Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence for Image Processing and Computer Vision (IPCV)

Overview

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence for Image Processing and Computer Vision (IPCV) is a two-year master's programme that trains you in the AI, mathematics and engineering behind how machines see and interpret images. You spend your studies across three European universities, moving between France, Spain and Hungary, and graduate with a recognised joint or multiple degree from the consortium.

IPCV is part of the Erasmus Mundus scheme, which is funded by the European Commission to support high-quality international master's programmes. The funding pays for talented students from anywhere in the world to study in Europe, and the selection is competitive and merit-based. The programme is coordinated by the University of Bordeaux, with partners that include Pázmány Péter Catholic University in Budapest and Spanish institutions teaching the image-processing and computer-vision specialisations.

If you have a strong background in computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics and you want to work in fields like medical imaging, autonomous systems, robotics, remote sensing or visual AI, IPCV gives you both the theory and the hands-on project work. The mobility across countries also means you build an international network and adapt to different research cultures, which employers and PhD programmes value.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need a Bachelor's degree or equivalent worth at least 180 ECTS in computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics. The consortium expects an average grade of at least "Good" by your local grading standard. A solid foundation in programming and mathematics matters because the curriculum is technical from the start.

Nationality Requirements

IPCV is open to applicants of all nationalities. There are no citizenship restrictions on who may apply, although your nationality and where you have lived can affect which Erasmus Mundus scholarship category you fall into.

Language Requirements

The programme is taught in English, and you must show English at B2 level on the CEFR scale or higher. Accepted evidence includes IELTS 6.5 or above, TOEFL iBT 90 or above, or an official confirmation that your Bachelor's degree was taught entirely in English. Native English speakers are normally exempt from a test.

Other Requirements

You should be ready to study in three different countries over the two years. Final-year Bachelor students can usually apply before graduating, as long as they will have their degree before the programme starts.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition and participation costs for the two-year programme
• A monthly living allowance of around €1,400 for up to 24 months
• Contribution towards travel and installation costs
• Coverage that supports the mobility between the partner universities
• Access to a structured, fully funded study path without taking on tuition debt

The exact figures are confirmed in the official call each year and follow the current Erasmus Mundus funding rules, so check the IPCV scholarship page for the precise amounts that apply to your intake.

How to Apply

1. Read the current call. Open the IPCV application page and confirm the dates, the scholarship category you fit, and the specific requirements for your intake.
2. Prepare your documents. Gather your transcripts, degree certificate, English certificate, CV and supporting letters well before the deadline so nothing is rushed.
3. Create an account on the application portal. Applications are handled through the University of Bordeaux online system (emundus-ipcv.u-bordeaux.fr).
4. Complete the online form. Fill in your education history, upload each required document, and write your motivation statement.
5. Indicate scholarship interest. Make clear that you want to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship if that applies to your category, and apply within the scholarship round, not just the self-funding round.
6. Submit before the deadline. Send your application before the cut-off time (deadlines are given in Paris time). Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
7. Follow up. Watch your email for interview invitations or requests for clarification, and respond quickly.

Required Documents

• Bachelor's degree certificate, or proof of expected graduation
• Full academic transcripts with your grades
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or an English-medium-instruction letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter or statement of purpose
• One or more letters of recommendation
• A copy of your passport or national ID
• Any grade-conversion or grading-scale explanation if your transcript needs it

Key Dates & Deadlines

IPCV runs an annual cycle for September entry. The scholarship round typically opens in late autumn and closes in early February, while a separate self-funding call runs into spring. For the 2026 intake, the self-funding application window ran from 9 March to 7 April 2026 (noon, Paris time). Results follow over the spring, and the programme begins in September. Always confirm the exact dates for your year on the official application page, because they shift slightly each cycle.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Show clear evidence of mathematics and programming ability, since the curriculum is demanding from the first semester
• Connect your motivation letter to specific IPCV topics like computer vision, medical imaging or deep learning, not generic AI interest
• Highlight any research, projects, internships or open-source work involving images or signal processing
• Ask referees who know your technical work to write detailed, specific letters
• Apply early so you have time to fix portal or document issues

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying in the self-funding round when you actually need the scholarship round
• Submitting an English certificate that has expired or falls below the required level
• Uploading transcripts without a translation or grading-scale explanation when needed
• Writing a vague motivation letter that could apply to any master's programme
• Leaving the submission to the final hours and missing the exact deadline time

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Erasmus Mundus IPCV master?

You need a Bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics with good grades, plus English at B2 level (IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 90+, or an English-taught degree). It is open to applicants of all nationalities.

Is the Erasmus Mundus IPCV master fully funded?

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance of around €1,400, and travel and installation support for up to 24 months. Scholarships are awarded competitively, so not every admitted student receives one.

What is the deadline for the Erasmus Mundus IPCV master?

The scholarship round usually closes in early February for September entry, and a self-funding round runs in spring. For 2026 the self-funding window was 9 March to 7 April. Confirm your year's dates on the official IPCV page.

Which countries will I study in for the IPCV master?

The IPCV programme is delivered across France, Spain and Hungary, with the University of Bordeaux as coordinator. You move between partner universities over the two years.

How long is the Erasmus Mundus IPCV master?

It is a two-year, full-time programme worth 120 ECTS, completed over up to 24 months across the partner institutions.

What English score do I need for the IPCV master?

You need English at CEFR B2 or higher. Accepted proof includes IELTS 6.5 or above, TOEFL iBT 90 or above, or confirmation that your Bachelor's was taught entirely in English.

What documents do I need for the IPCV master application?

You typically need your degree certificate or proof of expected graduation, transcripts, an English certificate, a CV, a motivation letter, recommendation letters and a passport copy.

Can final-year students apply to the IPCV master?

Yes. You can usually apply while finishing your Bachelor's, as long as you will hold the degree before the programme begins in September.

Do I need to apply separately for the IPCV scholarship?

You apply through the same portal but must apply within the scholarship round and indicate that you want to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship. The self-funding round does not award scholarships.

What can I do after the IPCV master?

Graduates work in computer vision, medical and satellite imaging, robotics, autonomous systems and visual AI, in industry or research. The degree is also a strong route into a PhD.