Imagine studying your master’s across two or three European countries, graduating with a joint degree from several universities, and having the European Union pay your tuition, your flights, your insurance, and a monthly living allowance the whole way through. That is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship, and it is one of the most generous and prestigious study opportunities in the world.
It is also structured differently from almost every other scholarship, which trips up first-time applicants. There is no single application and no single deadline. Instead there is a catalogue of separate programs, each run by its own group of universities, each with its own rules. This guide explains exactly how it works, what it covers, who can apply, and how to give yourself the best shot. Confirm current figures and deadlines on each program’s official website and the EU’s Erasmus+ catalogue before you rely on them.
For the bigger picture on affordable European study, see our guides to studying in Europe for free and the top fully funded scholarships in Europe.
What is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (often shortened to EMJM) is not one scholarship. It is a European Union framework under which more than a hundred separate joint master’s programs are funded and delivered by consortia of universities across Europe.
Each program is run by a group of at least three universities in at least three different countries, at least two of which are in the EU. Over the one-to-two-year degree you physically move between these universities, so a typical scholar lives in two or three different European countries, studies alongside classmates from dozens of nationalities, and graduates with a joint or multiple degree recognised across Europe and beyond.
The catalogue covers nearly every field: engineering, environmental science, public health, journalism, human rights, economics, data science, the performing arts, and more. Because each program is independent, its focus, partner universities, entry requirements, and deadlines are all its own.
What the Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers
For students selected from outside the EU (classified as Category A scholars), the package is very generous and generally includes:
- Full tuition and participation costs for the entire program.
- A monthly living allowance, commonly around EUR 1,400 per month for the duration of the program.
- A travel and installation allowance, often in the range of EUR 1,000 to 3,000 depending on how far you live from Europe. Note that if you take the travel and installation payments up front, they are usually deducted from your monthly allowance, so your net monthly figure may be a little lower.
- Full health and accident insurance for the whole program.
- Visa support for each country where you study.
Over a two-year program, the total value typically runs somewhere between EUR 40,000 and EUR 50,000. Amounts are set by the EU and can change, so confirm the current figures for the specific program you apply to.
Who is eligible?
The good news is that Erasmus Mundus is open to students from anywhere in the world, and the core requirements are refreshingly simple:
- A bachelor’s degree (a first degree), or being in your final year and able to graduate before the master’s begins.
- English proficiency, usually shown with IELTS or TOEFL. Some programs accept a medium-of-instruction certificate if your degree was taught in English, and a few require another European language for certain tracks, so read each program’s page. If English tests are a barrier for you, our guide to studying abroad without IELTS is worth a look.
- No age limit. Applicants of any age can apply as long as they meet the academic and language requirements.
You may apply to a maximum of three Erasmus Mundus programs in the same academic year, and because each has its own portal, applying to more than one sensibly spreads your chances.
How to apply, step by step
There is no central application system, which is the part people find confusing. You apply to each program directly. The process looks like this:
- Browse the official EMJM catalogue on the Erasmus+ website. Filter by field, country, and keyword to find programs that fit your background.
- Shortlist up to three programs. Read each one’s own website in full, including the consortium universities, the mobility path (which country you study in and when), and the specific entry requirements.
- Check each program’s deadline. They vary widely, so build a small calendar.
- Prepare your documents: certified transcripts and degree certificate, proof of language proficiency, a CV, a strong motivation letter, recommendation letters, and anything program-specific such as a research proposal, portfolio, or writing sample.
- Apply directly through each program’s own portal, and make sure you tick the box asking to be considered for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. Some portals separate admission from scholarship consideration, and missing that box means you get in but get no funding.
- Submit well before the deadline so you have room to fix problems.
Deadlines and timeline
Most Erasmus Mundus programs run on a similar rhythm for a start the following autumn:
- Applications open from around October to December.
- Deadlines mostly fall between November and January, though some run into February. Popular programs often close earliest.
- Results typically arrive three to five months after the deadline, often in spring.
- Studies begin in the following September.
One important caveat: not every program is funded for scholarships every single year. A consortium’s EU funding runs in multi-year editions, and occasionally a given intake has no scholarship round, or offers admission on a self-funded basis only. Always check the current funding status of the specific program and intake before you build your hopes around it.
The motivation letter matters more than you think
Selection is merit-based and usually scored on a 100-point scale that weighs your transcripts, relevant experience, references, and motivation letter, sometimes followed by an interview. On many programs the motivation letter alone can account for a very large share of your score, in some cases close to half.
That means a generic letter is a wasted application. Tie your letter to the specific program: name the consortium universities, explain why their particular mobility path and specialisations fit your goals, and show you understand what makes this joint degree unique. The principles in our scholarship motivation letter guide apply directly. Strong recommendation letters round out the picture.
How competitive is it?
Very, for the popular programs. A well-known Erasmus Mundus master’s might attract several hundred to a couple of thousand applications for only fifteen to forty scholarship places, which puts acceptance rates in the low single digits to around ten percent. Newer or more specialised programs are less crowded. Applying to the maximum of three programs, and including at least one less-obvious choice, meaningfully improves your overall odds.
A word on scams
Erasmus Mundus applications go through official program portals and the EU’s Erasmus+ website, and legitimate programs do not charge you to be considered for the scholarship. If anyone asks for a fee to “secure” an Erasmus Mundus award, walk away. Verify every program against the official catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erasmus Mundus fully funded? For Category A scholars from outside the EU, yes: full tuition, a monthly allowance of around EUR 1,400, travel and installation allowances, and insurance, with a total value commonly between EUR 40,000 and EUR 50,000 over two years.
Can I apply to more than one program? Yes, up to three Erasmus Mundus programs per academic year, each through its own portal. Applying to more than one is encouraged.
Do I need work experience? No. Erasmus Mundus is open to recent graduates and to final-year students who will graduate before the master’s begins.
Do I need IELTS? Usually you need to prove English proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL, but many programs accept a medium-of-instruction certificate if your previous degree was taught in English. Requirements vary by program.
Where do I find the programs? In the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters catalogue on the Erasmus+ website. Each listing links to the program’s own site with its exact requirements and deadline.
When should I start? Aim to begin researching and drafting by late summer, since most deadlines cluster between November and January for the following autumn intake.
Start by opening the EMJM catalogue and shortlisting three programs in your field, then pour your energy into a specific, program-by-program motivation letter. When you want to compare other European options, see our roundup of the top fully funded scholarships in Europe and our full list of fully funded scholarships.
