The Erasmus Mundus SERP+ Joint Master offers about 20 scholarships per year worth €1,400 per month for 24 months plus a fee waiver, for a two-year programme in chemistry, physical-chemistry and materials science. Applications for the class of 2027-2029 run from 2 November 2026 to 12 February 2027 at 23:59 CET. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the programme, procedure and scholarship pages and set out every detail below.
What the SERP+ Master Teaches
SERP+ stands for "Surface, Electro-, Radiation, and Photo-Chemistry". It is a two-year interdisciplinary programme in chemistry, physical-chemistry and materials science, top management and entrepreneurship. The curriculum is supplemented by an intensive winter school in Data Science and a summer school in business and science management.
The programme also runs activities such as a Sustainable Chemistry Day, an event on sustainability challenges in both science and society, and its winter school shows students how data science is transforming chemistry and materials science.
A Master With a Long Erasmus Mundus Record
The master was created in 2008 and obtained the Erasmus Mundus label in 2010, 2016, 2019 and 2024. Since then, almost 300 students from more than 50 different countries have joined. The 2026-2028 cohort welcomed 22 new students from 17 countries.
The Consortium Universities
SERP is based on a long-time partnership between four European universities, and a new partner joins the consortium from 2025 onwards:
🇫🇷 Paris-Saclay University, France (UPSaclay)
🇮🇹 University of Genoa, Italy (UniGe)
🇵🇱 Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland (AMU)
🇵🇹 University of Porto, Portugal (U.Porto)
🇨🇦 McGill University, Canada
Why Study in the SERP+ Master
🏫 Study in top-ranked universities
🔬 Deepen your practical skills through a research-based education
📜 Obtain two or three diplomas in two years
💼 Gain competences in science management and business & AI
🧩 Make the most of a multidisciplinary programme
🌐 Benefit from a large international network
Specializations and Career Areas
The master aims to train students from all around the world to become researchers, engineers and managers in areas of great relevance:
☀️ Renewable Energies: physical and chemical principles of photosynthesis
🌱 Green Chemistry: based on photon-induced reactions
🩺 Nanomedicine: nanoparticles for selective cell destruction
🧱 Innovative Materials: surface modifications, specialized coatings and thin films
⚛️ Nanosciences: synthesis of coated nanoparticles by radiation
📡 Applications of radiations: cancer therapy, medical imaging, cosmetics, depolluting agents
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship in Detail
The SERP master recruits students from around the world and admission is very competitive. About 20 Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available per year, and this complete guide to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters explains how the wider scheme works.
📆 €1,400 per month for 24 months
🏆 Full scholarship total: €33,600
🎟️ Fee waiver included
🧳 Covers travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs
🧮 Calculated on the basis of a monthly unit cost (pro-rata of the actual number of days)
🗓️ First payment made at the end of the first month of studies (September)
Two conditions apply. Students have to study in at least two countries, different from their country of residence, and those who have already benefitted from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship.
Extra Support for Individual Special Needs
An additional contribution for individual special needs can be available for enrolled students, with or without a scholarship, who have disabilities such as long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. It can relate to the acquisition of special items or services, for example assistance by third persons, adaptation of the work environment or additional travel and transportation costs.
The support takes the form of special needs unit costs from €3,000 to €60,000. Enrolled students declare what type of items or services are needed and their cost. This unit cost is a contribution and is not intended to fully cover the actual costs.
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Paris-Saclay Scholarships
A separate full scholarship worth €20,000, without a fee waiver, is offered through Paris-Saclay.
💶 First year: €1,000 per month in semester 1 and €500 per month in semester 2, for a total of €7,500
📈 Second year: €10,000
🛠️ The 6-month internship during semester 4 is paid approximately €650 per month minimum
✈️ A maximum of €1,000 for travel and visa, by reimbursement
🚫 No fee waiving
Eligibility criteria for this scholarship:
🛬 Newly arrived international students, aged 30 and less
⏳ Students should not have stopped their studies for more than 3 years
📍 Studies must take place at the University of Paris-Saclay for semesters 1 and 3, and the internship must take place in the Paris-Saclay area
SERP Partial Scholarships
About 10 partial scholarships are available per year. They take the form of a fee waiver and can be combined with the Paris-Saclay scholarship or other scholarships.
Other Funding Routes for Self-Financed Students
Applicants admitted on a self-financed basis are encouraged to search for external funding as early as possible. Depending on your country of origin, you could apply for funding to follow the SERP Master courses. The programme lists the following options by region and country:
🏢 Campus France: conditions can be very different from one country to another, so check with the Campus France office in your country
🇮🇳 India: Charpak Master's scholarship
🏦 Government scholarship programmes or National Councils for Science and Technology, especially in Latin America and Asia
🇨🇳 China: Chinese Scholarship Council
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Bolashak
🇦🇷 Argentina: BECAR
🇨🇱 Chile: CONICYT
🇲🇽 Mexico: CONACYT
🇨🇴 Colombia: ICETEX
🤝 International associations in the field of education
Application Calendar
🚀 Applications open: 2 November 2026
🏁 Applications close: 12 February 2027 at 23:59 CET
📣 Communication of the results: indicatively mid-April
How to Apply
Applications must be sent through the online application platform. Click on "Register" to start the application. Documents cannot be sent by post or email, and incomplete applications will be rejected.
Language Rules for Your Documents
All documents must be in English. Only certified translations will be accepted, and every document translated into English must come with a copy of the original document. Original transcripts of records and degree certificates in French, Polish, Italian and Portuguese can be accepted.
What Your CV Must Include
The CV has a maximum length of 2 pages and should cover the following:
📅 The precise dates of your studies and experiences (months + year)
🎓 Education: for each diploma, the precise specialization, your GPA, ranking or distinctions, and a list of the main courses you studied
🏗️ Professional experience: for internships or professional experiences, the place of internship, the title and name of your supervisor and the subject
🗣️ Your participation in projects, contests or conferences
🥇 Your prizes, scholarships or any other distinctions
📰 Articles or other scientific productions at national or international level
💻 Your language and computer skills and certifications
🎭 Your personality traits, illustrated through relevant extracurricular activities you might be involved in
What Your Cover Letter Must Explain
The cover letter also has a maximum length of 2 pages. For general advice on the format, see this guide on how to write a scholarship motivation letter. SERP+ asks you to address three points:
❓ Your motivation to join the master: emphasize why you chose this specific master and why it fits with your academic background. If you already hold a master's degree, justify why you want or need to validate a second master. If you stopped your studies, justify why you want or need to be back to studies.
🧭 Your career objectives: explain your professional goals in both the short and long term, and specify your wish to apply for a PhD or to enter the job market and in which fields.
🗺️ Your mobility in the programme: your mobility choices during semesters 2 and 3 must be justified according to your academic background and your career objectives.
Grades, Diplomas and Identity Documents
📊 Grades and grading system explanation: upload your grades since the first year of your Bachelor studies, including an explanation of the grading system used at your university
🖋️ Only official, signed and stamped transcripts of records will be taken into consideration, and any other non-official documents will be disregarded
📚 If you already hold a master's degree, upload both your bachelor's and your master's grades
🏅 Bachelor's or Master's degree diploma or certificate, if you already obtained it
🛂 Passport, or identity card for students from the European Union
🏠 Proof of your place of residence: a certificate from your place of study (for example an enrolment certificate), work (for example a contract), a residence certificate in accordance with your municipality registration, a bill, or a similar document proving where you live at the time of the application
English Proficiency Requirements
An applicant from an institution where the language of instruction is English is not required to provide official test results, but must upload a document certifying it, such as a transcript of records or a letter from the institution. In all other cases, the applicant must provide one of the following tests:
📝 TOEFL Paper Based Test: 550 or higher
🖥️ TOEFL Computer Based Test: 213 or higher
🌐 TOEFL Internet Based Test: 82 or higher
🎧 IELTS: 6.0 points or higher
🇬🇧 Cambridge Certificates: Cambridge English First (FCE), Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)
Referees and Recommendation Letters
A recommendation letter on letterhead paper and hand signed is optional, while the contact details of a referee are required.
🧑 Referees should be qualified to assess your scientific knowledge, such as a professor or an internship supervisor
1️⃣ The first referee is mandatory and the second is optional
📧 When you enter the emails in the application form, your referees automatically receive an email
🔔 Remind them to check their spam box, as it is your responsibility to ensure they respond on time
🔒 You will not be able to submit your application until the letter has been received
🏛️ Referees must use a valid institutional email address, and letters sent from Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail will not be accepted
Student Support Resources on the Programme Website
The programme website provides a student guide and visa application information, along with the appeal procedure, the SERP+ poster and flyer and a student agreement template. The former SERP website is no longer available, so use only the current website given at the end of this page.
Find more scholarship opportunities on Youth Works Hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the SERP+ master?
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is €1,400 per month for 24 months, for a total of €33,600, plus a fee waiver. It covers travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs. The first payment is made at the end of the first month of studies in September.
When can I apply to the SERP+ master for the class of 2027-2029?
The application campaign is open from 2 November 2026 to 12 February 2027 at 23:59 CET. Results are indicatively communicated in mid-April. Applications must be submitted through the online platform.
Which universities take part in the SERP+ master?
The consortium consists of Paris-Saclay University in France, the University of Genoa in Italy, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland and the University of Porto in Portugal. McGill University in Canada joins the consortium from 2025 onwards.
Can I get the scholarship if I already had an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
No, those who have already benefitted from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional one. Other routes, such as the Paris-Saclay scholarships, SERP partial scholarships or external funding, have their own conditions.
What English level do I need for the SERP+ master?
You need TOEFL at 550 or higher on paper, 213 or higher on computer or 82 or higher online, IELTS at 6.0 or higher, or a Cambridge FCE, CAE or CPE certificate. Applicants from an institution where the language of instruction is English do not need a test but must upload a document certifying it.
Do I need a recommendation letter to apply?
The recommendation letter on letterhead paper is optional, but the first referee is mandatory and the second is optional. Your referee receives an automatic email and must use a valid institutional address. You cannot submit your application until the letter has been received.
Can the SERP partial scholarship be combined with other funding?
Yes, the SERP partial scholarship takes the form of a fee waiver and can be combined with the Paris-Saclay scholarship or other scholarships. About 10 partial scholarships are available per year.
Deadline
⏳ 12 February 2027
Links
Application registration: https://master-serp.com/registration
Programme website: https://master-serp.com/
Application procedure: https://master-serp.com/apply/application-procedure
Scholarships: https://master-serp.com/apply/scholarships
