The Croatian National Grading System
Croatia's national grading system is composed of five grades, each with a numerical equivalent. These grades are used to assess student performance across various levels of education, from secondary school to higher education institutions.
The Grading Scale:
- Excellent (Izvrstan) – Grade 5
This is the highest grade, indicating exceptional performance. - Very Good (Vrlo dobar) – Grade 4
A very good grade, demonstrating above-average knowledge and skills. - Good (Dobar) – Grade 3
A solid grade, signifying satisfactory understanding and competence. - Sufficient (Dovoljan) – Grade 2
This is the minimum passing grade, indicating a basic but adequate understanding of the subject matter. - Fail (Nedovoljan) – Grade 1
A failing grade, meaning the student must retake the exam or resubmit the work in order to pass.
In addition to these grades, Croatian higher education institutions utilize the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which is part of the Bologna Process. ECTS credits are awarded when a student completes a course and successfully passes all required exams. Although there is no national regulation on the exact equivalence, it is generally accepted that one ECTS credit represents approximately 30 hours of student work.
ECTS Credits and Academic Workload:
- 60 ECTS credits correspond to the total workload of one academic year.
- 30 ECTS credits correspond to the workload of one academic semester.
The grading and credit system is recorded in a student’s official Student Transcript Book or Indeks, which is provided upon enrolment. This book includes essential details about the courses taken, grades earned, and ECTS credits achieved. Students are advised to carry their Indeks during the last four weeks of the semester when professors are required to verify course attendance with their signature.
Upon successfully passing exams, professors will record the grade and the ECTS credits awarded in the student’s Indeks, followed by their signature as confirmation of completion. This system helps ensure that students' academic progress is accurately tracked throughout their educational journey in Croatia.
