GLOBE is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management, co-funded by the European Commission. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid coordinates it, with Bangor University in Wales, Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal and Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala in Mexico.
The degree runs two academic years and 120 ECTS, taught in English. Semester 1 is in Madrid, semester 2 at Bangor, a three-week summer school follows at Tlaxcala in Mexico, and semester 3 is in Lisbon; semester 4 is an independent master thesis at a partner or associated institution of the student’s choice.
The training puts biodiversity and ecosystem services at the centre and mixes natural, social and applied sciences, with a field course in the Madrid and Lisbon semesters. Associated partners include WWF-Portugal, Global Canopy, SPEA, FIRE and the European Climate Foundation. Graduates go into research, public administration, urban planning, policy-making, consultancy, agriculture, forestry and NGOs.
Benefits & funding
- The Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers tuition and fees for the full 24 months.
- It pays €1,400 a month towards living costs, accommodation and travel.
- Scholarships go competitively to a subset of the students admitted, and applicants of any nationality may apply for one.
- Without a scholarship, participation costs for the 2026–2028 intake are €4,500 an academic year for students from programme and associated countries, and €9,000 an academic year for students from third countries.
- Those costs cover tuition, insurance and use of facilities; living expenses, travel and visa costs are not included.
- Graduates receive master degrees from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Bangor University and Universidade de Lisboa, a degree from Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala pending confirmation, and a European Diploma Supplement with transcripts.
- A student handbook covers visas, residence permits, accommodation, insurance and banking across the four countries, and each partner’s international office handles arrival.
Eligibility
- A BSc or equivalent of at least 180 ECTS, in biology, agriculture, environmental sciences, forestry, geography or natural resources.
- English at CEFR B2 or above, evidenced by IELTS 5.5 or higher, TOEFL iBT 72 or higher, or a Cambridge B2 certificate.
- Nationals of, or graduates from, majority English-speaking countries may be exempt from the language test.
- Open to all nationalities; no residency requirement, no age limit and no work-experience requirement are set.
- Graduates from outside the European Higher Education Area also supply a postgraduate eligibility certificate.
- Anyone who has already held an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship cannot receive a second one.
Can you apply?
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Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Stage 1 is an online form only: personal data, academic data, proof of English, a link to a 1–2 minute video introducing yourself and your motivation, and contact details for two referees.
- 2Stage 1 files are scored out of 77 points; 50 points is the pass mark.
- 3Shortlisted applicants are invited to Stage 2 and upload a valid passport, authenticated degree certificates carrying an official seal, complete transcripts in English, proof of English, a Europass CV listing work experience and research record, a declaration of veracity and, where it applies, the postgraduate eligibility certificate.
- 4Referees are approached only after the Stage 2 documents have been assessed.
- 5The selection committee ranks the best applicants and keeps a reserve list, which is drawn on when an admitted candidate withdraws.
- 6Every candidate is informed of the result and then has seven days to appeal or to confirm enrolment.
Program timeline
Applications open for the 2nd edition, Stage 1
Sep 29, 2025
Stage 1 online form closes
Jan 5, 2026
Stage 2, shortlisted candidates submit their documents
January–February 2026
The call for the 3rd edition opens
Fall 2026
The academic year starts in Madrid
September