Program factsheet

  • Academic cooperation: University of the Basque Country (coordinator institution, Spain), University of Southampton (U.K.), University of Bordeaux (France), Université de Liège (Belgium).
  • Admission requirements: Hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a European or third country university in the field of biosciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, physical sciences or engineering.
  • Program duration: 2 years (120 ECTS).
  • Language requirements: The minimum requirements for non-native speakers are an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL 570/227, or an equivalent approved by the Joint Program Board of the Consortium (JPB).
  • Level: Multiple Master of Science degree in “Marine Environment and Resources” awarded by the three consortium universities where the student has studied.
  • Tuition fees:
    • Annual fees: Third country students: 9,000€/year, European students/assimilated as European: 4,500€/year *according to Erasmus Mundus rules.
    • Scholarships: Erasmus Mundus scholarships, Erasmus mobility grants, Mobility grants funded by the Spanish Government and the Basque Government.
    • Students choosing to study in Bordeaux: Mobility grants available according to excellence criteria funded by the Excellence Initiatives in Bordeaux and Bilbao (i.e. the excellence programs of the Universities of the Basque Country and of Bordeaux: Euskampus, FidEx,  Mobility grants available according to excellence/social criteria funded by the partner institutions and by regional governments (e.g. Conseil Regional Aquitaine for Bordeaux: .

Program outline

The MER master program provides high quality teaching in general oceanography with a specialization in marine environment (ecology, ecotoxicology, biochemistry, geochemistry, sedimentology, paleo-oceanography) and living or non-living marine resources. The MER program benefits from a consortium of four EU universities (Bilbao - Spain, Bordeaux-France, Southampton-UK and Liège-Belgium) and a worldwide network of associated partners.

Program structure

The MER master program is organized according to three teaching semesters (Semester 1-3: coursework) plus a research master thesis (Semester 4) carried out via an internship at any partner research institution worldwide. Mobility is mandatory and three different mobility opportunities are proposed for the coursework:

  • Bordeaux/Bilbao/Southampton.
  • Bordeaux/Bilbao/Liège.
  • Southampton/Bilbao/Liège.

Coursework is organized according to six mandatory and optional modules (total: 90 ECTS).

Module 1 to 6: Content

Module 1  /Fundamental: Ocean Science

Module 2 / Framework: Global Ocean Environment

Module 3 / Scientific Challenges and Opportunities: Marine Environment Protection and Resources Exploitation

Module 4 / Socio-Economic Commitment: Marine Environment and Resources Management

Module 5 / Data Analysis: Interpretation of Environmental Data

Module 6 / Discovery: Research in MER

The MSc thesis research (Module 6) is carried out during Semester 4 (30 ECTS) at any Marine Research Institute worldwide.

Strengths of this Master program?

  • Successful MER students acquire a high degree of personal and scientific maturity, due to the wide range of topics taught in the domains of oceanography and marine resource management.
  • Students learn to prove strong mobility, autonomy and the capacity to adapt to different cultural and administrative conditions in the different countries involved.
  • At least three major European academic systems are experienced, and practice in applications for funding etc. at an international level is largely acquired.
  • Having studied in (at least 3) different countries and followed all the lectures and practical workshops in the English language, MER students have excellent profiles for starting positions in a scientific career in an international context.

After this Master program?

  • Successful completion of this program will prepare students for a leadership role in various marine sectors such as conservation and environmental management, fisheries, nongovernmental organizations and all levels of government positions from local to global. Students benefit from a worldwide network of partner institutions.
  • From the start (2007), the MER program has trained more than 100 students. More than 50% of graduates continue with a PhD. Other graduates integrate public or private organizations in their field of expertise.

How to apply?

Online application:

  • Via

Deadlines:

  • Application for Erasmus Mundus scholarship: mid-January
  • European self-funded students: mid-May

Updated on 09/11/2016

Contact

Prof. Jörg Schäfer
Program Coordinator



Contact

Florina Camarasu
Program Coordinator



For more information

Paris

Lyon

Bailly-Romainvilliers

Bayeux

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Tropez

Nice

Branville

Annecy

Gordes

Bordeaux

La Palud-sur-Verdon

Lourdes

Strasbourg

Champillon

Versailles

Porquerolles

L'Union

Val Thorens

Saint-Raphael (Var)

Montmarault

Marseille