University of Rijeka

University of Rijeka (UNIRI) is a public university in Rijeka, Croatia.

The University of Rijeka was founded in 1973, but its roots date back to the 17th century. In 1627, the Jesuits established a school of theology in Rijeka, which enjoyed equal status with the academies in the largest cities of the Austrian Empire.

In the 19th century, a number of other higher education institutions were established in Rijeka, including a nautical academy, a commercial academy, and a teacher training college. However, these institutions were all closed after World War I.

After World War II, Rijeka became part of Yugoslavia. In the 1960s, there was a growing demand for higher education in Rijeka, and in 1973, the University of Rijeka was founded.

The University of Rijeka has played an important role in the development of the city of Rijeka and the surrounding region. It has provided highly educated graduates for the local economy and has also contributed to the cultural and social life of the region.

In recent years, the University of Rijeka has focused on internationalization and research. The university has established partnerships with universities all over the world and has attracted a number of foreign students and researchers. The university is also involved in a number of research projects funded by the European Union.

University of Rijeka is ranked as the #2 top university in Croatia during 2025. This is the same rank as last year.