On September 1, RIT Croatia officially opened the 2026/2027 academic year across both of its campuses in Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Approximately 250 new students joined the community, including first-year undergraduates, Erasmus+ exchange students, and visiting students from RIT’s main campus in Rochester, New York. Around 30 percent of the incoming cohort is international, bringing together more than 15 countries and 30 different citizenships. For prospective students and parents researching where to study in Croatia, the start of this academic year offers a clear, concrete picture of what the university delivers: American-style undergraduate programs taught in English, a genuinely international classroom, newly appointed faculty with strong academic and industry credentials, and two distinctly different Croatian cities in which to live and learn.
If you are considering applying for a future intake, treat this article as a practical briefing. It covers the undergraduate programs open to new students, the faculty joining the institution this year, how experiential learning shapes the curriculum, and the exact steps to take if you decide to submit an application. When you are ready to move from research to action, submit an inquiry through the official RIT Croatia interest form so the admissions team can answer your specific questions about programs, deadlines, and eligibility.
A Look Inside the Start of the 2026/2027 Academic Year
September at any university carries a recognizable energy: fresh notebooks, unfamiliar schedules, and the quiet mix of nerves and expectations that comes with a new beginning. At RIT Croatia this September, that energy was amplified by the scale and diversity of the incoming class. Close to 250 new students arrived across the Zagreb and Dubrovnik campuses, and they did not all arrive from the same starting point.
The cohort breaks down into three groups, each of which changes the classroom dynamic in a useful way:
- First-year students beginning their professional undergraduate studies and building the foundational knowledge of their chosen field.
- Erasmus+ exchange students spending a semester or full year in Croatia, adding perspectives from universities across Europe.
- Visiting students from RIT Rochester, who connect the Croatian campuses directly to the university’s main campus in the United States.
For a new first-year student, this mix matters more than it might first appear. Group projects, classroom debates, and everyday campus life all draw on the experiences of peers who grew up in different educational systems and cultures. That environment prepares you for the reality of modern workplaces, where cross-cultural collaboration is a daily requirement rather than an occasional exercise.
Undergraduate Programs You Can Study at RIT Croatia
RIT Croatia delivers professional undergraduate studies leading to a degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a private American university with a long history in technology, business, and design education. Instruction is in English, and the programs are structured to combine academic theory with applied, career-focused work. Five main undergraduate options are available to applicants:
Cybersecurity BS
The Cybersecurity program responds to sustained global demand for professionals who can protect systems, networks, and data. Students work through networking, system administration, security policy, and hands-on defensive techniques. Given the shortage of qualified security specialists in Europe and worldwide, graduates enter a field with strong employment prospects and clear progression paths.
New Media Design BFA
The New Media Design program sits at the intersection of visual design, interaction, and emerging technology. Students develop skills in graphic design, user experience, motion, and 3D work. The arrival of new instructors teaching 3D design and digital photography this year strengthens the studio-based, portfolio-driven nature of the program — a critical factor, since employers in design fields hire based on demonstrated work.
Global Business Management / International Business BS
This program prepares students to operate in international markets, covering marketing, management, finance, and the global business environment. Studying business in a classroom where more than 30 citizenships are represented gives the coursework a practical dimension that lectures alone cannot provide.
Hospitality and Tourism Management BS
Croatia’s position as one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations makes it a natural setting for hospitality education. Students study hotel operations, event management, service quality, and destination marketing, with Dubrovnik in particular serving as a live case study in international tourism.
Web and Mobile Computing BS
The Web and Mobile Computing program covers software development for web platforms and mobile devices, alongside topics such as artificial intelligence and contemporary computing — both of which are taught on the Zagreb and Dubrovnik campuses this academic year.
Before committing to any program, read the full curriculum and course descriptions on the university’s website, and explore the complete list of professional undergraduate studies to compare which structure fits your career goals best.
New Faculty Members Joining RIT Croatia in 2026/2027
A university year is shaped significantly by the people teaching in it. RIT Croatia welcomed several new faculty members across its academic departments for 2026/2027:
- General Education (Zagreb): Ivan Butković joins to teach Critical Reading and Writing, while Antonio Mustahinić teaches Algebra and Introduction to Statistics 1. Dr. Iva Ančić, an RIT Croatia Hospitality and Tourism Management alumna, teaches Intercultural Communication.
- New Media Design: Vedran Blažević leads New Media Design 3D, and Ino Zeljak leads Introduction to Digital Photography.
- Business (Zagreb): Nina Mimica, MBA — another proud HTM alumna — teaches Principles of Marketing and Global Business Environment.
- Web and Mobile Computing (Zagreb and Dubrovnik): Marko Jankuleski teaches Artificial Intelligence and Contemporary Computing on both campuses.
Two details in this list deserve attention from applicants. First, both Dr. Iva Ančić and Nina Mimica began their careers as RIT Croatia students and returned to teach — a concrete example of where the programs can lead. Second, the course lineup reflects where professional demand is heading: intercultural communication for globally distributed teams, artificial intelligence across industries, and applied digital skills in design and computing.
Why an International Classroom Strengthens Your Education
With roughly 30 percent of the incoming class coming from outside Croatia, and students from more than 15 countries represented overall, the learning environment at RIT Croatia functions as preparation for international careers in itself. Consider what this means in practice:
- Group assignments require you to coordinate with teammates who bring different working styles, communication norms, and assumptions.
- Class discussions in business, hospitality, and media courses draw directly on the varied market realities students know from home.
- Courses such as Intercultural Communication give you a formal framework for the collaboration skills you are already practicing informally.
Employers consistently rank cross-cultural competence among the most valuable attributes of early-career hires, particularly in hospitality, international business, and technology — the exact sectors RIT Croatia’s programs serve. If you are an international applicant weighing a move to Croatia, the presence of an established international student community reduces the isolation that can come with studying abroad. Review the dedicated resources for international students to understand the support available, from admission requirements to arrival and integration services.
Zagreb or Dubrovnik: Choosing Your Campus
RIT Croatia operates two campuses, and the choice between them shapes your daily life as much as your studies.
Zagreb, the capital, is the country’s business and administrative center. Students in business, computing, and design programs benefit from proximity to corporate headquarters, agencies, and a year-round urban job market. The city offers extensive public transport, cultural institutions, and a large student population.
Dubrovnik, on the southern Adriatic coast, is one of Europe’s most recognizable tourist destinations. For Hospitality and Tourism Management students, the city functions as an extended classroom: hotels, resorts, and event operations of international scale operate within walking distance of campus.
When comparing campuses, look past postcard impressions. Evaluate program availability, accommodation costs, seasonal employment opportunities, and the kind of lifestyle that will let you stay focused across four years of study.
Experiential Learning and Career Preparation
RIT Croatia’s approach to education extends beyond the lecture hall. The university’s experiential learning framework includes cooperative education placements, international study experiences, and community engagement projects. Career Education Day connects students directly with employers, and career advising is available throughout a student’s enrollment.
For applicants still deciding whether the university fits, the Become a Student for a Day program offers a direct test: sit in on real classes, meet current students, and walk the campus before you commit to an application. Prospective students who experience a campus in person consistently make more confident enrollment decisions than those who rely on brochures alone.
How to Apply to RIT Croatia: Practical Steps
If the 2026/2027 academic year is already underway and you are planning for a future intake, follow these steps:
- Confirm your program fit. Compare the five undergraduate programs against your intended career path, and check which campus hosts each one.
- Contact admissions early. Register your interest to receive deadlines, entry requirements, and updates directly from the admissions office.
- Visit. Arrange a campus tour in Zagreb or Dubrovnik, or join the Student for a Day program if you are able to travel.
- Prepare your documentation. Gather transcripts, language proof, and identification documents well before deadlines, particularly if you need a visa or residence permit as a non-EU citizen.
- Review financing. Examine the tuition fee structure and explore financial aid and scholarship options to understand the full cost picture.
- Submit your application. Complete the online application once your documents are ready, and respond promptly to any follow-up requests from admissions.
Final Thoughts on Joining RIT Croatia
The 2026/2027 academic year at RIT Croatia began with nearly 250 new students, six new faculty appointments, and classrooms spanning more than 30 citizenships. For prospective students, the message from this start of year is straightforward: the university continues to grow its international community, refresh its teaching staff with practitioners and researchers in fields such as artificial intelligence and intercultural communication, and ground its programs in applied, career-oriented learning across Zagreb and Dubrovnik.
If you see yourself in one of these programs, act on that rather than letting another application cycle pass. Submit your application today, contact the admissions team with your questions, or schedule a visit to see the campuses firsthand. Current students and alumni are also invited to share their experiences in the comments — your perspective may be exactly what a future classmate needs to read before making their decision.
