A year at the EDSD

A review of the European Doctoral School of Demography (EDSD) application process and program content, plus advice from two program students. 

(Interview conducted in January 2026)

Question answered by Marco Esteban Aguirre

I have a BSc in Actuarial Science and a master’s degree in Economics. I also attended several workshops and completed multiple courses in statistical modeling and programming afterward.

Question answered by Embla Vesterdal 

I have a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a master’s degree in economics from the Paris School of Economics. For both my bachelor’s and master’s theses, I examined how public policy directed at parents could affect people’s decisions to have children in low-fertility countries. 

Question answered by Marco Esteban Aguirre

Initially, I wanted to improve my demographic skills within the program’s quantitative focus to be better prepared to pursue a PhD and do research related to mortality. What ultimately convinced me was the openness and friendliness of people in the field.

Question answered by Embla Vesterdal 

I first heard about the EDSD program when visiting INED. I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD, and the program seemed like a good opportunity to deepen my knowledge in demographic topics while also working on my own research project. After learning about EDSD, I reached out to a former student who was very enthusiastic about it, and she encouraged me to apply.  The application process is not too demanding, but since the program is competitive, I would recommend spending some time on it. It is easy to find the class schedule and professors online to see how the program aligns with your research interests. 

Question answered by Marco Esteban Aguirre

So far, it has been exciting to meet new people with shared interests from all over the world and to learn from passionate researchers. Every week, we are exposed to a different topic presented by leading researchers in the field. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from qualitative-based subjects to formal demography, statistics and applied tools in programming and visualization.

Question answered by Embla Vesterdal 

The year so far has been rewarding, and I am very happy with the program. Every cohort spends the first two months in Rostock at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research. At the institute, we took courses in mathematics, statistics, and programming. The two months in Rostock in Germany were also a good chance to connect with researchers and former EDSD students.  In November, we moved to Paris and INED, where we have courses on different subjects every week. The classes usually run from Monday to Thursday, which means that you have some time to work on an individual research project, which will be delivered at the end of the program. In addition, I think one of the best things about EDSD is meeting a group of other engaged students with diverse backgrounds. You are guaranteed to come out of the EDSD program with a network of colleagues and new friends from all around the world.  

Question answered by Marco Esteban Aguirre

Feel free to reach out to former students and professors in the program. Once enrolled, appreciate the time invested by the professors and enjoy the courses you may not have been interested in at first: I believe you can expand your toolkit for your own research and learn a great deal by being open to new and different approaches. Also, listen to your peers: it is very enriching to learn from their ways of thinking, their different cultures, and their professional skills.

Question answered by Embla Vesterdal 

Do not hesitate to reach out to former EDSD students to ask about their experiences. The community is very friendly. I also think it is nice to be engaged in the courses and to take advantage of the many opportunities you have to meet excellent researchers. Lastly, make sure to take time to discover the cities and countries you are in.

Question answered by Marco Esteban Aguirre

My goal is to obtain a PhD position and pursue a research career in mortality.

Question answered by Embla Vesterdal 

The EDSD program has definitely confirmed my interest in pursuing a PhD, and I hope to work on the topic of health.