FAQ
Structure of the course
1. How many students can participate?
2. What will the final qualification be?
3. Do you intend to run this Master course every year?
Entry Requirements & Application Procedure
4. What are the qualifications requirements?
5. When is the application deadline?
6. Can a non-European citizen apply to the course?
7. How to apply?
8. Is there an application fee?
9. Do I need to apply to both the university and EUREC?
10. Are there any restrictions to be part of the course?
11. Are there any necessary documents to present?
12. Which information should the referees provide?
13. Can I send you my application without my results before June and later, I will send you my results in these courses?
14. When do the Universities decide on the admission of students to the course and on the chosen core and specialisation sections of the course?
15. May I still change my choice of specialisation once the course has started?
Cost of the Course & Sources of Funding
16. What are the entry fees?
17. What do these fees cover?
18. How to find a sponsor?
19. Can I apply if I have not secured my funding?
20. How much will be the living expenses (food, accommodation, travel,...)?
Master's Project
21. What scope is there for students to organise their own project?
22. I am currently employed and may be able to organise a project with my employer. Would this give me an advantage/disadvantage in the application process?
23. What do project providers get paid/have to pay to the EUREC Agency?
24. Do I get paid during the project?
25. Who assesses the Project?
Recognition
Q. 1
How many students can participate?
A
Each university has its maximum number of students it can admit. At no university, there will be groups of RE Master students larger than 20. In most cases, the groups are between 8 and 15 students. For the academic year 2012-2013, the maximum number of students that can participate is 75.
Q. 2
What will the final qualification be?
A
The student will be registered at the core provider where (s)he will follow the core section, which means that the degree will be delivered by this core provider. The name of the qualification awarded is 'European Master in Renewable Energy" in the language of the core provider.
Q.3
Do you intend to run this Master course every year?
A
Yes, the REMaster is a continuous programme.
Entry Requirements & Application Procedure
Q. 4
What are the qualifications requirements? Back to Top
A
The minimum level of admission is four years of higher education in an Engineering, Maths or Physics degree of a high standard OR equivalent appropriate work experience.
Additionally, the students must prove their ability to follow a postgraduate course in English alone or English plus French or Spanish according to the student's choice of institutes. Non-native English speaking students who did not follow a university degree conducted in English must sit for the TOEFL or the IELTS exam and obtain the following grades:
For Oldenburg:
- TOEFL: minimum score of 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test) or 80 (internet-based test)
- IELTS: minimum 6 (Academic version)
- Cambridge Advanced Exam in English: B minimum
- Cambridge Proficiency Exam in English: C minimum
- TOEFL:
minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), or 100 (internet-based test, with not
less than 20 in Reading, Listening, Speaking or Writing)
- IELTS: 6.5
minimum with not less than 6.0 in Reading, Listening, Speaking or Writing
- Cambridge Advanced Exam in English: B minimum
- Cambridge Proficiency Exam in English: C minimum.
Please see the Loughborough University website for more details on the English requirements according to your country of origin: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/englang/pgt/index.htm#country
The students candidates are accepted on a first-come first-served basis; therefore it is recommended to apply as soon as possible, well before the deadline (ideally six to twelve months in advance). Applying before January is not necessary, before January, applications are not screened.
Q. 5
When is the application deadline? Back to Top
A
The application deadline for the 2012-2013 session is 13 July 2012 (date of receipt of the application materials).
Q. 6
Can a non-European citizen apply to the course? Back to Top
A
Yes. The course is open to European and non-European students.
Q. 7
How to apply? Back to Top
A
Please refer to the section of the web site 'how to apply'.
Q. 8
Is there an application fee? Back to Top
A
No, there is no application fee. However, once students register for the course, the first installment of tuition fees is validating their enrolment. Should students refrain from taking up their place once they have formally enrolled, this first installment will not be refunded.
Q. 9
Do I need to apply to both the university and EUREC? Back to Top
A
No, you only need to apply to EUREC agency
Q. 10
Are there any restrictions to be part of the course? Back to Top
A
None outside those listed above. There is no age limit.
Q.11
Are there any necessary documents to present? Back to Top
A
Yes. In addition to the application form, applicants must upload two letters of references and send the hardcopies to EUREC Agency (or give their referee EUREC's address in order to send it in). Additionally applicants must upload a copy of your academic (diploma and transcripts) and language qualifications, a CV (resume) and any additional information in support of your application (information on your work experience is particularly welcome). If you are an employee and envisage to re-orientate your career into renewable energy, a covering letter outlining your motivations to participate in the course would be very useful. Please note that your qualifications must be explained clearly, especially if you study in a non-EU country.
Q.12
Which information should the referees provide? Back to Top
A
The referees should provide a letter of reference in English, Spanish or French on the candidate's academic suitability to study for the European Masters in Renewable Energy. This should include, if possible, details of the results he/she has obtained in degree examinations. If the applicant has not graduated the referee should give a predication of the likely degree outcome. Additionally, the referee should indicate whether the applicant language skills are adequate for postgraduate study (either in English alone or English plus French or Spanish according to the student's choice of Institutes).
Finally, the referees should include their name, status/title, telephone/fax/email number and the name and address of their institution/company. Reference letters must be submitted on the official headed paper of the institution/company and contain their signature. The application is not valid without two letters of reference.
Q.13
Can I send you my application without my results before July and later, I will send you my results in these courses? Back to Top
A
Yes, as long as you provide us with evidence of your qualifications before the start of the course.
Q.14
When does the Academic Committee decide on the admission of students to the course and on the chosen core and specialisation sections of the course? Back to Top
A
From April to end of July, the concerned universities regularly assess the received applications. Selected applicants can expect to receive the offer letter from EUREC between May and end of July. All applicants can expect to receive a definite answer by the beginning of September, before the official start of the courses.
Q.15
May I still change my choice of specialisation once the course has started? Back to Top
A
Yes, students will be allowed to change the specialisation by 31th October. This gives the possibility for the student who has not a clear idea to ask the core provider to help better finalize his or her choice. However, changing the specialisation is subject to availability of places at the respective specialisation.
If a minimum number is not reached per specialisation, the university can decide not to run a certain specialisation. Given that some students decide to change their specialisation, there is a possibility that a certain specialisation is cancelled, until beginning of November. However, EUREC Agency tries to inform those students who can be affected by such a decision as soon as possible.
Cost of the Course & Sources of Funding
Q.16
What are the entry fees? Back to Top
A
(i) For Academic Year 2012-2013, the course fees is 7,300€ for EU students, and 11,500€ for Non-EU students.
Please note that non-EU students will have to pay an extra fee of 1.500 euros directly to Loughborough University upon arrival.
(ii) The fees are payable in three instalments. The first instalment validates the registration and has to be paid by reception of the offer letter, the other instalments should be paid by September 30th and January 31st (of the following year) respectively, i.e. at the beginning of the core and specialisation part of the programme.
Q.17
What do these fees cover? Back to Top
A
They cover the participation cost of the student to the course. They do not cover living expenses, travel expenses and accommodation.
Q.18
How to find a sponsor? Back to Top
A
Each student is responsible for finding their own funding for studying in the EUREC Master Programme. EUREC Agency does not supply financial aid and cannot provide tuition reductions. Some students have previously applied for scholarships and whenever needed, EUREC Agency is able to provide Proof of Acceptance and similar documents.
These are some scholarships and fellowship programmes that have been obtained by previous students of the EUREC Master Programme.
- Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (formerly e8): gives support to outstanding students that are pursuing advanced studies in sustainable energy development. Applicants must be citizens of low income countries. More information can be found here .
- NSERC: Canadian citizens may be eligible for a scholarship from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. More information can be found here .
- CBIE: Canadian citizens may be eligible for scholarships through the Canadian Bureau for International Education. More information can be found here .
- Ford Foundation Fellowship Program: Students are eligible by being residents or resident nationals of International Fellowships Programme countries or territories; 22 countries across the world, mostly low income countries. The Fellows must hold the intention to serve their communities in the areas of development. More information can be found here.
- FONGECIF: Scholarships through FONGECIF are available for citizens and residents of France, and is divided into application regions: Nord/Pas-de-Calais , Ile-de-France , and Bretagne are some examples.
- Becas Quercus: The beneficiaries of this scholarship are young graduate from the University of Extremadura and graduates from other public or private Spanish universities residing in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Each placement will last an average of six months and will be carried out on the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2009. More information can be found here .
-
Becas para Estudios de Posgrado: The applicants must be Mexican professionals who are applying for Graduate courses in technologic, scientific, social or humanist areas in high-profile institutions based outside Mexico. More information can be found here.
Q.19
Can I apply if I have not yet secured my funding? Back to Top
A
Yes. But you must clearly indicate if you have not yet secured funding.
How much will be the living expenses (food, accommodation, travel,...)?Back to Top
A
The living expenses would account for approximately 15 000 € for the whole duration of the course. Part-time student jobs may be available at the participating universities but you should seek that upon your arrival at the university. Student accommodation is typically around 400€/month.
Q.21
What scope is there for students to organise their own project?Back to Top
A
Students can propose their own project. The project proposal must fulfill the general project requirements (see section "projects" under "course specifications"). The project proposal must also be approved by the course directors, which may ask for further details.
Q.22
I am currently employed and may be able to organise a project with my employer. Would this give me an advantage/disadvantage in the application process? Back to Top
A
No, it is not a criteria for the selection of a candidate, but it is good for students to know where to do their projects.
Q.23
What do project providers get paid/have to pay to the EUREC Agency? Back to Top
A
Project providers, being research centres, local authorities or companies do not have to pay anything to EUREC Agency, nor do they receive funding from EUREC.
Q.24
Do I get paid during the project?Back to Top
A
Although the project provider is expected to provide a living allowance to the student, it is left to the discretion of the project provider. The student should discuss this matter directly with the project provider. EUREC advises project hosts to pay an allowance to students.
Q.25
Who will assess the Project?Back to Top
A
The project thesisis assessed by the core provider.
The Thesis presentation is assessed by a Jury composed of three professors: one representative from the core university, one representative from the specialisation university, and a third professor chosen amongst the EUREC universities.
Q.26
Are the certificates issued by the universities, partners in the EUREC Master, recognized in other European countries as well as worldwide?
The main principle behind the recognition of qualifications within the European Union is that if an individual has completed a major part of his or her qualification in one EU country it will be recognised in all EU countries. This principle of recognition also applies to EEA countries, (Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) and Switzerland.
The degree obtained by graduates of the European Master in Renewable Energy at the end of the course is awarded by the respective core university. Degrees awarded by Loughborough University, Ecole des Mines de Paris, Universidad de Zaragoza and Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg are therefore fully recognised as postgraduate university degrees both in the respective countries (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany) and in the other 23 Members States of the European Union.
Non European students who successfully complete the European Master in Renewable Energy obtain a degree which is supposed to be recognised by the relevant authorities also in their countries of origin. However, the recognition of an educational qualification depends on the competent authorities at national and regional level outside the EU.
In addition to their diploma from their respective core university, students receive a Certificate of Equivalence from EUREC Agency. This document formally states that the different degrees given by the four core universities are equivalent in value and contents.
Moreover, students who necessitate an integrative official statement certifying the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were successfully completed (therefore similar to the "European Diploma Supplement”) can obtain such declaration upon simple written request to EUREC Agency or to the core university where they first studied
