STUDENTS ENROLLED ON UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL STUDIES, 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR

In the 2023/2024 academic year, 4 788 doctoral candidates enrolled on university doctoral studies.

The highest number of doctoral candidates were enrolled at the University of Zagreb, 60.5%, followed by 12.0% enrolled at the University of Osijek, 10.3% at the University of Rijeka, 8.0% at the University of Split, 2.8% at the University North, 2.4% at the Catholic University of Croatia, 2.2% at the University of Zadar, 0.7% at the University of Slavonski Brod, 0.6% at the University of Dubrovnik, 0.3% at the University of Pula, and 0.2% at the Libertas International University.

More women than men enrolled on university doctoral studies

The share of women in the total number of doctoral candidates was 2 742 (57.3%). The highest share of female doctoral candidates was enrolled at the University North, 81.3%, followed by the University of Pula, with 75.0% of them, the University of Osijek, 65.2%,  the University of Dubrovnik, 63.3%, the University of Split, 58.2%, the Catholic University of Croatia, 56.5%, the University of Zadar and the University of Rijeka, with 55.8% of female doctoral students enrolled at each of them, the University of Zagreb, 55.2%,  and Libertas International University with 50.0% of female doctoral students enrolled. The lowest share of female doctoral candidates was enrolled at the University of Slavonski Brod, 9.0%.

Majority of doctoral candidates enrolled at the age ranging from 25 to 29

Regarding age, the largest number of all doctoral candidates were classified in the 25 – 29 age group (33.1%) and the smallest one in the 55-and-over age group (3.0%). There were 23.6% of doctoral candidates in the 30 – 34 age group, 15.0% in the 35 – 39 age group, 10.7% in the 40 – 44 age group, 7.3% in the 45 – 49 age group, 2.5% in the under-24 age group, and, finally, 4.8% in the 50 – 54 age group.

Social sciences – the most often chosen field for doctoral studies

According to the scientific field of studies, the most often chosen field for doctoral studies was Social sciences (24.9%), followed by Engineering (22.5%), Biomedicine and health (15.9%), Natural sciences (15.3%), Humanities (9.9%), Interdisciplinary fields of science (6.8%), Biotechnical sciences (4.5%) and Artistic field (0.2%).

A total of 5.1% of foreign citizens enrolled on university doctoral studies in the Republic of Croatia

By the country of usual residence, 94.9% of doctoral candidates were the residents of the Republic of Croatia and 5.1% were the residents of other countries, among which the most represented were the residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, who mostly enrolled on doctoral studies at the University of Zagreb. By citizenship, out of the total number of doctoral candidates, 96.6% of them, were the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, while 3.4% were foreign citizens. Out of the total number of doctoral candidates who were the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, 93.3% had previously graduated in the Republic of Croatia and 6.4% in other countries.

The largest number of doctoral candidates were employed in Education

Out of the total number of doctoral candidates, 96.9% of them were employed and 3.1% were unemployed. By activities, the largest number of doctoral candidates were employed in Education, as much as 42.2%, followed by those employed in Health and social welfare, 18.0%, in Professional, scientific and technical activities, 14.9%, in Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, 7.2%, in Information and communication, 3.6%, in Manufacturing, 3.1%, in Arts, entertainment and recreation, 2.2%, and in Other service activities, 2.0%, while 6.8% of employed doctoral candidates were employed in other activities.

Doctoral candidates mostly paid the costs of their studies themselves

Out of the total number of doctoral candidates, 50.4% of them paid their doctoral study themselves, 39.4% were supported by the employer, 7.4% were supported from the State Budget and 2.8% belonged to the category Other.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Data source

Data are the result of the annual statistical analysis of the Registration Sheets for Doctoral Candidates Enrolled on University Doctoral Study (ŠV-40 form) filled in by doctoral candidates while enrolling on study.

Coverage and comparability

This statistical survey includes all doctoral candidates who enrolled on any year of doctoral study in the 2023/2024 academic year. Data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

Institution of higher education is any institution of higher education authorised to organise and implement courses of study as well as scientific research or highly professional or artistic work. The institutions of higher education are universities, faculties, art academies and polytechnics. The institutions of higher education may be public and private.

Postgraduate university study can be enrolled on after the completion of a graduate university study and lasts, as a rule, for three years, in accordance with the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN, 119/22).

Postgraduate studies are classified according to the Rule Book of Scientific and Artistic Fields (NN, Nos 118/09, 82/12, 32/13 and 34/16).

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Mario Vlajčević, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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