How to apply

Educational background

You need a Bachelor’s degree (EQF level 6) in the humanities or social sciences, or a related field.

Applicants from life or natural sciences may also apply—especially if their studies relate to topics such as: societal aspects of technological transformation; climate change; public or global health. If this is your case, please include a strong motivation statement explaining why you want to join this programme.

English language skills

The certificate is not mandatory, but if you already have it, it is highly recommended to submit it with the application (minimum B2 level—according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR).
Additionally, you can prove your English proficiency in the following ways:

• At the online interview
• If the language of instruction in your BA programme was English, by submitting the confirmation letter from your BA university.

Mobility Track

Physical mobility (spending a semester abroad) is highly encouraged, but not mandatory. Preference is given to applicants who choose a mobility track in their application. You can indicate your preferred study locations. The Selection Committee will make the final decision based on:

• Your academic background and qualifications
• Your research interests and the specialisations of partner universities
• A balanced distribution of mobility places among partner universities

Once enrolled, your mobility plan becomes part of your study agreement.

Step 1: Choose your entrance university

You can start your master’s programme at one of our partner universities

• University of Granada (Spain)
• University of Graz (Austria)
• Leipzig University (Germany)
• Vilnius University (Lithuania)

When applying, you can select up to two entrance universities in order of preference.
If your first-choice university has no available places, you may be offered a place at your second-choice university, so make sure to choose both carefully!

Step 2: Plan your mobility semester

• One semester abroad — guaranteed.
• Erasmus+ funds — application process supported.
• Two-semester mobility — possible with approval.

One of the highlights of the programme is the chance to study abroad for one semester at another partner university. This mobility semester is guaranteed for all students and supported by Erasmus+ grants, so you will have both academic and financial support for your experience abroad. In some cases, a two-semester stay is possible, but this needs to be discussed and agreed upon by the universities involved.

When applying, please indicate two universities where you would like to spend your mobility semester(s), based on your interests and their areas of specialisation. You can explore each partner university’s academic focus and geographic strengths here.

Before you start your application, please prepare the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV): we do not require any special format
2. Motivation statement: please enter your motivation statement directly into the online application. We recommend that you write it in advance – max. 4000 characters (incl. space) – and copy paste the text. You may also upload the text as pdf in addition. This letter should explain why you are interested in this particular master’s programme. In case you have a preference for your mobility track, please specify this in the motivation letter and why you would like to study at the respective universities.
3. Copy of passport (ID page with photograph)
4. Bachelor’s diploma/certificate (or equivalent diploma of a minimum of 180 ECTS credits). If you graduate after the application deadline, admission will be considered based on your university transcripts. Please indicate the expected date of graduation in the application. If you are admitted, the copy of your certified all your university diplomas will be needed by the end of August in order to be able to enroll you.
5. Transcript of Records and/or Diploma Supplement if available
6. GPA and information about the grading system used at your university. Please use the respective templates to be found under the Download section.

NOTE! Please note that in case you are selected for Leipzig University, you will need to provide a high school diploma (secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent) and transcript. If not issued in German, you need to provide certified translation of these documents into English.

You should apply through the Joint Biobs platform. You’ll need to:

• Register on the platform
• Pay a €30 application fee
• Upload all required documents
• Submit your application

Joint selection

After the Call for Applications closes, all partner universities carry out a joint selection process. Within a few weeks, you will receive an email from your entrance university informing you about your pre-selection or final selection results.

Selection steps

• Eligibility Check: We make sure your application is complete and you meet the admission requirements.
• Quality Check: We review your academic background to confirm it fits the programme.
• Interviews: If pre-selected, you might be invited to an interview with your first-choice entrance university.
• Ranking: Applicants are ranked based on the selection criteria.
• Selection: The Selection Committee assigns candidates to entrance universities and mobility spots — considering your preferences, available places, and qualifications.
• Results: You will get an email with your selection results and info on the next steps.

Selection criteria

The Consortium Selection Committee reviews all applications carefully. Admission decisions are based on the following criteria and weight:

• Academic fit & previous exam results: 40%
• Motivation (as expressed in the application): 15%
• Interview performance & English proficiency (min. B2): 30%
• Extra-curricular activities & additional languages: 15%

If you are selected for the programme, universities will start their admission processes to verify your documents and begin your enrolment.

Stay on track with your application — here’s what to expect:

Application period

• Applications open: 17 December 2025
• Deadline for submission: 31 March 2026

Make sure to submit your application before the deadline. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Additional Calls for Applications (CfA) periods:

We recommend checking this website regularly for updates on the additional calls that may open in April at the partner universities.

Selection & results

• Evaluation period: early to mid-April
• Notification of results: mid- to end of April

(For additional CfAs, results will come a few weeks after each CfA ends)

You will be informed about your selection results via email as soon as the process is complete. Make sure to check the email address you provided in your application regularly for updates and instructions from your entrance university.

Additional important dates

Semester start:

• 1 September 2026 in Vilnius
• 1 October 2026 in Granada, Graz and Leipzig.

Orientation week:

• Last week of August and/or first week of September in Vilnius
• Last week of September and/or first week of October in Granada, Graz and Leipzig.