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Admissions and Requirements

Application Requirements

Applications are open: 7th October 2026 to 8th January 2027.

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Conditions

REPLAY is open to candidates of all nationalities who hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Game Studies.

Bachelor's or Master's degrees in other fields may also be considered, provided the candidate has relevant prior academic or professional experience related to the field of games, such as Game Design, Game Art, Game Programming, Game Sound, or Game Production.

Application Form

  • Application period: 7th October 2026 to 8th January 2027
  • Complete and submit the application form online by the specified deadline.
  • All required documents must be provided. Incomplete applications may be considered ineligible.

Apply now ↗

Required Documents

Click on each topic to see the detailed requirements.

Identification Document
What you needA copy of your passport (for non-European or European citizens) or European identification card (for EU citizens only).
RecommendationWe recommend that the expiration date covers the entire duration of the master's program (until August 2029).
Submission formatPDF
Photograph
What you needA recent headshot photograph.
Submission formatJPG/PNG
Diploma
What you needA final university diploma from a Bachelor's (BA) or Master's (MA) degree, along with official transcripts.
RequirementsThe diploma must meet at least the National Framework Qualifications level 8 or the European Qualifications Framework level 6. If the diploma is not in English, an official certified translation, including the university's stamp, is required.
LegalizationThe diploma must be legally valid for international use. Depending on the country of issuance, this may require an apostille under the Hague Convention or notarization/legalization. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify and complete the appropriate legalization process according to the regulations in their country. For other cases, please check the FAQ.
Submission formatPDF
CV (Curriculum Vitae)
What you needA CV describing your professional qualifications, work experience, completed projects, job positions, responsibilities, and relevant skills related to the games field.
Recommended structureEuropass
Submission formatPDF
Motivation Letter
What you needA motivation letter explaining why you are applying to REPLAY and why you are a good fit for the programme.
ContentThe letter should address:
  • the topics you want to explore;
  • your preferred types of game projects;
  • what you hope to achieve through this master's programme; and
  • the experiences you aim to create.
RequirementsNo specific format is required. Your name and the date must be included.
Limit3,000 characters (excluding spaces).
Submission formatPDF
Post-Mortem
What you needA post-mortem of up to two games or projects you have worked on.
ContentInclude your motivation, critical reflection on the work, key takeaways, and, for team projects, your role and what you learned from the teamwork.
Limit2,000 characters per project (excluding spaces).
Submission formatPDF
Portfolio
What you needA portfolio using the provided REPLAY Portfolio Template, featuring a maximum of 5 games or projects across up to 7 pages.
StructurePage 1: Short bio and photo. Pages 2–6: One project per page. Include the project name, your role, whether it was a solo or group project (and, if group, the number of members), 3–4 images, and a clickable link for more information. Page 7: Relevant links, such as itch.io, Steam, personal website, etc.
TemplateREPLAY Portfolio Template.
Important notesThe portfolio must follow this structure. The colour scheme, image layout, and text arrangement may be adjusted if necessary.
Submission formatPDF
Showreel
What you needA video with a maximum duration of 3 minutes showcasing your work and relevant skills.
StructureFirst 30 seconds: A self-presentation where you talk to the camera. Following 1:30–2:30: A showcase of your projects, with subtitles indicating your role.
RequirementsProjects may include games, game design or production work, or animation/art pieces that demonstrate relevant skills. If the video includes group projects, add subtitles indicating your specific role or tasks. You may also use a voice-over to describe your work. The video must be accessible to the selection committee without requiring additional permission. YouTube Shorts are not accepted.
Submission formatUnlisted YouTube/Vimeo link or direct Google Drive file link. Folder links are not accepted.
English Language Proficiency
What you needProof of English language proficiency.
RequirementsFurther requirements are listed below.
Submission formatPDF
Residence Certificate
What you needA residence certificate issued according to the candidate's municipality's registration rules, or a certificate issued by the candidate's employer or educational/training institution confirming their current full address. A recent utility bill or other official document showing the candidate's full name and current full address may also be accepted.
RequirementsThe document must include:
  • the candidate's full name;
  • current full address; and
  • date of issue.
A signature and/or official stamp is preferable where applicable.
ValidityThe Residence Certificate should preferably have been issued in October 2026 or later.
Submission formatPDF

For further information, please refer to our FAQ section.

Selection Criteria

All eligible applicants will be assessed by members of the consortium taking into account the following elements:

  1. 1

    Academic quality

    The applicant’s academic quality, judged primarily from the results of prior university studies.

  2. 2

    Motivation

    The applicant’s motivation and justification of the application in relation to prior studies, work experience (if applicable) and future career plans towards the aims of REPLAY, judged from the CV in combination with the letter of motivation, analysis and portfolio/show reel.

  3. 3

    English skills

    The applicant’s English language skills, judged from the certificate provided and from the interview.

  4. 4

    Online interview

    Applicants with the highest scores resulting from the application package will be called for an online Interview in a date to be settled by the selection committee.

Applicants that do not qualify for the interview will be informed by email.

Appeal

There’s no possibility for any appeal to the final list of selected applicants, except if based on a specific procedural error by REPLAY consortium in the application process.

Appeal procedure

Please read the Selection Criteria as well as the Application Procedure carefully before submitting an appeal.

✕ Should not appeal

Candidates who fail to provide the required documents within the established timeframes should not submit an appeal.

✓ Have the right to appeal

Candidates who followed the Application Procedure and respected the Deadlines but were denied selection due to unmet Selection Criteria and have reasons to believe that a mistake has been made during the selection procedure have the right to appeal the Selection Board's decision.

What it is

The appeal procedure is concerned with how your proposal was handled in the evaluation and eligibility-checking process. It is not an automatic reevaluation.

What is not considered

Please note that new information or clarifications that should have been in the proposal will not be taken into consideration.

How to appeal

If after reading the above mentioned conditions you still have reasons to believe that a mistake has been made, please send an email to replaymasters@ulusofona.pt only with all the necessary information.

DeadlineAll appeals have to be submitted before the 5th of April.

Make sure to provide a correct e-mail address so that you can receive notifications on the status of your appeal. You will be contacted as soon as a decision has been made.

Privacy Statement

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), in the context of managing the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, collects and processes the personal data of some of the candidates. In particular, certain data of the scholarship holders (students and scholars), non-scholarship holders and reserve list candidates is shared with the Agency through the EACEA Mobility Tool and treated according to the following PRIVACY STATEMENT.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to participate fully in the programme. You may meet this requirement through one of the options below. Please provide the option that applies to your situation.

Most applicants will use Option 1. Options 2 and 3 apply only if you meet the specific conditions described below.

Click on each topic to see the detailed requirements.

Option 1 – English Language Certificate
List
  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 (Academic IELTS);
  • TOEFL iBT: 80 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, and 17 in Writing;
  • TOEFL iBT (new scoring system): 4.0 overall, with a minimum of 4.0 in each section;
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 56 overall, with a minimum of 51 in each component;
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE): 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component;
  • Cambridge B2 First (formerly FCE): 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component;
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE): 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component;
  • Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE II, ISE III, or ISE IV, with a pass in each component;
  • LanguageCert English: B2 Communicator, with an overall score of 39 or above and a minimum of 25 in all skills.
ValidityCertificates must be valid at the time of application. For the exams listed above, we only accept certificates issued from 2025 onwards (including 2025).
Alternative English TestIf you are unable to take any of the examinations listed above, you may submit a Duolingo English Test (DET) result. The minimum required score is 110 overall, with a minimum of 110 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
Submission formatPDF
Option 2 – Degree from an Inner Circle Country
What you needProvide a higher education diploma from an institution in one of the following countries, where the programme was taught in English.
List
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Ireland
  • Caribbean Islands
  • South Africa
Submission formatPDF
Option 3 – English-language Degree and Waiver
ConditionIf your Bachelor's or Master's degree was or is fully taught and examined in English at a higher education institution outside the Inner Circle countries, you may request a waiver of the English language test requirement, provided that you meet the requirements below.
Requirements

Graduates: You must have graduated within two years before the start of the REPLAY programme. You must provide an official university letter confirming that your degree was fully taught and examined in English.

Students completing their degree: You must be expected to graduate by the end of July, before the start of the REPLAY programme. You must provide an official university letter confirming that your degree is fully taught and examined in English and that you are expected to graduate by the end of July.

Submission formatPDF

Scholarships

For students

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

100%Erasmus Mundus Scholarship will cover the total tuition fee
1.400 €monthly allowance for the duration of the academic activities and/or maximum of 24 months, to cover installation, travel and subsistence costs

Who is eligible

  • Candidates are eligible for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, awarded on the basis of excellence.
  • Candidates eligible for scholarships are students who have obtained a primary higher-education degree or can demonstrate a recognised equivalent according to national legislation and practices of the degree awarding country.

Good to know

  • Students who have already obtained an EMJM scholarship or an Erasmus Mundus Master Course / Joint Doctorate scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship under the EMJM action.
  • Erasmus+ scholarship holders cannot benefit from another EU funded scholarship scheme to follow the same EMJM course. This holds for the entire period of the course.
For visiting scholars

REPLAY welcomes applications from teachers who have significant publications or teaching experience in games or outstanding professional or creative experience in the field.

  • Applications will not be accepted unless they are indicative of teaching that fits closely with the curriculum.
  • Applications should be sent to the consortium leader and must include a full CV and portfolio/showreel if applicable.