Are you an international student who can’t seem to master the IELTS? If so, a Croatia scholarship without IELTS might be your answer! 

Many Croatia scholarships are available for international students who want to study in Croatia. Some of these scholarships are fully funded and allow recipients to study a wide range of academic subjects.

List of Popular Scholarships in Croatia

#1.Zagreb School of Management and Economics Scholarships

Zagreb School of Management and Economics offers undergraduate scholarships, master’s scholarships, doctoral programs, MBA programs, Ph.D. programs, and postdoctoral research fellowships. All these programs are open to all students who meet the minimum requirements set by the school. Applicants must take a standard entrance exam to be admitted into the program. With so many opportunities, it is easy to see why this scholarship is worth applying for!

Official Website

#2.The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program

 It is an international program that grants scholarships to full-time graduate or postgraduate level studies in EU countries, including Croatia. Students should have at least two years remaining on their undergraduate degree before starting their new course of study in Croatia. 

#3.The Central European Exchange Program

One type of scholarship offered through CEEP is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program. Students receive funding from CEEP to study a variety of disciplines, including engineering, business administration, economics, linguistics, arts, and design.

Official Website

#4.Croatian Scholarships for Research

These scholarships are open to Ph.D. candidates and researchers outside Croatia wishing to conduct research in Croatia. Qualified candidates will not need any previous Croatian language skills or knowledge of the country. Still, they will need to have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) plus two years of post-master’s experience.

Official Website

#5.Scholarships for bilateral programs

Croatian Bilateral Agreements offer Croatia scholarships to partner institutions within Croatia. Partner universities are in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo*, and Albania. Scholarships can be applied to tuition or living expenses based on the student’s financial needs. You must contact the receiving university directly and the Ministry of Science and Education in Croatia to apply for this scholarship.

Official wesbsite

You can also check Croatian government scholarship here.

Top universities that offer Croatia scholarships without IELTS

Many universities in Croatia offer scholarships and grants to international students. Some of these are:  

  • University of Zagreb
  • University of Osijek
  • University of Rijeka
  • University of Dubrovnik
  • Polytechnic Duhovnya Pula

The University of Zagreb has been providing a high-quality education since 1669. And while it offers Croatian language courses as part of its curriculum and has many facilities within its campus, it also offers classes taught in English. If you do not speak Croatian or have not taken the IELTS test, you can still study at this world-renowned university. As long as you’re TOEFL score is above 600, you’ll be able to attend this university without any problems whatsoever. Other top Croatian universities like Sveučilište u Splitu and Sveučilište u Zadru offer similar programs too. So if you’re interested in getting an excellent education in Croatia but don’t want to take the IELTS test, these three schools are perfect for you!

How to apply for Croatia scholarships without IELTS?

To apply for scholarships in Croatia, you need to prove that you are fluent in the Croatian language. However, if you do not have a TOEFL or IELTS score, there are other ways of demonstrating your fluency. One such method is applying with a signed statement from a native speaker verifying your fluency. You can do this through someone who speaks Croatian but lives outside of Croatia or through a friend or family member who is already living in Croatia and knows the language well. 

Another option is to provide proof in writing (i.e., social media posts, blog posts, etc.) as long as it has been translated into Croatian and approved by a certified translator/interpreter. If you cannot find anyone with this knowledge to help you out, then the only remaining option would be to take courses at one of Croatia’s higher education institutions to demonstrate proficiency in the language before applying for scholarships again.

Croatia scholarships Eligibility

International students looking to study in Croatia can apply for a scholarship under the Croatian Government’s Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports. The scholarships are available to all undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. candidates. Prospective applicants must be able to provide proof of financial need, proof that they have been admitted into an institution of higher education in Croatia, and evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria set out by the Ministry. 

If you are interested in applying for this scholarship opportunity, you should contact your prospective university before applying so they can give you more information on how to proceed with this application process. It is important to note that there are deadlines to submit your application and other requirements, depending on the course type or degree you are studying. For example, if you would like to study Medicine or Dentistry, you will also be required to take the entrance examination, which is held in February each year.

Language of instruction in Croatian universities

Croatian universities offer several scholarships for international students who do not have the necessary English language proficiency to enter universities with English instruction. The goal of these scholarships is to provide an opportunity for talented students from other countries to come and study in Croatia and for Croatian students to spend a year or two abroad. Most of these scholarships are given on merit only, but some are available to those who want to pursue postgraduate studies in their chosen field but cannot afford it due to financial hardship. All scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time at a Croatian university and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Croatian language before they are awarded one of these coveted awards.

Expenses associated with living in Croatia as a student

There are additional costs associated with living in Croatia as a student. The cost of accommodation, food, and other expenses will depend on whether you live in or outside the city. For example, if you live in Zagreb, you can expect to spend about 100 Euros per month on accommodation and food. If you live outside of Zagreb, you can expect to spend about 80 Euros per month on these same expenses.

Remember that there are also costs involved when it comes to traveling. Students usually purchase travel tickets at least one week before departure, so they have time to prepare for any potential changes in their plans; this way, they do not miss out on any opportunities that may arise during their stay abroad. Other unexpected costs may come up, such as health insurance and visa fees; make sure you have enough money set aside for those situations!

What are the benefits?

The Croatian scholarship funding package provides various benefits, including funding to purchase textbooks, study abroad opportunities, housing assistance, and much more.

  1. Fees discounts: All eligible applicants will have their first-year tuition fees waived and receive a 50% reduction on tuition fees for the second year (conditions apply). 
  2. Purchase textbooks with a stipend: If you’re enrolled in a program that offers textbook subsidies, your textbook costs can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per semester. 
  3. Residence facility: You’ll also receive a stipend from the Croatian Government worth about three months’ rent at one of Croatia’s student residences. 
  4. Health Insurance of students: The Croatian scholarship includes health insurance coverage so students can focus on what they need to do while studying without worrying about medical bills. 
  5. Travel grants: For those who need additional financial help with travel expenses related to obtaining an education, we offer four different types of travel grants (depending on where they are traveling from) 6.Post-graduation work permit: International graduates who come back to live and work in Croatia after completing their studies may be eligible for a postgraduate work permit. 

Final thoughts

If you don’t have an IELTS score, there are still scholarships available in Croatia. Check with your local Croatian consulate or embassy for opportunities to study in the country. Some programs may require a certain level of English proficiency, and test results from other exams like TOEFL, SAT, or ACT may also be accepted.