What Is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree?
An EMJM is a genuinely integrated programme, not an exchange year bolted onto a normal degree. Students typically study across at least two different countries as part of the fully integrated curriculum, and graduate with either a joint degree, a double degree, or multiple degrees from the participating universities, depending on how that specific programme is structured. Programmes exist across nearly every academic discipline, including engineering, technology, data science, public health, human rights, economics, business, law, and the humanities.
Who Is Eligible for Erasmus Mundus?
According to the official EU Erasmus+ programme guidance:
- Hold a Bachelor's degree, or demonstrate an officially recognised Bachelor's equivalent level of learning under the national legislation of the country where that qualification was awarded
- Students in their final year of a Bachelor's degree may also apply, provided they graduate before the Master's programme begins
- Meet the specific academic and language requirements set by your chosen programme, since these are set individually by each consortium rather than following one universal EU standard
Students from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. Erasmus Mundus is explicitly open globally, not restricted to European citizens.
What Does the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Cover?
For students awarded an EU scholarship specifically, confirmed through the official Erasmus+ programme page:
- A monthly stipend of €1,400, paid for a maximum of 24 months
- Tuition fees for the joint programme
- Additional support, including travel and installation costs, which vary by specific programme
An Important Thing to Know Before You Apply
This is genuinely one of the most important things to understand about Erasmus Mundus, and it's easy to miss: not every programme offers EU funded scholarships every year. Because each joint programme's EU funding is awarded through a separate, competitive grant application submitted by that programme's consortium, some well established Erasmus Mundus programmes have had no scholarships available for certain intake years while their consortium reapplies for renewed funding, even though the programme itself continues to run for self-funded students. This means the same programme can offer full scholarships one year and none the next, so checking the current funding status directly on your specific chosen programme's own website, not just the general Erasmus Mundus catalogue, is essential before you build your financial plan around it.
How Do I Apply for Erasmus Mundus?
- Search the official Erasmus Mundus course catalogue to find programmes matching your field of interest, since you cannot apply to "Erasmus Mundus" in general, only to a specific listed joint programme
- Review that specific programme's own website for its entry requirements, participating universities, funding status, and full application process
- Apply directly to the consortium running your chosen programme, not through a centralised EU application system
- Indicate your interest in being considered for the EU scholarship, where available, typically through a specific checkbox or section within that programme's own application form
- Submit before the programme's specific deadline. Most programmes open applications between October and January for courses starting the following academic year, though exact deadlines vary considerably by programme, some run earlier scholarship deadlines separate from later self-funded deadlines
Can I Apply to More Than One Erasmus Mundus Programme?
Yes. Applicants are generally able to apply to multiple different Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programmes within the same academic year, since each is run and assessed independently by its own consortium. Given how much deadlines and requirements vary between programmes, keeping a clear, separate timeline for each application you submit is worth doing carefully.
What Happens If I'm Not Selected for a Scholarship?
Depending on the specific programme, non-selected scholarship candidates are often given the option to continue as a self-funded student instead, sometimes from a reserve list if a scholarship place later becomes available. Terms for this vary by programme, so check your specific consortium's policy on reserve lists and self-funded conversion directly.
FAQs About Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Is Erasmus Mundus one scholarship I can apply for directly?
No. It's a catalogue of individually run joint Master's programmes, each with its own application process and its own separate decision on whether a scholarship is available for that year's intake.
How long does the EU scholarship pay for?
Up to €1,400 a month for a maximum of 24 months, for students awarded a scholarship on their specific programme.
Do all Erasmus Mundus programmes have scholarships available every year?
No. Scholarship availability depends on each programme's own separate, competitive EU funding renewal, and some programmes have years with no scholarships available at all while continuing to run for self-funded students.
Can non-European students apply?
Yes. Erasmus Mundus is open to students from anywhere in the world.
Do I need to already have a completed Bachelor's degree to apply?
Not necessarily. Students in their final year of a Bachelor's degree can apply, provided they graduate before the Master's programme begins.
Sources: Official European Union Erasmus+ programme pages, including the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters overview and funding rules, and individual programme pages from the University of Glasgow, IHE Delft, and the NOHA/Euroculture consortia.
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