Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: Complete Guide, Benefits, and Application Tips

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship is an Erasmus+ program. It is fully funded and allows students to pursue joint master’s programs in European countries. This scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, visa fees, and living expenses.

There are over 180 master’s programs eligible for the scholarship, including:

• Georesources Engineering
• Nuclear Applications
• Public Policies
• Data Science
• Physiology
• Medicine
• Media
• Computer Vision, etc.

Every year, about 90-100 students receive the scholarship worldwide.

The EMJMD Scholarship started with a budget of EUR 430 million for 2004-2008. Since then, the scholarship’s budget has increased to EUR 1 billion for 2021-2027. For the last two decades, the scholarship has:

• Funded more than 550 master’s projects
• Accumulated 9,764 participating institutions
• Awarded 50,000+ students from over 140 countries 

Read the full blog below to learn more about the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship in detail. 

What is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship or EMJMD?

The EMJMS or Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship provides international students with an opportunity to pursue their higher education at leading universities across Europe. Here are some insights into the scholarship:

What is the benefit of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

There is a significant range of benefits you can avail through the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. Depending on your application and the selection committee’s assessment, you may receive a full scholarship to study at the best-ranked universities in Europe. 

Here are the benefits the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship covers:

• Tuition for a joint master’s degree
• Travel cost
• Visa cost
• A living allowance of €1,000 – €1,200 per month
• Health insurance coverage

In addition, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship also provides students with an opportunity to gain a multicultural academic experience by studying in at least two European countries. This exposes students to international networks, enhancing their global employability. 

Note: The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for students as it covers tuition fees and offers substantial benefits for studying in top European universities. However, competition for this scholarship is fierce, and only a small percentage of applicants receive it. 

If you still want to pursue your studies abroad but don’t secure this scholarship, you should be prepared to cover significant expenses, often running into several lakhs per year. This is why many students rely on low-interest education loans as their next best option. 

FundRight can make this process seamless. Many students face the challenge of choosing popular or advisor-recommended lenders, which may not offer the best loan terms. FundRight solves this by allowing you to create an account, fill out your profile, and receive offers from 15 top banks and NBFCs in India and abroad within two days. You can then compare and choose the best loan, with FundRight experts available to help you negotiate better terms. Your loan approval can be completed in as little as 10 days.

Of course, you must apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship if you fit the eligibility criteria, which are explained next. 

Also Read: 10 Best Scholarships for Master for Indian Students

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship requires you to meet the following criteria:

• You must hold a bachelor’s degree/ must be in the final year of your bachelor’s studies/ must be graduating by the time your master’s program begins.
• You may apply if you don’t hold a bachelor’s degree, but your higher education is at the equivalent level of learning with official recognition. 
• Your bachelor’s degree must also align with the program’s specific requirements.
• You must have strong academic records and a high GPA.
• You must be proficient in the English language and prove it through test results. 
• Some programs also require relevant work experience. 
• You may also have to produce your standardized test scores for some programs. 
• You must be a highly motivated individual and have the potential to contribute to your program. 

Important documents for the Erasmus Mundus Masters Scholarship

Documents are crucial elements to your Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. Here’s a list of documents that you must produce in advance to ensure a smooth application:

• A copy of your valid passport to verify your citizenship
• Degree certificates of official academic transcripts for the bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
• IELTS, TOEFL, or other language test results to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP) mentioning the alignment of your future goals and previous academic/ professional experience with your intended program
• An updated resume with your academic and work experience, relevant skills, and prior achievements
• Letters of recommendation from professional or academic references

Other than this, your intended program may have certain requirements, such as a portfolio, research proposal, or GRE/ GMAT test scores. 

How to apply for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship?

Here are some easy steps you must follow to apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship:

Step 1. Go to the official portal of Erasmus+.

Step 2. Navigate to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship page through the following pathway on the homepage of Erasmus+: Opportunities > Opportunities for Individuals> Students> Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees. 

Step 3. The previous step will redirect you to the program catalog. This catalog contains over 180 programs. Explore the list and click on the one that interests you. 

Step 4. Clicking on the program name will take you to its detail page. Review all the relevant information in detail and send your application to your program coordinator. Each program is offered in partnership with various institutions. If your intended program has an Indian partner institution, you can directly send the application to your consortium. 

Also Read: Scholarships for Indian Students | Study in UK

Important dates and application deadline for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2024-25

Every year, Erasmus+ adds a new batch of master’s degrees to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. The program catalog on the official portal of the EMJMD Scholarship mentions the courses. You can go through the catalog and get details on your intended program. On the program detail page, you can find all the important dates for your program. 

The application deadline for each program varies depending on the institute participating. Generally, the applications for most programs open between October and January. So, if you plan to apply for a program starting in 2025, you must apply for it by January 2024. 

What are the selection criteria for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

The selection process for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship includes your academic evaluation and interview. Here are the major factors that the selection committee uses to assess your application:

Academic excellence

Demonstrating an excellent academic background with a high GPA and relevant achievements will help strengthen your application. Some programs may require you to hold a bachelor’s degree in subjects relevant to the master’s degree, while some don’t. Read the entry requirements for your program carefully to ensure that you leave a great impression through your academic assessment. 

Motivation

This is where your personal statements or SOPs shine. Through them, you can demonstrate your motivation for your chosen program. Outline the details of your intended program and its alignment with your previous education, aspirations, and future career goals.

Potential

The selection committee looks for highly motivated individuals who exhibit the potential to contribute to the program. You must demonstrate your leadership skills, commitment to the program and to contributing to society, cultural awareness, and ability to thrive in a diverse environment. 

Language proficiency

As an international student applying to a European university, you must prove your command over the English language. The selection committee seeks individuals who are proficient in the language. So, make sure that you score well on tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. 

What is the age limit for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

In general, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship doesn’t impose age limitations on candidates. Applicants from any age group are eligible to apply for the scholarship as long as they meet other requirements stipulated for the program. 

Although specific programs under EMJMD may require candidates to hold work experience, indicating a minimum age requirement, there aren’t any maximum age limits. 

How do I write a CV for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship?

Erasmus+ doesn’t mention any specific format to write a CV for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. However, you can use the following format to make your resume stand out:

Personal information

You must include the following details as your personal information:

• Full name
• Nationality
• Contact details
• Proficiency in the relevant languages

Educational Qualification

• Start by listing your qualifications in reverse chronological order. This means mentioning the latest level of education you received and then working your way down to your school education. 
• Make sure to add your graduation dates, affiliated institutions, and the degrees/ certificates you earned. 
• Highlighting relevant achievements and coursework may also help the selection committee understand the relevance of your educational background to your intended program. 

Work experience

• Similar to your academic qualifications, list down your professional experience in reverse chronological order. 
• Mention all the voluntary work, internships, and jobs you have done in the past. 
• Highlight your research, project management, or role-specific skills you used while working. 
• If you hold any relevant achievements, mention them as well. 

Skills and extracurriculars: 

• If you are proficient in technical or software tools relevant to your program, mention them. 
• If relevant, mention your involvement in community organizations or student clubs to highlight leadership, initiative, and global awareness. 

References: 

• Although you will be providing recommendation letters separately, it would also be a good idea to mention academic or professional references on your CV. 
• Use high-authority figures who can vouch for your eligibility and qualifications. 

How competitive is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Since 2004, almost 50,000 students have participated in the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. Majority of the scholarship holders come from India (6%), Brazil (5%), China (4%), Mexico (4%), and Pakistan (4%). 

Every year, about 500 students across the globe apply for EMJMD scholarships. Due to the high level of competition and a 2-5% acceptance rate, only about 90-100 students receive the scholarship. The selection criteria for the scholarship are rigorous, making the competition stiff for candidates. 

How to win the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Being good in just one area, be it academic, extracurricular, or professional, is not enough to win the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. So, here are some tips you can follow to increase your chances of receiving the award:

• While having an excellent academic record isn’t the only requirement, it is a significant one. If you plan to apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, you must start working on scoring a high GPA. On a 4.0 scale, aim for at least 3.5. 
• The selection committee seeks individuals who exhibit leadership potential, global perspectives, motivation for the betterment of society, and adaptability in diverse environments. You must demonstrate that through your application and interview. 
• Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) is another crucial document that affects your selection. Adhere to the SOP guidelines provided by your program. Be authentic, share your personal learnings and experiences, and show how all these experiences brought you to the program. You must also highlight your relevant achievements.
• The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship requires you to provide 2-3 letters of recommendation with your application. Ensure you are well acquainted with your professors or work leaders who write the recommendations for you. The letters must provide positive and detailed endorsement and show your leadership skills. 
• Use the tips mentioned above to work on your resume. It must be well-structured, precise, and add value to your application. 

Also Read: Scholarship to study in the USA For Indian students: How to apply ?

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