DOCTORAL STUDY IN KINESIOLOGY
The study lasts three years (six semesters) during which the student collects a minimum of 180 ECTS credits. Any extracurricular courses are taught exclusively during the first two semesters of the first research year. In principle, the three years of study are intended exclusively for scientific research work, i.e. the preparation of a dissertation. 180 ECTS credits are acquired through activities (graph 1) with original scientific research that results in the preparation and defense of a doctoral thesis.
Applicants who have completed a university undergraduate study, a university graduate study, or a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study, with a total of at least 300 ECTS credits, or level 7.1 of the Croatian Qualifications Framework, have the right to enroll in the Doctoral Study Program in Kinesiology.
When enrolling, the applicant must demonstrate previous scientific engagement in the field of the goals and objectives of the proposed doctoral thesis, and must earn 5 ECTS credits from the category “scientific papers”. When enrolling, the applicant proposes a topic and mentor for the doctoral thesis, and the topic must belong to the field of kinesiology, or one of the branches of kinesiology.
The decision on meeting the requirements for admission is made by the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, based on the proposal of the Doctoral Study Committee. The proposed mentor and doctoral thesis topic are assessed by the competent committees, and the final decision on accepting the topic and mentor is made by the Faculty Council.
Upon completion of the study, the professional title is acquired:
Doctor of Science in the scientific field of social sciences – Dr. Sc. Socio.
Upon completion of the Doctoral Program in Kinesiology, the student acquires the highest level of scientific competence in the field of social sciences, kinesiology, and is trained to independently conduct scientific research, develop new knowledge, technologies, ideas and procedures in various areas of applied kinesiology.
- Apply advanced principles in research and development of new technologies, ideas or processes in various areas of applied kinesiology
- Create new procedures and theories that lead to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field of research
- Critically assess published original scientific results by other authors in the field of research
- Evaluate new and specialized knowledge, methods and instruments in the field of scientific research
- Publish an original scientific paper in a journal referenced in the Web of Science and/or Scopus database
- Publish and present scientific research in English
- Arguing for an opinion in a discussion with other scientists in the field of research
- Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams in planning, implementing and evaluating international scientific projects
- Apply methods for defining and protecting intellectual property
- Explain the results of scientific research to other scientists, as well as to laypeople
- Express personal, professional and ethical stance
- Take ethical and social responsibility for the success of research and the possible consequences of its impact on the wider community
- To face new challenges of society and the economy and to contribute to social and economic development by applying the results of scientific research.
UNIVERSITY OF SPLIT
FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGY
Split, July 2026
Announces a
1/ ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are eligible to enrol in the programme if they meet the following requirements:
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Completion of a university undergraduate programme or graduate programme, or an integrated undergraduate and graduate university programme (Level 7.1.univ. of the Croatian Qualifications Framework – Official Gazette 20/2001)
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Proficiency in English
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Evidence of previous scientific productivity (a minimum of 5 ECTS credits awarded), in accordance with the current Regulations on the Doctoral Study Programme in Kinesiology, available on the website of the Faculty of Kinesiology.
2/ DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
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Application form (Form A)
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Proof of completed education (original diploma or certified copy)
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Academic transcript (or Diploma Supplement)
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Proof of proficiency in English
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Proof of citizenship
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Doctoral research project proposal (Form B)
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Proposal for a doctoral thesis supervisor (Form C)
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Curriculum Vitae (Europass)
3/ SELECTION PROCEDURE
The selection procedure will be conducted only if more than 10 applicants who meet the admission requirements apply to the Call.
The selection procedure will be conducted in accordance with the Regulations on the Doctoral Study Programme in Kinesiology.
Applicants will be informed of the results of the selection procedure by e-mail.
4/ APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications may be submitted from 1 September to 30 September 2026.
If the number of applicants and/or the number of applicants who meet the admission requirements is fewer than 10, a new application period may be announced.
Applications that do not comply with the instructions or that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
5/ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The fee for the selection procedure, as well as other administrative fees, will be announced subsequently on the Faculty’s website.
Applicants who have completed their studies abroad must first undergo the procedure for the academic recognition of a foreign higher education qualification:
https://www.unist.hr/ured-za-akademsko-priznavanje-inozemnih-obrazovnih-kvalifikacija/21005
Applications must be submitted exclusively by e-mail to doktorski.studij@kifst.eu, with the subject line Application for the Doctoral Study Programme 2026/2027.
All documents required under this Call must be submitted as e-mail attachments in PDF format.
Documents listed under items 1, 6 and 7 above (see Documents Required for Application) must be digitally saved/exported as *.pdf files and must not be scanned and saved as PDF files.
For any additional information, please contact: