University of Zagreb

School of Medicine

Study Medicine in English in Croatia, Europe !

In the academic year 2003 University of Zagreb Medical School (UZMS) introduced a new 12 semester (6 year) Medical Doctor Study program in English. Graduates of the program are granted a diploma conferring the professional title of Doctor of Medicine (MD).

This program is entirely instructed in English, and is also designed so as to meet both American (USMLE) and European Union standards with its internationally accredited exams. UZMS also has working relationships with a number of university medical schools in Europe and North America, including University of Toronto, McGill, and the Mayo Clinic.

The University of Zagreb, founded in 1669, is the oldest and most distinguished institution of higher learning in South-East Europe. Its
Medical School, founded in 1917, has a long tradition of educating foreign students, so far over 700 foreign citizens have earned their medical degree in Zagreb. Graduates of UZMS have established private practices or found teaching positions in medical schools all over the world, including the U.S. and Canada. Currently, UZMS has students enrolled from the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, Australia, and Asia.

6-year program: candidates are expected to have graduated from a four-year high school with a solid basic knowledge in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and have a good knowledge of English. Candidates are required to take the entrance exam.

Beginning in 2005/2006 certain provincial governments in Canada recognized UZMS, and their residents are eligible to apply for provincial government student funding including for example OSAP, StudentAid BC and Alberta Student Aid. Please check with your home province for more information.

For further details about the study, visit our web pages or contact our student office.
For more information, contact

Medical Studies in English
University of Zagreb Medical School
Salata 3
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone: + 385 1 45 90 268
Fax: + 385 1 45 90 268
E-mail: mse@mef.hr

University of Zagreb Medical School:
Information for the Prospective Student
By: Ivo Bach

To study medicine in Zagreb is a o­nce in a lifetime chance. Not o­nly can you get your medical degree faster for a better price, but you also have the opportunity to experience some o­ne of the world?s unique cultures and atmospheres. Studying medicine in Zagreb may be cheaper and faster, but it is defiantly not easier; It takes a lot of hard work and inspiration to get through the year. Which doesn’t mean that its all work and no play. Zagreb, and Croatia in general, is a very relaxed country where everybody takes time for themselves to relax and have a coffee with their friends, because after all student life is supposed to be o­ne of the best times of a persons life. Many people still believe there is a war still going o­n in Croatia, this is absurd and I am sure you will conclude the same when you come here. I have noticed that Zagreb is a pretty safe city compared with the majority of US cities.

If you do not already speak the Croatian language there is a course in school which will provide you with basic knowledge and you will be able to do the basic necessities with the help of this course, but I would recommend private lessons so that you can integrate into society as fast as possible, it will make your studies and living in Croatia much easier.

I would recommend that you go to the Croatian embassy nearest to you, with proof that you have been accepted into the program, and have them issue a student visa before you get here. It is very helpful and time saving to have student visa secured at the local consulate before coming, since converting from visitor’s visa is not smooth.

Apartments here cost in the range of $300 plus utilities, but that’s if you know how to find o­ne for a good price, many people are paying much more for their apartment and from my experiences it’s a waste of money. If you plan o­n studying here you should come a couple of months early to look through the apartment rental listings. You can check that out now o­n http://www.Oglasnik.hr , but usually the good apartments are taken within 4 days after they are listed sometimes much sooner; so it is recommended to take a whole day and look at apartments until you find o­ne that is in a good price range.

The food in Croatia I think is amazing. It also doesn’t cost as much as food would cost in the US. Although you can eat in a restaurant every day, many students eat in the student cafe. After about a week after classes start you will receive a card called an X card, this card will give you 75% off o­n everything in the school cafeteria. o­ne meal in the cafeteria costs about o­ne dollar and the food is defiantly better than McDonald’s.

There are many options for relaxation as well. Many students play sports or go hiking. Traveling to other European countries is also very affordable and not very far either, not to mention traveling to other cities in Croatia. I recommend that you do not just stay in Zagreb but see other parts of Croatia, Zagreb is o­nly o­ne part of the whole beautiful country.

Most of the books you will need can be bought at a store here called Algoritam, but if you don’t have a problem with carrying some heavy books with you o­n the plane, it might be a little cheaper to but they over amazon.com. A USB stick is a very useful thing here, I use it to put all of the PowerPoint presentations o­n it after the lectures or seminars; this way you can go over everything at home after classes. Another thing which you will defiantly have to buy is a mobile phone. Everybody here has a mobile phone and it is very convenient when you need to contact someone for information about classes or get-togethers, usually everybody exchanges number within the first couple of days. You will also need to buy a lab coat here, so if o­ne of your parents is a doctor, or if you can just get it cheaper there, then get o­ne because there is no point in buying something you might already have.

As much as you want to get away from your parents, you will still need a way to keep in contact with them. Some methods which I found useful were Skype and Phone cards. Phone cards are very useful also if your parents want to call you, PhoneCroatia.com has phone cards with which you can call Croatia for 5.7 cents per minute.

It seems to be an increasing trend in US to study abroad. Quality of education and containing the cost are major considerations, but desire to expand the horizons and know different ways of living is another significant aspect. Zagreb with its renown medical school is an excellent combination of all of above.

Overall I am having a great time studying medicine here and I don’t regret coming here at all. The food is great, the school is great, the girls are great; and for girls, so are the guys ;-). Just organize yourself before school starts and you will make things a lot easier o­n yourself. If you have any further questions feel free to contact me.

– Ivo Bach
Ivobach2@gmail.com
011.385.95.822.0923

In our Medical School, there is a significant community of French students coming from all around France who are now very satisfied to study and live in Zagreb.

If you are deeply motivated, good in English and interested to discover a new country and a new culture, you have the possiblity to come and join the Medical Studies in English Program. You will study with world reknown reference books, in small classes where the professor is able to answer the questions of each student and attentive to their own progressions.

For those of you who have done the first year of Medical School in France, the administration of Zagreb Medical School is aware of the particularities of the French system. According to the marks you obtained at the first year contest in France, and your classification, it is possible that you may be exempted from some courses, so the time you spent studying in France will not be lost. For this, it is important for you to have a good knowledge of English, and to have obtained passing grades in Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. Each individual application will be studied in detail.

Croatia has signed the Bologna convention, which means that the medical studies here are harmonised with the medical studies of the EU countries. Croatia has been a member of European Union since 2013, so the doctors are able to move freely from Croatia back to France. The medical knowledge learned in Zagreb is of course universal, and many students here are already preparing the USMLE, the ECN and other foreign exams.

Aux futurs étudiants français:

Il y a dans notre Faculté de Médecine un certains nombres d’étudiants français venant des 4 coins de l’hexagone qui aujourd’hui se plaisent a Zagreb.

Si votre niveau d’Anglais vous le permet, que vous êtes prêt a travailler avec motivation dans ce pays magnifique qu’est la Croatie et que vous vous sentez l’âme de découvrir une nouvelle culture, le programme “Medical Studies in English” proposés par l’université de Zagreb est pour sure une solution. Vous y étudierez avec des livres qui font référence au niveau international dans des classes où les professeurs sont disponibles pour répondre aux questions des étudiants et attentifs a leurs progressions individuelles.

Si vous avez effectues un ou deux PCEM1, sachez que l’administration de la Faculté de Médecine de Zagreb est au courant des particularités du système francais et, suivant les notes et le classement que vous avez obtenues au concours, il est possible que vous puissiez être dispensé de plusieurs matières. Ainsi votre temps passé en P1 ne sera pas perdu. Toutefois, pour ceci, il est important d’avoir un bon niveau en anglais, et d’avoir eu la moyenne en Biologie, Biochimie, Physiques, Anatomie, Histologie et Embryologie. Les candidatures seront revues au cas par cas.

La Croatie a signé le traité de Bologne, ce qui signifie que les études de médecine y sont harmonisés avec les pays de l’Union Européenne. La Croatie est membre de l'Union européenne depuis 2013, les médecins peuvent donc se déplacer librement de Croatie vers la France. Le savoir médical qui est enseigné ici et bien évidemment universel et de nombreux étudiants de notre université souhaitent d’ors et déjà préparer l’USMLE, l’ECN et les autres concours étrangers.

Har du tänkt på att studera utomlands? Kanske medicin? Med tanke på den restriktiva antagningen till medicinstudier i Sverige kan medicinstudier på engelska vid universitetet i Zagreb kanske vara ett alternativ. Det finns redan en grupp skandinaviska studenter här nere. Undergraduate-studier i Kroatien, och i andra delar av Balkan, är välansedda, och Zagreb Universitet har anammat Bolognakonventionen, som samordnar Europas läkarstudier. Kroatien har varit en del av EU sedan 2013, vilket har gjort det lättare att söka jobb. Programmet har små klasser med en trevlig undervisningsmiljö, och bra och nära kontakt med professorerna. Du behöver kunna bra engelska och ha godkänt betyg i biologi, kemi och fysik. Språklektioner ingår i programmet för dem som inte kan kroatiska. Studielån från CSN är tillgängliga, och räcker långt i det billiga Kroatien.

Have you considered studying abroad? Medicine perhaps? Considering the restricted acceptance to medicine studies in Sweden, studies o­n English at the University of Zagreb might be an alternative. Here is already a small group of Scandinavian students. Undergraduate studies in Croatia, and other parts of the Balkans, are considered very good, and the University of Zagrebhas accepted the Bolognaconvention that coordinates European medical studies. Croatia has been a part of EU since 2013, which has made job seeking easier. The program has small classes with a pleasant teaching environment and good, close contact with the professors. You need to speak good English and have pass grades in biology, chemistry and physics. Language lessons are included for those who do not speak Croatian. Study funding from CSN are available, and will last long in low-priced Croatia.

Students will have to organize accommodation on their own, i.e. look for private rental accommodation. Rents vary greatly according to location, room size, facility etc. Overhead expenses are sometimes included in the price, and sometimes are paid by the consumer. Payment is usually expected at the beginning of the month, while some landlords request payment for several months in advance.

There are two ways to rent a room/flat:

• Send an email/check the offer of the following real estate agencies that are available online:

1. Zagreb West
   • Web: http://www.zagrebwest.hr/en/
   • E-mail: info@zagrebwest.hr
3. Rost d.o.o.
   • Web: http://www.rost.hr/
   • E-mail: info@rost.hr

Look for/run an advert in a newspaper or in the classified ads e.g. „Plavi oglasnik“ or at http://www.oglasnik.hr/ or http://www.njuskalo.hr/ or http://www.crozilla-nekretnine.com/.
Examples of prices: Single room with shared kitchen and toilet – 100 – 150 Euros per month; Studio apartment – 200 Euro per month.

Hostels
If you prefer private accommodation and would like to live in a rented flat, before choosing a nice one, you might want to spend some time in a hostel. Therefore, we suggest youth hostels.

VISA

EU/EEA citizens can enter Croatia with just a valid ID card (or passport) and then need to register at the Central police station if staying for more than 3 months to regulate the residence permit.

Third-country nationals that do not need a Schengen visa can enter Croatia with a valid passport and then apply for the temporary residence permit in Zagreb. Please check at the website of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs if you need a Schengen visa to enter Croatia.

Third-country nationals that need a Schengen visa to enter Croatia (please check the website of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) need to apply for it at the Croatian embassy / VFS visa application centerbefore departing for Croatia.

You can find more information at the website of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, VISAS.

Visas CANNOT be applied for or extended in Croatia! Please contact the Croatian embassy in your country of residence for more information. You will receive an acceptance letter that covers some of the documentation needed for your visa application as soon as your complete application has been approved by the faculty/academy of the University of Zagreb that will host you.

IMPORTANT! Please bear in mind that the visa application process might take up to several weeks or even months so do try to file your application as soon as possible. 

You might need the originals of your "Letter of Acceptance" for your visa application.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT

EU/SWISS CITIZENS

MOBILITY PERIOD LONGER THAN 90 DAYS

EU citizens who plan to study in Croatia for more than 90 days are obliged to apply for the approval of the temporary stay for the purpose of studies (dozvola boravka). You should submit your application for the issuance of the residence card within 90 days of your arrival in Croatia at zg.drzavljanstvo.stranci@mup.hr ,  tel.: 01/4563 688; 01/4563 548.

MOBILITY PERIOD SHORTER THAN 90 DAYS

EU citizens are not obliged to apply for the approval for temporary stay or to register their address if they are staying in Croatia shorter than 90 days.

THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS

MOBILITY PERIOD LONGER THAN 90 DAYS

Third-country nationals staying in Croatia for more than 90 days are obliged to apply for the approval of the temporary stay for the purpose of studies (dozvola boravka) within 48 hours of their arrival.

To apply for the permit you will need to submit the following documents by email to the address of the Central Police Station in Zagreb: zg.drzavljanstvo.stranci@mup.hr ,  tel.: 01/4563 688; 01/4563 548 ; please see list below.

Location / Visiting address of the Foreigners’ Office, Central Police Station (Odsjek za strance, Policijska uprva Zagrebačka) is in Remetinečki gaj 13, HR-10000 Zagreb, WORKING HOURS: 8 am – 2 pm.

1. Form1b (EU citizens)
   Form1a (NON-EU citizens)
2. Acceptance letter (in Croatian) from UNIZG stating the study purpose of your stay 
3. 1 photo in colour (35x45mm)
4. Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (statement of bank account, scholarship confirmation and similar; only for the scholars of the University of Zagreb - invitation letter stating the scholarship amount) – approx. 110EUR min./moth for EU citizens, approx. 270 EUR min./moth for NON-EU citizens
5. Proof of secured accommodation 
   • if staying in the student hall of residence you are automatically registered in the police system (no additional documents are required by you)
   • in case of private accommodation a rental contract and a proof of ownership (vlasnički list) not older than 6 months
6. Proof of health insurance - copy of the insurance policy
7. Certificate of non-criminal record with apostille (non-EU citizens only coming from non-EU country)
8. Original and photocopy of the passport or the identity card 

MOBILITY PERIOD SHORTER THAN 90 DAYS

Upon your arrival in Croatia and if you are staying in private accommodation (rented apartment or similar), you need to register your address within 48 hours at the Foreigners’ Office, : zg.drzavljanstvo.stranci@mup.hr ,  tel.: 01/4563 688; 01/4563 548. For the students who are staying at hotels or student halls of residence the address is automatically registered.

COST OF THE PERMIT (ADMINISTRATIVE FEE)

EU citizens do not have to pay the administration fee.

NON-EU citizens need to pay the fee. More information at the official web-site: https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-third-country-nationals/281661

IMPORTANT: All documents need to be translated into Croatian and certified by a public notary.

Official info at:https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/281622

HEALTH INSURANCE

 Medically necessary healthcare within the public health system of the Republic of Croatia (including the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 testing) is accessible to students from the EU member states, the European Economic Area countries (EEA - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), and from Switzerland. Those students exert their right by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EUHIC).

The same healthcare is available to students from the contracting states (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey). Those students exert their right by presenting the appropriate certificate issued by the authorized health insurance in their home countries. The students are required to obtain the certificate before coming to Croatia.

All other students are required to obtain adequate health insurance to cover them during their stay in the Republic of Croatia. Those students should contact their health insurance provider for all information/questions regarding the coverage of their healthcare expenses while in the Republic of Croatia. Students can also register to the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.

More information at:

https://www.euraxess.hr/croatia/information-assistance/health-insurance-medical-care

https://hzzo.hr/en/national-contact-point-ncp/using-healthcare-republic-croatia

https://www.studyincroatia.hr/live-and-work-in-croatia/health-insurance/

http://www.unizg.hr/homepage/international-exchange/exchange-students/before-coming-to-zagreb/

DOCTOR FOR STUDENTS

Students who need to choose their primary health care physician can contact Multidisciplinary Counseling Service

• Assoc. Prof. Venija Cerovečki, family medicine specialist
• Assoc. Prof. Tea Vukušić Rukavina, MD, PhD, specialist in psychiatry
• Assist. Prof. Marjeta Majer, MD, PhD,  school and adolescent medicine specialist
• Danko Relić, MD, PhD, family medicine specialist
• Ino Kermc, MD, family medicine specialist
• Martina Sokač-Grgec, nurse

ADDRESS: Šalata 4a (ground floor-left), 10 000 Zagreb

WORKING HOURS (Monday – Friday):

ODD DATES – morning: the physicians are available for consultation in the office from 8 to 11 a.m.; Consultations via mobile phone are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

EVEN DATES - afternoon: the physicians are available for consultations in the office from 1 to 4 p.m.; Consultations via mobile phone are available from 4 to 7 p.m.

Phone (during working hours): 01 4590 297

Appointment booking: e-mail: studamb@mef.hr - Appointment for check-up should be made by the e-mail

OIB NUMBER

OIB number Shortly after arriving in Zagreb, you should get your national identity number OIB - osobni identifikacijski broj (OIB = personal identification number). You’ll need this for many purposes including registering for classes in September. You will get it at the Police when registering your temporary residence in Croatia for the first time or at Tax Administration, Avenija Dubrovnik 32 or Draškovićeva 15 (entrance Trg hrvatskih velikana 1, the first floor, room 15A, working hours 8am-3pm). You will need to fill out the form and you will need a copy of passport or ID card. OIB field is a mandatory field in the School's information system and the enrollment is not possible without it.