EUA Council for Doctoral Education
Doctoral education in Europe today: enhanced structures and practices for the European knowledge society
2025 EUA-CDE survey report (I)
Where does European doctoral education stand 20 years after the Salzburg Principles?
This report presents the first results of the 2025 EUA Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE) survey. As 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Salzburg Principles, which continue to play a vital role in shaping doctoral education in Europe, this publication examines the key outcomes of the past two decades.
As such, the report captures a comprehensive picture of the current landscape of doctoral education in Europe, with particular attention to how institutional structures and practices reflect the Salzburg Principles. It explores central themes such the organisation and development of supervision practices, the support services available to doctoral candidates and how universities are addressing career development opportunities in an evolving and competitive labour market.
This publication is an important resource for universities and stakeholders who wish to understand how doctoral education has evolved, identify where challenges remain and explore opportunities for further development.
The survey findings will also inform the future work of EUA-CDE, helping to support its members in advancing and reinforcing their doctoral education capacity.