European Commission (Erasmus Mundus)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Astrophysics and Space Science (MASS)
Edit ScholarshipThe European Commission offers MASS, a government scholarship for Master's students in four countries. It offers full tuition plus ~EUR 1,400/month living allowance, travel, up to 24 months. Annually, scholarship deadline around mid-February.
Overview
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Astrophysics and Space Science, known as MASS, is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree for students who want a research career in astrophysics. It is delivered jointly by a consortium of four universities and taught entirely in English, with a curriculum that runs from cosmology and stellar astrophysics through exoplanets, astrophysical techniques, astrostatistics and big data, and space science. The emphasis is research-oriented, so you combine theory with observational work and data analysis.
The programme is funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus Mundus scheme. Selected students receive an Erasmus Mundus scholarship that covers tuition, provides a monthly living allowance, and contributes towards travel and installation costs across the mandatory mobility. As an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, MASS sends you to study in more than one country and awards a jointly recognised degree from the partner institutions.
It suits physics and astronomy graduates who want a structured path into modern astrophysics, including the data-heavy side of the field. With telescopes and surveys producing enormous datasets, the inclusion of astrostatistics and big data alongside classical astrophysics is one of the things that sets the programme apart.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | European Commission (Erasmus Mundus) |
| Host Countries | Italy, Serbia, Germany, France |
| Degree Levels | Master's (120 ECTS, two years) |
| Value | Full tuition plus around €1,400 per month living allowance, plus travel and installation costs, for up to 24 months |
| Deadline | Annual call; the scholarship deadline falls around mid-February for the following September intake (for example, 14 February for a September start) |
| Eligible Nationalities | Open to international students of all nationalities |
| Official Website | master-mass.eu |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
You need a Bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy or a closely related field. A solid grounding in physics and mathematics is what the programme builds on, since the curriculum moves quickly into cosmology, stellar astrophysics and data-intensive techniques. Final-year bachelor students can usually apply before they graduate, provided the degree is completed before enrolment.
Nationality Requirements
MASS is open to international students of all nationalities. The Erasmus Mundus scholarship can support both European and non-European applicants, and the mobility design means everyone studies in more than one partner country.
Language Requirements
The programme is taught in English, so you must show English proficiency. The official call lists the accepted certificates and minimum scores, typically an IELTS or TOEFL result, or proof that your previous degree was taught in English. Check the current requirements before you apply.
Other Requirements
Selection is based on academic merit, the relevance of your background to astrophysics, and your motivation. A clear research interest, whether in cosmology, exoplanets or astrostatistics, helps the consortium see where you fit.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full coverage of participation and tuition costs at the partner universities.
- A monthly individual allowance of around €1,400 for living expenses.
- A contribution towards travel and installation costs linked to the required mobility between countries.
- Support for up to 24 months, matching the 120 ECTS two-year structure.
- Access to the consortium's research environment, including observational and data analysis training.
How to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility. Check that your physics or astronomy degree and your maths background meet the entry expectations, and review the English requirement.
- Explore the curriculum and mobility. Look at the four partner universities and the way the two years move between them, so you understand where you would study and which research areas are offered.
- Prepare your documents. Get your transcripts, diploma, CV, motivation letter and English certificate ready in English, with certified translations where needed.
- Apply through the official portal. Complete the online application on the MASS website during the open call.
- Request the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. Make sure you complete the scholarship section so you are considered for funding, and submit before the scholarship deadline.
- Meet the mid-February deadline. Send a complete application by the scholarship cut-off, which falls around mid-February for the following September start.
- Accept and enrol. If you are offered a place and a scholarship, follow the acceptance steps, arrange your visa and travel, and enrol at your first-year university.
Required Documents
- Official transcripts and diploma (with certified English translations if needed).
- CV or resume.
- Motivation letter outlining your research interests in astrophysics.
- Proof of English proficiency.
- Copy of your passport or national ID.
- Reference letters, if the current call requests them.
Key Dates & Deadlines
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Announced each year on the MASS website, generally late in the preceding year |
| Scholarship deadline | Around mid-February (for example, 14 February for a September start) |
| Course starts | September of the same year |
Dates shift slightly from year to year, so confirm the current cycle on the official site and apply early to leave room for visa processing.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Show strong physics and maths foundations, since the curriculum is demanding from the start.
- Name the research areas that interest you, such as cosmology, exoplanets or astrostatistics, in your motivation letter.
- Mention any computing, statistics or data analysis experience, which fits the big-data side of the programme.
- Submit a complete application well before the mid-February deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the scholarship deadline because documents were not ready in time.
- Submitting transcripts without certified translations.
- Writing a generic motivation letter with no specific research focus.
- Overlooking the English proof requirement or using an out-of-date certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MASS Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
It is the Erasmus Mundus funding attached to the MASS joint master in astrophysics and space science. It covers tuition, gives a monthly allowance of around €1,400, and contributes to travel and installation costs for up to 24 months.
Who is eligible for the MASS master?
Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy or a closely related field, with a solid physics and maths background and English proficiency. Final-year students can usually apply before graduating.
Which universities and countries deliver MASS?
MASS is delivered jointly by four partner universities across Italy, Serbia, Germany and France, including Rome Tor Vergata, Belgrade, Bremen and Côte d'Azur. You study in more than one of these countries.
How much is the MASS living allowance?
The Erasmus Mundus individual allowance is around €1,400 per month for scholarship holders, on top of covered tuition and a travel and installation contribution.
When is the MASS scholarship deadline?
The scholarship deadline falls around mid-February for the following September intake. For example, a recent cycle used 14 February. Check the official site for the current year's exact date.
Is MASS open to international students?
Yes. The programme is open to international students of all nationalities, and the scholarship can support non-European as well as European applicants.
How long is the MASS programme?
It is a two-year, 120 ECTS master, and the scholarship supports you for up to 24 months.
What does MASS teach?
The curriculum covers gravitation and cosmology, stellar astrophysics, exoplanets, astrophysical techniques, astrostatistics and big data, and space science, with a research-oriented approach.
What English level do I need for MASS?
The programme is taught in English, and the call lists the accepted certificates and scores, usually an IELTS or TOEFL result, or proof of prior English-medium study. Confirm the requirement for your cycle.
What documents do I need for MASS?
Transcripts and diploma, a CV, a motivation letter, proof of English and a copy of your passport, plus any reference letters the call requests. Translate documents where needed.
Does MASS involve studying in more than one country?
Yes. Mobility across partner countries is mandatory for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, so you spend parts of the two years at different partner universities.
What can I do after the MASS master?
Graduates are prepared for doctoral research in astrophysics and for data-intensive roles in research institutes and industry that draw on big-data and analysis skills.