Professional Undergraduate Study Programme in Public Administration

The Professional Undergraduate Study Program in Administration was launched in the 2005/2006 academic year with the aim of meeting labor market demands for qualified and skilled personnel in state administration bodies, regional and local self-government, judicial institutions, and public legal entities. In line with global trends regarding the unique status, as well as the specific knowledge, skills, and competencies of civil servants, continuous professional education of public administration employees has proven essential.

The Study Program in Administration lasts three years, culminating in 180 ECTS credits and awarding graduates the academic title of Bachelor of Public Administration (B.A. in Public Administration, bacc. admin. publ.). Courses are delivered on a semester basis, with each semester lasting fifteen weeks. At the end of each semester, students may take all exams corresponding to that term. Midterm exams and various other knowledge assessments conducted throughout the semester facilitate exam preparation and encourage continuous student engagement.

The program accommodates both full-time students, who follow the full schedule, and part-time students, who follow an adapted schedule. Part-time classes are held in the afternoon, which is particularly suitable for students who are employed. Additionally, the program emphasizes an individualized teaching approach, tailored to vulnerable groups (such as students with disabilities or other challenges, student-parents), and student-athletes.

Beyond theoretical knowledge and an understanding of legal regulations across various administrative sectors, the study places strong emphasis on developing practical skills and competencies. These are cultivated through compulsory course exercises, guest lectures by distinguished practitioners, provision of free legal aid, study visits to administrative bodies and courts, and learning activities based on real-world challenges. By selecting elective courses in the final year and choosing their internship placements, students have the opportunity to specialize already at this first level of higher education.

Graduates will therefore be qualified to perform administrative and professional tasks in:

• state administration bodies (ministries, government agencies, inspectorates, and their local offices);
• judicial and other state institutions;
• municipal, city, and county administration;
• public legal entities and organizations providing public services (e.g., Croatian Health Insurance Fund, Croatian Pension Insurance Fund, municipal utility companies, schools) and non-governmental organizations.

Given that this professional undergraduate program offers an interdisciplinary education in law, administration, and economics, as well as organizational, IT, and administrative-technical skills and competencies, undergraduate students are well-prepared for rapid employment in the labor market and for further study at the Professional Graduate Study in Public Administration.

Detailed information on the study program and each course is provided in the study program syllabus, while general rules regarding instruction and examinations are outlined in the Regulations on Study Programs.

Academic title or degree awarded upon completion of the study program:

Bachelor of Public Administration (bacc. admin. publ.)

Admission requirements:

High School Grades

Name	Weighting
Cumulative grade average	30.00%

Compulsory part of the matriculation exam

Name	Level	Treshold	Weighting
Croatian language	B		20.00%
Matemathics	B		20.00%
Foreign language	B		20.00%

* For candidates who are citizens of EU member states, passing the first language exam in their home country is recognized instead of Croatian for the matriculation exam.

** The University recognizes results of lower-level (B) Croatian language exams passed before the 2022/2023 school year.

Elective part of the matriculation exam

Name	Mandatory	Treshold	Weighting
History or Philosophy or Logic or Politics and Economics or Psychology or Sociology	NO	**	*

* Applicants are not required to take any of the six subjects listed. Passing one subject earns additional points. The best result is counted at 10.0%.

** Threshold conditions vary by subject; details not specified.

Competition results

Category	Discipline	Grade from	Grade to	Placement from	Placement to	Prize from	Prize to	Weighting
National competition	Social sciences	1	4	1	3			5.00%
National competition	Humanities	1	4	1	3			5.00%
National competition	Natural sciences	1	4	1	3			5.00%
National competition	Arts	1	4	1	3			5.00%

Athlete category

From	To	Weighting
I	VI	5.00%

Other special achievements

Achievement	Weighting
Graduation from a gymnasium/economic/ administrative school	5.00%
Knowledge of a second foreign language (if the candidate studied it in high school for at least 2 years/grades)	5.00%

The maximum percentage of points that can be earned through competition results, sports category, and other special achievements is 20.00%.

Admission requirements for the next semester and academic year:

Unless otherwise stipulated by the Regulations on Study Programs, a full-time student enrolls in 60 ECTS credits each academic year, while a part-time student enrolls in 30 to 60 ECTS credits.

Intended learning outcomes acquired upon completion of the study:

1. describe and explain the organization and functioning of public administration systems;
2. compare and distinguish the positive law regulations of state administration, local and regional self-government, legal entities with public authority, and legal entities providing public services in the Republic of Croatia;
3. compare the relationship between public administration and political authority and define fundamental political systems;
4. differentiate and compare basic concepts, principles, sources, and institutions in public administration;
5. explain and compare substantive and procedural law institutions relevant to the performance of administrative tasks;
6. recognize and explain the interrelationship between international, European, and national law and determine which law applies in a specific case;
7. classify societal situations using appropriate legal concepts;
8. interpret and apply legal rules;
9. conduct administrative procedures and prepare and justify administrative acts;
10. recognize the influence of political, historical, economic, and other societal factors on the functioning of public administration;
11. identify the role and significance of other disciplines in the performance of public administration tasks;
12. express oneself in written and oral form using appropriate legal terminology;
13. develop ethical and social responsibility for the execution of assigned tasks.

The enrollment quota:

The enrollment quota for the full-time study is 35 for EU citizens, 2 for foreign nationals, and 3 for Croatians living abroad. The enrollment quota for part-time study is 40 for EU citizens.

Structure and mode of instruction:

The study program is implemented as a professional undergraduate three-year study program, awarding a minimum of 180 ECTS credits upon completion. Instruction is delivered through lectures, exercises, and seminars according to the published schedule over thirty weeks of the academic year. The specific method of instruction for each course is defined in the corresponding part of the study program.

Completion of the study program:

The study program is completed by passing exams in compulsory and elective courses, fulfilling other study obligations, and preparing and defending a bachelor’s thesis. Details regarding the exam administration and fulfillment of other study obligations are stipulated in the Regulations on Study Programs and the course syllabi.

The specific part of the study program contains a list of compulsory and elective courses, indicating ECTS credits, mode of instruction, course content, planned learning outcomes, course instructors, and methods of assessment for each course.

Applications for enrollment in the first year of the program are submitted through the National Information System for Applications to Higher Education Institutions (NISpVU), which can be accessed via the website www.postani-student.hr.

Notifications about enrollment in the first and subsequent years of the program are published on the Faculty’s website during September.

In the Student Affairs Office, students can, upon presenting their identification number, receive answers to inquiries related to class and exam schedules, enrollment in the program and academic year, transfers from other law faculties, as well as inquiries related to regulations of the Faculty’s competent authorities in the area of teaching.

The Study Records are open for student inquiries on weekdays from 11 AM to 1 PM. For part-time students, the office is also open on Thursdays from 3 PM to 5 PM (from October 1st to May 31st).

Inquiries can also be made by phone at 051 359 587 on weekdays from 2 PM to 3 PM, or via email at evidencija@pravri.uniri.hr.