FAQ

1. I have a question that is not answered by this FAQ. What should I do?
You should contact the Bioceb project manager by email. See the "Contact" page for more details.

2. I have sent you an email but I have not received a reply yet. What should I do?
We reply to emails as soon as possible. If you have not received a reply yet, it means we are still looking for the right information.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE SAME EMAIL TWO OR THREE TIMES. Answering all requests for information is time-consuming, all the more so because we answer each request carefully and with as many details as possible. When you send us several time the same email, not only is it not necessary but it also takes time to identify the email and check for the previous identical requests and make sure we don’t answer twice for the same request. It slowers the answering process for everyone.

3. How do I apply? What is the deadline?
The application deadline is indicated on the Application page, section "Deadline and calendar".
All candidates must apply using the online application tool (section "Application procedure"); no document will be accepted by email or post.

4. I don’t speak French. Can I apply to Bioceb anyway? Are the courses taught in French?
The Master is designed for English speakers. All the courses, exams and the thesis defence are in English.
We advise you to study some French before coming, to get the best of your stay in France. We also provide French courses during the first semester (free of charge for Bioceb students).

5. I don’t have a scientific background (I have studied Economics, Business Management...). Can I apply anyway?
When assessing applications, we will review your background to assess your scientific knowledge and make sure you will be able to follow the Bioceb courses.
Bioceb students are selected among candidates with:
• BSc degree or equivalent degree of at least 180 ECTS in engineering or science including a strong background in at least one discipline related to biology: biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, biophysics, bioprocess engineering, molecular biology;
• Proven Good level in mathematics;
• Preferred but non-mandatory: a complementary background in chemistry, physics or environmental sciences.

The selection is very competitive and we only admit the very best students. We welcome candidates with various scientific backgrounds, to make the selected cohort as diverse and enriching for one another as possible but an appropriate scientific background is an important criterion.

6. I have a TOIEC test / a test from my university / a test from a private language school: can I use it for my application?
No. We need to make sure you have a very good level in English. To do so, we need to know the criteria and grades of your test. This is why we need a recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS (see the the "Selection procedure" section for more details about proving your English level).

7. I am taking the TOEFL test: which institution code should I use to have my results forwarded directly to the Bioceb Secretariat in AgroParisTech?
AgroParisTech is not affiliated to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) which administers the TOEFL test. When applying to Bioceb, please upload your personal results sheet on our online application tool.

8. I’m currently following the last year of my BSc degree. I will graduate in June. Can I apply to Bioceb?
Yes. Please enclose to your application the transcripts for the first two years of your BSc (or three years if your BSc is in four years) and a document from your university stating that you are currently following the last year of your BSc and the expected date of graduation.
If you are selected, you must complete the BSc and send us a provisional certificate by the end of July. This means that if you fail to complete your BSc at the expected date of graduation, your selection will be cancelled.

9. Where can I find the form for the reference letter?
You can download the form on the website (see "Application" page).
However, your referees will also automatically receive the reference letter once you have completed their email address in the application platform. The referees have to complete the letter and upload it by themselves to the application platform. Please also inform your referees that your are requesting a letter from them, and to check their Spam.

10. Who can write the reference letter? Is it mandatory to have the template given by Bioceb?
The recommendation letters can be written by a teacher/professor from your University and/or by your employer. It is not mandatory to use the Bioceb template but it is strongly advised to use it when possible.

11. I didn’t receive any email after submitting my application. Is it normal?
No. If you did not receive the automatic confirmation email (please check also in your Spam), it means that your email address is not recognised by our system. If you didn’t receive any automatic reply after submitting your application, please open a new account with another email address. If the problem persists, contact the Bioceb Secretariat (see Contact page).

12. My application was not selected for the first round. Can I apply for the second round?
No. If your application was not selected for the first round it means that you neither have been selected for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship nor as a self- or externally funded student.
However, you can still apply next year for the Bioceb programme.

13. I disagree with the selection result, what can I do?
Bioceb has an appeal procedure in place for candidates who disagree with their selection result. There are two possibilities for non-selection:

• your application was fairly assessed but your application was not ranked high enough for being granted a scholarship
• your application was not fairly assessed
  The appeal procedure cannot be implemented in the first case: an appeal is not a second chance. However, the appeal procedure is possible for the second case: it means that an error or an unfair bias has happened. In this case, please provide details as to why you think an error happened.
  To use the appeal procedure, please contact the Bioceb Secretariat.

14. What should be the length of the motivation letter? To whom should I address it?
There is no minimum nor maximum length for the motivation letter. However the average is 1 to 2 pages. The letter should be addressed to the Bioceb Consortium.

This project has been funded with the support from the European Commission. This communication reflects only the views of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.