The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme continues to provide international students with an opportunity to pursue prestigious master’s degrees across multiple universities in Europe and beyond, with full scholarships available for highly ranked applicants.
The programme is part of the European Union’s Erasmus+ initiative and is open to students from around the world. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are jointly designed and delivered by international consortia of higher education institutions, allowing students to study in multiple countries as part of a single master’s programme.
For students seeking international postgraduate education, the programme provides access to advanced academic training, cross-cultural experiences, research opportunities, and professional networks.
What Are Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes developed and delivered by groups of higher education institutions.
Each programme involves at least three higher education institutions from three different countries, together with associated academic and non-academic partners.
Depending on the programme, students may undertake:
- Academic study at multiple universities.
- Research projects.
- Traineeships.
- Thesis preparation.
- Thesis defence.
- International mobility between participating institutions.
The structure enables students to gain academic and professional experience across different countries and higher education systems.
Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Some Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer full scholarships to the best-ranked students worldwide.
Scholarship support can contribute towards several major costs associated with international study, including:
- Participation costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Visa-related expenses.
- Living allowance.
The exact scholarship arrangements can vary by individual master’s programme, meaning applicants should carefully review the official website of each programme they are considering.
The availability of full scholarships makes Erasmus Mundus one of the major international postgraduate funding opportunities available to students from different regions of the world.
Duration and Degrees
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters generally last between one and two academic years, corresponding to 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits.
Depending on the programme, graduates may receive either a joint degree or multiple degrees.
A joint degree consists of one degree certificate issued on behalf of at least two higher education institutions within the consortium.
A multiple degree consists of at least two degree certificates issued by two higher education institutions participating in the programme.
The specific degree arrangement is established through the relevant study agreement at the beginning of the student’s programme.
Who Can Apply?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are open to students from all over the world, subject to the individual entry requirements of each programme.
Applicants must generally:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent first degree.
- Be in the final year of bachelor’s studies when applying, provided they graduate before the master’s programme begins.
- Demonstrate a bachelor’s equivalent level of learning where applicable, with the qualification officially recognised according to the relevant national legislation and practices.
Individual programmes may have additional academic, language, professional, or other eligibility requirements.
Prospective applicants should therefore check the requirements of each specific master’s programme before submitting an application.
When to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Masters
A new batch of selected Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is added to the programme catalogue each year.
In most cases, applications are submitted between October and January for programmes beginning during the following academic year.
Application dates can differ between programmes, so students are encouraged to begin researching available courses well before the application period.
Each master’s programme website provides detailed information about:
- The course structure.
- Participating universities.
- Entry requirements.
- Application procedures.
- Scholarship availability.
- Application deadlines.
- Study locations.
Students apply directly to the institution or consortium responsible for the selected Erasmus Mundus Joint Master.
How to Search and Apply
Students interested in the programme can search the Erasmus Mundus course catalogue to identify available master’s programmes.
After selecting a suitable programme, applicants should visit its dedicated website to review the academic requirements, participating universities, scholarship conditions, application deadline, and required documents.
The application process is handled directly by the institution or consortium running the selected programme rather than through a single central Erasmus Mundus application portal.
Applicants should therefore follow the instructions provided by their chosen programme carefully.
International Study and Career Opportunities
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters provide students with an opportunity to develop international academic and professional networks while studying across different countries.
The programmes combine advanced postgraduate education with mobility, research, traineeship opportunities, and exposure to different academic and cultural environments.
Since the programme began in 2004, almost 50,000 students have participated in Erasmus Mundus, demonstrating its long-standing international reach.
Students considering postgraduate study abroad can explore the Erasmus Mundus catalogue to identify programmes aligned with their academic background and career ambitions.
