ABOUT
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. The School’s courses are structured in such a way that the students work on the precise formulation of a thesis topic and early steps of their dissertations. 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 2020/21 academic year, the School will be held at two different locations. The preparatory courses (from early September to late October 2020) will be offered at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany. The core courses (from November 2020 until end of July 2021) will be held at the Centre for Demographic Studies (Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics – CED) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Scholarships and Travel Grants
The program provides scholarships and travel grants for all final selected candidates, sponsored by the Institutions within the EDSD consortium. The scholarship includes a monthly stipend for the 11 months of the program, and it also covers travel expenses associated with the program.
Master’s Degree in Demography
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: edsd@ced.uab.es
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 six courses on (1) Population Data and Science, (2) Demographic Theories, (3) Statistical Demography, (4) Current Population Issues, (5) Mathematical Demography and (6) Demographic Modeling, Simulation, and Forecasting. In addition, computer, graphic and presentation 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.
Check the current schedule at CED-Barcelona in the right-click menu
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 six courses on (1) Population Data and Science, (2) Demographic Theories, (3) Statistical Demography, (4) Current Population Issues, (5) Mathematical Demography and (6) Demographic Modeling, Simulation and Forecasting. In addition, computer, graphic and presentation 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.
Check the current schedule at CED-Barcelona in the right click menu
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, 2020 for start date in Sept 2020. Successful candidates will be announced in June 2020.
To apply e-mail the following documents to edsd@ced.uab.es:
- 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.
