Advance Your Vision: Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD from Zagreb, Croatia
Build the research skills to investigate complex questions and turn evidence into insight—without leaving Zagreb. The Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD is offered online in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College. It offers an opportunity to develop your academic ambitions alongside your professional life, wherever your work may take you.
A British Degree with International Reach
A British degree is recognised internationally and can bring a valuable perspective to your professional profile. Studying through the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College connects your research ambitions in Zagreb with a British university and a global learning community.
Whether your goal is to strengthen your standing in your field or pursue further academic work, the programme encourages you to investigate questions with relevance beyond national borders. You can develop ideas in Zagreb and communicate their significance to audiences around the world.
Make Progress Online in as Little as 3–6 Months
The Executive Diploma can be completed 100% online in as little as 3–6 months, depending on your pace and programme requirements. There is no need to relocate or put your life in Zagreb on hold to pursue this stage of your studies.
That focused timeframe can help you bring new research skills into your work sooner. A PhD is a separate, longer research undertaking; the 3–6 month timeframe refers to the Executive Diploma, not completion of a PhD.
Study on a Schedule That Works for You
Learning online does not require you to be present at specific times or dates. You can engage with your studies when your schedule allows, whether that means an early morning before work or a quiet evening at home.
This flexibility can be especially valuable when your responsibilities change from week to week. You remain responsible for meeting programme requirements and deadlines, but you can choose when to access learning activities rather than planning your life around scheduled live attendance.
Take Your Learning Wherever You Go
Your studies can continue beyond your home or office in Zagreb. Because the programme is online, you can study from anywhere in the world while travelling, working remotely or spending time with family abroad.
The mobile app makes it easier to keep learning on the move: download study materials and watch lectures offline when an internet connection is unavailable. A journey can become an opportunity to revisit an idea or prepare for the next stage of your research.
Show What You Understand Through Open-Book Assessments
Instead of relying on classical question-and-answer exams, the programme uses open-book assessments. You can consult relevant materials as you work through questions, placing the emphasis on understanding, analysis and the thoughtful use of evidence.
That approach reflects the way many professionals and researchers tackle complex problems: by finding credible information, weighing different perspectives and developing a well-supported response. It gives you room to demonstrate how you think, not simply what you can recall under exam conditions.
Learn from Faculty with World-Renowned Academic Backgrounds
Engage with tutors and faculty who have graduated from internationally renowned institutions, including Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel and Washington University in St. Louis. Their varied academic backgrounds can expose you to different ways of framing and investigating research questions.
As you develop your own approach, guidance from experienced educators can help you refine your ideas and communicate them with greater clarity. The aim is not only to advance a project, but to grow more confident in your ability to conduct rigorous research.
Join a Learning Community That Crosses Borders
Studying from Zagreb does not limit your connections to one city. A student base representing over 130 countries brings together people with different professional experiences, perspectives and ambitions.
Alumni work for international organisations and companies including the United Nations, Google, the ICRC, the World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens and Sony. Their varied paths illustrate the breadth of the wider learning community, while your own direction remains yours to shape.
Plan Your Investment with Monthly Instalments
Programme fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments. Spreading payments over time can make it easier to plan your studies alongside your other commitments.
With a clear payment schedule, you can consider how the programme fits into your longer-term professional and academic goals. Explore the applicable fees and instalment details as you decide on your next step.
Explore New Possibilities from Zagreb
Zagreb’s technology and software sector offers opportunities to apply advanced research skills to questions about digital products, data and organisational change. Whether you work with an established company or a growing team, a stronger command of research methods can help you evaluate ideas and make more convincing, evidence-led recommendations.
The city is also home to activity in pharmaceuticals, healthcare and life sciences. For professionals in these fields, the ability to review literature critically, frame precise questions and assess evidence can support work on complex challenges. The programme’s research theory can be applied to questions with international relevance across these sectors.
In finance, consulting and organisations working across European markets, decisions often depend on understanding uncertainty and communicating findings clearly. Studying from Zagreb can help you develop a disciplined approach to investigation while continuing to build your career and connections where you live.
Ready to explore where your research ambitions could lead? Request our course catalogue.