what is erasmus mundus scholarship

Erasmus Mundus is a fully funded European Union scholarship that lets you do a joint master’s degree in (usually) 2–3 different countries, mostly in Europe, with all major study costs covered.

What is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Think of Erasmus Mundus as a “traveling master’s degree”: you study in an international consortium of universities, changing countries at least once, while the EU pays most of the bill.

• It funds Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM / EMJMD) programmes, which are high-level, integrated master’s programmes.

• These programmes are run by a partnership of at least three universities from three different countries (at least two must be EU or associated countries).

• You typically study in at least two different countries, often more, and get either a joint degree (one diploma from multiple universities) or multiple degrees (two or more diplomas).

What does the scholarship cover?

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is designed so that, in many cases, you can study almost “for free” during your master’s.

Most programmes include:

• Full tuition fee coverage (you don’t pay programme fees).

• Health/accident insurance during your studies.

• Contribution to travel and installation costs (visas, residence permits, initial accommodation, etc.).

• Monthly stipend (living allowance) for the full duration of the programme, often around 1,000–1,400 euros per month depending on the specific master and country.

The scholarship normally covers the full official length of the programme (1–2 academic years, 60–120 ECTS), and some programmes specify, for example, 24 months of funded study.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is open to students from all over the world, not just EU citizens.

• You need a completed bachelor’s degree or to be in your final year and graduate before the master’s starts.

• You must apply to a specific Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (not to “Erasmus Mundus” in general); each programme has its own selection criteria, such as grades, language level, and motivation.

• There is usually a geographical balance rule: programmes limit how many scholarships they can award to students of the same nationality to keep the cohort diverse.

How does the programme work in practice?

An Erasmus Mundus master is structured mobility: your study path is pre‑planned across several universities and countries.

• You follow an integrated curriculum designed and jointly delivered by partner universities.

• You study in at least two different countries, and some programmes send you to three or more (for example, first semester in one country, second in another, third for a specialization and internship, and the last for your thesis).

• At the end, you receive either one joint degree or multiple degrees from the universities involved.

This structure aims to:

• Encourage international mobility and intercultural experience.

• Strengthen academic collaboration between universities.

• Build a global alumni network useful for careers and future research.

Why is it trending now?

Erasmus Mundus remains a hot topic every year because:

• The scholarship is one of the most generous master’s scholarships currently available, covering tuition, travel, and living costs for multi‑country study.

• Many programmes promote their 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 intakes, and application deadlines (often around late fall to mid‑January) drive a lot of online discussion and “success story” posts.

• Updated programme lists and new joint masters keep appearing, giving more field‑specific options (engineering, law, migration studies, business, climate, etc.).

Quick FAQ-style scoop

• Is Erasmus Mundus fully funded?
  Often yes: full tuition plus a monthly stipend and travel/installation support, but exact details depend on the specific programme.

• Do I have to move countries?
  Yes, you must study in at least two different countries, usually more.

• What degree do I get?
  A joint degree or multiple degrees from partner universities once you complete the programme.

• How long is it?
  Typically 1–2 years (60–120 ECTS), for example a 24‑month, full‑time master.

• Who runs it?
  Consortia of universities (often European, sometimes with partners in other regions) funded under the EU’s Erasmus+ framework.