Croatia will be an up-and-coming academic centre in Central Europe by 2026, offering specialised programmes in the humanities, maritime studies, and engineering. For African students, the main types of scholarships are government bilateral agreements, Erasmus+ mobility, and specialised language programmes.
1. Scholarships from the Croatian government for two people
The Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes runs these scholarships, which are the best way to pay for school in 2026/2027. They are split into two “pools” based on who can join.
Application Pool 1: Agreements Between Two Parties This pool is available to people from countries that have a formal agreement with Croatia to work together on education. European partners have reserved many spots, but in the past, some African countries, such as Egypt, have also participated in these bilateral frameworks.
- Full Degrees (Types B and C1): Pays for all of the tuition for a full bachelor’s (36–48 months), master’s (12–24 months), or PhD (36 months) programme.
- Partial Studies (Type A2): Money for one or two semesters of a degree you are already working on in your home country.
- Stipends: In 2026, students will get about €300 to €320 a month, and PhD researchers will get €480 a month.
- Extras: Includes help with housing costs in student residence halls and meals at “Xica” student restaurants.
Application Pool 2: Studies of the Croatian Language. Students from all over the world can apply, even if their country doesn’t have a bilateral agreement. This programme is a great way for African students to get their foot in the door.
- The Course: A one-semester intensive Croatian language course at either the University of Rijeka or the University of Zagreb.
- April 10, 2026, is the strict deadline for both pools for the 2026/2027 intake.
2. Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus
Croatia is very involved with the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which gives a lot of money to African students through “International Credit Mobility”.
Joint Masters in Erasmus Mundus Several Croatian universities, especially the University of Zagreb, offer joint master’s programmes.
- These are “Full Ride” scholarships that pay for tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance of €1,400.
- 2026 Status: Many programmes for the 2026/2028 cycle had application deadlines between January and March 2026. However, there are still a few secondary calls open through the summer for spots that are either self-funded or partially funded.
3. Independent Grants from the University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb is the most popular place for international students in Croatia. It is also the oldest and biggest university in the area.
- Faculty-Specific Waivers: The university’s main office doesn’t give out general “cash” scholarships to all international students, but some faculties (like the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing) do give tuition waivers to the best applicants from developing areas.
- CEEPUS Mobility: If you are already studying in a partner region, like Central or Eastern Europe, the CEEPUS program gives out grants for exchange semesters in Zagreb or Split.
4. Documents Needed for 2026
Croatian officials are very strict about making documents legal. Most African applicants need to do the following:
- The Europass CV is the standard format for all Croatian college applications.
- Motivation Letter: This document is usually one to two pages long and explains why you chose Croatia and what you want to study.
- Nomination Letter: For Government Pool 1, you must be officially nominated by your home country’s Ministry of Education.
- Health and Police Clearance: To obtain a visa, you will need to pass a criminal background check and get a general health certificate.
5. Strategic Guidance for African Applicants
The “Nomination” Challenge: You can’t just apply online for the government scholarship (Pool 1). First, contact your country’s education authority to receive a “nomination”. If your country doesn’t have a current agreement, you should focus on Pool 2 (Language Studies) or Erasmus Mundus, which let you apply directly.
Language of Teaching In 2026, the number of programmes taught in English will increase, but their costs will often rise. If you get a government scholarship for a programme taught in Croatian, the one-semester language course (A1/A2 type) is usually required and paid for by the scholarship.
Buffer for the Cost of Living The government stipend of €300 to €320 is intended to assist with your expenses, not fully cover them. Prices in cities like Zagreb and Split have gone up since Croatia joined the Eurozone in 2023. To live comfortably with your scholarship, you should have at least €200 per month in your own “buffer.”
Are you interested in getting a technical degree like engineering, or are you more interested in a research-based PhD or postdoctoral stay?