Recent research in the last decade indicates increased demand and interest in enrolling in doctoral studies, just as in the last two decades the number of doctoral degrees awarded has doubled in many universities around the world. It is of great importance that the decision to enroll in a Doctorate unquestionably brings with it a certain level of motivation, which is why it is important to improve the knowledge of influences and processes on students while creating impressions and making decisions regarding (non)enrollment of doctoral studies. The purpose of the research is to gain insight into the awareness, interest and motivational factors of first and second year graduate students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka for enrollment of doctoral studies and their understanding of obstacles to enrolment and to form recommendations for improving the visibility of doctoral studies based on research results. The target population of research consists of students from studies for whom there are appropriate doctoral studies, namely graduate studies in Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy and Croatian Language and Literature. For data collection, a survey questionnaire entitled Questionnaire on student motivation and interest in enrollment in the doctoral study programme was developed. In the participants of this study, a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation was expressed, which speaks of the importance of both personal and professional development. The two biggest obstacles to enrolling in a doctoral study according to the assessment of the participants of this research are the financing and longevity of the study, and not far from that is the lack of necessary information for making a decision and the specially mentioned family formation during the study and unavailability, i.e. the inopenness of professors and faculties to possible new candidates or interested students for doctoral studies. 54.17% of the participants are at least somewhat familiar with the conditions for admission to the doctoral study, and they were informed most often independently (through the websites of faculties and universities) or through other students / colleagues. 12 study participants (50%) have no interest in enrolling in a doctoral study at all. The research results provide an understanding of the key drivers (motivational factors) of students for enrolling in doctoral studies and key obstacles when considering enrollment in the doctoral study. Therefore, the results provide important information that can benefit PhD leaders in improving practices, but also future researchers in determining the direction of research.