The summer enrollment period yielded slightly better results than last year, but some programs at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences saw no first-choice applicants. For the undecided, 15,133 spots remain open for the autumn enrollment round.
This year's summer enrollment period for Croatian universities concluded with over 25,000 high school graduates securing the right to enroll. This marks an increase of roughly one hundred candidates compared to the previous year, suggesting a slight recovery in interest in higher education despite demographic challenges. Data released on August 10, 2026, confirm that spots in the most sought-after programs filled up rapidly, while some programs received no first-choice applicants at all.
The greatest interest among graduates was once again attracted by Business Economics at the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb. According to Igor Drvodelić, assistant director of the Agency for Science and Higher Education, this program ranks first, while the professional study of Business Economics took third place. "In first place is Business Economics at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Economics, and right in third place is Business Economics, the professional study. These programs dominate because they have very high enrollment quotas," Drvodelić stated for HRT News.
Second place in terms of first-choice applications went to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). Dean Vedran Bilas emphasized that a degree from this faculty opens doors in nearly all industries. "It has been proven that once you obtain a FER degree, you can work in virtually any industry in Croatia and abroad. The program is well organized, allowing students to efficiently use their time and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills," Bilas said. Freshmen at FER will welcome the new academic year in renovated facilities.
High turnout was also recorded at the University of Applied Health Sciences, as well as the Faculties of Medicine, Law, Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Kinesiology. Interest was also strong for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, as well as programs for future teachers and preschool educators. This distribution of interest shows that graduates are increasingly weighing employment opportunities and the breadth of acquired competencies when choosing a career.
At the opposite end of the spectrum were programs that no candidate selected as their first choice. These include Jewish Studies, Indology, and Romanian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. Dean Domagoj Tončinić sees the unfavorable demographic picture as the main reason. "The big problem is demographics and the reduced number of students. Additionally, we have a large offering of various study programs, much larger than before, and some graduates do not even begin their studies in Croatia," Tončinić stated for HRT News.
An additional challenge is the fact that some young people go abroad for education after high school, further deepening the differences in interest for certain programs. Low interest does not necessarily mean the program lacks value; it may be a consequence of fewer graduates or limited professional expectations.
Candidates who were unable to enroll in their desired program during the summer, or who made the decision to continue their education later, will have another chance in the autumn enrollment round. There are 15,133 available spots remaining. The autumn round is especially important for those who wish to change their initial choice or did not meet the requirements for their preferred program.
