Emjmd Application Guide (2021-23) - Sohaib Niazi PDF

Preview

Summary

The All NewERASMUS+: ERASMUS MUNDUS JOINTMASTER DEGREE (EMJMD) GUIDE –(2021-2023)Prepared By:Muhammad Sohaib NiaziERASMUS MUNDUS JOINT MASTER DEGREESOverviewAn Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD), is a prestigious, integrated, international study programme, jointly delivered by an internation...

Description

The All New ERASMUS+: ERASMUS MUNDUS JOINT MASTER DEGREE (EMJMD) GUIDE – (2021-2023) Prepared By:

Muhammad Sohaib Niazi ERASMUS MUNDUS JOINT MASTER DEGREES Overview An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD), is a prestigious, integrated, international study programme, jointly delivered by an international group of higher education institutions. EMJMDs award EU-funded scholarships to the best student candidates applying under annual selection rounds. Study must take place in at least two of the Programme countries (European Countries). Part of the studies can also take place in a Partner countries (generally all other countries other than Europe from which students can apply to this program including Pakistan) if there is a partnercountry institution involved.

Duration An EMJMD is a study programme of 60 (roughly equals to 1 year Master), 90 or 120 ECTS (Roughly 2 years) credits. This means that it lasts from a minimum of 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months.

Conditions Students at Master's level worldwide can apply. You must have obtained a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognized equivalent level of learning, according to national legislation and practices, in the degree awarding countries. (All students with 16 years of Education in Pakistan are eligible to apply). If you have already received an EMJMD or an Erasmus Mundus Master Course (old name of EMJMD)/Joint Doctorate scholarship (Erasmus special name for PhD scholarships), you are not eligible for an additional EMJMD scholarship. You cannot benefit from another EU-funded scholarship scheme while you are receiving an EMJMD scholarship.

Academic Outcome The successful completion of the study programme will lead to the award of either a joint degree (i.e. one single degree certificate issued on behalf of at least two higher education institutions of the EMJMD consortium) or multiple degrees (i.e. at least two degree certificates issued by two higher education institutions of the consortium).

Financial Support To receive Erasmus+ financial support, you must first be admitted onto the course by the organizing consortium and then be selected for an EMJMD scholarship. In EMJMD not all selected students get Erasmus+ scholarship. Such students who are not awarded a grant can study if they can bear expense of the program. Those who are selected to one or more (max 3, as in one year you can apply to max 3 Master programs) Master courses can get admission in anyone with scholarship (if received) or without scholarship. The EMJMD scholarship covers your participation costs (including the tuition fees, library and laboratory costs, full insurance coverage and any other mandatory costs related to your participation in the Master); it represents a contribution to your travel and installation costs and includes a monthly subsistence allowance for the entire duration of the study programme. The total amount of the scholarship varies according to the duration of your course and your nationality (non-EU students receive larger scholarships). The exact amounts may vary for the upcoming batches so I am not mentioning any such detail here. However, the stipend is sufficient enough to study in any countries of Europe and live a normal life. The stipend and scholarship is received once you reach your first university for first semester in the “Home country”. Before leaving Pakistan, you have to arrange your air ticket and some related Visa expenses, however you can easily cover those costs with substantial stipend that you will receive when you will reach there. Host University is name given to the university amongst the group of universities for any particular MS program where you generally go to another programme country and study in that university. Some programs have non-European partner universities as well, where you can study/undertake internship/undertake research for some months in 3rd or 4th semester depending upon conditions and approval of your programme heads. A minimum of 75% of the scholarships are awarded to candidates from Partner countries.

HOW TO APPLY 1st STEP Students should consult the online EMJMD Catalogue (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmusplus/library/emjmd-catalogue_en) and contact the consortium (coordinators’ contacts are given on website of each program) offering the Master Course for more information on courses and application procedures Above link lists all the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) that will be offering EUfunded scholarships for courses taking place in the academic year 2020 (wait for the catalogue to get updated by October 2020 for 2021-23 batch). Most Master programs will open applications around late October and require applications to be submitted at maximum between Dec and January or sometimes may be until February/March (Opening and closing dates vary from program to program), for courses starting the following academic year. Some new MS programs are added to the list of offered MS programs each year when catalog gets updated and some may be removed as well. So while checking the link above keep in mind it is for applicants who are now already selected for 2020-22. Those who are reading for coming call in October 2020 for 2021 starting degrees, should bookmark/save above link and check back later in October 2020. Some project details’ websites of programs given in above link will have website links in them and some will include soon as some programs are offered for first time. Contact coordinators of each program for specific queries. Most programmes require applications to be submitted between October and January/ February, for courses starting the following academic year (Sep 2021). Students can apply to a maximum of three different programs. Students should contact directly the relevant master degree coordinators for more information on courses and application procedures. ü Clicking on the acronyms (on the link given above) will open the websites of the

respective master courses. Clicking on the title of the master courses will bring you to the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. The platform describes the EMJMDs in detail and is constantly updated by the universities.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY 1. 16 Years of Education (Last semester/year students can apply to many programs if they expect their undergraduate degrees to be completed around June/July, 2021, though you need to check websites of specific programs and email the coordinators to confirm this). 2. Proficiency in English Language is a compulsory requirement (Some programs will accept English Proficiency Letter from your University but most want IELTS/TOEFL as compulsory to apply). To be on the safer side, take IELTS/TOEFL latest by October/November. Most programs require 6.5 and some need 7 score in IELTS or equivalent in TOEFL. Some programs also require that no individual score within IELTS is below 6 (or equivalent for TOEFL). 3. You need Passport as an Identity Document to apply, so apply for it and keep it ready around September/October. Most programs’ applications open in October and end variably around

January, February or even March (rarely). Opening of applications and deadlines to apply vary from program to program.

2nd STEP REQUIRED DOCUMENTS All programs have different requirements. All programs mostly provide a grid of weightages or general idea of the components of application that they will consider in determining your merit. For example, ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION 20%, Experience in the same field 15%, Subject Knowledge 10% etc. 1.

DEGREE and TRANSCRIPT (Available or should be available around June/July, 2021)

2. 2 Letters of Recommendation (Generally, again you need to check program requirements). The formats vary from program to program, your online application will contain guidelines. 3. Motivation Letter (Word lengths will vary a lot from program to program). Some don’t give any limit, others may give only one paragraph. 4. IELTS/TOEFL (6.5 is safe for most on IELTS or TOEFL Equivalent/English Proficiency Letter if they take it), however 7.0 is needed for some more competitive programs so try to get a 7.0. Make sure you take standard test early as slots are sometimes booked around deadlines of Erasmus. The results availability of such tests also take time. 5.

CV in Europass Format (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose)

6.

Valid Passport

7. Certificate of Residence: tells that you have not been living in Europe for 1 or more years within last 5 years (if you want to apply as partner country student). Otherwise, even being Pakistani you will be considered programme country applicant. It can be taken as a letter from university/workplace/municipal office etc. and get it attested ideally from notary public lawyer.

Note: Ideally include your passport number as well in the above residence certificate and it should be on letter head if possible with sign/stamp from the authorized person and attested by notary public (a special kind of lawyer stamp in Katcheri etc), also change the details as per your own scenario. For instance if you have never been abroad, you can write as, “Sohaib has been living in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan since birth…” The only thing they are checking through this letter is that you shouldn’t have lived for 12 months or more in Europe in the last 5 years. Otherwise you are considered program country students (like European nationals) and not partner country students (like Pak/India and all non-Europeans etc. with higher scholarships because we are not from Europe so our cost of attendance would be high) 8. Any other documents you deem as important for your selection like experience certificates, projects, GRE scores may be if they are high, certificates, seminars/conferences/ workshops attended, honors and awards etc. (These are not required but uploaded in uploads section or attached to europass CV to show your credentials). 9.

Of course, filled application form

3RD STEP (AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION) In case you are shortlisted after initial screening of applications (complete/valid information plus merit based selection on the basis of your documents, qualification etc.), you will be informed about your online interview through email (some programs don’t have an interview so don’t worry if there isn’t one for your program). Skype interviews are the last step if you are shortlisted for it and if there is an interview for your program, after that you either get selected with/without scholarship and are informed via mail to confirm your admission by completing their required formalities. DRIVE LINK FOR INTERVIEW GUIDE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tVRM07Lk7j3vtKXIYAPGABz4mAq27_wW/view?fbclid=IwAR2uStAjpdzyD pFdEgKfX7uFxBxsRQQge0qAjusHQv9OcAjD4y3YnCoh3ME The dates of acceptance/rejection too vary according to deadlines. Programs with early deadlines announce results a bit earlier than others. But after selection all the students fly to Europe generally around SEPTEMBER. If you apply in Erasmus call starting in October 2020 and get selected, you will go to your Home Country University in September, 2021.

Key points for increasing your chances of selection Erasmus is highly competitive and therefore highly prestigious scholarship. Some key areas I have identified that impact a lot on your selection chances (Note: It is not a rule that these points work as I am writing or you can’t get selected if you don’t fulfill any of these criteria), it is merely for guidance purpose. 1. CGPA matters in Erasmus scholarships (GRE is not required so CGPA sometimes is the most important factor that can win you the race or compensate for your other below average areas). Low CGPA is not a barrier, however. 2. English Proficiency (95% Master programs are taught in English so no take it easy job here), however very few programs could require proficiency in some European languages too as one or some semesters are offered in local languages so check individual websites before applying to any specific program. 3. Relevance of the field in which you are applying and your past academic and professional background 4. Knowledge of the field in which you are applying (interviews are sometimes technical and lengthy, a kind of test too)

5.

Experience in the same field demonstrated through internships/job experience etc.

6. Your intent and ability to study/work in highly diverse and cross-cultural contexts (demonstrate it in your interview too if you have taken any trips/projects/job etc. with some foreigners) 7. Your Motivation Letter MATTERS A LOT more than you may dedicate time for it, it can make or break the deal irrespective of your CGPA etc. (My sample is attached at the end of document). Google as well how to write effective SOP/Motivation letter. 8.

Letters of Recommendation (My samples are attached at the end of document)

9. Your co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have significance especially when changing a field somewhat and/or when CGPA is not too high. 10. Your passion and intent to study in the field you applied to, demonstrated through motivation letter and interview plus by taking relevant courses/internships etc.)

Erasmus+ FAQs How can I improve my profile and increase my chances for selection? Apart from your educational performance, your complete profile matters. So always make sure to take certificates for co and extracurricular activities. Online relevant courses on coursera etc. help as well. Relevant internships/experience/projects/ research work everything counts. Make sure you do thorough preparation. What if I get rejected for ERASMUS? The biggest reason of rejection is not applying. Apply anyway, take IELTS! Your hard work may meet ERASMUS this time. Can I apply for ERASMUS even if I did not graduate from a top university? Your undergrad university name does not matter for ERASMUS. Students get in from all universities. How do I know which program am I eligible for? Programs' names are not typical in ERASMUS. Check all websites of programs thoroughly and you may find out that you are eligible in some relevant programs. Would ERASMUS help me in my future PhD goals? ERASMUS Master is the most preferred degree for PhD in Europe. Most people can enroll in PhD abroad right after their Erasmus MS. Erasmus+ however, is only for MS level admissions. Which IELTS test should I take? IELTS GENERAL is not acceptable for ERASMUS applications. Only IELTS ACADEMIC or TOEFL. What are the standard documents required for the ERASMUS application? once they start opening from October, you mainly need • Passport • IELTS/TOEFL score that too most of them do not need an official score just a printed score would do. (But some may require official report) • LOM • Normally 2 LORs • Certificate of Residence • Europass format CV • Filled application form with attachments you deem as relevant for the course. All of these can be done maximum in 20 to 30 days while all programs give you at minimum 70 to 80 days to apply after the opening date. Many of the above docs would remain the same or will need little changes if you are applying to more than one program. I am currently enrolled in undergraduate program. How can I proactively stand eligible for ERASMUS? You must know that if you are applying for 2021 to 2023 master, you will need transcript and degree IN HAND maximum by end of July or start of August 2021. There is no fixed date but practically without degree and then further attestations your selection will not get unconditional and hence some programs may allow you to fly to Europe with just transcript but most will not, therefore you must be aware that FROM NOW ON keep your department, HOD, heads of exam etc.. aware that you will need degree maximum by June/July 2021 (I am assuming most will graduate in June). Check all requirements of degree issuance etc. and be proactive. Do not keep on waiting until July and then get into trouble. Take it as motivation because if you get in, you will fly in September hence there would be no time gap between BS and MS.

If you do not have degree by July end it would be a lot of hassle to reach your European universities in time. How much experience is required to apply for ERASMUS application? You do not need full time experience to apply. Many students including myself got in, while being enrolled in undergraduate degrees. Experience is, of course a factor in merit but not an eligibility requirement for most programs at least. Internships do count in that merit factor. People reading for next years should focus on internships and volunteer work etc. too. I had 11 months of internship in my 4 years BS degree. All of them purely in the field in which I got ERASMUS scholarship. Whatever you do make sure it relates to what you want to do in the future. Do not just fill up CV. Plan things well ahead. Be proactive. What mistakes should I avoid in my application? Top 5 negatives in ERASMUS applications: • Never lie in your application. • Don't forget to attach evidences of your internships/jobs and almost all major achievements. • Don't apply to more than 3 programs, you will for sure fail in all. • Don't copy exact lines from any letter on google or copy paste last year’s Letter of Motivation (LOM). • Lack of knowledge about the program, website content and purpose of the program portrayed in your LOM and/or interview What is certificate of residence and why is it required? Where can I get it from? Certificate of Residence is a legal formality and is required by programs to know whether you are from program countries or partner countries (like Pak etc. which don't offer ERASMUS programs). It has nothing to do with your selection merit. However, quota of program countries (normally EU countries, turkey, UK, Egypt etc.) is only 25% in ERASMUS EMJMD scholarships. You can get it from your university, your employer or local union council/municipal authority etc. and ideally on a letter head MUST BE TYPED IN ENGLISH and ideally signed stamped as well if possible. **It should IDEALLY be signed stamped by NOTARY PUBLIC LAWYER as well. You can find such lawyers in local kacheris. Can I skip my picture in CV? I recommend to attach professional picture in Europass CV while sending application. Is there an alternative source of funding for the programs if I do not score the scholarship? There is no such alternative source that can even support your ERASMUS 10-20%. So, a full funding and living allowance is out of question. Even with a FULL TUTION WAIVER you cannot earn from odd jobs to even support 25%of your living. So please look forward. All the best to all applicants with a similar status. What is the ideal time to submit the application? Applying early does not have any benefit in ERASMUS. But do not wait until last day because servers can be heavy, or you may be missing something. Ideally submit at maximum one week before deadline. For early submission it is up to you if you think you have completed it, you may submit early but there is no advantage of submitting early. What is the difference between Consortium Scholarship and ERASMUS Scholarship? Consortium means group of universities offering any single ERASMUS master program. Some programs are under ERASMUS but are funded also by consortium itself to take more students. You can call it universities' own scholarship. Some programs are not in ERASMUS list, but they can also be independently offered with scholarship by their respective consortiums.

Consortium means group of universities that jointly offer any specific master program within ERASMUS list or sometimes separately which previously were covered by ERASMUS. Can I use the option of appeal if my application is rejected? Please be informed that appeal is for operational & procedural errors only. It is not that they will reconsider and reassess your academic excellence and may out of the blue award you ERASMUS funding. If you are rejected, the profile is NEVER reevaluated but only if you think you were too good to get rejected, may be some formal...