The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the best-known routes to a fully funded master’s degree in Europe, and it is open to students from anywhere in the world, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and every other African country. It funds you to study the same master’s programme in at least two European countries, earn a joint or multiple degree, and graduate with an international network most single-university degrees cannot match.
There is a catch that most blog posts gloss over: there is no single “Erasmus Mundus application.” Each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is its own programme with its own portal, deadline, documents and scholarship allocation. That is why so many applicants get confused, miss deadlines, or apply to the wrong programmes.
This guide is written for graduates and final-year undergraduates, especially from Africa, who want a clear answer to three questions: Am I eligible? What will the scholarship actually pay for? How do I apply in a way that gives me a real chance?
I pulled together what the official European catalogue says, checked it against several programme-level pages and independent guides, and flagged every place where sources disagree or where rules change from one programme to another. Treat this as your map, and the programme websites as your final authority.
Quick reality check: Erasmus Mundus scholarships are for master’s-level study. They are not for bachelor’s degrees or PhDs.
What Are Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM)?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are master’s programmes delivered by several universities in different countries. The European education agency describes them as programmes known for academic excellence and strong integration between the partner institutions.
In practice, you study at two or more universities in different countries within the same programme, and you finish with a joint degree or multiple degrees depending on the consortium.
The official catalogue is updated every year and lists the programmes the EU currently supports. When I checked it, it listed 218 projects, with filters for country, field of study, duration (12, 18 or 24 months, which equals 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits) and year of selection. Always start from the catalogue, because it only lists programmes that are currently supported.
Important: not every programme in the catalogue offers scholarships for every intake. The official page notes that some programmes have reached the end of their funding period or only temporarily use the Erasmus Mundus name. One programme I checked states plainly that scholarships are not available for its September 2027 intake. Check this on each programme’s own site before you invest time.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Benefits: What Does It Actually Cover?
Here is what the sources agree on:
- Tuition and mandatory participation costs: Scholarship holders are not charged tuition or other mandatory participation costs. Consortia cannot charge them.
- Monthly allowance of €1,400: paid for the length of the programme, up to 24 months for a two-year master’s (a maximum of €33,600 over 24 months).
- Insurance: full insurance cover is included, in line with Erasmus+ rules.
- A joint or multiple degree recognised across the consortium countries.
The part where sources disagree: travel and installation
This is where you need to be careful. Some guides, especially older ones, describe separate travel allowances (anywhere from €1,000 to €3,000 depending on distance) and a separate installation allowance. One current guide says those separate payments no longer exist and that your €1,400 is meant to cover visa, travel, installation and living costs.
At least one programme’s own page describes a hybrid: you can choose between receiving €1,400 a month with nothing upfront, or taking three €1,000 advances for visa, travel and installation, which are deducted from the award and lower your monthly payment to €1,275.
My reading: the current model is a single monthly allowance meant to cover everything, and some programmes offer advances to help with upfront costs. But I cannot confirm this for every programme, and older figures still circulate online. Ask each programme exactly what is paid, when, and in what instalments.
Is €1,400 enough?
It depends heavily on where you study. One guide estimates the allowance falls short in expensive cities such as Amsterdam and Paris and leaves a surplus in cheaper ones such as Lisbon and Warsaw. Those are one site’s estimates, not official figures, but the pattern is realistic. The first month is the hardest, because deposits, a flight and visa costs arrive before your first payment.
Before accepting an offer, build your own budget. Ask alumni of the programme which cities you will live in, what rent costs there, and when the first payment actually lands. One guide suggests having a few thousand euros saved before you leave. Treat that as a sensible cushion rather than an official rule.
Who Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship For?
Undergraduate students
The scholarship does not fund bachelor’s degrees. But if you are in your final year, you may still be able to apply. Several sources say final-year students can apply with proof of expected graduation, as long as they have the degree before the programme starts. Check each programme’s wording, because some ask for a specific document.
If you are earlier in your degree, use the time to build your profile: strong grades, a final-year project, English test preparation and relationships with lecturers who can write detailed references.
Graduate students (bachelor’s degree holders)
This is the core audience. You need a first higher education degree or recognised equivalent. One guide specifies at least 180 ECTS or equivalent. Each programme adds its own subject requirements, so a bachelor’s in an unrelated field may not qualify for a specific master’s.
Postgraduate students (people who already hold a master’s)
The sources I checked rule out people who have already received an EMJM scholarship, but they do not say whether holding an earlier master’s degree counts against you. Programmes may set their own rules on this, so if your goal is a second master’s, read the entry requirements closely and ask the coordinator before applying.
If you want a PhD, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scheme is not the route, although an EMJM can be excellent preparation for one.
Who it suits best
- Graduates who want an international, multi-country master’s rather than a single-university degree
- Applicants with a clear field in mind who can write a sharp, programme-specific motivation letter
- People who are comfortable relocating to different countries during the programme
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
General rules (confirmed across multiple sources)
- Open to all nationalities. Candidates from around the world compete for scholarships.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Final-year students may apply if they will complete the degree before the programme begins.
- No previous EMJM scholarship. People who have already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship cannot receive another.
- Full-time study. The scholarship is awarded only for full-time enrolment, and only in full.
- Mobility. You must study in at least two different countries, with at least one in an EU member state or an Erasmus+ associated country. One programme adds that both study periods must be outside your country of residence when you enrol, and that virtual mobility does not count.
Programme-level rules (set by each consortium)
- Subject-specific prerequisites for your bachelor’s degree
- English test scores: sources commonly cite IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 as typical, but this varies, and programmes taught in other languages have their own requirements
- Work experience: not required for most programmes, but required or preferred for some
- Portfolio or work samples for creative and media fields
Rules that depend on where you have lived
Some programme pages say that if you have lived, studied or worked in a European programme country for more than 12 months in the last five years, you may be treated as a programme-country student rather than a partner-country student. This can affect which funding pool you are in and may change what you receive, but it does not necessarily disqualify you. Because applicants are now reported to compete in a single pool, this rule matters mainly for how your scholarship is calculated. Check how your chosen programme applies it.
Nationality and geographic balance
Programmes aim for geographic balance, and some set caps on how many scholarship holders can share one nationality. The specific numbers differ between programmes and I could not verify a single rule that applies to all of them. If your nationality is common among applicants, your odds in some programmes are tougher, so read the selection rules.
Age: one guide says there is no age limit. I could not confirm this on an official page.
A note for African applicants
“Equivalent” degrees need care. If your university uses a grading scale that reviewers may not know, upload a transcript with an explanation of the scale and your class of degree. Some programmes request certified copies and certified translations, so start early.
How to Apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Browse the official catalogue and shortlist programmes
Start with the catalogue, filter by your field, and open each programme’s own website. Read the curriculum, the study locations, the language of instruction and the scholarship details.
Tip: Shortlist more than you will apply to. Then cut down to the programmes where your background genuinely fits.
Step 2: Know the application limit
One guide says you can apply to a maximum of three EMJM programmes per year, and warns that exceeding this can cause problems. Another guide recommends shortlisting about three. I could not confirm the exact rule and its consequences on the official catalogue page, so confirm it in the official Erasmus+ rules before you apply to more than three.
Step 3: Check scholarship availability and the exact deadline
Visit each programme’s site, check whether scholarships exist for your intake, and write down the deadline and time zone. Deadlines differ by programme.
Step 4: Prepare documents early
Certified transcripts, degree certificates, English tests and referee letters take the longest. See the checklist below.
Step 5: Write a motivation letter for each programme
This is where most applications are won or lost. Do not reuse one letter. Name specific modules, partner universities and research groups, explain why this combination suits your plan, and link your past work to the programme’s focus.
Step 6: Register on each programme’s portal
There is no central application system. Each programme runs its own portal with its own word limits and formats. Register early so you can see exactly what it asks for.
Step 7: Submit early
One guide advises applying early because portals can slow down or crash near deadlines. That matches the experience of many applicants. Aim to submit days before the deadline.
Step 8: Wait for results and plan for reserve lists
Guides report that scholarship results usually arrive between about February and April, with reserve-list offers continuing into the following months. These are estimates, not promises. Reserve candidates may wait months for an answer, so keep your visa and finances plan flexible.
Step 9: Accept, then handle visa and housing
If you win, you will need a visa for your first host country, accommodation and travel arrangements. Visa requirements and processing times differ by country, so ask the programme office what support it provides.
Required Documents Checklist
Commonly requested across programmes (confirm each one):
- Bachelor’s degree certificate (certified copies if required)
- Official transcripts showing your grading scale
- Certified English translations of documents not in English
- English test results (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent), unless your programme exempts you
- CV or resume
- Motivation letter tailored to the programme
- Two or three recommendation letters
- Passport copy and, if requested, a passport-style photo
- Portfolio or work samples for creative, design or media programmes
- Proof of professional experience, if the programme asks for it
- Proof of expected graduation, if you are a final-year student
- Any programme-specific form, questionnaire or video
Practical tip: Keep a single folder with clearly named PDFs, such as “Transcript_Bachelors.pdf”. Check file size limits on each portal before the deadline day.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Deadlines and Timeline
Here is the general pattern reported for programmes starting in September 2027:
| Stage | Typical timing |
| Programme research | June to September 2026 |
| Applications open | From October 2026 |
| Most deadlines | Between October 2026 and about January 2027 (some close in November, some later) |
| Scholarship results | Roughly February to April 2027, per some guides |
| Reserve list offers | Roughly March to June 2027 |
| Visa and housing | Roughly May to August 2027 |
| Programme starts | September 2027 (exact dates vary) |
Please note: the European education agency’s page says most programmes accept applications from October to January, with exact deadlines set by each programme. Dates above for results and reserve lists come from third-party guides and are not official. Some newly selected programmes had not yet published their 2027 dates when one guide was checked.
A realistic plan from now
It is October, so applications are opening or about to open, and some deadlines may be only weeks away.
| When | What to do |
| This week | Open the catalogue, shortlist programmes, note every deadline |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Request transcripts, certificates, English test booking, contact referees |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Draft each motivation letter, get feedback from a lecturer |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Finalise documents and submit the earliest-deadline programmes first |
| After submission | Watch your email and spam folder, prepare for possible interviews |
If a programme you want closes in November, start today. If your English test is not yet booked, do that first, because test dates and result times can fill up.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating Erasmus Mundus as one application. Every programme is separate.
- Applying without checking scholarship availability. A programme can exist in the catalogue and still have no scholarship for your intake.
- Sending the same motivation letter everywhere. Reviewers can tell.
- Relying on old blog posts. Allowance structures and rules have changed over the years, so older figures can mislead you.
- Ignoring the deadline’s time zone. Submit early so this never matters.
- Choosing programmes by country instead of fit. The curriculum and consortium matter more than the destination.
- Leaving referees to the last minute. Late recommendation letters sink applications.
- Skipping the budget. €1,400 goes further in some cities than others, and the first month is expensive.
- Missing programme-specific extras. Portfolios, videos and extra forms are easy to overlook.
- Ignoring the reserve list. If you are not selected immediately, you may still get an offer later. Don’t make irreversible plans too soon.
Insider Tips to Strengthen Your Application
These are practical suggestions based on how competitive scholarship selection generally works, not official rules.
- Understand the odds. Guides estimate acceptance at roughly 2 to 10 percent, with popular programmes receiving hundreds or even thousands of applications for a few dozen places. These are unofficial estimates, but they tell you to apply to several well-matched programmes rather than one dream choice.
- Look at newer programmes. One guide notes that newer programmes tend to be less competitive. Check the catalogue’s filter for recent selection years.
- Show a story, not a list. Your degree, projects and goals should point in one direction.
- Be specific about the programme. Name modules, partner universities and why the mobility path suits your plan.
- Prove you can handle the mobility. Moving between countries is hard. Mention any experience of living away from home, learning a language or adapting quickly.
- Choose referees who know your work. A detailed letter from a project supervisor beats a vague one from a famous name.
- Ask a lecturer to read your letter. A fresh pair of eyes catches weak spots.
- Contact the programme office with specific questions. Ask about scholarship availability, payment schedule and visa support. Keep it brief and professional.
- Prepare backup funding options. Keep other scholarships and programmes in play in case yours falls through.
- Check visa timelines for your nationality early. Waiting until after the offer can cost you weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship fully funded?
Tuition and mandatory participation costs are covered, and you receive a monthly allowance of €1,400 plus insurance. Whether there are separate travel or installation payments depends on the programme, so confirm it directly.
Can African students apply?
Yes. The scheme is open to students from anywhere in the world.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Often yes, but it depends on the programme. Commonly cited levels are around IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90. Check each programme’s rules, including whether an English-taught degree gives you an exemption.
Can I apply as a final-year student?
Several sources say yes, with proof of expected graduation, provided you finish your degree before the programme starts. Check each programme’s wording.
How many programmes can I apply to?
One guide says up to three per year. Confirm this in the official Erasmus+ rules before you apply to more.
Can I get the scholarship twice?
No. Previous Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship holders cannot receive another one.
Is there one central application portal?
No. Each programme has its own portal, deadlines and requirements.
Do I need work experience?
Most programmes do not require it, but some do. Check each one.
Can I work while studying?
It depends on the rules of the host country and the programme schedule. Ask the programme before you plan your finances around part-time work.
When do I hear back?
Third-party guides say roughly February to April for scholarship results, with reserve-list offers later. Each programme sets its own timetable.
Do all Erasmus Mundus programmes offer scholarships?
No. Some have no scholarships for certain intakes, and some are self-funded. Always check.
Where do I find the official list of programmes?
In the Erasmus Mundus catalogue on the European education agency’s website, which is updated annually.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is a serious opportunity: tuition covered, a monthly allowance, insurance, and a multi-country master’s that can open doors in research and industry alike. It is also competitive, and the winners tend to be the applicants who treat each programme as its own application and write to it.
Here is what to do this week:
- Open the official catalogue and shortlist programmes that truly fit your background.
- Check each programme’s scholarship availability, deadline and time zone.
- Book your English test if you need one, and request certified transcripts.
- Brief your referees, then draft a separate motivation letter for each programme.
- Submit the earliest-deadline application first, and keep proof of submission.
Apply here: Browse the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and apply through each programme’s website
You do not need to be perfect. You need to be prepared, specific and early. Good luck.
Author’s note: Scholarship amounts, deadlines, eligibility rules and application procedures change, and they differ between Erasmus Mundus programmes. Third-party websites, including this one, can lag behind the official source. Before you apply or make financial or travel plans, double-check everything on the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and on each programme’s own website. If anything here conflicts with an official page, trust the official page.