FAQ
2. INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AWARDED WITH AN ERASMUS MUNDUS SCHOLARSHIP
- What is the Erasmus Mundus programme?
- How many Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available?
- Which universities participate in the MERIT Erasmus Mundus programme and offer scholarships both for Third Country Nationals as well as students pertaining to the 27 EU Member States and the EEA-EFTA States?
- What is the amount of the scholarships?
- How and when are the payments made?
- Who is eligible to apply?
- I'm from a country, which is not represented in the consortium. Can I apply for the programme nevertheless?
- Do I have to apply directly to the University that I prefer as a home institution, or should I apply to all the universities where I wish to study during the whole program?
- Do I have to send my application to the European Commission?
- In what language should I fill out the form and prepare all the documents?
- When I apply, should I design my own course programme from the list of the courses offered at the universities where I wish to study?
- What to do with the ECTS section in the application form?
- When is the Application Period?
- Which application deadlines are valid for this programme?
- Why this early application deadline for the Call A and B Erasmus Mundus scholarships?
- Can I submit documents after the deadline?
- Can I choose the university I wish to attend?
3. INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS NOT AWARDED WITH AN ERASMUS MUNDUS SCHOLARSHIP
- Which are the requirements to apply for the MERIT Master?
- How much are the tuition fees?
- How do I pay my tuition fees?
- What is the duration of the Master programme?
- Can I enrol the program part-time?
- Are there any other scholarships apart from Erasmus Mundus?
- How do I apply?
- How big is the average course load?
- How does the credit system work?
- What courses are available?
- Can I spend the whole program at one university or do I have to study in two different institutions?
- What does 'home' and 'host' university mean?
5. ENGLISH LANGUAGE INFORMATION
- Which is the language of instruction in the MERIT Master?
- Which English language tests are accepted?
- I passed TOEFL some years ago. Will these results still be accepted?
- I do not meet the minimum TOEFL requirements. Is it possible to apply for the program and hand in the result of a new TOEFL (retake) exam later?
- What other exams except TOEFL can I pass to prove my English level?
- What is the MERIT Master Institutional TOEFL Code?
- If the language of instruction at my university was English, do I still need a TOEFL or IELTS (Academic) English language score?
- How do I apply to the MERIT Master?
- Can I apply with a degree in another subject (e.g. mathematics, physics) than the ones named?
- May I apply if I still do not hold a BSc degree?
1.1 What is the MERIT Master Course?
The European Master of Research on Information and Communication Technologies (MERIT) is a research oriented Master program within the guidelines of the Bologna process whose scope is information technologies (IT) and applications. The Master involves 5 top-level European institutions with strong ongoing research ties and is supported by the European Commission through the Erasmus Mundus Programme.
The institutions participating in the MERIT Master Programme are:
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), formerly University of Karlsruhe, Germany
- Politecnico di Torino (PdT), Torino, Italy
- Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain, Belgium
The academic year usually begins August/September, but the exact dates depend on each University. Please check each institution for more information.
2.1 What is the Erasmus Mundus programme?
The Erasmus Mundus program is a co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education which promotes the European Union as a centre of excellence in learning around the world. It supports European top-quality Master Courses and enhances the visibility and attractiveness of European higher education in third countries. It also provides EU-funded scholarships for third country nationals as well as students from one of the EU Member States as well as from the EEA-EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) participating in these Masters courses, as well as scholarships for EU-nationals studying in third countries. For further information, please check this web site.
Whether an applicant is awarded with an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship depends on the following factors:
- The applicants academic background and it's adequacy for the MERIT Master Programme. Click on this link to see the most adequate academic background.
- Study and academic merits
- The applicants' motivation
- Proven English language level (TOEFL, IELTS academic, CAE or CPE language exams are accepted)
2.2 How many Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available?
The number of scholarships that were granted for the 2012-2014 academic year under Call A was 8, one of which was granted to students under the Western Balkans and Turkey window.
For Call B, 4 scholarships were granted for the 2012-2014 academic year.
The number of scholarships changes every year, so the above information is not always an indication of the number of scholarships that will be granted in the future.
The MERIT consortium prepares a list of reserve students, who will be offered a scholarship in case any of the awarded students reject his/her scholarship. You will be notified in both cases (f you are selected as an official student or a reserve).
The Universities belonging to the International consortium are:
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), formerly University of Karlsruhe, Germany
- Politecnico di Torino (PdT), Torino, Italy
- Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain, Belgium
2.4 What is the amount of the scholarships?
Erasmus Mundus Category A students receive 32,000 EURO during the four semesters of the Masters programme (24 months x 1,000 EURO + 2 x 4,000 EURO). The tuition fee is paid for directly by the scholarship. Besides this they are also provided with a health and accident insurance.
Erasmus Mundus Category B students receive 12,000 EURO during the four semesters of the Masters programme (24 months x 500 EURO). The tuition fee is paid for directly by the scholarship.
2.5 How and when are the payments made?
MERIT students awarded with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship are advised that scholarship payments are exclusively made by bank transfer and that the MERIT consortium cannot advance any cash payment. Due to the administrative procedure, the first payment may be delayed about one month upon formal arrival of the student to the institution.
Applicants of MERIT Erasmus Mundus Category A student scholarships should qualify as third-country nationals, as defined in the Erasmus Mundus programme, i.e., nationals of all countries of the world with the exception of the Erasmus Mundus eligible applicant countries: the 27 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom) and the EEA-EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
Applicants of MERIT Erasmus Mundus Category B student scholarships should qualify as European nationals of the Erasmus Mundus eligible applicant countries: the 27 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), the EEA-EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or third country nationals having carried out their main activity (studies, work, etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in one of the Erasmus Mundus eligible applicant countries above.
2.7 I'm from a country, which is not represented in the consortium. Can I apply for the programme nevertheless?
Yes. Students from all over the world can apply for the Masters course.
2.8 Do I have to apply directly to the University that I prefer as a home institution, or should I apply to all the universities where I wish to study during the whole program?
No matter which universities you choose, you have to apply using the MEAT program, which can be found at www.meritmaster.org/meat. This application is coordinated by UPC (Spain).
2.9 Do I have to send my application to the European Commission?
Please DO NOT send your application to the European Commission, neither for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship nor for the Masters programme.
2.10 In what language should I fill out the form and prepare all the documents?
All the documentation must be uploaded in English and the application form has to be filled out in English.
2.11 When I apply, should I design my own course programme from the list of the courses offered at the universities where I wish to study?
When you are admitted to the master you will be assigned an Area of Knowledge (AOK) and a track (see this link for further information).
Upon your arrival to the first year institution you will be assigned an advisor. Together with your advisor you will create a study plan, adapted to your assigned AOK and track by choosing from the courses offered at the institution, where you are going to spend your first year.
The same procedure will take place when you arrive at your second year host institution.
2.12 What to do with the ECTS section in the application form?
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is the grading system used by the universities participating in the Master programme. In each of the Master's four semesters, a student has to finalize 30 ECTS.
2.13 When is the Application Period?
Students who wish to be considered for admission to the MERIT Master Programme and the Call A Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the master edition 2013/2015will have between December 1st, 2012 and January 12th, 2013 to enter data and upload documents in the on-line application tool: MEAT.
Students who wish to be considered for admission to the MERIT Master Programme and the Call B Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the master edition 2013/2015 will have between December 1st, 2012 and January 12th, 2013 to enter data and upload documents in the on-line application tool: MEAT.
2.14 Which application deadlines are valid for this programme?
Call A
- Deadline for online application: 17:00 (CET) January 12, 2013.
- Notification of Scholarships: May-June 2013.
- Start of MERIT studies: August/September 2013.
Call B
- Deadline for online application: 17:00 (CET) January 12, 2013.
- Notification of Scholarships: May-June 2013.
- Start of MERIT studies: August/September 2013.
2.15 Why this early application deadline for the Call A and B Erasmus Mundus scholarships?
This deadline is set this early because the consortium has to propose students, who will receive a scholarship, to the European Commission before a defined deadline at the beginning of each calendar year. The consortium has to meet the European Commission's guidelines in choosing students as well as equalize the distribution of students among the participating universities.
2.16 Can I submit documents after the deadline?
No, that is impossible. Because of the high number of applicants and the deadline for submitting the lists with applicants' names to the European Commission it is not possible for the consortium to accept documents after the deadline.
2.17 Can I choose the university I wish to attend?
If you are awarded with an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, the MERIT Consortium will assign you to the two universities, which are the best fit for the track you have chosen. If possible, we will try to accomodate your choice of university.
If you are admitted to the MERIT Master Programme and finance the programme yourself you will be able to choose the two universities where you wish to study.
3.1 Which are the requirements to apply for the MERIT Master?
The requirements for applying to the MERIT Master are the same whether you apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship or not.
Prospective MERIT students should have a bachelor degree preferably in electrical or telecommunication engineering or similar. In the Bachelor degree the following course contents must have been successfully passed: Probability Theory, Complex Analysis and Integral Transformations, Linear Circuits and Networks, Electronic Circuits, Fields and Waves, Basic Laboratory in Electronic Circuits and Digital Circuits, Analog and Digital Communications.
Besides the bachelor degree it is very important to have an English level corresponding to a MERIT Score of 3 or above. See this link for more information in regards to the English language exams and conversion to the MERIT Score system.
Study and academic merits as well as motivation will also be evaluated.
Admission is subject to the approval of a faculty committee, and is based upon the applicant's capacity and motivation, recommendation letters, and English language skills.
3.2 How much are the tuition fees?
MERIT tuition fees for the 2013/14academic year (two semesters) are the following:
- Students pertaining to the 27 EU Member States and the EFA-EFTA states as well as Third Country Nationals with restrictions: 2500 €
- Third Country Nationals: 5000 €
- Students, who are BSc graduates from the Consortium Universities: 2500€/year
3.3 How do I pay my tuition fees?
All students are expected to pay their fees during registration. We do not currently accept payments by instalment. We discourage students from paying in cash. If you are awarded with an EM Scholarship then the scholarship will pay for your tuition fee.
3.4 What is the duration of the Master programme?
The degree requires two years (four semesters) for completion.
3.5 Can I enrol the program part-time?
No, this is not possible.
3.6 Are there any other scholarships apart from Erasmus Mundus?
Please, check the section Financial Support for each university to find more information in this regard.
The application procedure for a student without an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is the same as the one that applies to a student with an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
Application for the MERIT Master Programme is done through the on-line application tool MEAT. MEAT is only accessible when the admission period is open.
In MEAT you will be asked to submit several documents in pdf format.
Only applications submitted through MEAT will be considered, so please do not send any applications by regular mail.
4.1 How big is the average course load?
A MERIT Master student averages a 40 hour study week between class and home work
4.2 How does the credit system work?
Utilizing the ECTS framework, each university has developed courses with pre-determined ECTS credit values. Upon successful completion of each course – regardless of which partner university the student attends – the student will receive the achieved credits. Parallel to this, the ECTS credits will be entered into the student’s overall transcript of records. Each individual university is responsible for specifying the required academic achievement standards.
The student is expected to successfully complete a total of 30 ECTS credits per semester. All academic achievements are assessed using the European Credit-Transfer-Systems (ECTS): 60 credits have to be achieved at the first university and 60 credits at the second university (the last 30 credits through the Master Thesis).
4.3 What courses are available?
Each institution has its own courses. Please, check the Study Programme -> Contents section for each partner University.
The MERIT Master programme has a duration of two years. Each year you will go to a different university to obtain a degree from both, as well as the MERIT Joint Certificate. The students, who wish to pursue this programme may apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, but can also study the master financing it themselves.
UPC and KIT has a national master programme, which is also of two years duration. In this case you will study at the same university for two years and will obtain a national Master's degree.
4.5 What does 'home' and 'host' university mean?
The home university is the institution where you will study your first year of the MERIT Master course.
The host institution is where you will study your second and final year of the MERIT Master.
However, all the work in regards to the administration and application is done at the coordinating institution, which is UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya), in Barcelona.
5.1 Which is the language of instruction in the MERIT Master?
English is the language of instruction throughout the whole master program.
5.2 Which English language tests are accepted?
Applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS (Academic), CAE or CPE scores to be considered for the MERIT Master Programme.
The TOEFL, IELTS (Academic), CAE and CPE English language score obtained must correspond to a MERIT Score of 3. See this link for further information.
Native English speakers do not have to submit English test results.
5.3 I passed TOEFL some years ago. Will these results still be accepted?
Your exams shouldn’t be older than 5 years.
No. You will need to submit the result of your English language test before the application period closes.
The MERIT Consortium has to submit a list of admitted students to the European Commission before the end of February. Therefore we are not able to accept any English language results after the application deadline.
5.5 What other exams except TOEFL can I pass to prove my English level?
Besides the TOEFL English language exam you can also submit the result of your IELTS English language exam.
5.6 What is the MERIT Master Institutional TOEFL Code?
The MERIT Master Institutional TOEFL Code is 7317.
Even though the language of instrucion at your university was English you will still need either the TOEFL or the IELTS (Academic) English language score.
Citizens of some countries are exempt from presenting an English language score. Please see this link for a list of those countries.
The minimum MERIT Score accepted for admission is 3. In the following conversion table you can convert your English result to the MERIT Score system.
| MERIT ENGLISH SCORE CONVERSION TABLE | ||||||
|
TOEFL Paper |
TOEFL Computer |
TOEFL iBT |
IELTS (Academic) |
CAE (Certificate Advanced English) |
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) |
MERIT |
| 625-680 | 263-300 | 113-120 | 7.5-9.0 | A/B | 5 | |
| 600-624 | 250-263 | 100-112 | 7.0-7.74 | A | C | 4 |
| 570-599 | 230-249 | 88-99 | 6.5-6.9 | B/C | Level C1 Certificate | 3 |
| 230-569 | 210-229 | 76-87 | 5.5-6.4 | 2 | ||
| under 530 | under 210 | under 76 | under 5.5 | 1 | ||
6.1 Do I need a visa to study in Europe?
If you are a Third Country National, who will be carrying out studies with a lenght of more than 90 days, you will need a visa to enter Europe.
6.2 How can I get a student visa?
You must apply for it at the Diplomatic or Consular Offices in your home country quite in advance before your arrival. The university where you will spend your first year will help you out in any way they can to ease this often complicated procedure.
7.1 How do I apply to the MERIT Master?
Applications for the MERIT Master Programme are done through the on-line application tool MEAT. MEAT is only accessible when the admission period is open.
In MEAT you will be asked to submit several documents in pdf format.
Only applications submitted through MEAT will be considered, so please do not send any applications by regular mail.
7.2 Can I apply with a degree in another subject (e.g. mathematics, physics) than the ones named?
The ideal academic background for the MERIT Master Programme is a bachelor degree preferably in electrical or telecommunication engineering or similar.
In the Bachelor degree the following course contents must have been successfully passed: Probability Theory, Complex Analysis and Integral Transformations, Linear Circuits and Networks, Electronic Circuits, Fields and Waves, Basic Laboratory in Electronic Circuits and Digital Circuits, Analog and Digital Communications.
7.3 May I apply if I still do not hold a BSc degree?
Yes you may apply. You just need to hold a BSc degree by the month of August/September.