FAQ: General questions about Erasmus Mundus

Questions

Answers

What is Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013?
Erasmus Mundus (2009-2013) is a co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education that started in 2004 and has been extended until 2013. It aims at enhancing the quality of European higher education and promoting dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through cooperation with third countries. In addition the programme contributes to the development of human resources and the international cooperation capacity of higher education institutions in third countries by increasing mobility between the European Union and these countries.
The name of the programme comes from Desiderius Erasmus Rotterdamus, a 15th-century Dutch humanist and theologian who studied in the best monastic schools throughout Europe. In his days, he was known as one of the most brilliant students of the time. ''Mundus'' is the Latin word for ''world'' and thus stands for the programme's global outreach.

Is Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 a continuation of the already existing programme?
Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 continues and extends the scope of the activities already launched during the first phase (2004-2008) and includes the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window scheme, which was launched in 2006 as a complement to the original programme.

What are the specific objectives of the programme?
The programme's specific objectives are:

- to promote structured cooperation between higher education institutions and enhance the quality in European higher education with a distinct European added value, attractive both within the European Union and beyond its borders.
- to contribute to the mutual enrichment of societies by developing the qualifications of women/men so that they possess particular skills, are open minded- and internationally experienced. This is achieved through promoting mobility for the most talented students and academics from third countries towards the European Union and vice versa.
- to contribute towards the development of human resources and the international cooperation capacity of higher education institutions in third countries through increased mobility streams between the European Union and those countries.
- to improve accessibility and enhance the profile and visibility of European higher education in the world as well as its attractiveness for third country nationals and citizens of the European Union.
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FAQ: General questions about MEM CIMET

  1. General issues
  2. Application procedure
  3. Academic
  4. Eligibility for scholarship and scholarship issues
  5. Language requirements
  6. Study contents, schedule, mobility tracks and degree
  7. Help for visas, travelling, accommodation, ...
  8. Post-application procedure
  9. Fees

1 General issues

What is a "third country"?

The term ''third country'' is used to refer to a country which is not a Member State of the European Union and which does not participate in the programme according to Article 9 of the Programme Decision. In practical terms it refers to all countries other than the 27 EU Member States, the EEA-EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Switzerland and the candidate countries for accession to the EU (presently Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - FYROM and Turkey). With the exception of the EU member States the other countries listed above need to have signed specific cooperation agreements with the EU in order to be considered as "participating countries" in accordance with art.9 of the Decision.

What is the difference between a student and a scholar?

A scholar is a person with a PhD and who has an academic position like researchers, professors, associate professors or a post-doctoral position.
A student is a person studying in a particular educational programme.

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2 Application procedure

Is the online application the only way to apply or are there any other ways like getting a hard copy of the application form from you?

Online application is the only way to apply. Access the application server through the CIMET website. The server opens in autumn and various deadlines apply.
In addition, do I have to provide any hard copies or original documents?
All required documents should be uploaded online in PDF format.
Any copy, certificate, letter or document uploaded via the online procedure, certificate of authenticity issued by recognized diplomatic or administrative authorities must be sent to the coordinating institution of the Master CIMET by express mail within the deadlines (see Calendar & Deadline page).

Could I change my e-mail address during the application procedure?

No : a contact e-mail address will be asked for the first login on the application server. This address will be used during the whole application procedure and if you are admitted it should be used at least until your arrival at the university where you will spend the 1st semester

Can I fill in my application and upload my documents in several steps?

YES: a personal data account will be created at your first login; a login name and a password will be attributed for the duration of the application session. You can upload or change any document anytime you need as long as it is before the application deadline. You just need to press the save button at the end of each login session to validate the data.

How could I know if my personal application form is valid?

When you have filled the online application form and uploaded the required documents (and only when all is completed) you could then press the "send" button. A confirmation e-mail will automatically be sent to your personal contact e-mail.

Do the referees have to send their letters of recommendation through email or through surface mail?

The referees can send their letters of recommendation by surface mail or email to the coordinating institution (as long as we can identify the source) before the deadline.
The email address is cimet@ligiv.org

Can my referees upload their recommendation letters?

No: because the account created when you log in for the first time is your personal data account. The referees can email the letters of recommendation at the address indicated above.

I cannot transfer the file of my transcript of marks into PDF format. How can I upload it?

You should upload your transcripts in PDF, DOC (Word) or ODT (OpenOffice) formats. The size of your documents has to be of less than 1Mb.

When will the selection decision be made?

The selection committee will meet just after the application deadline (see Calendar & Deadline page). Each candidate will be individually notified by email within about three weeks of the applicable application deadline (Cat A or B sholarships or other students) whether he/she is selected, refused or in the reserve list.

Once I have completed filling in the application and uploading the required data, what else do I need to do?

You will need to wait until the selection committee meeting (see Calendar & Deadline page). In case you are selected, a student plan proposal will be sent to you by email. You will have then to agree to this proposal by email and to confirm us in return your wish to follow this master programme or, otherwise, send us an email indicating your resignation.

Since I have no passport now, can I use the photocopy of my identity card?

Exceptionally and temporarily. Of course, in case of admission to the CIMET programme, you will be asked to get a passport and send copies of pages 2 and 3.

I have lost my birth certificate. Can I upload the scanned copy of my National Identity card?

We need a copy of your birth certificate. In case you don't have it now, you can upload a copy of your passport (better than your National Identity card, see above). Of course, in case of admission to the CIMET programme, you will be asked to provide all required documents including your birth certificate.

 

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3. Academics

What are the academic prerequisites?

As indicated on the "Application forms" page of the CIMET website, applicants should have a BSc degree, or equivalent, comprising significant exposure to physics, optics, imaging science, computer science, mathematics fundamentals, or any discipline pertaining to the quantitative description of color. Other criteria to be taken into account are awards, external references, details of earlier projects, and proof of English proficiency (see also Language requirements).

What are the most important criteria for selection?

Our criteria, equally weighted, are:
- Academic excellence
- Potential/adequateness*
- Motivation
- Overall quality of application
- Language
* assessed on the basis of recommendation letters, BSc degree contents, institution of origin, etc...

Can a student who will graduate in June 2010 apply?

Yes, of course. We know that most students who apply are currently enrolled for their last year or session of a BSc or BEng programme or equivalent. You will need to provide original proof of graduation when you start with the CIMET programme.

I have scored 60% in my undergraduate studies. Can I apply?

In principle, you can apply regardless of your global point average (GPA) and/or ranking. Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that the Master Course CIMET is part of the Erasmus Mundus programme which is an excellence programme involving top-level institutions. Before applying, you should then consider that your GPA and/or ranking has to be as good as possible in order to have a good probability of being admitted.

I studied physics at the undergraduate level and I am expecting to finish an MSc in physics by April next year. Can I apply?

Yes, as long as the [Bachelor or Master] programme that you are currently attending ends before the beginning of CIMET's academic year (starting in September).

I am currently pursuing another Master program. Can I apply or is there any restriction regarding previous education?

It is possible to apply for CIMET programme after another Master programme, provided the previous one is not already an Erasmus Mundus Master Course. In case an applicant is already enrolled in a [Bachelor or Master] Course in one of CIMET's partner institutions, he/she should ask information to the local site coordinator (see ''Contacts'' page of the website).

 

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4 Eligibility for scholarship and scholarship issues

2010-2012

Am I eligible for an Erasmus Mundus category A scholarship?

Category A scholarships can be awarded to masters students selected by CIMET consortium who are not from Europe Union states, Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein, Turkey, Switzerland, Western Balkan Countries include Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia and who are not residents nor have carried out their main activity (studies, work, etc.) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in one of these countries.

Am I eligible for an Erasmus Mundus category B scholarship?

In the framework of Erasmus Mundus II (starting from the academic year 2010/2011 all the ERASMUS MUNDUS masters will follow this frame) Europe will offer new scholarships that is called category B. These scholarships are devoted for European students and also for third country students who had a stay for more than 12 months in the countries mentioned in the definition of category A students. For the academic year 2010/2011, CIMET Masters programme will offer about 8 Erasmus Mundus scholarships of category B students. The selected student, will receive a grant of totally 10 000 Euro per year. The application to an Erasmus Mundus scholarship is done through the classical student's application procedure of CIMET.  It should be noted that, while the Category A scholarships should be considered as ''full scholarships'' covering all necessary costs of the student during his/her study period in Europe, Category B scholarships have to be considered as a ''financial contribution'' to the student's costs.


According to the website, the scholarship fund includes both tuition fees and living cost. Does this scholarship provide the same offer?
The selected student, will receive a grant of totally 24 000 Euro per year. The application to an Erasmus Mundus scholarship is done through the classical student's application procedure of CIMET.
The student will receive an Erasmus Mundus scholarship (EM grant) of 48,000 Euros for 2 academic years, granted by the European Commission to finance his/her participation in the CIMET programme.
The Coordinator will deduct the tuition fees from his/her EM grant. These yearly tuition fees include those due to the institution that will host him.
The remainder of the EM grant will be paid monthly by the coordinating institution to the Student. It should cover the living cost whatever the teaching site considered.

How many scholarships are available for a Master programme?

For the 2010-2012 selection: about 10 Cat A  Scholarships
For the 2010-2012 selection: about 8 Cat B Scholarships

Can I study in the Master CIMET if I do not have a scholarship?

Off course! We have students who are self-financed or sponsored by our consortium special grant which reduces the tuition fees.
Also and under specific conditions, there are some additional grant available for EU or non EU students (Erasmus grants, Explora grants, University or External sponsoring.. ) < In any case, each grant will be awarded by the consortium on a competitive basis.

Can I apply for several Erasmus Mundus Master programmes and EM scholarships?

Yes but please note that the number of applications by student must be limited to 3 Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses maximum. In the eventual case that a student applies to more than three EM Courses he/she will be excluded from the selection for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.

In case you are candidate to a scholarship to the 2 EM programmes and in case you would be admitted to both of them, the European Commission makes the decision to award you the scholarship for the EM programme that has ranked you in the best position.

 

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5 Language requirements

My instruction starting from my elementary grades and during my undergraduate study was done in English. Do I need to provide an English test?

If your first degree (Bachelor type) has been taught in English a test score is not required but you should explicitly upload a document (a simple letter explaining that your studies were conducted in English) instead of an official English test transcript.

If the medium of teaching and studying during your degree was not solely English, you have to upload the proof of an English test score/grade.

What kind of proof are we supposed to furnish for English proficiency?

You must furnish a score at official test(s) such as:
- IELTS (min:1, max:9)
- TOEFL computer based (min:0, max:300)
- TOEFL Internet based (min:0, max:120)
- TOEFL paper based (min:0, max:677)
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (max. = A)
- TOEIC (min:0, max:990)
The transcript(s) must also be provided.

Is there a required score for the TOEFL?

You can consider that the following TOEFL scores are reasonable minima :
- 215-250 if computer based;
- 80-100 if internet based;
- 485-584 if paper based.

I will not be able to receive the results of my TOEFL test before the application deadline. What can I do?

You can at least provide the proof that you attended the test (upload the PDF document that certifies it).

Do you require an official TOEFL grade report sent by ETS, or do you accept the copy of the grade report?

We accept the certified copy of the grade report (the score is in principle available on ETS website).

What is the language policy of the Master CIMET?

All the courses of the master programme will be taught in English whatever the institution.

Do I need to speak Finnish, French, Norwegian or Spanish?

Knowledge of Finnish, French, Norwegian and Spanish is not compulsory, but will be beneficial. In any case, national languages of the universities of the consortium will be taught at each university.

 

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6 Study contents, schedule, mobility tracks and degree

Where can I study for my first semester?

The first semester is devoted to fundamentals and the same courses are proposed simultaneously by the University Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne and the University of Granada with minor local adaptations (see Course Programme and Mobility Tracks). Students will then be allocated among the universities following their preferences (as much as possible) in order to counterbalance the number of third country students and the number of European students in each partner institution. That's why you need to indicate your site preference among the two universities for the first semester on the application form.

Where can I study for my second semester?

The second semester is devoted to a first specialization in "Color image capture, devices and processing". This first specialization is proposed by both Universities of Granada and Saint-Etienne with 5 common courses and 3 specific course proposed by each of the two universities. Students will then again be allocated among the two universities following their preferences (as far as possible). That's why you need to indicate your preference among the two universities for the second semester, ranking 1 or 2 on the application form.

Where can I study for my third semester?

The third semester is devoted to a second specialization with two possibilities: "Spectral color science" at the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu or "Technologies and models for multimedia systems" at Gjovik University College. Note that you will have to indicate your preference among the two universities for the third semester only at the end of the first semester.

Where can I study for my fourth semester?

The fourth semester is devoted to a theoretical project that could be performed at any of the four partner universities. As for the third semester, note that you will have to indicate your preference among the four universities for the fourth semester only at the end of semester 2 or during semester 3.

If I have a Cat A or B scholarship, could I study the two years of the Master programme in the same university?

No, it is impossible. The mobility tracks impose to visit at least two of the four partner universities.
But specific arrangements can be organised for students with special mobility needs.

Could I visit the four universities during the two years of the Master programme?

Yes, it is possible. The mobility tracks are designed in such a way that you could potentially visit each of the four partner universities.

The offer e-mail required me to make my decision ASAP. What is the deadline for making my decision on accepting the offer or not?

In practice, we would like to have your final answer as quickly as possible in order to organize your support in obtaining visas, accommodation,... or to call on the reserve list if you resign.
Note that in the case where students who obtained a Cat A or B scholarship and who resign from the course less than two month before the start of the course after having agreed to join, the EAC agency dealing with scholarship will be informed in order to take that information in consideration for potential future application for scholarship from the same student.

What degree would I exactly be given after my two years' studies?

Each graduate is awarded the national Master's degrees of at least 2 institutions involved in his/her individual study path. All are Masters of Science (MSc).

Degrees awarded:

Students that graduate from CIMET Master Course will obtain at least two masters degrees from the institutions where they studied. The obtained degrees are officially recognised and give full access to PhD study programmes. Depending on the mobility, two or three of the following Master degrees will be awarded.

Universite Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, PRES de LYON

Master II of Science in << Optics, Image and Vision >> speciality << Image and Vision >>

University of Eastern Finland, Finland:

Master of Science in Computer Science ''Media Computing and Optical Technology''

Gjovik University College, Norway:

Master of Technology in Media Technology - MMT

Universidad de Granada, Spain:

Master of Color in Informatics and Media Technology

Beside the Masters, a Diploma Supplement will be delivered. It contains reference to partner institutions of the Consortium, and an overall description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the student.

 

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7 Help for visas, travelling, accommodation etc.

As soon as the CIMET coordinator notifies you about your acceptance you need to start contacting your closest French/Spanish/Norwegian or Finnish Consulate (depending on your 1st semester destination) in order to get the list of all of the documents needed to apply for a visa (long-term student visa).
As soon as the European Commission gives its approval to award you a scholarship, we will send you some useful documents to help you in the process of requesting a Visa, booking an apartment and other useful practical information on your 1st semester destination.
Documents for the visa: you will receive an Invitation letter from the University accepting you for the 1st semester, as well as a grant certificate provided by the European Commission.
These documents will be needed in order for you to apply for your long-stay student visa.
Accommodation: each university offers help and guidance for accommodation.
The website contains some information that can prove useful and we have set up a ''buddying'' system where senior and future students get in touch in order to help and answer questions. Also, the CIMET coordinator will be in contact with you to help you up to your arrival.

 

8 Post-application procedure

If I accept the offer and the EU Grant (Cat A or B), does it mean I must study in the Master CIMET programme?

Yes absolutely.
Note that in the case where students who obtained a Cat A or B scholarship and who resign from the course less than two month before the start of the course after having agreed to join, the EAC agency dealing with scholarship will be informed in order to take that information in consideration for potential future application for scholarship from the same student.

Is it required to send my formal acceptance by regular surface mail ?

No, your email is sufficient for the moment but you will be asked by the coordinating institution to send paper versions of some documents uploaded during the application (e.g. transcripts)

Would I receive any official admission letter if I accept this offer?

Yes. Two letters of invitation will be sent by both the coordinating institution of the CIMET programme and the partner university where you will spend the first semester as soon as possible.

I would like to know when I will find out if I finally got the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship or the Consortium Scholarship.

As soon as the European Commission, through the Education Executive Agency will have checked the eligibility and cases of double admission to different Erasmus Mundus MSc courses.

To this date we have not had any changes imposed by the EAC on our final selection of students. Our decision is made about three weeks after the applicable deadline for application (Cat A or B).

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9 Fees

What are the tuition fees for the 2010-2012 CIMET Master Programme?

Category A students (third country students): 8000 Euro per academic year /16,000 Euro for the two year course

Category B students (EU students or third country nationals who have stayed for more than 12 months in the EU): 4000 Euro per academic year/8000 Euro for the two year course
The fees cover all courses (included language courses), services and facilities offered in the CIMET Master.
Tuition fees will be paid to the coordinating university of the consortium (as a transfer to the "Agent comptable"  "public accountant" of the University of Saint-Etienne) in Euros by Bank transfer or credit card. No additional fee will be asked to students by the other institutions.
The fees do not cover copies, books, accommodation, meals, travel expenses, or general expenses. However, in each country, students will have available University meals, access to library and to a devoted computer lab. Moreover the International Offices of each university, with long experience dealing with and assisting foreign students, can reserve Students/ University Housing at a special rate for CIMET students (as for any international students), and will offer their services to CIMET students.
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FAQ on the Erasmus Mundus European Commission