PhD studies structure

Doctoral programs guide you through all stages of scientific research. After their completion, you are expected to be an active member of the research community. At the same time, the doctoral programs are in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia.

The structure of doctoral programs is shown in the next schematic diagram.

Semester Activity Objective
1 General modules The purpose of this semester is to introduce you to the research work through a carefully selected framework of topics such as academic writing and referencing; methodologies, methods and techniques; working with data; qualitative methods; and the use of information technology for research purposes.
2 Thematic modules The purpose of this semester is to offer you selected topics for study in a given area and discussions on current issues in the field that will motivate you for your doctoral research.
3 Preparation of a research proposal

Research stay

 The purpose of this semester is to introduce you to the preparation of doctoral research and start building your network of research contacts. The Doctoral Research Proposal will develop your skills to expose your idea in a coherent way, while the research stay at an external institution will help you to network and position your research in the field.
4 Doctoral research

Doctoral mini-conference

 The purpose of this semester is to focus on working on doctoral research, as well as to make an internal presentation in front of the teaching and mentoring staff and fellow doctoral candidates.
5 Doctoral research

International Conference

 The purpose of this semester is to write the first research paper that qualifies for presentation at an international conference and for publication in an international journal. Through the work on the doctoral thesis, the goal is to further network in the research field and start building more significant international research contacts.
6 Doctoral research

Public defense

 The purpose of this semester is writing the second paper based on the doctoral research, which will qualify for publication in an international journal. The goal is to complete the semester with the public defense of your doctoral thesis.