The Scholarship

European Master of Science in Nematology by Erasmus Mundus Programme

General information

NEMATODES
Nematodes are everywhere. They are among the most harmful organisms of crops, especially in the tropics but, on the other hand, they can be used as natural antagonists in bio-control programmes against pest insects. Because of their ubiquitous presence, overwhelming densities and diversity (sometimes compared to insects) free-living nematodes are an ideal tool for biodiversity studies. They are used as bio-indicators of pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

EUMAINE
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. Ghent University is the coordinating university.

The consortium partners are:

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

The satellite partners are:

• Christian-Albrechts Universität, Kiel, Germany
• K.U. Leuven, Belgium
• Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, UK
• Universiteit Wageningen, The Netherlands

AIM
The aim of the course is to train students to become highly qualified nematologists with multidisciplinary knowledge in the diverse fields of Nematology through mobility to different Universities within Europe and with a well-integrated language and cultural experience.
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.

Application
Admission requirements
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. There are 5 possibilities to supply this proof:

Proof that your mother tongue is English.
TOEFL certificate (the UGent TOEFL code is 2643). For specific details about the minimum total score required:
a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test (PBT), or
a minimum total score of 79 on an internet based test (IBT).
IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 5.5.
Proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent.
Proof of a successful `Intermediate Academic English` test at the Ghent University Language Centre (UCT).

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.

Application procedure
Application deadline for academic year 2010-2011
EU students: 1st of January 2010

Non-EU students: 1st of January 2010
When you do not apply for an Erasmus Mundus grant: 1st of May 2010

Procedure
There is only an online application. Neither the form, nor any supporting documents (except for recommendation letters, see below), should be send by post mail.

What to do?
First you need to register.

Non-EU applicants register here www.econsort.ugent.be/regis.asp?frm=26

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

1. Picture.
2. A scan of your diplomas. If the diploma is not in English, Dutch, German, Spanish or Portuguese, a certified translation in English needs to be provided.
3. A scan of diploma supplements or transcripts stating courses followed, and scores obtained per course. If the diploma supplement/transcript is not in English, Dutch, German, Spanish or Portuguese, a certified translation in English needs to be provided.
4. Copies of language tests scores and language certificates.

Note: In the application form you will see dots. Once the questions with a dot are filled in, a submission button will appear. However, this does not necessarily mean that your file is complete! Therefore please check your file carefully before submitting!
Recommendation letters
To complete your application, it is necessary to send 2 recommendation letters to the EUMAINE office by post mail (see contact details below). These should be original, signed and to be send in a sealed envelope. They need to reach the EUMAINE office no later than 1 week after the deadline!

Contact
All correspondence with the EUMAINE office is restricted to e-mail, no information will be given by phone.

postal address:
Ghent University – EUMAINE
c/o N. Smol
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
B-9000 Gent
Belgium

Extra information:
Only after the official admission to EUMAINE, the candidate will be asked by the EUMAINE office to send the following documents by post mail:

1. Copies of diplomas, legalized by the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country.
2. Copies of diploma supplements or transcripts, legalized by the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country.
3. Copies of language tests scores and language certificates, legalized by the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country.
4. A copy of an official document indicating your official address.

Website link:
www.eumaine.ugent.be/index.asp