What is an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Want to study for a Master's degree abroad with all expenses paid? Then consider the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarship. Here's everything you need to know about the program.
- Master Studies
What is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
Erasmus Mundus is Europe's biggest Master's scholarship program. It helps the continent's hundreds of universities attract top students from developing countries and increase the awareness of their Master's programs.
An Erasmus Mundus scholarship supports Master's students looking at European issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, particularly the interplay of cultural, political, societal, and historical contemporary problems in a global context.
Each year, the top students are awarded the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. Lucky scholarship recipients can live in at least 3 European countries and study at 3 universities.
It's not just about academics. Many students describe Erasmus Mundus as a life-changing experience. One Erasmus Mundus alumna, Bohdana Sokolova, studied analytical chemistry across Estonia and Sweden during her 2-year program. She described the experience as:
“This was one of the best opportunities I have ever gotten. You’re studying, you’re free to explore what you want to do, you’re getting paid for it. You get to try different countries. And you will have more diplomas than any of your peers in the same amount of time!”
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What does the Erasmus Mundus scholarship cover?
The Erasmus Mundus grant is appealing to international students because it covers all the expenses for the duration of the Master's program.
The scholarship includes:
- All tuition fees
- All participation costs (travel and visa)
- An allowance for living costs (1,400 EUR per month)
- Health insurance coverage
The amount is usually standard across all programs, and it gives you enough to live a typical student life comfortably, but with budgeting in mind. Bohdana shared:
"It was fairly enough. My studies were first in Estonia, where the monthly amount was definitely manageable. When I moved to Sweden, it was a bit tighter, but still OK. I also didn't hear any complaints from my colleagues who went to France or Finland for their second year."
How long does Erasmus Mundus last?
Master's programs in the Erasmus Mundus catalog last from 1 to 2 academic years (60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits). The scholarship covers the duration of the degree, including classes, research, and thesis writing and defence.
What type of degree will I be awarded with a Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
You'll gain one of the following:
- A joint degree (a single degree certificate issued on behalf of at least 2 higher education institutions) or
- Multiple degrees (at least 2 degree certificates issued by 2 higher education institutions of the consortium)
You can define the degree type awarded when you sign a study agreement with the relevant Erasmus Mundus Joint Master at the beginning of your studies.
Who can apply for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarship?
To qualify for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarship, you must:
- Have a Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution or equivalent qualification in your chosen study area.
- You can still apply if you haven't graduated with your Bachelor's degree yet, as long as you graduate before the start of your Master's studies and upload your degree certificate by the deadline.
- You're a resident of an eligible country.
- You can not be a former recipient of an Erasmus Mundus grant. If you have previously benefited from an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, you're not allowed to receive another European Union grant while enrolled in an Erasmus program.
- You have proof of language proficiency (usually English through a TOEFL or IELTS certificate).
- You have not studied or worked for more than 12 months in one of the programs or partner countries over the past 5 years. If you have, you'll be considered for the scholarship as an applicant from one of the program countries.
- You have to submit your application within the scholarship deadline.
Remember, besides the above Erasmus eligibility criteria, you must check off any requirements listed by your chosen universities and Master's program.
What documents do I need to apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarship?
Once you have checked that you fit the eligibility criteria for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarship and have chosen the right Master's degree for you, you'll need to gather the required documents.
To apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarship, you'll need the following:
- Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma: You need to provide both the original document and a certified translation
- Official academic transcripts: Same as with the diploma, unless your transcripts were issued in English or another required language, you'll also have to provide a certified translation
- Proof of language proficiency (English or other required language)
- 2 (sometimes 3) recommendation letters: at least one academic, others may be professional or academic, depending on the program)
- Up-to-date CV, preferably in Europass format
- Copy of a valid national ID or passport
- Passport-sized digital photograph
- Proof of residence: It can be a certificate from a municipality, employer, or notary, issued within 12 months
- Motivation letter: Length and format depend on the program, but usually it must be in English and no longer than 5,000 characters (1,000 words)
- Additional documents: Some programs require a portfolio, research proposal, or thesis
Once you have the required documents for your Erasmus Mundus scholarship application, you must apply directly to the program. Some programs also require you to take a test.
Eligible Master's programs for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
The catalog for eligible Erasmus Mundus Master's programs is updated annually for the upcoming application period.
There are over 200 active Master's programs in the catalog across 64 countries and over 450 universities. The diverse record contains Master's degrees from 19 different fields of study, including Art, History, Political Science, and Life Sciences.
Each program page has an:
- Overview of the degree structure
- Program objectives
- Program outcome
- An outline of how your research will contribute to the field and global development
How will my application for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship be assessed?
After the committee evaluates your written application, short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview. The main purpose is generally to assess your scientific knowledge, personal motivation, and language skills.
In some programs, especially those with a technical or scientific focus, you may also be asked to complete a subject-specific test. As Bohdana explained:
“For us, we had a test in chemistry that you needed to do in order to apply, and that was quite important to get 100% or nearly 100%. They were also looking at your CV, motivation letter, and your experiences before.”
She also noted that many of her peers had previously taken part in regular Erasmus exchanges or other international opportunities during their undergraduate studies, which may have strengthened their applications.
So, your full application is assessed based on the following criteria:
- Your motivation letter
- Compatibility of your educational and professional experience
- Academic performance and potential
- Your experience with academic writing
- Your written and spoken English proficiency
- Your extracurricular activities
- Interpersonal competencies, such as your mindset to succeed in a demanding interdisciplinary and intercultural environment
- Skills in languages other than English
- Experience studying and working abroad
Conclusion
We hope you're inspired to apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, one of the best all-inclusive Master's scholarships in the world. If you want to get a prestigious Master's degree while learning about new countries, start your application now and good luck!
educations.com team
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