Every year thousands of students go searching for inexpensive master’s degrees in Europe. For over two decades now, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) has been answering that quest. The European Union funds the project with it being built around the unusual idea that you don’t only study at one university but rather go on to several in different countries as part of the same degree.
That last point is what sets Erasmus Mundus apart from almost every other scholarship out there. This isn’t a single university handing out funding. It’s a consortium of institutions co-designing and co-teaching one degree together. This guide walks through what that actually means, what the money covers, who qualifies, and how the application process really works.
What Exactly Is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s?
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree (EMJM) is an international master’s course governed by a consortium of at least three higher education institutions based in at least three different countries. You transfer between partners physically rather than remaining at a single campus, all for two years. You usually land in two or three countries by graduation, mixing coursework, research, and often a thesis or internship along the way.
This constant movement isn’t accidental. That’s the whole point. By forcing students out of their comfort zone and into multiple academic cultures, Erasmus Mundus tries to produce graduates who genuinely understand more than one system. People come out the other side with a level of cross-cultural fluency that’s hard to fake and hard to teach in a single classroom.
Because these programmes run under the EU’s Erasmus+ initiative, most of them come bundled with scholarship funding baked right in. That’s what makes the degree realistically achievable for students regardless of where they’re from or what their bank account looks like.
What Does the Scholarship Actually Pay For?
The whole point of the funding is to make it easy so that you can just study and not have to worry about finances. Most EMJM scholarships are bundled together.
- The consortium for the entire programme will pay the entire tuition fees.
- A monthly living allowance of around €1,400 (which adds up to roughly €33,600 across the full 24 month programme for scholarship holders).
- Travel and installation support intends to help with airfare to your study destination and the cost of settling into a new country.
- Insurance that would include travel and health insurance for the duration of your study.
- Any other mandatory participation costs of that particular consortium’s requirements.
It is worth noting that each consortium manages its own budget, so the precise figures may vary from programme to programme, and certain ones permit you to exchange part of your monthly stipend for a more substantial travel and installation contribution instead. Never take any figure to be gospel until you have checked the official page of the specific Joint Master you are applying to.
Erasmus Mundus at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Where you study | At least two partner universities, typically across Europe, sometimes stretching into eligible non-European countries too |
| Degree you walk away with | A single joint degree, multiple national degrees, or a mix, depending on the consortium |
| Length | Usually 12 to 24 months |
| Who can apply | Students from literally any country |
| Who pays for it | The European Union, through Erasmus+ |
Where Will You Actually Study?
Because every EMJM is run by its own consortium rather than a single school, your actual study locations depend entirely on which programme you pick. Most students end up spending time in at least two different countries, following whatever mobility route that particular Joint Master has mapped out.
Some programmes stay entirely inside Europe. Others bring in partner universities from eligible countries outside Europe too. The only way to know your real destinations is to dig into the official page of the programme you’re interested in. It’ll spell out exactly which institutions you’ll pass through and in what order. The official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue, run by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), is the best place to start browsing what’s currently active. If you’re weighing up other fully funded European routes at the same time, the Chevening Scholarship is worth a look if the UK specifically is on your radar.
Who Actually Qualifies?
Every Joint Master sets its own detailed entry bar, but nearly all of them share this baseline:
- No nationality restriction and literally anyone, from anywhere, can apply.
- You need a bachelor’s degree, or you need to be in your final year of one when you apply (you’ll have to finish it before your master’s actually starts).
- Equivalent qualifications count too, as long as they’re officially recognized under the rules of the country that issued them.
- You’ll need the right academic background for whatever field you’re applying into.
- Language requirements set by the consortium need to be met. Usually English, sometimes an additional language depending on the programme.
- Some programmes tack on extra conditions, like specific prior coursework or relevant work experience.
Rules genuinely vary by programme here, so treat the official website of your target Joint Master as the final word, not a general blog post like this one.
How Do You Actually Apply?
There’s no single portal where you fill out one form and it goes to every programme. Each Joint Master runs its own admissions pipeline from start to finish. Here’s roughly how it plays out:
- Browse the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue and shortlist programmes that actually match your background and where you want your career to go.
- Read the official programme page closely.
- Pull together your documents: transcripts, proof of language proficiency, a CV, a motivation letter, and recommendation letters.
- Submit everything through the programme’s own application system, following its exact instructions.
- Watch the deadline. Most programmes open applications between October and January for an intake starting the following year, though this shifts by programme.
- Wait it out. Reviewers judge you on academic merit, motivation, and fit. Most successful applicants hear back between March and May.
- Handle enrolment once you’re in.
Quick CV Tips Worth Knowing
Your CV is usually the first thing a selection committee actually looks at, so clarity beats length every time. Lead with your education, then move into whatever experience most directly shows you’re ready for this specific programme.
Include research work, university projects, internships, jobs, relevant skills, awards, and leadership roles where they apply but don’t just list titles. Describe what you actually did and what came out of it. Reviewers respond to concrete outcomes, not vague claims about being a “team player.”
Check first whether your target programme wants a specific CV format or page limit. Plenty of them do, and ignoring that is an easy way to look careless before you’ve even started.
Tips That Actually Help Your Application
- Pick your programme before you write anything. The right fit matters more than a polished but generic application to the wrong one.
- Actually understand the programme before drafting your motivation letter or shaping your CV around it.
- Give your application a clear thread and tie your background and goals directly to why this exact programme makes sense for you.
- Use real evidence, not adjectives. Specific examples beat vague claims of being “passionate” or “hardworking” every time.
- Make your motivation letter unmistakably about this programme. If it could be copy-pasted into any application, rewrite it.
- Keep your CV tight. Include what’s relevant, not your entire life history.
- Pick referees who actually know your work well and can speak to it with real detail.
- Skip the pointless certificates. Reviewers can spot padding from genuine preparation.
- Treat every programme as its own case. Deadlines and requirements shift even within the same field.
- Leave yourself time for a final read-through before you hit submit, not the night before the deadline.
Other Fully Funded Routes Worth Comparing
If you’re building out a wider list of funded options, a few others are worth a look next to Erasmus Mundus. The DAAD Scholarship covers academic visits to Germany. If avoiding IELTS is a priority, there are routes into Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway that skip that requirement. Belgium’s ARES Scholarship is another option worth checking, and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are a solid pick if you’re chasing research-heavy, prestige-driven funding.
A Quick Note on Accuracy
This guide is meant to give you a general picture and not the final word. Funding amounts, eligibility rules, required documents, and deadlines shift between individual Joint Masters and change from one academic cycle to the next. Always confirm the current details through the official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue and the specific programme page before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, really?
It’s EU-funded support attached to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters with international degrees delivered jointly by at least three universities across different countries. It typically covers tuition, a monthly living allowance around €1,400, and contributions toward travel, installation, and insurance costs.
Who can actually apply?
Anyone, from any country, as long as you hold a bachelor’s degree (or are finishing one) and meet the academic and language bar set by your chosen programme.
How many countries will I actually live in?
Most programmes have you studying in at least two different countries as part of the built-in mobility structure, though the specific route depends entirely on which Joint Master you pick.
How long does the whole thing take?
Generally 12 to 24 months, depending on how the consortium has structured coursework, research, and any thesis or internship component.
When should I apply?
Most programmes open applications between October and January for the following year’s intake. Since each Joint Master runs its own timeline, always confirm the exact date on the official programme page.
Is there one central application portal?
No. Every Joint Master handles its own applications independently. The Erasmus Mundus Catalogue is where you browse and shortlist, but you apply directly through each programme’s own website.
Do I need a Europass-style CV?
It’s not mandatory everywhere, but a clean, well-structured CV tends to be well received, since it’s a standard many EU-funded programmes already recognize.
Official Website: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters