STUDENTS ENROLLED ON DOCTORAL STUDIES,
2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

In the 2024/2025 academic year, 4 946 doctoral candidates enrolled on doctoral studies.

The highest number of doctoral candidates were enrolled at the University of Zagreb, 58.6% of them, followed by 12.6% enrolled at the University of Osijek, 10.9% at the University of Rijeka, 8.1% at the University of Split, 2.7% at the University North, 2.4% at the University of Zadar, 2.2% at the Catholic University of Croatia, 1.4% at the University of Dubrovnik, 0.8% at the University of Slavonski Brod, 0.2% at the University of Pula, and 0.1% at the Libertas International University.

More women than men enrolled on doctoral studies

Out of the total number of doctoral candidates, 2 791 were women (56.4%). The most female doctoral candidates were enrolled at the University North, 77.6%, followed by the University of Pula, with 75.0%, the University of Osijek, with 63.2%, the Catholic University of Croatia, with 58.2%, the Libertas International University, with 57.1%, the University of Rijeka, with 57.0%, the University of Zadar, with 56.0%, the University of Split, with 55.5%, the University of Zagreb, with 54.6%, and the University of Dubrovnik, with 50.7% of them. The lowest share of female doctoral candidates was enrolled at the University of Slavonski Brod, 10.8% of them.

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

Regarding the age structure in five-year age groups, the most doctoral candidates were classified in the 25 – 29 age group (32.4%) and the fewest in the under-24 age group (2.7%). There were 23.6% of doctoral candidates in the 30 – 34 age group, 15.3% in the 35 – 39 age group, 10.9% in the 40 – 44 age group, 7.8% in the 45 – 49 age group, 4.3% in the 50 – 54 age group, and 3.0% in the 55-and-over age group.

Science field – the most often chosen field for doctoral studies

Regarding the scientific, interdisciplinary and artistic fields of study, the most frequently chosen fields for university doctoral studies were the scientific fields of study (92.1%), followed by the interdisciplinary fields of science and art (7.6%), and finally, the artistic fields of study (0.3%).

A total of 4.8% of foreign citizens enrolled on doctoral studies in the Republic of Croatia

By the country of usual residence, 95.2% of doctoral candidates were the residents of the Republic of Croatia and 4.8% 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, 97.7% of them were citizens of the Republic of Croatia, while 3.3% were foreign citizens. Out of the total number of doctoral candidates who were Croatian citizens, 93.8% had previously graduated in the Republic of Croatia and 6.2% in other countries.

The largest number of doctoral candidates were employed in Education

Out of the total number of doctoral candidates, 96.8% of them were employed and 3.2% were unemployed. Out of all employed doctoral candidates in the scientific field of study, the most were employed in Education, as many as 39.9%, followed by those employed in Health and social welfare, 18.0%, in Professional, scientific and technical activities, 14.8%, in Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, 7.0%, in Information and communication, 3.3%, in Manufacturing, 2.3%, in Arts, entertainment and recreation, 2.2%, and in Other service activities, 2.0%, while 7.3% of 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, 50.9% of them paid their doctoral study themselves, 39.4% were supported by the employer, 6.3% were supported from the State Budget, and 3.4% belonged to the category Other.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Data source

The data are the result of the annual statistical analysis of the Registration Sheets for Doctoral Candidates Enrolled on Doctoral Study (ŠV-40 form) filled in by doctoral candidates upon enrolment on doctoral study.

Coverage and comparability

This statistical survey includes all doctoral candidates who enrolled on any year of doctoral study in the 2024/2025 academic year. The 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, 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.

Doctoral study can be enrolled on after the completion of a graduate university study, university integrated undergraduate and graduate study or university professional study, and it lasts for three years, in accordance with the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN, No. 119/22).

Doctoral study programmes are classified according to the Ordinance on Scientific and Interdisciplinary Areas, Fields and Branches and Artistic Area, Fields and Branches (NN, No. 3/24).

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, Acting Director General

Prepared by:
Marija Gojević, Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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