What is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programme?
Erasmus Mundus is a certification of excellence which is delivered by the European community to the best international doctorate programmes in Europe, and it is supported by very attractive scholarships. More general information on the programme can be find here.
What is the tuition language of SINCHEM? Do I need to speak French, German or Italian?
The tuition language of the SINCHEM programme is English. There is no need to speak the above languages to follow the programme, and language course for them are part of the programme.
Can I enroll in the programme part-time?
No. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programmes are full-time programmes.
How do I apply for SINCHEM?
Use the online application form.
Can I apply to more than one Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?
Yes, you can apply to more than one, but no more than three. If you apply to more than three Erasmus Mundus scholarships (EMMC or EMJD) you will be automatically excluded from all of them.
Can I apply if I do not have obtained my Master yet?
Candidates applying to SINCHEM who do not have yet obtained the Masters degree at the time of application deadline, may nevertheless apply to the programme. In this case, if accepted, its acceptance will be conditional.
How do I choose my study track?
During the application process, you will be asked to explicit your preferences for at most four of Joint Doctoral Topics that are published in the SINCHEM catalogue. However, the final assignment to the topics will be done during the selection process, based on your preferences, your marks and the availability at each of the topics.
What are the mobility rules?
The doctoral candidates holding an Erasmus Mundus fellowship must perform their training/research periods in at least two different European countries represented in the consortium.
For Category B fellowship holders, these two countries must be different from the country in which the doctoral candidate has obtained his/her last university degree. The candidate may choose his/her last degree (usually masters) awarding country if this degree was awarded in the context of a joint/double/multiple degree scheme.
Must I stay in Europe during all my Erasmus Mundus fellowship?
The doctoral candidates holding an Erasmus Mundus fellowship must spend most of the doctorate period in the European countries represented in the consortium or among the associated partners. However, if the EMJD consortium includes Third-Country partners and/or associated members, then:
Category A fellowship holders can spend a training/research/ fieldwork period of a maximum duration of one semester (or 6 months, cumulative or consecutive) in these countries; periods in excess of this duration may not be covered by the EMJD fellowship;
Category B fellowship holders can spend up to one year (cumulative or consecutive) of their doctorate activities in these countries; periods in excess of this duration may not be covered by the EMJD fellowship.
Are documents not in English accepted?
No. Every document must be translated in English and the translation must be officially certified.
Which kind of degree will be awarded at the end of SINCHEM programme?
SINCHEM successful PhD students will be awarded a fully recognized multiple degree from their two main institutions, specifying that the PhD degree has been awarded within the SINCHEM Programme. In addition to the multiple degree, the consortium will award to each student a Diploma Supplement containing details about the whole doctoral path.
What is a Diploma Supplement?
This document provides a standardized description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies completed by its holder
FAQ – ADMISSION – ACCEPTANCE OF STUDY
When and how will the doctoral candidate be notified of the fellowship selection results?
The SINCHEM Secretariat will officially inform the doctoral candidates of the fellowship selection results only after being notified by the Agency. This should occur by mid-April. After the interview, the list of successful candidates will be made available on the website. These candidates will receive an individual unofficial mail specifying if they are on the main or on the reserve list.
Do I have to pay enrolment fee? What are the participation costs?
Enrolment fee are included in the participation costs for the Erasmus Mundus fellowship holder. The participation costs will be retained directly to the Consortium. This means that the € 21,600 (€ 600 x 36 months) will not be transferred to the candidate’s bank account but will instead be used to cover the laboratory participation costs, including the enrolment fee, insurance costs, training costs, diploma costs, etc.
If you are a non-scholarship holders the participation costs are 2.000 euro per year.
What is an ECTS and what are ECTS credit points?
The ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a student-centered system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme of study. Its aim is to facilitate the recognition of study periods undertaken by mobile students through the transfer of credits. The ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits are equivalent to the workload of full-time student during one academic year (one credit generally corresponds to 25-30 hours of work).