An Erasmus Mundus Scholarship can help international students pursue a Master’s degree through an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, an international programme delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions across Europe and other participating countries.
These programmes can offer a unique opportunity to study across multiple institutions and countries, while competitive scholarships can provide substantial financial support to selected students.
However, Erasmus Mundus is not one scholarship with one universal application form, deadline or eligibility checklist. Each Joint Master’s has its own consortium, curriculum, mobility structure, admission requirements and application process.
That makes programme selection one of the most important parts of the process. Before preparing a CV or motivation letter, you need to know whether the programme genuinely fits your academic background, experience and career direction.
This guide explains how Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters work, how to find and compare programmes, what requirements to check, how to prepare your application and how to apply correctly.
What Is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is an international Master’s programme delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions.
Unlike a conventional Master’s programme at one university, an EMJM can involve study periods at different participating institutions and in different countries. The exact mobility pathway depends on the individual consortium and programme.
Students may graduate with a joint or multiple Master’s degree, depending on the structure of the programme.
Most Joint Masters run for one to two academic years and can carry 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, depending on the programme.
You are choosing both an academic programme and, where available, its associated scholarship opportunity.
How Erasmus Mundus Scholarships Work
Erasmus Mundus scholarships are attached to eligible Joint Master’s programmes rather than offered through one central scholarship application.
A programme may offer a limited number of competitive scholarships to selected students. Therefore, being eligible to apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master does not automatically mean that you will receive a scholarship.
The application is normally made to the individual consortium responsible for the programme, following its published instructions.
This distinction matters because two Erasmus Mundus programmes can have different:
- Admission requirements
- Eligible academic backgrounds
- Language requirements
- Application documents
- Deadlines
- Selection procedures
- Scholarship arrangements
For that reason, avoid relying on a general Erasmus Mundus checklist when applying. The programme’s current official information should be your final reference.
What Does an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Cover?
For eligible Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, competitive scholarships can provide substantial financial support. Depending on the applicable programme and funding conditions, support may contribute to areas such as:
- Participation or programme-related costs
- Living expenses
- Travel
- Insurance
- Other eligible costs associated with the study period
The exact funding arrangement should always be checked against the current programme information.
The current EU scholarship rate is €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months, subject to the applicable funding conditions.
Do not assume that every Erasmus Mundus student receives the same funding package. Scholarship availability, award conditions and programme costs should be verified for the specific Joint Master’s programme you are considering.
How to Find Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programmes
Finding the right programme is more than searching Google for “Erasmus Mundus scholarships.”
The official programme catalogue is the best place to discover eligible Joint Master’s programmes, but the catalogue should be treated as a starting point rather than the final authority.
Start With the Official Programme Catalogue
Use the catalogue to identify programmes related to your academic background, career interests and intended field of study.
A useful rule is:
Catalogue = discovery. Programme website = verification.
The catalogue can help you discover programmes, participating institutions and broad subject areas. Once you find an interesting programme, move to its official website and verify the current information there.
At minimum, verify:
- Academic eligibility
- Curriculum
- Mobility structure
- Language requirements
- Required documents
- Application procedure
- Scholarship availability
- Application deadline
This second step is essential because programme-specific information can change between application cycles.
Search Beyond Your Exact Degree Title
One of the easiest ways to miss a suitable Erasmus Mundus programme is to search only for the exact name of your Bachelor’s degree.
For example, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate interested in renewable energy could search only for:
“Electrical Engineering”
and miss programmes described as:
Renewable Energy Systems
Sustainable Energy Systems
Smart Energy
Energy and Environmental Engineering
The same principle applies to other disciplines.
A Computer Science graduate might find relevant programmes under Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity or related fields.
Use broader subject searches to discover possibilities, then use the programme’s admission requirements to determine whether your academic background qualifies.
Verify Everything on the Programme Website
Once you have found a promising programme, examine its official website carefully.
Confirm that the programme is currently accepting applications, that you meet its academic requirements and that the mobility pathway suits your goals.
Also verify whether the programme offers an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the relevant intake.
This discovery-and-verification process can save you from spending weeks preparing an application for a programme you were never eligible to join.
How to Choose the Right Erasmus Mundus Programme
Finding several programmes that look interesting is only the beginning.
The more important question is:
Which programme makes the strongest academic and professional case for you?
Erasmus Mundus programmes can look attractive because of their international structure, participating universities or scholarship opportunities. But prestige alone is not enough reason to apply.
A practical StudyFunded framework for evaluating programme fit is:
Academic Fit → Experience Fit → Career Fit → Evidence Fit
Check the Mobility Track
Don’t evaluate an Erasmus Mundus programme simply by counting the number of countries involved.
The value of the mobility lies in what each institution contributes to your academic development.
Ask:
- Which universities host each study period?
- What subjects are taught at each institution?
- Where does the programme’s specialisation take place?
- Does the mobility pathway support your academic interests?
- Where can you conduct research or complete your thesis?
A programme involving three countries is not automatically better for you than one involving two.
The important question is whether the mobility structure adds genuine academic value to your goals.
Test Your Academic Fit
Your previous degree should provide a credible foundation for the programme.
Check the admission requirements carefully rather than relying on the programme title.
Ask:
Does my degree and coursework satisfy the academic requirements?
Look beyond the name of your degree where necessary. The programme may require particular subjects, credits, academic preparation or another specific background.
Assess Your Experience Fit
Your academic, professional, research or project experience can strengthen the case for your application when it is relevant to the programme.
Ask:
Can I demonstrate that my previous experience has prepared me for this particular Joint Master’s?
For example, an applicant with an engineering background and practical experience in energy systems may have a stronger case for a renewable-energy programme when the application clearly demonstrates how that experience connects with the proposed course.
The important factor is not simply having experience. It is relevance.
Consider Your Career Fit
A strong programme choice should make sense beyond admission.
Ask:
Can I explain how this Joint Master’s supports my intended career direction?
You do not need to predict your entire career. But there should be a credible connection between what you have done, what you want to study and what you hope to do afterward.
A programme that looks impressive but has little connection to your background or future direction may be harder to justify convincingly.
Check Your Evidence Fit
Finally, ask:
Do I have evidence to support the claims I am making?
If you describe yourself as experienced in a particular area, can your CV, academic record, projects, employment history or other documents demonstrate that experience?
If you claim that a particular specialisation is important to your career, can you explain why?
This is where programme fit becomes more than an attractive story. Your application should contain evidence that makes the story credible.
How to Compare Erasmus Mundus Programmes
If several programmes appear suitable, don’t choose immediately. Compare them systematically.
You can score each programme from 1 to 5:
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Academic fit | /5 |
| Relevant experience | /5 |
| Curriculum alignment | /5 |
| Career alignment | /5 |
| Evidence available | /5 |
You can also add a separate note for the mobility structure, especially if studying at particular institutions or in particular locations matters to you.
This score does not predict your admission probability. It simply helps you compare your fit across shortlisted programmes and identify where your application may be strongest.
Erasmus Mundus Application Requirements
There is no universal application checklist for every Erasmus Mundus Joint Master.
Requirements vary by consortium and programme, but you may commonly need:
- A qualifying Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate or proof of graduation
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter or statement where required
- Language proficiency evidence
- Recommendation letters where required
- Passport or identification document
- Proof of relevant academic or professional experience where applicable
- Additional programme-specific documents
Some programmes may also impose subject prerequisites, minimum academic standards, language conditions or other eligibility rules.
Final-year Bachelor’s students may be eligible for some programmes if they can complete their degree before the required enrolment date.
Always check the current programme requirements rather than assuming that another Erasmus Mundus programme follows the same rules.
How to Prepare Your Application
Once you have selected a suitable programme, your application materials should reinforce the programme-fit argument.
CV and Europass
Some Erasmus Mundus programmes may accept or request a Europass CV, but Europass is not automatically compulsory for every programme.
Follow the consortium’s stated CV format, page limit or template requirements first. Whichever format is required, tailor the evidence in your CV to the programme rather than submitting the same generic CV everywhere.
For detailed guidance, see our How to Write a Scholarship CV guide.
Motivation Letter
If the programme requires a motivation letter, use it to explain why the particular Joint Master’s fits your academic background, experience and career direction.
Focus on genuine features of the programme, such as its curriculum, specialisation, mobility structure or research opportunities, rather than giving a generic explanation of why you want to study in Europe.
For detailed guidance, see our Scholarship Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose (SOP) Guide resources.
Recommendation Letters
Where recommendations are required, follow the consortium’s instructions and choose referees who can provide relevant evidence of your academic, professional or research preparation.
For broader guidance, see our Scholarship Recommendation Letter guide.
How to Apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Apply through the individual Joint Master’s programme according to its published instructions.
1. Identify the Programme
Start with the official Erasmus Mundus programme catalogue and create a shortlist of programmes that appear relevant to your background and goals.
2. Read the Official Programme Requirements
Visit the programme’s official website and read the current eligibility, admission, scholarship and application instructions.
Do not rely on an old blog post or a general Erasmus Mundus checklist when the programme provides its own current instructions.
3. Confirm Your Eligibility
Check your degree background, academic requirements, language requirements, nationality or residency conditions where applicable, and any programme-specific prerequisites.
If you are unsure whether your degree qualifies, examine the stated subject and coursework requirements carefully.
4. Prepare the Remaining Documents
Make sure each file meets the consortium’s format and submission requirements.
5. Complete the Consortium’s Application
Complete the application exactly as instructed by the consortium and upload the required documents in the specified format.
6. Submit Before the Deadline
Erasmus Mundus deadlines are set by individual Joint Master’s programmes and can differ from one consortium to another.
Do not rely on a single universal Erasmus Mundus deadline.
Submit your application before the deadline shown on the official programme website and allow enough time to resolve technical or document-related problems.
Common Erasmus Mundus Application Mistakes
Choosing a Programme Without Checking Eligibility
A programme can look closely related to your degree while still having prerequisites you do not meet. Check the actual admission requirements before preparing an application.
Ignoring the Mobility Structure
Choosing a programme because it involves several countries misses one of the most important parts of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. Examine what each participating institution contributes academically.
Applying Based on the Programme Title Alone
A familiar-sounding programme title does not automatically mean that your background qualifies. Read the curriculum and entry requirements.
Reusing the Same Application Everywhere
Different consortia can have different academic structures and priorities. A generic application may fail to explain why a particular programme is the right fit.
Ignoring Consortium-Specific Instructions
The application format, documents, deadline and submission process can vary. Follow the instructions published by the programme you are actually applying to.
For broader scholarship application mistakes, see our Scholarship Application Mistakes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Is a Europass CV Required for Erasmus Mundus?
Not necessarily. Some programmes may request or accept a Europass CV, while others specify a different format. Follow the CV instructions of the individual Joint Master’s programme.
Can I Apply to More Than One Erasmus Mundus Programme?
Potentially, but application rules can vary. If you are considering multiple programmes, check the current instructions for each consortium and make sure you can meet their individual requirements.
Can Final-Year Bachelor’s Students Apply?
Some programmes may allow final-year students to apply if they can complete their Bachelor’s degree before the required enrolment date. Check the eligibility and graduation requirements of the programme you want to join.
Does Every Erasmus Mundus Programme Include Germany?
No. Erasmus Mundus is not a Germany-only programme. If studying in Germany is important to you, confirm that the selected consortium includes a participating German institution.
Final Thoughts
The strongest Erasmus Mundus application begins with choosing the right programme. Look beyond the scholarship itself and consider whether the Joint Master’s fits your academic preparation, experience and long-term direction.
Once you’ve found that fit, follow the consortium’s requirements carefully and make sure your application provides clear evidence for why you belong in that programme.
Official Erasmus Mundus Resources
Before applying, verify current information using official sources:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters catalogue — Use the official catalogue to discover eligible Joint Master’s programmes.
- Official programme website — Use the individual consortium’s website to verify eligibility, curriculum, mobility, scholarship information, documents and deadlines.
- Erasmus+ information — Check current EU information about Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and scholarship funding.
Programme requirements, scholarship availability, funding conditions and deadlines can change between application cycles. Always verify the current information on the official source before submitting an application.