The EUI Florence Doctorate (European University Institute)

The EUI and its particular standing

Unlike a standard Italian university, the EUI is an international postgraduate and research institution founded jointly by the European countries. Set in the hills above Florence, it concentrates on the social sciences, with departments of economics; law; political and social sciences; and history and civilisation. At doctoral and post-doctoral level it hosts a profoundly international community of students and academics, its programmes in English. Recognised worldwide in European studies and comparative social science, it gives its students an academic network and resources of an extraordinary order — a particular structure that sets the EUI apart from the other schools.

Why the EUI?

What makes the EUI unique is the international, Europe-focused academic world: students from many countries, academics of world standing, and the comparative, international perspective the work breeds. The research quality across the social sciences (economics, law, politics, history) and the strong alumni network build capital for academic and professional careers alike; Florence’s cultural riches and the historic campus make an inspiring setting, and the English-taught programmes ease the international way in. For the student who wants top-level social-science research with the European and comparative perspective, the EUI is among Europe’s most prestigious options.

The funding and application structure

The EUI’s funding structure is its own, resting generally on grants provided by the member and partner states — meaning the eligibility and amounts can hang on the student’s country and its agreement with the EUI. For students from countries like Turkey, the funding and application conditions can shift with the arrangements of the period, which makes verifying the current position directly with the EUI — and the relevant national sources — especially important. The application spans the strong academic file, the research proposal, the references and the language certificate; the calendar and conditions are set out in detail on the official pages, to be studied early and closely.

Who it suits — and the Turkish student’s notes

The EUI is ideal for students seeking a top-level, international and Europe-focused doctorate in economics, law, political science or history — and especially fitting for the comparatively and interdisciplinarily minded. For the Turkish student, with the funding and application conditions particular to the institution, confirming the current position directly with the EUI is critical. The English-taught programmes ease the way; prepare the strong file, the original proposal and good references, and complete recognition and the translations early. For a social-science career, the EUI’s international network and prestige are a major advantage; the general application process is on our bando page.

Life in Florence

Florence, where the Renaissance was born, holds one of the richest cultural inheritances on earth. The EUI’s campus occupies historic villas in the hills above the city — an inspiring, graceful academic setting; and living in Florence means life woven with art, history and culture. The city hosts an international student population and a lively academic world, and its place at Tuscany’s centre eases the reach to the rest of Italy and to Europe. EUI students live the privilege of academic life in a world-famous city of culture, among an international community — a frame that feeds the intellectual growth like few others.

The EUI alumni network

Among the EUI’s most valuable assets is its strong, international alumni network: graduates in serious positions across the academy, the international institutions, the public bodies and the private sector, the world over. The network feeds its graduates connections and opportunity across the career’s length; the international relationships built at the EUI are a lasting resource for the academic collaborations and the professional roads alike. Years spent with students from many countries build a global network for life — the strong alumni community is among the chief things that raise the EUI degree’s worth, and its graduates’ long-term advantage.

The research environment and the resources

The EUI offers an extraordinary environment for top-level social-science research: the rich library, the historical archives (on the history of European integration above all) and the international research projects give students deep, comparative work; the close work with world-recognised academics, the seminars and the workshops accelerate the academic growth. The Europe-focused, interdisciplinary approach backs research aimed at the live social and political questions — a wealth of resource and environment that lets EUI students produce original, consequential work. For serious social-science research, the EUI’s academic infrastructure has few equals.

The career roads

An EUI doctorate opens well past the academy: the universities, the European Union’s institutions, the international organisations, the think tanks, the policy centres, the private sector. The institute’s European and international focus readies graduates for the international careers especially; the deep training in economics, law, politics and history turns out versatile, analytical professionals — and the EUI’s prestige and network give them a visible advantage in those competitive fields. For the student aiming at the academic and the policy/international careers in the social sciences both, the EUI offers one of Europe’s strongest starting points.

A short checklist

• Test the fit between your interests and the school’s focus areas
• Prepare a strong file and an original research proposal
• Complete degree recognition (CIMEA/DoV) and the translations early
• Follow the school’s current call and deadlines on its official pages
• Verify the funding, housing and provisions from the school’s official information

Frequently asked questions