European Doctoral School of Demography (EDSD) 2021/2022

Background

The EDSD is an eleven-month sponsored program that is offered every year aiming to provide students with an
appropriate high-level education in demography to pursue their doctoral studies. Students will acquire a solid
knowledge base on the causes and consequences of demographic change, population data, statistical and
mathematical demography, as well as modeling, simulation, and forecasting. Many of the School’s courses
concentrate on strengthening the quantitative and programming skills of the students. The language of the School is
English.

In the 2021/22 academic year, the School will be held at two different locations. The preparatory courses (from early September to late October 2021) will be offered at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock,
Germany. The core courses (from November 2021 until end of July 2022) will be held at the Centre for Demographic
Studies (Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics – CED) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

The EDSD does not charge fees. Several European research institutes and universities provide full fellowships for all
students accepted to the program.
Due to the current uncertainty about the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot predict at this time whether
the program will be online, on-site, or a combination of both. We will make a decision by the end of May and
communicate it on our website (www.ced.uab.cat/courses/edsd).

Master’s Degree in Demography

Successful completion of the School results in a European Research Certificate of Demography provided under the
auspices of the European Association for Population Studies (EAPS).
Upon successful completion of the program and presentation of a thesis, the students enrolled in the EDSD will
receive an official European Master in Demography delivered by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Contact information: [email protected]

COURSES
Preparatory courses in Rostock
The courses in Rostock consists of (1) Measures and Models in Demography, (2) Basic Mathematics for Demographers,
(3) Basic Statistics for Demographers and (4) Computer Programming for Demographers.
The aim of the preparatory courses is to prepare the students for the core courses at CED in Barcelona.

Core courses in Barcelona
The program at CED consists of seven courses on (1) Population Data and Science, (2) Demographic Theories: causes
and consequences, (3) Statistical Demography, (4) Current Population Issues, (5) Mathematical Demography and (6)
Demographic Modeling, Simulation and Forecasting, (7) Thesis courses. In addition, computer, graphic, presentation
and writing skills are taught. Students devote 20% of their time to thesis research.
Student will be also offered the opportunity to attend CED’s Social statistics and Population Seminars held weekly.

HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible for admission to the program, a student should hold a Master’s degree in demography, mathematics,
statistics, public health, economics, sociology, geography, biology, computer science, history or another relevant field.
Students enrolled in a Master’s degree can apply, but they are expected to have completed it and be in possession of
the official title before the beginning of the EDSD program (in case of being accepted). At the time of application,
students may, or may not be enrolled in a PhD program. Students participating in the EDSD without being enrolled in
a PhD program are expected to enroll for such a program while doing the EDSD or immediately after.
Participants must have a curious mind and a deep interest in demography and population development either of
humans or of species across the tree of life, and a demonstrable competence in English. EU citizens must have a valid
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for the duration of the program. In case of being selected as a successful
candidate, non-EU citizens will have to apply for student visa in the Spanish embassy in their country of origin.
Application deadline is April 15, 2021 for a September 1, 2021 start date. Successful candidates will be announced in June 2021.

Application process

• To apply e-mail the following documents to [email protected]:
• CV detailing educational and work history, language abilities, plus any scholarly publications.
• One recent letter of recommendation.
• Motivational letter (up to 5 double-spaced pages) introducing yourself and presenting your professional interests, background (beyond what is obvious from your CV) and plans. Explain how you expect EDSD could promote your future career. Include a detailed description of your quantitative skills (mathematics, statistics, and computer programming).
• Official transcripts and degree certificates of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English or English translation.
• TOEFL (internet-based: 100, computer-based: 250, paper-based 600) or CAE test scores. Alternatively, a degree taught in English or a declaration of why you are proficient in English.