Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for International Students
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship programme granting a €1,400 monthly stipend to high-ranked international students willing to pursue an integrated Master’s degree across 2-3 different European countries.
What is Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship hosted by the European Commission. Available to all aspiring international graduates, it is officially called the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) Scholarship. Offering a monthly stipend of €1,400 for up to 24 months, it covers tuition fees, travel, visa, and insurance.
Earlier, it used to fund doctoral opportunities along with Master's, but now the Erasmus Mundus PhD scholarships are funded via MSCA. It means that while Joint Master's programmes are funded by EMJM, Joint PhDs are now funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks.
Erasmus Mundus is a highly competitive, merit-based award, and because of its specific structure and focus on academic excellence and international mobility, it is not a one-size-fits-all opportunity. Read on to find out the suitability, eligibility criteria, application process, and assessment and evaluation for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for international students.
Who is This NOT For?
Who is This for?
|
AECC Expert Advice: If you are searching for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for MBA, look for 'Joint Masters in Management' or 'Sustainable Business' in the official catalogue, as these offer the same full-funding benefits with a more specialised curriculum.
Exclusive Benefits of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is open to international students to pursue high-level integrated master’s programmes across at least two European countries. As part of this fully-funded programme, international students spend their two-year master’s degree studying in 2 to 3 different European countries, thereby fostering mobility and a diverse academic experience.
Which European Countries Offer the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship covers programmes hosted by various European countries, including all European Union (EU) Member States and third countries associated with the programme. Common host countries include:
- France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal
- Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Finland
- Austria, Norway, Czechia, Greece, Denmark
- Hungary, Estonia, Ireland, Slovenia, Romania
- Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, Luxembourg, Slovakia
- Latvia, Iceland, Ukraine
For instance, a student might study in Finland, Austria, and Croatia, or in the Netherlands, Germany, and Estonia.
What Does the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Cover?
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship covers your tuition fees, health and visa costs, and travel expenses, including your airfare for travelling to Europe. However, the travel allowance is offered to only those students who will be required to travel as part of their course.
- Full Tuition Fees: 100% coverage of participation costs, such as tuition coverage, health insurance, and a monthly allowance
- Stipend Amount: Approximately €1,400 per month for the duration of the programme for a maximum of 24 months
- Insurance: Full health and accident insurance coverage
Since students can rotate through different universities within the consortium while earning a joint or multiple degree upon completion, this award may grant a work visa after completion of studies, allowing students to choose the European country in which they want to study.
Who Can Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is open to all international graduate aspirants applying to study in Europe. This award can be procured by students who study in up to three European countries, who also get a chance to do an internship during their studies.
Top Participating/Recipient Countries
International students applying from the following countries are eligible to apply or auto-consideration, depending on their course of study:
- India
- Brazil
- China
- Mexico
- Pakistan
And some more, which have consistently ranked as the top countries for scholarship recipients.
Programmes Offering Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is open to Master's in all disciplines. There is no restriction or limitation on the subject of study a student wants to pursue, as long as the applicant's academic background matches the chosen course. Nevertheless, you should ensure that the university you are applying to is also included in the list of universities that offer this scholarship.
AECC Expert Advice: You may browse the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue to find out the exact programmes and specific criteria that match your background. Or simply let the experts do the heavy lifting for you and find the best courses and universities to help your profile get considered for this scholarship.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Eligibility & Requirements
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship criteria are highly competitive, and it is granted to only high-achieving international students. If you want to stand out from the pool of talented applicants, you must ensure that you meet the following criteria with an extraordinary profile.
Qualification & Basic Profile
- Education: Hold a Bachelor’s degree (first degree) or be in your final year of Bachelor's studies
- Language Proficiency: Proof of English proficiency with either an IELTS Academic or a TOEFL score
- Global Access: Open to students from any country; however, you cannot have previously received an EMJM scholarship
- Academic Excellence: Competitive applicants have a high GPA, recommended at 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Document Checklist
- All academic documents, including the consolidated marksheet and official transcript certificate
- English proficiency test score for applicants from non-English-speaking countries
- Duly filled out the application form
- Scholarship SOP or a Letter of Motivation within 800 words
- Updated CV/Resume in the Europass CV format
- 1-2 Letters of Recommendation
- Programme and country-specific documents, if required
- A research project or study plan
- A copy of the passport
- Proof of Residence issued within 12 months of the application deadline
Grounds of Direct Disqualification
- Geographical Balance Rule: To ensure diversity, no more than 10% of the total scholarships per programme are awarded to students of the same nationality. This makes the competition particularly high for applicants from countries like India, Pakistan, and Brazil.
- Previous Scholarship Recipients: You are ineligible if you have already been a beneficiary of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) or Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) scholarship in the past.
- 3-Programme Limit: While the official EU limit of 3 programmes has been removed in recent years, Erasmus coordinators strongly recommend applying to no more than 3-4 programmes. This ensures your Motivation Letters remain highly tailored rather than generic, which is the #1 reason for rejection.
- 12-Month Rule: This is not a disqualifying ground. If you have lived in Europe for more than a year (over 12 months precisely) in the last 5 years, you may be classified as a Programme Country applicant, which can change scholarship amounts. This rule determines if you should receive the Partner Country (higher travel budget) or Programme Country scholarship rates.
Please note that the criteria can vary slightly by programme, so it is advisable to check specific master's websites. If you do not meet the requirements for the prestigious award, we have got you covered.
Let AECC conduct a FREE evaluation to see whether you qualify for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. Our experts will guide you on bridging the necessary gaps in your application to improve your chances of winning.
How to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
In most cases, applying for the Master's programme automatically enters you for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM). In some cases, you must apply directly to the specific Consortium of Universities managing your chosen programme. Do not apply via the EU or Erasmus. In either case, admission to the programme does not guarantee a scholarship, as these are sometimes separate assessments.
The official steps to apply are given below:
- Visit the official website of Erasmus+ (erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu).
- Click on ‘Opportunities’.
- Choose ‘Opportunities for Individuals’.
- Go to ‘Opportunities for Students’.
- Select ‘Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degrees’.
- Visit the programme catalogue and select the course.
- Send the application directly to the course coordinator.
Erasmus Mundus Deadlines
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship applications are accepted between October and January for programmes starting the following academic year. The scholarship application portal may be open for around three months, so that you get enough time to apply. It is always better to apply well before the application deadline so that you can make the necessary changes or edit if need be.
How are Applications Assessed for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship applications are assessed through a rigorous, merit-based process focusing on academic excellence, motivation, and relevant experience. The Joint Master consortium committee evaluates applicants by ranking them based on a 100-point scale covering academic transcripts, professional/internship experience, a letter of motivation, and recommendation letters, and ending with a final interview.
Assessment Criteria
- Academic Excellence: Evaluation of bachelor's degree grades, relevance of studies, and university reputation contributes to 40-50% weightage
- Motivation Letter: Assesses the applicant's intent, career goals, and understanding of the specific programme, amounting to 30% weightage of the admission decision
- Professional/Research Experience: Evaluation of internships, work, and publications in the field
- References: Quality of academic or professional recommendation letters.
Evaluation Process
- Eligibility Check & Review: The consortium verifies that applications are complete, submitted on time, and meet minimum language and degree requirements. Then, they evaluate and score applications based on the above criteria.
- Shortlisting and Interviews: The members of the selection committee invite top-ranked applicants for an online interview to discuss their motivation and subject knowledge.
- Final Selection: Finalists are chosen for the main scholarship list based on overall scores, with others placed on a reserve list.
- Results: Finalised 3 to 5 months after the deadline.
Qualities that Make or Break the Application
Here’s what sets you apart as a potential winner for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship:
| Which Qualities Are Preferred? | What Kind of Applications Are Filtered Out? |
|---|---|
| Ambitious Leaders The committee looks for individuals with a clear vision, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute to their field of study. | Stationary Students Those who do not meet strict eligibility rules or those seeking a more traditional, stationary education are not preferred. |
| Final-Year Undergraduates With a Clear Vision You can be preferred if you are currently in your final year of Bachelor's studies, provided you graduate before the Master's programme begins. | Generic Applicants This is not for those who apply blindly to multiple programmes. Success requires a tailored Motivation Letter showing exactly how a specific programme fits your unique goals. |
| Professionals Seeking Specialisation Many programmes value relevant work or research experience that aligns with the specific Master's theme. | Specific Nationality Restrictions While rare, certain organisations from countries like Belarus and the Russian Federation may face current eligibility restrictions for participation. |
Scholarships are certainly the best way to fund your study abroad dream without burning a hole in your pocket, allowing you to focus on your education instead of worrying about the finances. Timely submission can increase your chances of winning the highly competitive, one-of-a-kind study abroad scholarship.
Our experts have helped thousands of international students aspiring to study and work in Australia, with not only information on scholarships but also end-to-end application guidance. Starting from university shortlisting, application documentation, and scholarship application to visa filing, accommodation hunting, and flying abroad, AECC is your one-stop solution.