FAQ Applications
Please make sure you check the questions below before sending us any queries by e-mail.
What Bachelor (or equivalent) degree do I need to be eligible for the Global-MINDS Master Degree Programme?
A 2.2 honours degree (undergraduate degree, Level 8 – National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or the overseas equivalent as determined by the Course Board and the guidelines of UL Graduate School Admissions, with a minimum of 100 ECTS or equivalent experience in psychology and research methods.
If you have not completed the 1st cycle degree at the time of application, you must send proof of enrolment, available transcripts, and a declaration of the expected date of completion (original and certified English translation as necessary) from the university that will issue the diploma. In this case, if you are accepted, this will be conditional on the submission of a 1st cycle degree diploma before enrolment.
What should I include in the personal statement?
In the personal statement, you have to explain your reason for pursuing this master and how you see that it fits in your life (with your past/present, but also with your future career plans). This statement is essential for our selection committee to understand your motivation (why you want to do part) and your fit with the programme (how you might fit with the other students and the program overall). In addition, you should also state if you are applying for funding and add a justification for your request.
Preferably the letter should not exceed 800 words.
If I have not completed my bachelor, can I apply?
Yes, you can apply! If you have not completed the 1st cycle degree at the time of application, you must send proof of enrolment, available transcripts, and a declaration of the expected date of completion (original and certified English translation as necessary) from the university that will issue the diploma. In this case, if you are accepted, this will be conditional on the submission of a 1st cycle degree diploma before enrolment.
Are there specific instructions for the academic references?
There are no specific requirements for the references. Each academic referee has their own style of writing a reference, but usually, professors use the headed/institutional paper.
You can submit one academic and one professional reference (someone who knows your work in research or professional settings).
You should submit your recommendation letters with the application. They should be in English and signed by your referees. If they are in any other language, they should be translated by official translators.
If, for some reason, your referees prefer to send us the reference directly, they can do it by sending it to global.minds@ul.ie and specifying in the title your full name.
When I will receive results of my application?
Applicants for Erasmus Mundus Funding will be notified of the selection results by the end of March 2024. Self-funded applicants should expect the evaluation to take approximately two weeks.
Can I apply for a scholarship?
Can I apply if my undergraduate degree is in a different field than psychology?
Yes, under certain conditions. The programme requires that all students who enroll have a 2.2 honours degree (undergraduate degree, Level 8 – National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or the overseas equivalent as determined by the Course Board and the guidelines of UL Graduate School Admissions, with a minimum of 100 ECTS or equivalent experience in psychology and research methods. One ECTS credit generally translates to 5 classroom hours, or 25 hours of work for a class.
Global MINDS is an advanced psychology programme. All students are expected to have a strong background in psychology, as well as research methods and statistics for the social sciences. The curriculum of the programme includes a required empirical psychology thesis that includes collecting and analysing data quite independently. Although the program includes training in psychology research methodology and statistics, this is advanced training for students with basic knowledge of this area. Thus, a strong background in these areas is necessary for success in the program.
Is there a limit in the number of supporting documents that I can attach to my application?
In case you need to submit several documents we advice you to merge some documents. For example, you can merge documents related to your academic results (Grades, certificates, etc..)
When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications is January 5th 2024.
What is the timeline for the selection process?
The deadline for applications is on January 5th, 2024. we do a first round of evaluations between January 15th and February 5th.
The top 60 applicants will be interviewed between February 12th and 16th, 2024.
All applicants will be informed of their acceptance into the program and the offer of a full or partial scholarship or a self-funded place by February 23rd.
Applications will remain open after the 30th of March, for self-funded students only if places on the program have not been filled.
Is there a fee to apply to the programme?
No. The programme does not charge application fees.
Are there differences in the application process for scholarship or self-funded applicants?
No. The application process is exactly the same for all applicants, including the exception to pay an application fee to the programme.
What are the English language requirements?
Candidates may be required to demonstrate their competence in the English language by providing certified confirmation of completion of a primary or master’s degree through the medium of English or by submitting official results of an English proficiency test. Acceptable tests include:
- DUOLINGO: minimum score of 110 with no less than 100 in any component.
- Matriculation Examinations: acceptable level achieved.
- Irish Leaving Certificate English: Ordinary Level Grade D or above.
- TOEFL: 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based).
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5* with no less than 6.0 in any component. (*Please note some programmes have a higher IELTS requirement)
- ETAPP: Grade C1
- GCE ‘O’ LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE/ GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Grade C or above
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ESOL: Certificate of Proficiency in English – Grade C /Certificate in Advanced English – Grade B
- GCE EXAMINATION BOARDS: Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6
- PEARSON TEST OF ENGLISH (ACADEMIC) – PTE ACADEMIC: a minimum score of 61 (with no section score below 59)
- B2 Communicator High Pass: no less than 33 in each skill.
What should I consider when indicating my path preferences for the Global MINDS Programme?
Applicants should give a general indication of which path they would like to take based on the information explained on the Global MINDS website programme content and programme structure.
The preference should be based on where they want to live and study as well as the type of education they want to receive, depending on each mobility path. It is important to note that all paths have core key learning on cross-cultural psychology and intercultural competence, but each path has a different focus as indicated by its name and the modules are taken.
We advise you to rank your path preference in the personal statement.
What happens if I do not have some official documents before the deadline?
To apply to Global-MINDS, you must provide all the official documents we request. In case of not have the results of your English test or diploma yet, you must attach a letter or proof that you will receive the official documents in the following weeks. If you are accepted to the programme, you must submit the paper to continue with the enrollment process.
Which documents count as an identity document?
We only accept passports or birth certificates as identity documents. If you don’t currently have either document, this won’t delay your application. You can still submit and any offer will be conditional on providing your identity document.
What happens if I do not fulfill the minimum requirements for the programme?
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria concerning your previous background in
psychology or associated subjects, and/or your English proficiency, YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY. Please do not submit your application, and consider applying for other programs which will give you a basic degree in psychology.
What to do if my documents are not originally in English?
All documents we request should be submitted in English. Therefore, if you have documents that are in any other language, you must hire an official translator to translate the documents for you.
Which documents should I attach if I have not graduated yet?
If you are in your final semester of your bachelor, you can attach a letter of enrollment in your academic institutions and the most recent and up-to-date transcripts.
If I have a degree in Psychology, do I have to convert my credits?
If you already have a 2.2 honours degree (undergraduate degree, Level 8 – National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) in psychology, you do not need to convert your credits.
What happens if I do not have a valid passport when applying?
In case of having a passport that is expired, you should attach it. However, if you are selected for the programme, you will be asked to submit a valid document to be enrolled.
Are there certain limitations on the number of participants that can be accepted from the programs and partner countries?
No. There are no more distinctions between the programme and partner countries and therefore no specific limit on the number of scholarships for people from a particular country or region. The scholarship is the same for everyone.
How many applications do you receive in each intake?
The number of applicants has varied throughout the years. Normally when we offer scholarships we have between 200 and 300 applicants per intake.
When granting scholarships, do you also consider the SES level of applicants or is it completely merit-based?
To be eligible for a scholarship, you should state in your personal statement that you are applying for a scholarship and write a justification for it. However, we grant the scholarships on a merit-based system based on the score you receive in each segment of your application (Academic achievement and potential, CV, academic, professional and other experience, Motivation and career ambitions and Referee evaluation and recommendations). This means we make a holistic evaluation of each applicant and allocate the scholarships based on the final results of this evaluation.
Can I apply if I already have a master degree?
Yes, you can apply if you already have a master’s degree. Note that if you were already a beneficiary of an Erasmus Mundus Master Degree scholarship, you are not eligible to receive a new scholarship.
Will the program provide visa assistance?
If selected for the programme, you will receive visa support letters that are used to justify your visa application. However, we can not influence the process directly in the embassies.
If I am from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway should I pay tuition-fees as a non-EU citizen?
Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway pay the EU fee (€9.000 for the full programme) as these countries are members of the European Economic Area.
What to do if by mistake I submitted an incomplete application?
If by mistake you submitted an application that was not complete, we will get in contact with you to request the missing documents. This will be done before the 28th of February.
Is there any special help or support if I have a family (e.g., husband, child) ?
The programme only offers scholarships to individuals; therefore, the economic support received for full-scholarship beneficiaries is meant to be enough for only one person. We cannot guarantee any extra support for other people, and all advisory and support documentation will be provided for you as an individual.
The process of immigration for you and any relatives will vary widely depending on the country where you are going and where you are from. In the case of having a family is YOUR responsibility to familiarise yourself with the rules that apply in each country to your specific case and the existing possibilities for the migration process, education or work of your family members.
Is the scholarship application separated from the program application?
This year we received funding to provide scholarships for the next three cohorts of students. Application for the programme is the same regardless if you apply for an scholarship or as self-funded student. In case of not being granted a scholarship you still have the option to be a self-funded student. Applications for scholarships close on 28th of February, however, we will continue receiving applications for self-funded students until we complete the spots available for self-funded students.