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Linguistic, Literary, and Cultural Context of Early Childhood, Preschool, and Primary Education

Doctoral Study Programme Title: LINGUISTIC, LITERARY AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD, PRESCHOOL, AND PRIMARY EDUCATION

Academic Domain: 7.0 Interdisciplinary Academic Domain

Academic Field: 7.01 Educational Sciences

Study Programme Duration: 3 years

Academic Degree Awarded: PhD in Educational Sciences

Programme Head: Assoc. Prof. Katarina Aladrović Slovaček, PhD

(e-mail): katarina.aladrovic@ufzg.hr or kaladrovic@gmail.com

Deputy Programme Head: Prof. Antonija Balić, DA

(e-mail):   antonija.balic248@gmail.com or antonija.balic-simrak@ufzg.hr

Doctoral Study Programme Council:

Assoc. Prof. Tamara Jurkić Sviben, PhD, MFA

Asst. Prof. Martina Mičija, PhD, Vice-Dean for Teaching and Student Affairs

Prof. Lidija Cvikić, PhD

Prof. Antonija Balić, DA

Assoc. Prof. Kristina Cergol, PhD

Assoc. Prof. Katarina Aladrović Slovaček, PhD

Lect. Tihana Bilešić – Doctoral Candidate

The postgraduate doctoral study programme in the Linguistic, Literary, and Cultural Context of Early Childhood, Preschool and Primary Education spans three years, or six semesters, with a total workload of 180 ECTS credits. This interdisciplinary doctoral study programme features no distinct tracks or modules; curricular diversity is instead achieved through a selection of differentiated compulsory, alternative compulsory, and elective courses spanning the social sciences, humanities, and the arts.

The first two semesters comprise a core educational curriculum of four modules designed to cultivate theoretical, scientific, methodological, and epistemological competencies. The first semester introduces two compulsory courses required for all candidates: Language, Literature, and Culture from an Educational Perspective (10 ECTS credits) and Educational Curriculum Theory in Early Childhood Development (10 ECTS credits). In the second semester, students undertake a third compulsory course, Research Methodology in the Social Sciences and Humanities (10 ECTS credits), alongside one elective course selected from seven core options (10 ECTS credits) tailored to their specific research area. Together, compulsory and core elective courses account for 40 ECTS credits, evenly split between the first and second semesters. Candidates accrue the remaining 10 credits per semester (20 ECTS credits in total) through active engagement in supplementary academic activities, including workshops, roundtables, and thematic debates.

The curriculum from the third to the sixth semester transitions to a structured sequence of elective courses and supplementary academic activities, anchoring each candidate’s engagement in independent research. In the third semester, candidates select two courses from 23 elective options (7 ECTS credits each), aligned with their research interests and anticipated dissertation topic, for a total of 14 ECTS credits. The remaining 16 credits are earned through supplementary activities, such as workshops, roundtables, drafting book reviews or research papers, and participating in academic conferences.

The fourth semester is dedicated to the formulation and defence of the doctoral dissertation proposal (synopsis), which awards 20 ECTS credits, while the remaining 10 credits are allocated to conducting research directly tied to the dissertation topic.

The fifth and sixth semesters focus on intensive, individualised collaboration with the academic study advisor and thesis supervisor (mentor) within a dedicated supervision course. Upon enrolment, an academic study advisor is assigned to each doctoral candidate based on their stated research profile. The fifth semester encompasses the finalisation of research alongside the drafting and structural formatting of the doctoral thesis, supported by regular face-to-face and online consultations under supervised or co-supervised guidance.

The final dissertation defence takes place in the sixth semester. Dissertation preparation and execution account for a total workload of 60 ECTS credits. Throughout the programme, institutional provisions for workshops, guest lectures, symposia, and roundtables facilitate professional academic development and the dissemination of research findings, thereby embedding candidates within the wider scientific community.

Admission Requirements:

Eligible applicants must hold a degree from one of the following study programmes, representing a minimum of 300 ECTS credits: an Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Study Programme in Primary Education; a Graduate University Study Programme in Early Childhood and Preschool Education; a Graduate University Teacher Education Programme; or a pre-Bologna four-year graduate teacher education programme legally equated with academic titles under the current study programme framework.

The postgraduate doctoral study programme is also accessible to professionals holding non-teaching degrees, contingent upon the successful completion of bridging examinations. The Doctoral Admission Committee will review the applicant’s prior academic curricula to determine the scope, format, and content of these prerequisite bridging examinations.

Tuition Fee per Semester: EUR 1,495.00

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