MSc AstroMundus – Erasmus+:Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree in Astrophysics

To be eligible to apply students must:

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Mathematics (or a recognised Degree that certifies an equivalent amount of learning in the same field, quantified as 3 years of previous studies corresponding to at least 180 credits in the European Credit Transfer System) or expect to obtain it latest by August of the starting year of the Masters Course;
2. Supply one of the following proofs of English proficiency:

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, minimum "Grade B"
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English;
• "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS), minimum "Band 6";
• Paper-based "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) with minimum score 550 points;
• Computer-based TOEFL with minimum score 220 points;
• Internet-based TOEFL with minimum score 83 points;
• UNIcert level "III";
• C1 according to the Common European Framework (CEF);
• Test of English as a Foreign Language – Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL – itp), minimum score 550 points.

Native English speakers are exempted from providing such a proof.

Further details on eligibility are provided here.

4500€/year for EU students; 9000€/year for non-EU students

Scholarships are funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Eunion (Erasmus+: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree or EMJMD scholarships) and by the AstroMundus Consortium.
EMJMD and equivalent AstroMundus Consortium scholarships are awarded to the highest ranked non-EU students for participation in the programme.
These scholarships fully cover the participation fees (including tuition fees and international full insurance package) and additionally provide students with a monthly allowance of 1,000 € (for 24 months) and a contribution to travel expenses and other costs, up to a maximum of 7,000 euros (depending on the student’s country of origin).

AstroMundus Consortium scholarships are awarded to the highest ranked EU students.
These scholarships fully cover the course participation fees (including tuition fees and international full insurance package) and provide students with a monthly allowance of 500 € (for 24 months) and a contribution for travel expenses of 500 €. An additional contribution in terms of free lodging and meals may be offered for one or two semesters spent at the University of Belgrade.

Additional partial scholarships in varying amount (e.g. in the form of fee waivers) may be available from the AstroMundus Consortium for high-ranked non-EU students and an effort is ongoing to crowd-fund additional scholarships specifically for top-ranked students from world regions where advanced study programmes in Astrophysics are missing or in an early development stage.

Further details are available on the AstroMundus website.

Disclaimer: This project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and was previously funded through the Erasmus Mundus Programme 2009-2013. This announcement reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Innsbruck (Austria): 1st semester
Padua or Rome: 2nd semester
Belgrade, Göttingen or Rome: 3rd semester
Any of the 5 Universities at choice: 4th semester

The course is organised as follows:

• First semester: University of Innsbruck. The main focus of the semester is on basic learning in Astronomy and Astrophysics, including related concepts of Physics and Mathematics.
• Second semester: University of Padua or University of Rome at choice. Students attend advanced courses in Astrophysics and start specialising in specific branches.
• Third semester: Universities of Belgrade, or Göttingen, or Rome at choice. Students further specialise in specific branches of Astrophysics.
• Fourth semester: Any of the 5 Universities at choice. The fourth and last semester is dedicated to the Master thesis project. Joint thesis supervision by members of two of the partner institutions are possible and encouraged. Students are given the possibility to attend additional advanced courses and/or seminars especially in relation to their thesis work.

Upon successfull completion, students are awarded a Joint MSc Degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics by all AstroMundus Universities where they accomplished the various parts of their Master studies. In addition they will receive a Diploma Supplement. A prize is awarded to the best Master thesis of each course edition.

Further details on the programme structure are provided here.