Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs)

What Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs) does

SMACCs is a 2-year, 120 ECTS Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) degree programme in Smart Cities and Communities, delivered through a consortium of four European universities: the University of Mons (UMONS, coordinator; Belgium), the International Hellenic University (IHU; Greece), the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU; Spain, degree-awarding institution) and the University of Vaasa (UWasa; Finland). The programme admits up to 40 students per cohort for compulsory physical mobility across three of the four universities, with students choosing between four predefined mobility paths. The curriculum is organised around five pillars — Energy Efficiency in Buildings (UPV/EHU), Smart Grid Solutions (UWasa), Sustainable Urban Planning, Energy and Transport (UMONS), Urban Mobility and ICT (IHU) — supplemented by Summer and Winter Schools and a fourth-semester Master's Thesis that can be completed in academic or industry-internship mode. More than 50 associated partners across industry, municipalities and research institutions (e.g. ENGIE Laborelec, HELLENiQ ENERGY, ERTICO-ITS Europe, Tecnalia, Municipality of Brussels, Municipality of Thessaloniki) provide guest lectures, thesis supervision and placement opportunities.

The programme serves engineering and science graduates (bachelor's degree holders in mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, environmental, architectural, computer or energy engineering, or in physics, chemistry, mathematics or computer science) seeking interdisciplinary specialisation in smart cities. Graduates receive the joint Erasmus Mundus MSc and an MSc in Technology (Smart Grids) from UWasa automatically; optional additional degrees from UMONS (with EUR-ACE quality label) and IHU are available depending on mobility path.

Revenue mechanics combine EU funding (Erasmus+ programme, 2023-2029 cycle), Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships (€1,400/month stipend plus tuition waiver for up to 24 months; 95 total scholarships across four editions) and self-funded tuition of €4,000/year for Programme Country students and €8,000/year for Third Country students. Additional consortium- and partner-funded partial scholarships are available. Distribution is delivered globally via the central application portal smaccs-apply.ihu.edu.gr and the consortium universities' international offices, with marketing through the Erasmus Mundus brand and partner networks.

Name

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs)

Legal name

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Smart Cities and Communities

Website

https://smaccs.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SMACCs is an EU-funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree in Smart Cities and Communities, delivered across four European universities (Belgium, Greece, Spain, Finland) for engineering and science graduates seeking interdisciplinary education in energy, transport, buildings, urban planning and ICT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Joint Master Degree)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

Keywords

• Joint master degree
• Smart cities education
• Sustainable urban development
• Interdisciplinary engineering programme
• Erasmus Mundus scholarship

Headquarters

HQ city

Mons

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees: Annual tuition fees of €4,000 for Programme Country students and €8,000 for Third Country students. Scholarship holders receive tuition fee waivers. Revenue supports programme operations, partner university fees, and student services.
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) Scholarships: EMJM scholarships funded by EACEA provide €1,400/month for up to 24 months plus tuition waiver. 95 total scholarships available across 4 editions (2024-2027).
3. EU Co-funding: Co-funded by the European Union through Erasmus+ Action for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (2023-2029). Provides operational support for consortium activities, summer/winter schools, and student support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SMACCs is a 2-year, 120-ECTS Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree that educates engineers and scientists in Smart Cities and Communities through compulsory physical mobility across four European universities. The curriculum integrates five pillars — Energy, Transport, Buildings, Urban Planning, and ICT — and is supported by Summer and Winter Schools plus a fourth-semester Master's Thesis. Students graduate with a joint Erasmus Mundus MSc in Smart Cities and Communities, an MSc in Technology (Smart Grids) from UWasa, and optionally an additional degree from UMONS or IHU depending on their mobility path.

Product overview

SMACCs is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) programme in Smart Cities and Communities, delivered as a 2-year 120-ECTS degree across four European universities (University of Mons, International Hellenic University, University of the Basque Country, and University of Vaasa). The programme operates through compulsory physical mobility, with students following one of four mobility paths that determine their university sequence. Core components include specialized courses on Energy Efficiency in Buildings (UPV/EHU), Smart Grid Solutions (UWasa), Sustainable Urban Planning Energy and Transport (UMONS), and Information and Communication Technologies (IHU), complemented by Summer and Winter Schools, and a fourth-semester Master's Thesis. Students automatically receive the joint Erasmus Mundus MSc and the UWasa Smart Grids degree, with optional additional degrees available from UMONS and IHU depending on mobility path. Multiple scholarship types (EMJM, consortium, and associated partner) support programme costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Erasmus Mundus MSc in Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs) A 2-year, 120-ECTS Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree educating engineers and scientists in Smart Cities and Communities through compulsory physical mobility across four European universities, with curriculum covering Energy, Transport, Buildings, Urban Planning, and ICT. Targeted at Bachelor's degree holders in engineering or science seeking interdisciplinary specialisation with EU-recognised credential.
• SMACCs Mobility Paths Four mobility tracks determining which universities students attend during the first three semesters of the programme; students spend semesters 1 and 3 at UPV/EHU and UWasa, and choose between UMONS and IHU for semester 2. Offered to enrolled SMACCs students as part of the degree structure.
• SMACCs Summer and Winter Schools Annual week-long intensive programmes held in July (Summer School) and January (Winter School) at partner universities; enrolled SMACCs students must participate in at least one of each during their two-year curriculum.
• EMJM Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships providing €1,400 per month for up to 24 months plus a full tuition fee waiver, covering travel, visa, installation, and subsistence costs for selected students.
• MSc in Technology, Master's Programme in Smart Energy, Major in Smart Grids (UWasa) Additional degree (MSc in Technology / Diplomi-insinööri) with specialisation in Smart Grids awarded by University of Vaasa, automatically conferred to all SMACCs graduates as part of the dual-degree outcome.
• SMACCs Consortium and Associated Partner Scholarships Additional scholarship options funded by the consortium and associated partner contributions for students not awarded EMJM scholarships, covering partial tuition fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full EMJM scholarship covers €1,400/month living allowance plus tuition waiver for 24 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Mons (UMONS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coordinator of the SMACCs consortium. Located in Mons, Belgium. Specializes in Sustainable Urban Planning, Energy and Transport. Founded from merger in 2009, includes Faculty of Engineering dating to 1837.
• International Hellenic University (IHU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Greece's first public university where programmes are taught exclusively in English. Established 2005. Located in Thessaloniki. Specializes in Information and Communication Technologies.
• University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Awarding institution for the joint Master degree. 50,000 students, 5,000 staff across three campuses. Specializes in Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Part of Euskampus International Campus of Excellence.
• University of Vaasa (UWasa)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Located in Finland's largest energy and environment business cluster. Specializes in Smart Grid Solutions. Over 5,000 students. Focus on responsible business and multidisciplinary research.
• Heriot-Watt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Partner for 2023-2029 period. Previously main partner (2017-2023). UK university contributing to curriculum and student recruitment.
• PARUL University (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Partner university from India. Provides additional courses and supports international student diversity.
• University of Catania (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Partner university contributing to curriculum development and hosting internship opportunities.
• ENGIE LaborelecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution providing guest lectures and industry insights on sustainable mobility and energy solutions. Part of ENGIE group.
• HELLENiQ ENERGYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreek energy company supporting programme with industry perspective on energy transition and smart grid applications.
• Municipality of BrusselsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner municipality providing real-world urban challenges for student projects, including Brussels smart city initiatives.
• Municipality of ThessalonikiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner municipality for IHU-based studies, providing access to urban planning challenges and potential thesis topics.
• ERTICO – ITS EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean intelligent transport systems organization providing industry connections and mobility sector insights.
• Fundacion Tecnalia Research & InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge applied research center in Spain contributing to curriculum and hosting thesis/internship opportunities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EIT Urban Mobility Master's School: European Master's consortium focused on sustainable urban mobility, organised across multiple European universities with EU backing. Closest thematic peer to SMACCs on the urban/mobility pillar, sharing the multi-country consortium model and EU scholarship structure.
• EIT InnoEnergy Master's School: European multi-country Master's consortium offering energy/sustainability specialisations with a similar two-year mobility structure and EU co-funding. Directly comparable format and target student profile to SMACCs, with overlapping curriculum pillars (energy, smart grids).
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Renewable Energy (various host universities): Other Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees delivered under the same EACEA framework with similar scholarship structure (EMJM stipends, tuition waivers, multi-country mobility). Compete directly for the same EMJM-eligible engineering applicants and scholarship funding.
• EIT Digital Master School: Pan-European two-year Master's consortium offering ICT and digital specialisations across multiple partner universities with EU co-funding. Direct format peer to SMACCs in terms of multi-location mobility and Erasmus-style funding, with overlap on the ICT pillar.

Broad incumbents

• TU Delft (Master's in Urbanism / Architecture / Transport & Planning): Top European technical university offering Master's programmes across urban planning, transport, and building sciences - directly overlapping three of SMACCs' five pillars. Single-country delivery, but competes for the same international engineering applicant pool.
• Politecnico di Milano (Master's in Computer Science and Engineering / Smart City tracks): Major European technical university offering Master's programmes with smart-city and urban-engineering tracks. Established brand in engineering education that overlaps with SMACCs' content pillars (ICT, energy, buildings), though delivered as single-country programmes.
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Master's programmes in Energy/Smart Cities): Leading Nordic technical university with Master's offerings in energy, ICT, and sustainable urban systems - overlapping with SMACCs' content pillars. Competes for the same European and global engineering graduate pool.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/erasmus-mundus-joint-master-in-smart-cities-and-communities-smaccs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs)