Student handbook

The GLOBE Student Handbook has been prepared by the GLOBE Consortium during 2024/2025. It contains practical and essential information to support students throughout their Erasmus Mundus experience across the institutions. The handbook covers key topics such as visa and residence permits, travel arrangements, accommodation, administrative procedures (including enrolment, insurance, and banking), local information about each city, university facilities and services, academic events, thesis defence, and graduation details.

It also provides information on alumni relations and important contacts and links, and on the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) concept and specific details of the GLOBE programme, ensuring students have all the resources they need for a successful and enriching experience in the GLOBE programme.

Students can browse Campus Life information at the international services webpages of our Institutions: Erasmus Incoming URJC-Spain, International Incoming ULisboa-Portugal, and International Students at BU-UK. Also, all prospective students are encouraged to browse the student version of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme here.

Travelling and Visa information

The Student Handbook, containing useful practical information — including details on visa requirements and residence permits for the partner countries — has already been prepared by the Consortium and is now available to current students and future applicants. Prospective candidates can also browse information for arriving international students — including details on visas, accommodation, and other topics of interest for incoming students — on the webpages of each participating university as follows:

Student Agreement

Upon enrollment, students will sign a Student Agreement with a representative from the Coordinator University, outlining the rights and obligations of both the student and the Consortium. A template of a draft – as of December 2024 – Student Agreement can be found here. The Student Agreement wil be provided to selected students upon enrolment and will cover:

Student rights and responsibilities:

This includes administrative, financial, and academic obligations related to course attendance, participation in activities, and academic performance. It also details the consequences of failing to meet these obligations, including grounds for exclusion and the procedures for appealing such decisions.

Erasmus Mundus Consortium commitments:

These commitments include awarding and issuing the Master Degrees and Diploma Supplements to successful students, ensuring course quality, and providing support services.

Financial arrangements:

This section specifies tuition fees, payment schedules, scholarships available, and the services and facilities included.

Mutual responsibilities and third-party liabilities:

This part addresses the responsibilities and liabilities, particularly if a student withdraws or is excluded from the program.

Experiences and Testimonials

Our first cohort of GLOBE students has embarked on a truly transformative journey crossing borders to address the global challenges of our time. From fieldwork in diverse ecosystems to collaborative projects across partner universities, their experiences reflect the essence of the GLOBE spirit: curiosity, resilience, and a shared commitment to sustainability.

Through their stories, we celebrate not only academic excellence but also personal growth, cultural exchange, and the creation of a global community of changemakers. Their voices inspire future students to explore, connect, and lead with purpose in shaping a more sustainable future!

Jimena

In regards to my experience so far, I am loving it here. Having classes while also being able to explore new places is wonderful. I am both enjoying and being challenged by our professors and I’m inspired to work hard at understanding and using the resources we are being taught. The highlight of this experience, for me, is the people I am meeting; from my peers to professors, everyone is kind, knowledgeable, and curious. I love seeing all the different backgrounds of this cohort and how we face the challenges we are facing both in class and outside of class. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Samson

Regarding my experience, the GLOBE programme is a truly enriching journey. It has enabled me to connect with a vibrant international community right here at URJC. The opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives is incredibly motivating, and I am excited to see where this global adventure leads.

Cristel

My first weeks at URJC have been incredible. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with my professors and classmates. The courses in this master’s program take a global change approach, offering a deeper understanding of the connections between society and the environment. I highly recommend it!

Mehedi

Since arriving in Madrid for the first semester of GLOBE at URJC, each day has been a new adventure filled with learning and connection. The diversity within our cohort has been truly inspiring. Listening to perspectives from fellow students and professors from various cultural, academic and professional backgrounds during the welcome week has deepened my enthusiasm to learn more and to better understand global changes and challenges. One memorable moment was our first field visit together to the Sierra de Guadarrama, where I truly felt the spirit of collaboration and shared curiosity that defines us, the GLOBE community.

Carmen

The university is very active, with a dedicated scientific community that hosts symposiums and talks on very interesting topics. The classes are very dynamic and provide up-to-date information, taught by highly trained and pleasant instructors. I’m learning a lot not only from the professors but also from my classmates. A great experience!

Anissa

It’s only been a month since I started the Erasmus Mundus GLOBE programme, but it already feels like something very special. Studying at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos has been such an exciting start — the classes are interesting, and I’m learning a lot about global change and biodiversity in an international environment.
One of my favorite parts so far is meeting people from so many different countries and sharing our experiences and ideas. Everyone is so passionate and supportive, which makes studying here even more motivating. Living in Spain has also been full of new adventures and cultural discoveries.