a transcript of records?
Yes. Your performance is recorded in a transcript showing subjects, examinations, and grades. This is exactly the document the authorities need later for the equivalence assessment. Keep all semester certificates and grade reports safely — they are difficult to obtain retrospectively.
Can I transfer to a university in my home country during my studies?
There is no automatic transfer route. A transfer to a domestic faculty involves an individual credit-recognition process and depends on available places in higher semesters. Plan your studies as a complete path to graduation.
How does Medschool Experts support you on the ground?
We organise the application and all documents, support you through enrolment, accommodation, and administrative requirements, and remain your contact after your studies begin. We also tell you upfront where the weaknesses of this particular location lie.

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