^aDepartment of Political and Social Sciences, European University Institute, Via dei Roccettini 9, I-50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI), Italy

Correspondence: peter mair, E-mail: Peter.Mair@eui.eu

Abstract

Two aspects of the training and status of the contemporary Ph.D. process are dealt with. First, I assess the growing importance of the new doctoral programmes in Political Science and suggest that it is now almost impossible to conceive of preparing a Ph.D. outwith a training programme. Second, I look at changing perspectives on doctoral degrees, and at how a Ph.D. has become a necessary but no longer sufficient qualification for successful entry into the academic labour market.