The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the most generous awards for a master’s degree anywhere in the world. It is funded by the European Union, open to students of every nationality, and pays €1,400 a month for up to two years, with no tuition charged to scholarship holders. You also study in at least two European countries, often more.
The current round is open now: most programmes accept applications between October 2026 and January 2027 for courses starting in September 2027. This guide explains how the Erasmus Mundus scholarship works, who can apply, and how to choose and apply to programmes.
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What is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is a master’s programme run by a consortium of universities in different countries. Students spend parts of the programme at two or more of them, usually a semester or a year at each, and graduate with a joint or multiple degree.
There are more than 200 programmes in subjects from engineering, data science and public health to tourism, law and the humanities. The EU added 37 new programmes in July 2026, so the choice for 2027 is wider than ever.
What the Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers
Under current EU rules, the scholarship pays **€1,400 a month** for the official length of the programme, up to a maximum of 24 months. For a two-year master’s that is €33,600 in total.
Scholarship holders cannot be charged tuition or any other mandatory participation costs by the programme. Consortia also arrange health insurance for their students, and the monthly amount is intended to cover living costs and other expenses such as travel.
Whether €1,400 a month is comfortable depends on where you study. It goes a long way in cities like Warsaw or Prague, and is tight in Amsterdam or Paris. Check the cost of living in each city on your programme’s route.
Who can apply
- Students of **any nationality** can apply, including from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Brazil and Indonesia.
- You need a **bachelor’s degree**, or to be in the final year of one, in a subject relevant to the programme.
- Most programmes require **proof of English**, usually through IELTS, TOEFL or similar.
- You can apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to a **maximum of three different programmes** in the same year.
- Students who have already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship cannot receive another one.
Each programme sets its own academic requirements, such as specific prerequisite subjects or a minimum grade average. Read them carefully: a strong candidate who does not meet a programme’s formal requirements will be rejected automatically.
How competitive is it?
Very. Popular programmes receive thousands of applications for a small number of EU-funded scholarships. Most programmes rank applicants and give scholarships to the highest-ranked, then offer places without a scholarship to others. Some also offer partial scholarships funded by the consortium.
The three-programme limit is your main lever. Choose programmes where your background is a strong match, rather than the most famous ones.
How to choose programmes
- **Search the official catalogue.** The EU publishes a catalogue of all Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, filterable by subject.
- **Match your degree.** Look for programmes whose entry requirements fit your bachelor’s subject closely.
- **Check the mobility route.** Note which countries and cities you will live in, and the costs there.
- **Read the selection criteria.** Some programmes weigh grades heavily; others focus on motivation or work experience.
- **Note each deadline.** They differ by programme, and most fall between October and January.
The application
You apply directly to each programme through its own website. A typical Erasmus Mundus scholarship application asks for:
- degree certificates and transcripts;
- a CV, often in the Europass format;
- a motivation letter;
- two recommendation letters;
- proof of English;
- a copy of your passport;
- sometimes a writing sample or answers to programme-specific questions.
The motivation letter carries a lot of weight. Explain why this programme, with its particular combination of universities and courses, fits your goals, and what you will do afterwards. A letter that could be sent to any programme is easy for selection panels to spot. Our guide on how to write a scholarship essay has practical advice.
Writing a strong motivation letter
A clear structure helps selection panels see your fit quickly. One that works well:
- **Opening:** the problem or question in your field that you want to work on, in one or two sentences.
- **Your background:** the parts of your degree, research or work that prepared you for this programme, with specific examples.
- **Why this programme:** name the modules, the universities on the route and any specialisation that matter to you, and explain why.
- **Your plan afterwards:** the kind of role you want and how the degree gets you there.
- **What you bring:** skills, experience or perspectives that would add to the student group.
Keep the motivation letter within the length the programme asks for, and write a separate one for each programme. Recycling a generic letter across your three choices is one of the easiest ways to lose a scholarship.
An example of choosing three programmes
Say you have a bachelor’s in environmental engineering and two years’ experience at a water utility. Instead of applying to the three most famous programmes, you might choose one focused on water and coastal management, one on environmental technology, and one on sustainable urban development. All three match your degree and experience, so your Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications are strong in each, rather than borderline in famous programmes where your background is a weaker fit.
Mistakes that cost applicants a scholarship
- Missing a formal requirement, such as a required subject in your bachelor’s degree.
- Submitting an English test that does not meet the programme’s minimum score in every section.
- Uploading unofficial or incomplete transcripts.
- Asking referees too late, so letters arrive after the deadline.
- Applying to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in fields that do not match your background.
Check every requirement against your documents before you press submit. The programmes reject incomplete applications without reading them.
Timeline for 2027 entry
- **October 2026 to January 2027:** most applications open and close; check each programme.
- **February to April 2027:** selection, interviews where used, and results.
- **Spring 2027:** accept your offer and start visa applications.
- **September 2027:** programmes begin.
Start visa applications as soon as you accept, because you may need a visa for the first country and later residence permits for others.
Erasmus Mundus scholarship for Pakistani students
Pakistani students are fully eligible and have won Erasmus Mundus scholarships across many fields. Practical points:
- Get your degree and transcripts ready early, since some programmes ask for certified copies.
- Take an English test early enough for results before the first deadline.
- Budget for application costs such as English tests and document translation, even though applying to the programmes themselves is often free.
- Plan for Schengen visa appointments, which can be busy in spring.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
€1,400 a month for up to 24 months, with no tuition or mandatory participation costs charged to scholarship holders.
When is the Erasmus Mundus deadline?
Each programme sets its own. Most fall between October 2026 and January 2027 for courses starting in September 2027.
How many programmes can I apply to?
You can apply for a scholarship to a maximum of three different Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in the same year.
Is IELTS required?
Most programmes require proof of English. Some accept other tests or English-medium study; check each programme. Our comparison of IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo helps you decide.
Can I work during the programme?
Rules depend on the country you are in at each stage. Many students do, but the programmes are demanding and move between countries, so do not rely on work income.
For other options, see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027–28. Official rules are on the Erasmus+ website.
