Program Overview

Introduction to the Risk Assessment & Management of Civil Infrastructures (NoRISK) Program

The Erasmus Mundus Master's in Risk Assessment and Management of Civil Infrastructures NORISK is a one-year program consisting of 60 ECTS credits. It is delivered by a consortium of four partners: University of Minho (PT), Universitat Politčcnica de Catalunya (ES), Université de La Rochelle (FR), and Universitŕ di Padova (IT), supported by a committed group of 43 associated higher education institutions, industrial companies, NGOs, research and development institutions, and associations providing effective global links with the industrial sector and international relevance to the EMJM.

General Data

• Academic year starts in: September
• Duration: 1 year
• Study load: 60 ECTS (including Master's Final Thesis)
• Delivery: On-campus
• Language: English
• Places: 20
• Official degree: Erasmus Mundus Master's in Risk Assessment and Management of Civil Infrastructures NORISK / Mŕster Erasmus Mundus en Avaluació i Gestió de Riscos en Infraestructures Civils NORISK by Universitat Politčcnica de Catalunya
• Participating universities:
  • Universitat Politčcnica de Catalunya
  • University of Minho
  • La Rochelle Université
  • Universitŕ di Padova

Admission

Admission to NORISK is based on competency; students will be evaluated based on their previous academic record. To be admitted, applicants must:

• Have completed at least 240 ECTS in Civil Engineering, Industrial and/or Systems Engineering, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related fields, and hold a recognized degree in any of these fields. For students who have a study period at UNIPD (either through courses or dissertation), a minimum of 300 ECTS in Civil Engineering, Industrial and/or Systems Engineering, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related fields, and a recognized degree is required.
• Have a good command of English. Non-native English-speaking students must have passed one of the following tests: TOEFL (score of 525 paper-based / 72 internet-based or higher) or IELTS (score of 6.5 or higher) or equivalent qualifications.
• Students who have not yet completed their degree but expect to graduate before September 21 may apply for the Master's course and receive a scholarship. If selected, their admission will be conditional upon receipt of the degree certificate from the Master's Secretariat by July 31 (EM scholarships) and September 21 (other applicants).

When applying, students must provide:

• Motivation letter between 1500 and 5000 characters (including spaces)
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae in European format
• Certificates and diplomas from previous university studies
• Academic transcripts including grades and course syllabi from previous university studies
• English proficiency certificates
• Certificates of relevant work experience and other professional certificates, if applicable
• Two letters of recommendation
• Proof of residency (issued within the last 12 months prior to the application deadline) only for the first call
• Accredited special educational needs by a specialist doctor's report and/or, in specific cases, describing the type of special educational need and its impact on the requirements of the NORISK partner environment.

Objectives & Career Opportunities

NORISK EMJM will equip students with advanced knowledge and skills to work and develop a professional career in risk assessment, management, reliability, and risk analysis, monitoring, digitalization, and intervention in civil infrastructures, especially those supporting human activities and/or considered critical, such as those connected to the energy, transportation, communications, water, health, defense and national security, banking and finance sectors, among others.

Curriculum

NORISK will provide a unique combination of theoretical work with an interdisciplinary focus, supported in risk assessment and infrastructure management, based on the cutting-edge knowledge of European universities, with effective cooperation between civil, industrial, and systems engineers in a common educational project, during which special attention and time are devoted to project-based learning.

The structure of the NORISK program consists of two semesters: in the 1st semester, from October to March, the teaching part takes place, which consists of five sequential units (NR1 to NR5) and a project-based learning unit (NR6), while in the 2nd semester, from March to July, the student develops their Master's thesis.