September in Burgundy, January in Cassino and Spring in Girona. For students accepted into the MAIA Erasmus Mundus program that is not a travel itinerary. It is the academic calendar.
MAIA is a two year joint Master’s in Medical Imaging and Applications delivered across three European universities in France, Italy and Spain. The entire cohort moves together. Same timeline, same cities, same transition points. By the time students reach their thesis semester, they have studied on three campuses, navigated three countries and picked up working competency in French, Italian and Spanish along the way.
The program sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and medical diagnostics. It is built for engineers and scientists who want to work on the systems that hospitals, radiology departments and biomedical companies will rely on for the next generation of diagnostic technology.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | MAIA Master in Medical Imaging and Applications |
| Type | Erasmus Mundus Joint Master |
| Duration | 2 years 120 ECTS |
| Language | English |
| Mobility | Fixed path: France then Italy then Spain |
| Universities | University of Bourgogne, UNICLAM, University of Girona |
| Focus | AI, ML, computer vision, medical imaging, computer-aided diagnosis |
| Next expected start | September 2027 |
The Scholarship and Funding Situation
Many students discover MAIA through scholarship lists and assume it comes with Erasmus Mundus funding. For the immediate past cycle, it did not.
The original project period ended in August 2025 and the 2026–2028 edition is not being offered. The consortium has secured renewed Erasmus Mundus funding for a 2027–2029 edition. Application details including scholarship availability, are expected to appear on the official site with a tentative scholarship window from November 2026 to February 2027.
Two additional notes worth knowing:
- If you previously received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree scholarship for any program you are not eligible for a second EMJMD scholarship
- Self funded places may still be possible in future cycles. Always confirm tuition and any fee waiver options directly with the program
Contact the coordinators at info@maiamaster.org before planning an application.
What MAIA Actually Is
The full name is Master in Medical Imaging and Applications. The degree covers 120 ECTS across 24 months delivered entirely in English.
The academic focus brings together image processing, machine learning, pattern recognition, computer vision, sensor technology and computer-aided diagnosis, all applied specifically to medical imaging. Graduates are equipped to design, develop and deploy diagnostic systems used in clinical and research settings.
Three institutions form the consortium:
- University of Bourgogne uB Dijon France
- Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale UNICLAM or UNICAS Cassino Italy
- University of Girona UdG Girona Spain
Each institution handles a distinct phase of the curriculum. Students do not choose a campus. They attend all three.
How the Two Years Are Structured
The program follows a fixed mobility sequence. Every student in every cohort moves through the same path.
Semester 1: France 30 ECTS
University of Bourgogne. Foundational image processing and medical imaging. This is where the academic and social foundations are established. Students arrive as individuals and leave as a cohort.
Semester 2 Italy 30 ECTS
UNICLAM. Advanced computer vision, pattern recognition and machine learning. The curriculum builds directly on Semester 1 content.
Semester 3 Spain 30 ECTS
University of Girona. Applied computer aided diagnosis and medical imaging applications. The most clinically oriented semester of the three.
Semester 4 Thesis 30 ECTS
Students complete their Master’s thesis at any consortium university or at an external research group university or industry partner. Previous thesis projects have been completed at companies and clinical institutions across Europe.
The cohort model is deliberate. Moving as a group rather than individually creates academic continuity and a peer network that tends to last well beyond graduation.
Language and Cultural Immersion
The program is taught in English. But students do not just pass through three countries. They engage with them.
Language and culture modules are built into the curriculum. Students develop working competency in French, Italian and Spanish or Catalan across the three semesters. These are not optional additions. They are part of how the program builds European identity alongside technical skills.
For students who have studied exclusively in one country and one academic culture, the adjustment is real. For most alumni it is described as one of the program’s defining characteristics.
Who the Program Is Built For
Academic background required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Informatics Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a closely related field
- Applicants from non informatics backgrounds may be considered but should expect a steeper early adjustment
Final year students can apply before graduating, provided proof of degree completion is submitted. The diploma must be in hand upon acceptance.
English proficiency requirements:
- Minimum CEFR B2 level
- IELTS score of 6.5 or above is accepted
- If your Bachelor’s degree was taught entirely in English an official university letter confirming this is accepted as an alternative
- TOEFL Home Edition and Duolingo English Test are not accepted
That last point catches people out regularly. If you are planning to use either of those tests, you will need to sit a different assessment before applying.
How to Apply for MAIA Scholarship
For future cycles applications are expected to open in November and close in the following months with enrollment the next September.
Typical documents required:
- Motivation letter
- CV Europass format preferred but not mandatory
- Degree certificate or proof of pending graduation
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency documentation or official university letter
- Copy of passport or ID and a passport size photo
- Contact details for two referees with institutional email addresses; referees are contacted directly by the program