Dreaming of a master’s degree in Europe without draining your savings? The EMMIR Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Migration and Intercultural Relations could be exactly what you need. It is a two-year program run by eight universities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Applications for Edition 14 (2027 to 2029) are open now, and the scholarship deadline is 20 December 2026. Here is everything you need, from money and deadlines to paperwork and living costs.
What Is EMMIR?
EMMIR is a two-year Erasmus Mundus master’s degree that looks at how people move, settle, and relate to each other across cultures. The European Union co-funds it through Erasmus+, and you will not stay in one place. You study four semesters across several countries and finish with a master’s degree. Edition 14 begins on 1 September 2027 in Oldenburg, Germany. You can read more about the EU program on the Erasmus Mundus page.
| Detail | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Program length | Two years, four semesters |
| Edition 14 intake | 2027 to 2029 |
| Program start | 1 September 2027 |
| Scholarship and non-fee deadline | 20 December 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Fee-paying deadline | 15 July 2027, or until places fill |
| Scholarship stipend | €1,400 per month for 24 months |
| Fee-paying cost | €4,500 per semester |
🔗 Official Application Link: EMMIR Official Programme Homepage
Three Ways to Fund Your Place
You do not need to justify your funding choice. EMMIR says it does not affect how your application gets rated, so pick the option that fits your situation.
- Erasmus+ scholarship. This is merit-based and very limited in number. Winners get €1,400 per month for 24 months, and EMMIR covers health insurance, university registration, and student service fees. You pay travel, visa, vaccination, and residence permit costs from your stipend.
- Non-fee-paying self-funded. This is also merit-based. You pay no participation fee, and insurance and registration are still covered. You fund your own living and travel costs.
- Fee-paying self-funded. You pay €4,500 per semester, which covers the program, insurance, and fees. You still need money for living costs and travel.
Building a shortlist of other fully funded master’s routes in Europe? You may also want to check this guide to the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/2028.
Who Can Apply
You need a first degree in a related field such as social sciences, history, cultural studies, education, law, economics, development studies, or journalism. You also need to meet these requirements:
- A final grade of at least C+ or the equivalent, proven by certificates.
- A first degree no more than five years old. If yours is older, explain in your statement why you returned to university.
- Documented knowledge of migration studies, intercultural relations, and empirical methods. Relevant work experience gives you an edge.
- Proof of English. Native English speakers must show proficiency in a second language relevant to migration studies. Waivers exist for graduates of universities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, or New Zealand.
- No previous Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship.
Check the full entry requirements page before you spend money on language tests.
🔗 Official Source: Full Entry Requirements Page
Important Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 1 October 2026 |
| Scholarship and non-fee deadline | 20 December 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Selection Board meets | End of March 2027 |
| Admission notifications begin | Early to mid April 2027 |
| Hard copies due | 10 calendar days after notification |
| Preliminary admission target | 30 April 2027 |
| Fee-paying deadline | 15 July 2027, or earlier if places fill |
Do not wait until the last hour. EMMIR only recognizes the timestamp its database records, so a submission logged after 23:59 CET will not count for scholarships. Aim to submit at least 48 hours early.
How to Apply, Step by Step
The full instructions live on the official application procedures page, but here is the short version:
- Register on eMundus. Sign up at the official portal, emmir.tchooz.app, using your name and email.
- Complete the online form in English. You can save and return later, but you cannot edit it after you submit.
- Upload your PDFs. Include a passport copy, CV, a statement of purpose of one to two pages, your degree diploma and transcript, language proof, and any other relevant documents. If you’re unsure how this differs from a personal statement, this piece on statement of purpose vs. personal statement clears that up.
- Describe your knowledge. Use the 480-character field to explain your migration, intercultural relations, or research background.
- Choose your funding options. Select the options you want to be considered for. Do not upload reference letters. Just provide your referees’ email addresses, though it still helps to line one up properly using this guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
- Watch your inbox. You will get a confirmation email once your submission goes through.
🔗 Official Application Link: eMundus Application Portal
Not sure how to approach the statement of purpose itself? This guide on what a statement of purpose is and how to write one walks through it step by step.
What Happens After You Apply
The Selection Board reviews applications and ranks candidates. Scholarships go to the top scores, but many other qualified candidates miss out. If you get a notification letter, you have 10 calendar days to send certified true copies by tracked courier and email the tracking number to EMMIR. Certified copies usually come from a notary, an embassy, the police, or a municipal office, depending on your country. Reserve list candidates may move up in May or June if someone declines a place.
Once your notification letter lands, timing matters. This guide on what to do after receiving a university admission offer covers the practical next steps.
What Living Costs Look Like
Your living costs depend heavily on where you study. Here are the estimates from EMMIR:
- Oldenburg, Germany: €992 to €1,000 per month
- Stavanger, Norway: about €1,200 per month
- Prague, Czechia: €900 to €1,200 per month
- Accra, Ghana: €700 to €1,000 per month
- Nova Gorica, Slovenia: about €750 per month
- Mbarara, Uganda: €450 to €500 per month
- Kolkata, India: about €500 per month
If you need a German student visa, you must show €11,208 in a blocked account for your first year. Read the official German guidance on blocked accounts before you apply. Previous students have also been funded by government programs in Canada, Denmark, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Norway, and Spain, so check your own country’s student aid office. It’s also worth getting a general sense of costs elsewhere using this guide on how to find affordable universities abroad, especially if you’re weighing the fee-paying route.
Working While You Study
Many students find work, but the jobs are not always the office or research roles they hope for. Expect physically demanding shifts in factories or warehouses. Most students find work in their third or fourth semester, since the first semester is intense. Your visa limits your working hours, so read the rules before you accept any job. If you’re not clear on how a student visa’s work rights differ from a full work visa, this breakdown of visa sponsorship vs. work visa is worth a read, and this guide on how to write a cover letter for jobs abroad can help once you start applying.
Your Four-Country Study Path
Semester one runs in Oldenburg, and semester two moves to Stavanger, Norway. In March of semester two, you choose your own mobility path for semester three. That includes a project-based internship and a focus module at a partner university. Semester four starts with a proposal colloquium in December, and your thesis is due on 30 June. You can see the full list of partners on the partners page. If Norway ends up being more than a single semester for you, this guide to scholarships to study in Norway without IELTS is worth a look too.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Read the Migration 101 page before you start writing.
- Make sure your online form and uploaded documents match exactly, including your name as it appears in your passport.
- Explain your motivation with specific reasons, not buzzwords.
- Highlight relevant experience, such as teaching, research, or community work.
- Write the knowledge section in plain language. EMMIR specifically asks you not to write academic-style text.
Want to be ready in case the Selection Board process involves a conversation stage? This guide on how to prepare for a scholarship interview covers the basics either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I am not from Europe?
Yes, you can. EMMIR accepts qualified applicants from any country, and its partners sit on three continents. Selection focuses on your academic record, relevant experience, motivation, and language skills. Check that your first degree is in a related field and meets the minimum grade of C+.
How much money do scholarship holders actually receive?
Scholarship holders receive €1,400 per month for 24 months. EMMIR also covers health insurance, university registration, and student service fees. Out of that stipend, you pay mobility costs such as travel, visas, vaccinations, and residence permit fees. Oldenburg living costs run about €992 to €1,000 monthly.
When do I need to send hard copies of my documents?
Only students who receive a notification letter offering a study place must send hard copies. You then have 10 calendar days to ship certified true copies by a tracked courier and email the tracking number to EMMIR. Originals are not advised because EMMIR cannot return them.
Can I use a Gmail or Hotmail address?
Choose Gmail, Yahoo, or another non-Outlook provider. The University of Oldenburg system does not work with Hotmail or Outlook addresses. Use one email address from start to finish. Once you submit, you cannot edit your application, so double-check every field before you click submit.
Do I need prior knowledge of migration studies?
You must document some knowledge, but you do not need a specialist degree. EMMIR looks for evidence of migration studies, intercultural relations, and empirical methods. If your background is thin, read the Migration 101 page first. Keep your answer under 480 characters and avoid academic-style writing.
Can I apply for both the scholarship and self-funding?
Yes. You can indicate more than one funding option in the application. Your choice does not affect how your application is rated. Fee-paying self-funded applicants have until 15 July 2027, but places are assigned first come, first served.
Weighing EMMIR against other major fully funded master’s routes? You may also want to check this guide to the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 or this one on the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028.
Final Thoughts
EMMIR offers a rare mix of monthly funding, international travel, and a global view of migration. If you qualify, do not wait. Gather your transcripts, prepare your English proof, and write a clear statement of purpose. Start your eMundus registration now, and submit well before 20 December 2026.
Editor’s note: EMMIR’s timing page lists April 2026 for admission notifications, which appears to be a typo. This article uses April 2027, which matches the Edition 14 timeline on the same page.