ERASMUS MUNDUS 2

ERASMUS MUNDUS II

INTRODUCTORY GUIDE

This is a brief simplified guide to part of the Erasmus Mundus II programme. It is not a substitute for the detailed Programme Guide issued by the European Commission and the Annual Call for Proposals, which will be issued by the European Commission. Both these are essential reading for a successful application.

The Erasmus Mundus Programme Guide for 2009-2013 will be available on the following website:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/external-relation-programmes/doc72_en.htmAnd the Annual Call will be available on: http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/education/external-relation-programmes/doc72_en.htmWhat is Erasmus Mundus?

A Higher Education Cooperation and Mobility programme:

To enhance Quality in European Higher Education

To promote the European Union as a Centre of Excellence

To promote Intercultural understanding and development through cooperation with third countries

Note:A Third Country is any country outside the European Union. For Erasmus Mundus II, countries participating in the Life Long Learning programme are not considered as Third Countries.

The list of eligible applicant countries is given below on page 2:ActionsErasmus Mundus has three Actions:

Action 1

Joint Masters Programmes (1A) and

Joint Doctoral Programmes (1B)

Action 2

Erasmus Mundus Partnerships

Action 3

Promotion of European Higher Education

This Guide will focus on Action 1.

Eligible Applicant Countries

Applicants must be HEIs located in an eligible applicant country (i.e. a Member State of the European Union, an EEA-EFTA State, Turkey, the Western Balkan countries or Switzerland) and must be recognised as HEIs by the relevant authorities of the country in which they are located. For the purpose of the Erasmus Mundus Programme and for the applicant countries concerned, a HEI is deemed as being recognised if it has been awarded an Erasmus University Charter under the Lifelong Learning Programme. If an applicant has not been awarded an Erasmus University Charter, the Agency will check with the Erasmus Mundus National Structure concerned whether the institution in question corresponds to the definition of HEI given in Article 2 of the Programme Decision.

Please note that (branches of) Third-Country HEIs located in eligible applicant countries or branches of European HEIs located in Third Countries are not considered as eligible applicants.

Section 1

Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses

Key Elements: Integrated curriculum at Masters level

Consortium of Higher Education Institutions

Leading to the award of a joint degree (the preferred option) or a double or multiple degree

Lasting one or two academic years 60 120 ECTS credits

Including mandatory student mobility

Fully developed at the time of the application

Involve European and Third Country students

Have joint student application/selection/admission and examination criteria

Establish the level of tuition fees, ensure that these are transparent to applicants and common for the Masters course as a whole (different fees may be charged to European and Third Country students)

Students must study in at least two of the countries in the Consortium for a minimum period and number of credits depending on the duration of the degree

Have an insurance scheme for students

Support students and scholars in obtaining visas and residence permits

Develop a common and highly visible promotion and information strategy

Indicate the strategy to ensure the continuation of the programme beyond the European Commission funding period

Have a detailed Consortium Agreement signed by senior officers of the participating institutions

Who Can Participate?

A Consortium must consist of at least three HEIs from three different eligible applicant countries, at least one of which must be an EU member state

Applicants must be HEIs located in an eligible applicant country : :

A Member State of the EU, an EEA/EFTA State, Turkey, the Western Balkan countries, or Switzerland.

Partners:A recognised Higher Education Institution in a Third Country may be a partner in the Consortium.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Students:

Each successful Consortium will be allocated scholarships:

For students from Third Countries who are not resident and who have not carried out their main study or work for more than a total of 12 months in the last five years in any of the eligible applicant countries

For students from the eligible applicant countries on the understanding that eligible applicant country students may not spend any part of their period of study in a country in which they obtained their last University degree.

Selection and Timetable:

The selection is highly competitive.

Assessment is based on five criteria:

Academic quality 25 %

Course integration 25%

Course management, visibility and sustainability 20%

Student facilities and follow-up 15%

Quality Assurance and Evaluation 15%

Timetable

January 2009 the Call for Proposals

Deadline 30 April 2009

Results September 2009

Programmes start September/October 2010

November 2009 the number of scholarships announced

January 2010 Consortia submit lists of selected students and Third Country scholars for validation

May 2010 lists of eligible applicant country students submitted for validation

Funding:

Consortium;

A maximum of 30,000 to each Consortium for each new course cohort

Students;

No more than two students selected for a scholarship should have the same nationality.

Each European or Third Country scholar should come from a different Higher Education Institution.Third Country Students;

From 24,000 for a one-year Masters Programme to 48,000 for a two-year Masters programme depending on exact direction.

Components of scholarship:

4,000 for a one-year course - contribution to travel and other costs

8,000 for a longer course - contribution to travel and other costs

8,000 per annum

- participation costs including insurance

1,000 a month grant

Eligible country students;

European Student amounts differ as shown here;

3,000 contribution to travel if there is a mobility period to a Third Country partner

4,000 per annum - participation costs including insurance

500 a month grant

Scholars;1,200 per week for a maximum duration of three months per scholar

Mobility to Third Country Partners:

If a Consortium includes Third Country partners, Third Country Erasmus Mundus students may spend a maximum of one term (three months) in a Third Country partner institution provided that the country is different from the students country of origin.

EU and eligible applicant country students may spend a minimum of two months and up to a maximum of half their Masters course studies in a Third Country partner institution.

Number of Scholarships:

The number of scholarships will be communicated on an annual basis. It is anticipated that new programmes will receive 17 scholarships for each cohort.

Programmes, which have received support for more than four years, will receive a declining number:

Year 5 16

Year 6 12

Scholars:

Scholars: academics with outstanding academic and/or professional experience who lecture or conduct research in a Higher Education Institution or Research Centre.

Consortia may invite a Scholar from a Third Country to contribute to the joint programme. If the Consortium includes a Third Country partner(s) academics in the EU institutions may be invited to contribute to the joint programme in the Third Country partners.

Section 2

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Programmes

Key Elements:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral programmes should :

Contribute to the promotion of innovative models for the modernisation of Doctoral students focusing on institutional cooperation and the development of joint governance models.

Programmes are expected to:

Contribute to the advancement of knowledge

Address new scientific and socio-economic challenges

Reinforce links between Higher Education and other sectors

Become a European reference point for improving the overall quality of Doctoral education in Europe

Who Can Participate?

Consortia must consist of at least THREE recognised Higher Education Institutions in THREE different eligible applicant countries (see above for list of eligible applicant countries) at least one of which must be an EU member state.

The applicant must be in an eligible applicant country.

Recognised HEIs or equivalent organisations awarding Doctoral qualifications from Third Countries may be full members of the Consortium.

What Must Be Offered?

A training and research programme to be completed within a maximum of four years (Erasmus Mundus Doctoral scholarships will last only for three years)

Be developed at the time of the application and able to admit Doctoral candidates for the following five years

Involve Doctoral candidates from Europe and Third Countries

Have a joint governance structure

Agree the level of tuition fees

Include a compulsory mobility period in at least two different countries for at least six months (not necessarily consecutive)

Require that candidates spend at least two thirds of their programme in Europe

Guarantee the award preferably of a joint or, if not, a double or multiple degree to successful candidates

Offer employment contracts to Doctoral candidates unless there are good reasons for not doing so

Arrange appropriate insurance cover

Have a detailed Consortium Agreement signed by appropriate senior authorities in each institution

Doctoral Candidate Fellowships (Scholarships):

Doctoral Fellowships may be awarded to;

Third Country candidates who are not resident and have not carried out their main activity (studies/work) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in any of the eligible applicant countries.

A Third Country Doctoral candidate who has received an Erasmus Mundus Masters Scholarship may be awarded a Doctoral Fellowship

EU and eligible applicant country candidates on the understanding that they may not study or go to a country in which they obtained their last University degree.

Mobility to Third Country Partners:

Third Country Fellowship holders can spend a maximum of six months in a partner country Higher Education Institution.

EU and eligible applicant country Fellowship holders may spend up to one year in a partner country.

Selection and Timetable:

The selection of Erasmus Mundus Doctoral programmes will be highly selective.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Academic and research quality 20%

Partnership experience and composition 20%

European integration and functioning 20%

Provisions for candidates awarded a Fellowship 20%

Management, sustainability and Quality Assurance 20%

The decision timetable will follow essentially the same route as for Masters programmes described above.

Funding:

Consortium;

50,000 annual lump sum

Third Country candidates;

7,500 Travel and Other Costs

300 per month (10,800 for 36 months for non-Laboratory programmes) Participation Costs

600 per month (21,600 for 36 months for Laboratory programmes) Participation Costs

2,800 Fixed Monthly Allowance for an employment contract

1,400 Fixed Monthly Allowance for studentships

EU and eligible applicant country candidates;

3,000 Travel Grant if they undertake mobility to a Third Country partner

All other elements of grant are the same as third country candidates.

Note:

The expectation is that Doctoral candidates will be given employment contracts but there is provision for exceptions.

Section 3

Points that may be helpful for UK Applicants:

General:Award of Joint Degrees at Masters and/or Doctoral level;

Check whether your institution allows the award of Joint Degrees and what the precise regulations covering such awards are so that you can make these clear at the outset with the Consortium.

If joint degrees are currently not permitted in your institution, check whether double or multiple degrees present any problems. This may be less of an issue at the Masters level since most institutions have provision for the recognition of credits obtained in another institution but may, in some institutions, present a problem at Doctoral level.

Senior Management Support;

Ensure from the outset that the application for either a Joint Masters or a Joint Doctoral programme has full senior management support. If appropriate include a member of the University senior management in relevant meetings of the Consortium.

Wider Consultation and Involvement;

Consult and involve administrative and financial colleagues from the outset and preferably include a senior administrator in all consortium meetings so that there is full understanding of the implications of curriculum mobility, quality assurance, assessment and examinations, joint or multiple degrees, Diploma Supplement, Transcripts, records, promotion, information, sustainability, programme reviews, student facilities and that the Consortium agreement is comprehensive.

You will need considerable help in preparing the documentation for the application even if your institution is not the applicant institution.

Models;

Erasmus Mundus 1 has supported 103 Joint Masters programmes. Details can be obtained on the Commission website and on the websites of the partner institutions. These may be helpful in providing information and models, particularly about the subject areas, which have already been covered.

Finance and Tuition Fees;

Within the Consortium there needs to be a clear understanding at an early stage on the financial arrangements which will apply. This will include the lump sum grant from the Commission and how that will be used and the difficult issue of tuition fees.

The Decision establishing the programme and the programme guide make it clear that:

Consortia are free to establish tuition fees

There should be one fee for the programme (not separate fees charged in each institution)

There should be full transparency from the outset not only within the Consortium but for students

A different level of tuition fee may be established for Third Country students and for EU and eligible applicant country students.

However, for Erasmus Mundus Scholarship holders (Masters and Doctoral) the maximum fee, which may be charged, is the amount allowed in the Scholarship for participation costs.

For Masters programmes this is 8,000 per annum for Third country students and for EU and eligible applicant country students 4,000 per annum.For Doctoral students the maximum for non-Laboratory subjects is 3,600 per annum and for Laboratory based subjects 7,200 per annum.

If the tuition fee established for the Consortia is higher than these amounts, then Erasmus Scholarship holders will have to receive a fee waiver for the difference.

This presents a challenge for UK Higher Education Institutions who will need to decide whether on this basis they are able to participate, bearing in mind that:

If the programme recruits additional full cost students (who are not receiving an Erasmus Mundus scholarship) the programme may be financially viable

As a flagship programme, Erasmus Mundus receives world-wide promotion funded by the European Commission

The Consortium needs to demonstrate how the programme will be sustained beyond the life of Erasmus Mundus II so that the level of fee established from the outset is important

Students may only spend a term or a semester in your institution so that it may be feasible to negotiate a pro rata fee (which will approximate to your normal fee) with the participation fee and the lump sum for the Consortium

Sustainability;

The issues of funding clearly relate to the requirement to demonstrate longer-term sustainability of the programme. Here too it will be important to establish at the outset with partners the basis on which the programme can be sustained beyond the period of the Commissions funding.

This relates both to recruitment of students, with fewer scholarships available, and the financial sustainability of the programme.

This suggests that establishing the appropriate level and basis for tuition fees will be crucially important since it will determine the long-term viability of the programme.

Why Participate?

Erasmus Mundus is a flagship programme. It is receiving world-wide publicity sponsored by the European Commission

It gives the Higher Education Institution a Europe-wide profile enhanced by the potential to award scholarships to European students

Support for Doctoral programmes is completely new and can be expected to be highly competitive since it will undoubtedly establish the successful Consortia as leaders in Europe and on a world-wide basis and help to reinforce effective research links

Strong Consortia;

A strong Consortium is essential. Each of the partners must be fully committed and have the support of the senior management of their institution.

Applicants must read the full programme guide carefully and respond to the requirements of the Guide and the application in a way which will demonstrate not only the quality of the programme but also that it meets the programme objectives.

Doctoral Programmes;

Because this is a new Action, there are no previous examples to which applicants may turn. However, there are a number of European documents on Doctoral programmes. In particular the European University Association has published reports on developments in Doctoral programmes in Europe.

Applicants should certainly be aware of issues covered in these reports.

Examples from the previous Erasmus Mundus ProgrammeMSPME

Masters in Strategic Project Management

Duration 1 year 4 months

Partners

Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom (Co-ordinating Institution)

Technical University of Milan, Italy

Umea University, Sweden

Contact

Paul Gardiner

Heriot-Watt University

UK-Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UNITED KINGDOMCourse description

This Masters Course offers a balanced programme of professional training informed by the most recent research in the field of strategic project management. Over a 16-month full-time study period, students develop a systematic understanding of strategic project management and acquire a critical awareness of the contemporary, pervasive issues concerning this subject, both in the academic field and in professional practice.

The universities involved in the consortium are Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom), the Technical University of Milan (Italy), and Umea University (Sweden). Students of the Course will learn to understand and evaluate a comprehensive range of research techniques used in strategic project management. With these tools, they will be able to critically evaluate the development and use of strategic project management in business and management. Students will also carry out original research on this topic by completing a Master's Thesis.

The course is developed around three interconnected themes: strategy, control and integration, which reflect the core strengths of each participating University. During the first study period, Heriot-Watt University (HWU) provides a high-level background in project planning, strategy formulation, and implementation in organisations. In the second study period, the Technical University of Milan (Polimi) focuses on the function, purpose, creation and management of appropriate control mechanisms in strategic projects. During the third study period, at Ume University (UmU), students enhance their learning with an integrated and research-based approach to strategic thinking and project management, completing two integrated modules and a Master's thesis.

Courses will be taught in the local language of the universities concerned. Students also have access to a 12 week English language training (HWU); 2 month Italian language course (Polimi); and an introductory Swedish course (UmU). The class size is around 30-35 students, with a professor/student ratio of between one professor to five students and one professor to eight students. The degree offered is a multiple degree, awarded by the universities at which the student studies. The transferable skills acquired will enhance students' employability, particularly in middle-to-senior strategic and business-related positions in a wide range of public and private organisations. Students will also be prepared for future academic research and lifelong learning, in addition to the impact the degree will have on their personal development. Selection is competitive and emphasises academic performance and credentials. The minimum admission criteria are a high-quality Bachelor degree (or an equivalent academic degree), excellent English language ability, and relevant professional experience. Candidates first degrees should be in a relevant discipline, or in a semi-cognate discipline (for example in business and management, or science and engineering).

ME3

European joint Masters in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy

Duration in months: 2 years

Partners

EM Nantes Graduate School of Engineering, France (Co-ordinating Institution)

Technical University of Madrid, Spain

Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary

Royal Institut of Technology, Sweden

Queens University Belfast, United Kingdom

Contact

Pascaline Pr

Ecole Nationale Suprieure des Techniques Industrielles et des Mines de Nantes

Environment Energy Systems Department

4 rue Alfred Kastler - la Chantrerie - BP 20722

FR-44307 Cedex 3 Nantes, FRANCE

Course description

The European joint Masters in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy (ME3) offers a unique education to future engineers and managers able to solve environmental and energy challenges through an integrated approach, combining technological development and innovations together with the consideration of human, social and economic constraints.

The ME3 Master is a well balanced and inter-disciplinary programme which brings together: firstly Management and Process Engineering; secondly Energy and Environment, and thirdly European and third-countries collaborations. All these aspects constitute the raison dtre of the ME3 consortium. The programme duration is of 2 years. The first 18 months are mainly devoted to academic learning, acquisition and consolidation of knowledge and skills. During the last 6 months, students perform a professsional project leading to a Master thesis. Language of instruction is English. For an excellent professor / student ratio, the expected enrolment is about 40 students per year.

The study programme carries 120 ECTS, divided into the following parts:Part 1: Foundations of Management - 30 ECTS - Sept. to Feb., in UPM (Universidad Polytecnica de Madrid), Spain.

Part 2: Environmental Process Engineering - 30 ECTS March to July, in EMN (Ecole des Mines de Nantes) France.

Part 3: Option - 30 ECTS - Sept to Jan.

Students may choose between two options:

(1) Sustainable Energy Engineering in KTH, Sweden;

(2) Rational Design and Use of Energy Technologies in EMN, France

Part 4: Professional Project - 30 ECTS - Feb. to July.

Either a research or an industrial internship can be performed. The ME3 Masters Course is open to candidates, having a goodlevel in English (min 200 TOEFL), who are:

Holders of a Bachelors degree in science or engineering

or

Holders of a Higher Education scientific degree with at least 3 years industrial experience.

SUTROFOR

Sustainable Tropical Forestry Erasmus Mundus Masters Course

Duration 2 years

Partners

University of Copenhagen Faculty of Life Sciences, Denmark (Co-ordinating Institution)

University of Wales, Bangor, United Kingdom

Dresden University of Technology, Germany

Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, France

University of Padova, Italy

Contact

Carsten Smith Olsen

University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Life Sciences

Rolighedsvej, 23

DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, DENMARKCourse description

This two-year Masters Course in Sustainable Tropical Forestry (SUTROFOR) is a world-class programme aimed at preparing qualified graduates to deal with contemporary tropical forestry. The programme is offered by a five university consortium consisting of the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Wales, School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Bangor (UK), Dresden University of Technology, Institute of International Forestry and Forest Products (Germany), the Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Department of Tropical and Rural Forestry, Montpellier (France), and the University of Padova, College of Agriculture (Italy).

The Course consists of a year of study in one of three institutions (Bangor, Copenhagen, Dresden) followed by a second study year at one of the four other institutions. The aim of the first year is to provide a thorough and broad introduction to sustainable tropical forestry. This allows students to choose freely among the five specialisation options in the second year. The first year ends with the Joint Summer Module including field work in a tropical country. Specialisation options in the second year are agroforestry systems (Bangor), socio-economics of tropical forestry (Copenhagen), tropical forest management (Dresden), environmental management and policies for tropical forests (Montpellier), or ethics in forestry and responsible trade in tropical forest products and services (Padova).

The main language of instruction is English with a French option in Montpellier. Local language courses are available at all the partner institutions. Total student population is expected to be 150 (75 per year) giving a ratio of 5 students to every one faculty member. The teaching staff is very active in research and students profit from their global expertise. The SUTROFOR Course offers an integrated study programme with a resulting double degree that is fully recognised in all the participating countries. Selection requires a strong Bachelors degree, the applicants CV, documentation of proficiency in English (and French if choosing Montpellier), the applicants personal statement of motivation, and recommendations from two references.

GEM

Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management

Duration 1 year 6 months

Partners

International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, the Netherlands (Co-ordinating Institution)

University of Southampton, United Kingdom

Lund University, Sweden

Warsaw University, Poland

Contact

Andrew Skidmore

Department of Natural Resources

Hengelosestraat 99

NL-7514 AE Enschede, THE NETHERLANDS

Course description

This Masters Course has been developed by four leading European institutes in the field of geo-information management. The members of the consortium are the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (the Netherlands), the University of Southampton (United Kingdom), Lund University (Sweden), and Warsaw University (Poland). The Course caters to two priority research areas of the European Union: Information society technologies and Sustainable development, global change, ecosystems, highlighting the European aspects of these areas.Graduates of this programme will emerge with a critical understanding of the necessary technical and scientific tools together with excellent management abilities and personal skills. Such skills include an understanding of the scientific process and the ability to undertake scientific research. Students will also gain a thorough awareness of the European and global environment and its complexity. Taught by staff of international repute, students will use real-world case studies that involve solving problems by applying solid theoretical knowledge, modern technology and management techniques. The course integrates technical skills from various disciplines (including environmental science, remote sensing and GIS) with management and policy. Problem-based teaching methods challenge students to think through and solve problems.

The total duration of the Course is eighteen months. It is organised into fifteen modules all linked through a common geo-information and environment theme. Students reside in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands. Poland is visited for fieldwork. Both scholars and staff will participate in teaching modules in partner institutions. Students and scholars have ample opportunity for cultural exposure and will have the chance to become familiar with several European languages. English, however, will be the language of instruction. Twenty-six students participate each year. Successful completion of the course will lead to the award of a double degree.

This programme prepares its top-quality graduates for employement in the public and private sector as managers, planners, policymakers, researchers or advisors who can make a difference in environmental management. Applicants should have a Bachelors degree in a related discipline from a recognised university, ideally combined with at least two years work experience in a relevant scientific field. Candidates are required to have a recognised level of proficiency in English.

In order for a project submitted by a country not member of the EU to be eligible under Action 1, an agreement (or a Memorandum of Understanding or an EEA Joint Committee Decision) establishing the participation of this country in the Erasmus Mundus programme should be in force by the date of the selection decision (October of the year preceding the first edition of the EMMC/EMJD). Should this not be the case, organisations from the country concerned will be considered as Third-Country organisations entitled to participate in projects but not to submit or coordinate them..

Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein

Western Balkan countries include Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo under UNSC Resolution 1244/99, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia

ERASMUS MUNDUS II

Introductory Guide

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