The Doctoral Program in Economics and Business Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka, is a three-year university program (180 ECTS credits), upon completion of which students are awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Science (PhD) (dr. sc. socio.) in the field of social sciences, discipline of economics. The maximum duration of the program, from enrollment to completion, is six years.
The study program includes 3 compulsory and 3 elective courses, whose purpose is to provide fundamental methodological and theoretical knowledge necessary for independent scientific research. Elective courses are selected from a wide range of offerings (including courses from Croatian and international institutions). Instead of traditional exams, the program emphasizes independent research tasks and projects closely related to the doctoral dissertation topic, in accordance with the doctoral candidate’s choice. In this way, the program is designed so that the majority of ECTS credits are earned through research activities and the preparation of the doctoral dissertation. During the doctoral study, the Faculty organizes additional workshops, seminars, and training sessions to develop additional competencies required for dissertation preparation (qualitative and quantitative methods).
Previously acquired competencies from completed scientific master’s degrees and specialist postgraduate studies (mr. sc. and univ. spec.) are recognized upon enrollment in the doctoral program.
Doctoral candidates are allowed to freely choose their supervisor from Croatia or abroad, as well as to flexibly adapt their study plan in accordance with the development of their research project.
The doctoral program strongly promotes an interdisciplinary approach to research, enabling the integration of economics with other scientific fields and disciplines relevant to the dissertation topic. In agreement with the supervisor, doctoral candidates may include courses, research activities, and methodological approaches from related scientific areas, further enhancing the scientific value of their research.
The Faculty of Economics and Business in Rijeka is strongly internationally connected through membership in EDAMBA (European Doctoral Association in Management and Business Administration) and CESEENet (Central and South-East European PhD Network). This international integration enables doctoral candidates to participate in doctoral seminars, workshops, summer schools, and research stays at foreign universities, as well as to actively engage in the international academic community. This model supports dynamic progress through the program, with a strong emphasis on scientific excellence and the international visibility of doctoral candidates.
Acting Head of the Doctoral Program:
Assist. Prof. Stella Suljić Nikolaj, PhD
stella.suljic.nikolaj@efri.uniri.hr
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Previously acquired competencies from completed master’s and specialist postgraduate studies (mr. sc. and univ. spec.) are recognized upon enrollment.
Recognition of ECTS credits from previous education is granted as follows:
- 80 ECTS credits for candidates who have completed a relevant postgraduate scientific master’s program (pre-Bologna system)
- 60 ECTS credits for candidates who have completed a relevant postgraduate professional program (pre-Bologna system)
- 60 ECTS credits for candidates who have completed a relevant postgraduate specialist program (Bologna system)
Admission requirements for the doctoral program:
- completed undergraduate and graduate university studies or an integrated undergraduate and graduate university study program in the fields of social sciences, humanities, or other disciplines (minimum 300 ECTS credits)
- completed undergraduate university studies in the fields of social sciences, humanities, or other disciplines under regulations prior to the current Act
- completed a university specialist study program and obtained the academic title of Specialist in Economics, or an equivalent postgraduate qualification (level 7.2 of the Croatian Qualifications Framework)
- completed a scientific master’s program in economics or business economics under regulations prior to the current Act
For candidates who have not completed a university undergraduate and graduate study program (or integrated program) in the field of social sciences, discipline of economics, the Postgraduate Studies and Doctoral Committee will determine the required bridging exams based on the proposal of the expert committee for the evaluation of prior learning.
Doctoral candidates required to take bridging exams must pass them before submitting their doctoral dissertation proposal.
A requirement for enrollment is proficiency in Business English.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR DOCTORAL STUDIES
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE OBLIGATIONS
- Attendance and completion of 3 compulsory and 3 elective courses (30 ECTS)
- Preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation proposal (15 ECTS)
- Preparation and defense of the research results report of the doctoral dissertation
- Preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation (75 ECTS)
- Research stay at foreign universities or research institutions for a minimum of 3 months (20 ECTS)
OR
- Participation in an international scientific or scientific-professional project (internationally funded project or project led by foreign researchers with majority international participation), evidenced by a published international scientific paper indexed in SSCI, SCI, or CC (Social and Behavioral Sciences) databases (20 ECTS)
OR
- Participation in 2 scientific workshops led by international lecturers at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Rijeka, 2 scientific colloquia, and a doctoral conference (15 ECTS)
- Preparation and publication of a scientific article in the field of social sciences in internationally recognized journals, in accordance with the criteria of the National Council for Science (minimum 10, maximum 40 ECTS)
- Presentation of a scientific paper at an international scientific conference, in accordance with the same criteria (minimum 5, maximum 10 ECTS)
OBLIGATIONS FOR DOCTORAL CANDIDATES WITH A COMPLETED POSTGRADUATE SPECIALIST OR SCIENTIFIC MASTER’S DEGREE
- Preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation proposal (15 ECTS)
- Preparation and defense of the research results report
- Preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation (75 ECTS)
- Research stay at foreign universities or research institutions for a minimum of 3 months (20 ECTS)
OR
- Participation in an international scientific or scientific-professional project, evidenced by a published international scientific paper indexed in SSCI, SCI, or CC databases (20 ECTS)
OR
- Participation in 2 scientific workshops led by international lecturers, 2 scientific colloquia, and a doctoral conference (15 ECTS)
- Preparation and publication of a scientific article (minimum 10, maximum 40 ECTS)
- Presentation of a scientific paper at an international scientific conference (minimum 5, maximum 10 ECTS)
SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS, COLLOQUIA, AND DOCTORAL CONFERENCE
Within the doctoral program in Economics and Business Economics, the Faculty of Economics and Business in Rijeka organizes scientific workshops, two scientific colloquia per year, and a doctoral conference, with the aim of strengthening doctoral candidates’ research competencies and their active integration into the national and international scientific community.
Scientific workshops are focused on developing methodological and research skills necessary for preparing a doctoral dissertation. They cover topics such as qualitative and quantitative research methods, academic writing, publishing in relevant journals, and ethics in scientific research. Workshops are led by faculty members as well as visiting domestic and international researchers.
Scientific colloquia, held twice a year, provide doctoral candidates with the opportunity to present their research ideas, methodological framework, and preliminary results in a structured format. Materials prepared for presentation undergo a peer-review process, ensuring the scientific validity and quality of the research presented.
Feedback and recommendations received during the first scientific colloquium serve as a foundation for further improvement of the research and preparation for the second colloquium, ensuring continuity, progress, and methodological maturation of the research project. Through discussions with supervisors, faculty members, and other doctoral candidates, critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and systematic improvement of research work are encouraged.
The doctoral conference represents a central scientific event for doctoral candidates, focusing on the presentation of research progress and results. It enables the exchange of scientific experiences, obtaining expert feedback, and networking with domestic and international researchers. Together with the scientific colloquia, the doctoral conference forms a key institutional framework that allows doctoral candidates to develop and validate their research ideas before submitting their dissertation proposal.
Participation in scientific colloquia and the doctoral conference enables doctoral candidates to progress systematically in scientific research and provides a structured pathway toward submitting the doctoral dissertation proposal, while allowing them to earn 15 ECTS credits.