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EnglishWhat programmes and degrees does the European University Institute offer?
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The European University Institute (EUI) offers four main routes: doctoral programmes in history, law, economics, and political and social sciences; master's programmes; fellowships; and executive education. It describes itself as Europe's research university in the social sciences and humanities. The right route depends on your stage: doctoral study if you want a research career, a master's for advanced professional knowledge and skills, a fellowship for funded research time, and executive education for working professionals.
Doctoral programmes
The EUI's core offering is the PhD. Its doctoral programmes cover four fields:
- History
- Law
- Economics
- Political and social sciences
These are research degrees, so expect a substantial independent thesis rather than a taught coursework model. The EUI frames its doctoral offer around research in the social sciences and humanities, which matches its overall identity as a research university.
Who it suits: applicants who already hold a strong master's-level qualification and want to pursue an academic or research-intensive career.
Master's programmes
The EUI also runs master's programmes, which it describes as combining in-depth knowledge with practical skills and expert guidance, preparing students for leadership roles. This is a different emphasis from the PhD: more structured, more applied, and aimed at people who want specialist knowledge rather than a research thesis.
Who it suits: graduates who want advanced training in a policy, law, economics, or social science field without committing to a doctorate.
Fellowships
Fellowships at the EUI are described as providing funding, mentorship, and research opportunities to advance careers and drive discoveries. The site highlights the Max Weber Programme, which is marking 20 years and is built around working across disciplines with the humanities at its heart.
Who it suits: early-career researchers who want a funded period to develop their work within a multidisciplinary community.
Executive education
Executive education is listed among the EUI's educational offer, aimed at building skills and strategy for professionals. The site's description is brief, so check the dedicated pages for current formats and schedules before applying.
Who it suits: practitioners and policy professionals who want short, focused training rather than a full degree.
Quick comparison
| Route | Focus | Typical stage |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral programmes | Original research in history, law, economics, political and social sciences | Post-master's, research-oriented |
| Master's programmes | In-depth knowledge plus practical skills and leadership preparation | Postgraduate |
| Fellowships | Funded research, mentorship, career development | Early-career researchers |
| Executive education | Professional skills and strategy | Working professionals |
How to decide
Start from your goal rather than the label. If you want to produce original research and pursue an academic path, the doctoral programmes are the fit. If you want specialist knowledge with a practical, leadership-oriented edge, look at the master's programmes. If you already have a research profile and need funded time and mentorship, the fellowship route—particularly the Max Weber Programme—is the relevant one. If you are mid-career and want focused training, executive education is the shortest commitment.
The site's programme search lets you look up specific options, for example "PhD in Economics," to see details for each degree. Because programme structures, eligibility, and funding vary by route, confirm the current terms on the relevant EUI page before applying.