Erasmus Mundus Scholarships Complete Guide How to Apply

Erasmus Mundus is one of the most exciting ways to study in Europe. It funds joint masters degrees run by groups of universities in different countries, so students study in two or three European countries in a single degree and graduate with a joint or multiple degree. The best ranked applicants receive full scholarships, and students from all over the world are welcome to apply.

This guide explains how Erasmus Mundus works, who can apply, what the scholarship covers, how to choose a programme and how to build an application that stands out. Programme lists and deadlines change each year, so the official Erasmus+ pages and the course catalogue are your final source.

What an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Is

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is a prestigious international masters degree designed and delivered by a group of higher education institutions. Each programme involves at least three institutions from at least three different countries, with academic and non academic partners attached. Students move between the partner universities during the degree, which usually includes study, research, a traineeship and thesis preparation and defence.

The degree lasts one to two academic years, worth 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, and graduates receive either a joint degree, one certificate issued on behalf of at least two institutions, or multiple degrees, at least two certificates from different institutions. The exact arrangement is set out in the study agreement you sign at the start of the programme, so read it before you accept a place.

Who Can Apply for Erasmus Mundus

Students from all over the world can apply for Erasmus Mundus, and that openness is part of the program design. You must hold a bachelor degree, or be in your final year of bachelor studies and graduate before the masters programme starts. You may also apply if you can show a bachelor equivalent level of learning that is officially recognised in the country where your degree was awarded.

Each programme sets its own entry requirements on top of the general rules. A data science programme may ask for a background in mathematics or computing, while a public health programme may ask for a health or social science degree. Language requirements also vary by programme. Read the official Erasmus Mundus page for students for the general rules, then check the programme page for the specific requirements of the degree you want.

What the Scholarship Covers

Masters programmes may offer full scholarships to the best ranked students worldwide. A scholarship covers participation costs and contributes to travel, visa costs and a living allowance for the whole programme. That combination makes Erasmus Mundus one of the most complete funding packages available for masters study in Europe, because it pays for the degree and for the cost of moving between countries.

Not every admitted student receives a scholarship. Programmes rank applicants and award scholarships to the top of the list, while other admitted students may study as self funded students if they can pay the participation costs. Your ranking depends on grades, motivation, references and fit with the programme, so a strong application matters even if your grades are good. Check the programme page for how many scholarships it offers each year.

Joint Degrees and Multiple Degrees

A joint degree is a single certificate issued on behalf of at least two partner universities, while multiple degrees mean two or more separate certificates from the institutions in the consortium. Both are recognised masters qualifications, and the difference matters mainly for paperwork and for how the degree is listed on your CV. The programme page states which type it awards, so confirm it before you apply if the format matters to you.

How to Choose a Programme

The Erasmus Mundus course catalogue lists every programme on offer, with links to each programme website. Start by filtering for your subject area, then read the programme pages for the ones that fit. Look at the partner universities, the mobility path between countries, the curriculum, the language of instruction and the career paths of graduates. A programme that sends you to countries and universities you are excited about will be easier to write about and easier to complete.

Apply to a small number of programmes that fit well rather than many that fit loosely. Each application takes time, because every programme has its own form, essays and document list. Our guide to scholarships in Europe without IELTS can help if language tests are a barrier, because some programmes accept other proof of English ability and some are taught in languages other than English.

When to Apply

A new batch of selected Erasmus Mundus masters is added to the catalogue each year, and in most cases you should submit your application between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. Each programme sets its own exact deadline inside that window, so check the programme website rather than the general guidance. Missing a programme deadline by one day means waiting a full year, so put every deadline in your tracker as soon as you shortlist a programme.

The Application Step by Step

You apply directly to the institution running your chosen programme, using the application form on the programme website. Typical documents include transcripts and degree certificates, a CV, a motivation letter, language certificates and letters of recommendation. Some programmes ask for a video, a portfolio or a short essay on a set topic. Read the document list twice and check the file format and size limits before you upload anything.

The motivation letter carries real weight. It should explain why this programme, why these countries and why your background fits the curriculum, with examples from your study or work. A generic letter about loving Europe will not rank well. Name the courses, the professors or the research themes that attract you, and connect them to work you have already done. Our guide to official scholarship portals shows how to find the catalogue and the programme pages without getting lost in unofficial listings.

What the Selection Panel Looks For

Selection panels rank applicants on academic strength, motivation, references and fit with the programme. Grades matter, but a candidate with slightly lower grades and a clear, specific motivation often beats a candidate with high grades and a vague letter. References should come from teachers or employers who know your work and can give examples. Give them your programme list and your motivation letter so their letters match your application.

Life Across Two or More Countries

Studying in two or three countries in two years is the best part of Erasmus Mundus and also the hardest part. You will change cities, housing, bank accounts and daily routines several times, and you will need a visa or residence permit for each country where you study. The programme consortium usually helps with visas and housing, and the scholarship contributes to travel and visa costs, but you should still plan each move early and keep copies of every document.

Erasmus Mundus rewards students who choose a programme for its content, not only for its countries. The travel is wonderful, but the degree is the point, and the panel can tell the difference. Use our application checklist and deadline tracker to manage the documents, deadlines and references for every programme you apply to, so nothing slips while you plan a move across Europe.

• Start with the official Erasmus Mundus course catalogue
• Shortlist programmes by subject, partners and mobility path
• Note each programme’s own deadline, usually October to January
• Write a motivation letter about the programme content, not travel
• Prepare visa and housing plans for every country in the programme