Erasmus Mundus – European Master of Science in Nematology, 2012, Belgium

Deadline: 1 February 2012
Open to: top–level students with a University Bachelor degree  in Agricultural sciences, Biology, Bio-science engineering or Environmental sciences with proficient knowledge of English
Grant: covers travel, insurance, living expenses and tuition

The European Master of Science in Nematology (EUMAINE) is one of the Erasmus Mundus Master courses. The EUMAINE programme brings together some of the European leading Universities and Research Institutes active in Nematology and is offered by a network of 8 partners, consisting of 4 consortium partners and 4 supporting or satellite partners.

EUMAINE is a 2-year MSc degree programme (120 credits). It is strongly multidisciplinary and mobility oriented and offers 2 major disciplines (Nematology applied to agro-ecosystems and Nematology applied to natural ecosystems). The programme provides an international networking and is embedded in ongoing research programmes at the different participating Universities. The programme deals with fundamental as well as applied aspects of Nematology and concerns different groups of nematodes in all possible environments: natural soils, agricultural soils, aquatic sediments of freshwater, brackish or marine habitats, temperate and tropical regions. The language of instruction is English.Upon successful completion the students are awarded a joint Masters degree from the consortium partner Universities:

• Universiteit Gent, Belgium
• Universität Bielefeld, Germany
• Universidade de Evora, Portugal
• Universidad de Jaén, Spain

Eligibility

EUMAINE is open to top–level students with a University Bachelor degree (requiring a minimum of 3 years study) in Agricultural sciences, Biology, Bioscience engineering or Environmental sciences. Applicants with another degree but with experience or knowledge in one of these fields may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the EUMAINE Education Board on the basis of academic transcripts, CV and motivation.

Language Requirements
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course, i.e. English. Command of the English language is a very important criterion for admission. With the exception of those who have a diploma (Secondary Education, Academic Bachelor Degree, Master Degree) issued by an institution officially recognized by the Flemish Government, applicants must be able to prove their proficiency in English.

1. One of following options are required:
2. Proof that your mother tongue is English.
3. TOEFL certificate with:
   – a minimum total score of 500 on the paper based test (PBT), or
   – a minimum total score of 80 on an internet based test (IBT).
4. IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 5.5
5. Cambridge-ESOL: first certificate in English (FCE)
6. Proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent.

Note:

• TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests are not acceptable.
• TOEFL/IELTS test validity is max. 2 years.
• Failing to meet these language criteria results in the inability to register at Ghent University and means you will be sent back home !

Restriction:
Please note that you can only apply for 3 Erasmus Mundus Master courses maximum. In case you apply for more than 3 EM Master courses, you will be excluded automatically from the selection for an EM scholarship.

Grants

Category A grants for non-European students – 2012 edition: 7 grants

A limited number of Erasmus Mundus grants are available for third-country nationals with excellent academic records. Eligible students:

• are graduates who have successfully obtained a first degree awarded by a recognised University anywhere in the world
• are nationals of any country around the world other than the 27 EU Member States and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
• are selected to attend an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course by the Consortium offering the course in question in this case EUMAINE
• are not a resident of any of the Member States or the participating countries
• have not carried out their main activities (studies, work etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years (reference date: 28 February) in any of the above mentioned countries (27 EU Member States, EEA/EFTA States and candidate countries).

These grants are awarded to the best students on a competitive basis. The grant covers your travel, insurance, living expenses and tuition in Europe for the full duration of the course: 2-year course = 47000 € (from 2010 onwards). Note that the flight ticket to and from Europe will not be pre-financed by the grant.

Category B grants for European canidates and non-EU candidates who resided more than 12 months in Europe – 2012 edition: 5 grants

European students and non-EU students who resided more than 12 months in the EU can also apply for an Erasmus Mundus grant. The total grant for a European student is 18 000 €, resulting in a 500 € monthly allowance for 24 months and 3000 € tuition fee per year. The allowance should be seen merely as a contribution to the cost of studying and additionnal financial means are needed. When a partner university outside of Europe is visited the student receives an extra contribution of 3000 EUR. However the EUMAINE Consortium has not yet included a partner outside the EU. 

Extra categories Cat. A grants (number not yet known)

• Western Balkan and Turkey window
• Tunesia and Egypt
• Eastern neighbourhood countries: Armenia, Azerbaidjan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine

The EU offers some grants per year to students from specific regions around the EU zone. These grants are awarded to the best students on a competitive basis. The grant covers your travel, insurance, living expenses and tuition in Europe for the full duration of the course: 2-year course = 47000 € (from 2010 onwards). Note that the flight ticket to and from Europe will not be pre-financed by the grant.

Application

The application is online.

1. What to do?
First you need to register.Application forms will be online as from 15th of August 2011 onwards.

2. In your application file you will be asked to attach some forms:

3. Submission of application
Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive your application form in pdf format. Print this application form and send by post mail together with:

1. A hard copy of your diplomas and academic transcripts, certified by the issuing university and legalized by the Belgian Embassy/Authorities
2. 2 recommendation letters, originally signed
3. The correct language certificate/proof as explained in the application form and the admission requirements
4. Other documents that you uploaded in your online file: motivation, cv,…
5. In order for your application to be complete, a hard copy of your diploma and academic transcripts certified by the issuing university should be sent in a sealed envelope by the authorized office of your university. This envelope should be sent immediately to: Ghent University, Student Administration Office, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33 UFO building, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Ghent University – EUMAINE
c/o I. Dehennin, N. Smol
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
B-9000 Gent
BELGIUM

Application deadline for academic year 2012-2013