ACES-STAR is two-year programme studying in three centres of European excellence in aquaculture research; Scotland, Crete and France. Gain practical and theoretical skills needed for a successful career in aquaculture through industry-led research programmes, internships and fieldwork.

The course includes three six-month semesters at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (UHI), University of Crete and Nantes University followed by the fourth semester with the host or an affiliated partner for a dissertation of your choice. In semester two, students also undertake a three-month industry placement, gained invaluable experience in the aquaculture industry.

• All applications open 9am, 6th January 2026. Links to the online application form and pack will become available on this website on this date.
• The closing date for Erasmus Mundus full scholarship applications only is Friday 30th January 2026. Any applications received after this time, will automatically be rejected.
• Outcome of Erasmus Mundus full scholarship applications will be sent by the end of February 2026.
• Interviews for Erasmus Mundus full scholarship applications will be held w/c 9th March 2026.
• Outcome of Erasmus Mundus Interviews will be sent by Friday 27th March 2026.
• Pre-arrival meetings take place April – July.
• Pre-arrival induction with programme leader and optional module discussion in August.
• Semester starts end of August, 2026.

If you have any questions about applying, please contact us at: ACES@sams.ac.uk

Eligibility Requirements

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in AquaCulture, Environment and Society (EMJM ACES) is open to students who meet the following minimum conditions:

• Bachelor Honours Degree (or equivalent; second class or higher, degree MUST include a dissertation project) in one of the fields of biological or environmental sciences. An appropriate background could include; aquaculture-related studies, marine and fisheries science and/or resources, aquatic biology, biology, or environmental sciences linked to the field of marine and fisheries science.

We particularly welcome applications from mature students and/or those with practical working experience in the aquaculture industry.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, or if your first degree was not taught in English, you must meet the following requirement:

English Test Requirement

You must provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate, such as IELTS Academic.

Required scores:

• Overall score: 6.5
• Minimum of 6.0 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
• The IELTS test must be Academic (General Training is not accepted).

More details are available on UHI’s English language requirements page. (please be aware the programme requires all students who are not from a country listed below will require an English language test)

Who Does Not Need to Provide English Test Evidence

You do not need to prove your English language ability if:

• You are a national of one of the countries listed below, or
• You have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of these countries:
  • Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA

Erasmus Mundus Fully Funded Scholarships

ACES-STAR scholarships are funded by the EACEA of the European Union and meet the cost of tuition fees, insurance and provide 1,400 Euros per month to successful applicants, which will contribute towards travel, relocation and daily living expenses. Please note: Fully funded Erasmus Mundus scholarships are subject to availability and WILL NOT be available for the 2026 intake for students applying from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Philippines due to our allocation from the EACEA being filled for these countries. 30 Fee-waiver scholarships are still available, for applicants from these countries and any other countries worldwide (see below for more details). For more information please email aces@sams.ac.uk.

Please be advised students who have already benefited from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship.

Erasmus Mundus Fee Waiver (Partial) Scholarships

We have 30 fee-waiver Erasmus Mundus scholarships still available for the 2026 intake, in which 100% of the tuition fees is waived and full ‘Dr Walter’ insurance cover is provided for the duration of the programme, thanks to Erasmus Mundus funding.

Students will need to cover costs for day to day living, travel, visa and other costs for completing the programme.

Students who receive a partial fee-waiver scholarship can choose to defer their place for 12 months to organise their finances. However, because the programme will apply for renewed funding in 2027, any deferral from 2026 will be conditional on EMJM-ACES STAR receiving further funding.

Please be advised students who have already benefited from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship.

Self-Funded Applicants

We welcome applications from those who are able to self-fund our ACES-STAR programme fees and costs. Email aces@sams.ac.uk for more information on how to apply for September 2026 intake. Information on course fees can be found below.

2026 Tuition fees* for the EMJM ACES-STAR will be:

• International Students – €5,000 per academic year
• UK/EU Students – €2,500 per academic year

*subject to change

Statements and references

To apply for a place on the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Aquaculture, Environment and Society (EMJM ACES), you will need to provide the following:

All Applicants:

• a motivation (or personal) statement (max. 350 words) about why you want to take part in this programme, what you hope to learn and how you think the EMJMD ACES programme will support your professional plans for the future.
• a previous experience statement (max. 350 words) giving information or examples of previous experience in this area.
• proof of qualifications
• curriculum vitae/ resume
• one professional reference (500 – 800 words) – this reference should be written on organisational notepaper by a manager, senior colleague or a past or present Lecturer (on university headed notepaper) who is familiar with your work. The reference does not need to be from your current employer, but the referee should have had a recent and close oversight of your work for at least one year. Your reference should include details on the following:
• How long and in what capacity the referee has known the applicant
• The role and tasks that the applicant has performed in the organisation
• Example(s) of good innovative work by the applicant
• Areas of work that the applicant needs to develop
• The importance of an advanced education to the applicant’s career and to the aquaculture sector in the applicant’s country
• Basic details about the organisation and its work with the aquaculture industry
• Full contact details and original (not scanned) signature of your referee

EU/ International Applicants:

• A translated version of your transcript and reference
• Evidence of a valid IELTS (English language proficiency) certificate

Applicants who require a visa to enter the UK:

• A copy of the personal details page of your valid passport

Funding

• A copy of your sponsorship letter if you have been awarded sponsorship for your studies

Learn more here