The University of Almería (UAL) has been a fundamental pillar in the creation of the first Erasmus Mundus Master's in Sexology (EMSEX), an ambitious project originating from the Lusófona University in Portugal, also involving the Malmö University in Sweden. The initiative has received a 'cum laude' 'green light' from the European Commission, scoring 92 out of a possible 100 points, one of the highest ratings in the call. This new degree is expected to be implemented starting October 2027.
This endorsement from the European Commission not only validates the launch of the first transdisciplinary Joint Master's Degree program exclusively dedicated to sexology but also comes with a grant of 4,200,000 euros for its development. Through this funding, the UAL solidifies its position as an international academic benchmark in advanced sexology training, attracting students from around the globe and enhancing its international academic projection.
The EMSEX project, considered a strategic milestone of international impact for the University of Almería, emerged from a prior design process funded by the EM Design Measures call. For over a year, the three institutions collaborated to define the master's curricular structure, academic and social impact, and sustainability strategy.
Joint Master's Degree programs under Erasmus Mundus are funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+. These programs are delivered by at least three higher education institutions from different European Union countries and include the provision of competitive scholarships for outstanding students worldwide. Additionally, non-academic partners with specific knowledge and interests in the field can participate, fostering a real and positive societal impact.
The master's program will span 120 ECTS credits, be taught entirely in English, and promote student mobility across the three countries. Almería will be the destination for the third training semester, becoming the epicenter for research, sexual health, and social commitment. The UAL will contribute its extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and sexual education, enriching the local research ecosystem and paving the way for future international collaborations and high-impact projects.
The success of the proposal and its coordination at the UAL rests with a multidisciplinary team of researchers led by nursing professors Cayetano Fernández Sola and José Manuel Hernández Padilla, alongside other faculty researchers from the Departments of Psychology and Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Medicine. EMSEX will attract professionals, researchers, and students from numerous nationalities, with a particular focus on key regions such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The initiative also integrates a robust network of local collaborators, including healthcare institutions like the Torrecárdenas University Hospital and the Almería Health District, and social organizations such as Médicos del Mundo Andalucía and Sexólogos sin Fronteras. Scientific societies, like the Andalusian Association of Family and Community Nursing (ASANEC), the Spanish Society of Sexology Intervention, and the International Society of Sexology Specialists, as well as collaborating universities like Cuenca and the Autonomous University of Chile, will actively participate. This public-private collaboration will enable students from around the world to undertake internships, workshops, and research aimed at addressing real challenges in Almería's educational, clinical, and community sectors.
For the UAL, the approval of EMSEX supports the tradition and consolidation of its Sexology Master's program, now in its 18th edition. The funding for this prestigious Erasmus Mundus program elevates its standing within the European Higher Education Area, positioning it as a global leader in the field by validating its teaching and research team's capacity to co-lead a world-class program. Furthermore, the academic recognition of Sexology by the European Commission is a significant boost for the discipline, which the UAL has long championed. It projects Almería globally as a city committed to promoting human rights, sexual health, scientific innovation, healthcare advancement, and social inclusion.
