Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in High Performance Computing (EUMaster4HPC)

Overview

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in High Performance Computing, known as EUMaster4HPC, is a two-year master's programme that trains you to design, build and run the kind of large-scale computing that powers weather forecasting, drug discovery, climate modelling, aerospace simulation and modern AI. It was set up as the first pan-European master built specifically around HPC, and it brings together a consortium of leading universities and supercomputing centres so that you learn both the theory and the practical engineering side of the field.

The programme is funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus Mundus scheme. That funding is what makes the flagship scholarships possible: selected students get their tuition covered, a monthly living allowance, and a contribution towards travel and settling-in costs. Because it is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, mobility is built into the design. You study in at least two different European countries and graduate with a joint or multiple degree recognised across the partner institutions.

It is aimed at STEM graduates who want to go deep on parallel computing, numerical methods and high-end systems engineering. What makes it notable is the combination of a strong academic core with an applied "mastership" project carried out with industry or a research centre, so you finish with real experience on real machines rather than only coursework.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	European Commission (Erasmus Mundus)
Host Countries	Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria
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 for the following September intake; the programme-level application window for the latest cycle ran until 15 July 2026, with individual universities setting earlier dates
Eligible Nationalities	Open to applicants of all nationalities
Official Website	eumaster4hpc.eu/application

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need a Bachelor's degree in a STEM subject, computer science or a closely related field. The selection also looks at two specific foundations. First, programming and computer science: you should have completed at least two university-level courses covering topics like data structures, algorithms and programming. Second, mathematics: you are expected to show a solid grasp of areas such as algebra, probability, statistics, optimisation and scientific computing, and the application asks you to list several relevant courses you have taken. Final-year bachelor students can usually apply before they graduate, as long as the degree is finished before enrolment.

Nationality Requirements

The programme is open to students of all nationalities. There is one mobility rule worth knowing early: if your bachelor's degree comes from a country that hosts one of the awarding universities, you normally cannot start your first year at that same university. This keeps the scheme genuinely international.

Language Requirements

Teaching is in English, so you must prove English at CEFR B2 level. Accepted evidence includes an IELTS result around 5.0 or a TOEFL iBT around 85, taken within the last two years, or an official confirmation that your bachelor's degree was taught in English. Check the current call for the exact accepted tests and minimum scores, since these can be updated each year.

Other Requirements

Beyond the formal thresholds, the consortium weighs your overall academic record, the relevance of your background to HPC, and the strength of your motivation. Coding ability and comfort with quantitative work carry real weight in the ranking.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full coverage of participation and tuition costs at the partner universities for the duration of the programme.
• A monthly individual allowance of around €1,400 to help with living expenses while you study.
• A contribution towards travel and installation costs linked to the mandatory mobility between countries.
• Support for up to 24 months, matching the length of the 120 ECTS two-year master.
• Access to partner supercomputing facilities and an applied mastership project with industry or a research centre.

How to Apply

1. Check eligibility and pick your path. Confirm your degree, programming and maths background, and English level. Review the awarding universities and the allowed mobility routes so you know where you could start and continue.
2. Prepare your documents. Get your transcripts, diploma, CV, motivation letter and English certificate ready in English, with certified translations where needed.
3. Register on the online platform. Create your account on the EUMaster4HPC application system within the open call window.
4. Apply to the programme and to universities. Submit your application to the EUMaster4HPC programme and indicate your preferred awarding universities, following the consortium's instructions for ranking choices.
5. Flag yourself for the scholarship. Make sure you complete the parts of the application that put you in the running for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the strongest ranked candidates are selected for funding.
6. Submit before the deadline and wait for results. Send a complete application ahead of the cut-off. Decisions typically come within about eight weeks of a complete submission.
7. Accept and enrol. If you are offered a place and a scholarship, follow the acceptance steps, sort your visa and travel, and enrol at your first-year university.

Required Documents

• CV or resume.
• Official diploma and full academic transcripts (with certified English translations if the originals are in another language).
• Motivation letter explaining your interest in HPC and your goals.
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or an English-medium confirmation).
• Copy of your passport or national ID.
• Evidence of your programming and mathematics coursework, as requested in the application form.
• Reference letters, if the current call asks for them.

Key Dates & Deadlines

EUMaster4HPC runs on an annual cycle for a September start. The application window and information sessions are announced each year on the programme website. In the latest cycle the programme-level window stayed open until 15 July 2026, while individual awarding universities set their own earlier deadlines, often spread between January and the summer and sometimes differing for EU and non-EU applicants. Because dates shift year to year and by institution, always work from the official call rather than a general estimate, and apply early so funding and visa timelines are comfortable.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Spell out your maths and programming courses clearly; the form specifically asks for them and they shape your ranking.
• Tie your motivation letter to concrete HPC interests, such as parallel programming, simulation, or AI at scale.
• Choose mobility routes that respect the rule about not starting in your bachelor's country, so your preferences stay valid.
• Submit a complete application well before the deadline to avoid losing your place on a technicality.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using an English test that is older than two years or below the required level.
• Leaving out certified translations of transcripts in another language.
• Writing a generic motivation letter that never mentions high performance computing.
• Listing only one university preference when ranking several improves your chances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EUMaster4HPC scholarship?

It is the Erasmus Mundus funding attached to the EUMaster4HPC joint master in high performance computing. It covers tuition, gives you a monthly allowance of around €1,400, and contributes to travel and installation costs for up to 24 months.

Who is eligible for the EUMaster4HPC programme?

Graduates with a Bachelor's in a STEM subject, computer science or a related field, who have solid programming and mathematics backgrounds and English at B2 level. Final-year students can usually apply before graduating.

Which countries and universities host EUMaster4HPC?

The consortium spans Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Luxembourg and Bulgaria, through awarding universities such as Politecnico di Milano, Sorbonne Université, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Freie Universität Berlin, the University of Luxembourg, VSB Technical University of Ostrava, Sofia University and AGH University.

How much is the EUMaster4HPC living allowance?

The Erasmus Mundus individual allowance is around €1,400 per month for scholarship holders, in addition to covered tuition and a travel and installation contribution.

Is EUMaster4HPC open to international students from outside Europe?

Yes. The programme is open to applicants of all nationalities, and the scholarship can support non-European students as well as Europeans.

What English level do I need for EUMaster4HPC?

You need English at CEFR B2. That is typically shown with an IELTS around 5.0 or a TOEFL iBT around 85 taken within the last two years, or proof that your bachelor's was taught in English. Confirm the exact requirements in the current call.

Can I start my first year in my home country with EUMaster4HPC?

Usually not, if your bachelor's degree was awarded in a country that hosts one of the awarding universities. The mobility rules are designed to send you abroad for at least part of the programme.

How long does the EUMaster4HPC master take?

It is a two-year, 120 ECTS programme, and the scholarship supports you for up to 24 months.

When is the EUMaster4HPC application deadline?

There is an annual call for the September intake. In the latest cycle the programme window ran until 15 July 2026, with individual universities setting earlier dates. Check the website for the current year's exact deadlines.

What documents do I need for EUMaster4HPC?

A CV, your diploma and transcripts, a motivation letter, an English proficiency certificate and a copy of your passport or ID, plus evidence of relevant maths and programming courses. Translations should be certified where needed.

How competitive is the EUMaster4HPC scholarship?

Funding goes to the highest-ranked applicants, so it is selective. A strong quantitative record, clear programming experience and a focused motivation letter improve your chances.

When will I hear back after applying to EUMaster4HPC?

Decisions usually arrive within about eight weeks of submitting a complete application, though timing can vary by cycle and university.