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

Sharleen Kapoor

12 min read • Aug 25, 2026

Quick Answer

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship – the current official name; you may also see the older term “EMJMD” used in some places – covers participation costs (including tuition) and contributes to travel, visa, installation, and subsistence costs, plus full insurance coverage, with a monthly stipend of around EUR 1,400 (per current Erasmus+ documentation) for up to 24 months, awarded to selected students – it isn’t automatically funded for everyone admitted to a program. It’s Master’s-level only, requires a bachelor’s degree (or final-year status with graduation before the program starts), and is highly competitive, though acceptance rates vary significantly by program rather than following one fixed percentage. You apply directly through your chosen program’s consortium, not a single central Erasmus application – check each program’s own policy on how many Erasmus Mundus programs you may apply to in a cycle. In July 2026, the European Commission selected 37 new Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, opening for applications in autumn 2026 for a September 2027 start.

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, and Computer Vision, among others. Roughly 90-100 students are typically selected per individual program each year, though this varies.

The Erasmus Mundus action started with a budget of EUR 430 million for 2004-2008. Around EUR 1 billion was budgeted under Erasmus+ for the Erasmus Mundus action for 2021-2027, covering both Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and Erasmus Mundus Design Measures. Since 2004, almost 50,000 students have participated from over 140 countries, per current official Erasmus+ statistics.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Socholarship

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship (EMJMD) – At a Glance

Characteristic	Details
Commonly known as	Erasmus Mundus Scholarship / EMJMD Scholarship
Offered by	European Union (EU) – Erasmus+ Program
Budget	EUR 430 million (2004-2008) to EUR 1 billion (2021-2027)
Eligibility	Open to students from all countries, especially non-EU countries. Must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree and meet specific program entry requirements.
Program type	Joint master’s degrees across fields including Engineering, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business, and Humanities. Master’s level only – not available for undergraduate/bachelor’s study.
Type of degree awarded	Joint degree (issued by at least two institutions) OR multiple degrees (minimum two certificates from two institutions)
Funding coverage	Full tuition fees + travel costs + visa fees + monthly living allowance (approx. EUR 1,400, current rate) + insurance. Awards may vary by program.
Duration	1 to 2 years (60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits)
Selection criteria	Academic excellence, motivation, relevant experience, and capacity to contribute to the program
Application process	Apply directly to the Erasmus Mundus joint master program through the consortium website. No separate central scholarship application.
Application deadline	Varies by program; typically October to January for the following academic year
Awards	Scholarship quotas vary significantly by program – some fund as few as 2-3 international scholars per intake, others 15-20 or more. Check each program’s own stated quota rather than assuming a fixed number.
Acceptance rate	Highly competitive, but rates vary significantly by specific program rather than following one fixed percentage – check individual program data where published
Max programs per applicant	Varies by cycle and program policy – check the current Erasmus+ guidance and each program’s own application rules
Partner institutions	Over 150 participating universities across Europe
Top nationality of scholarship holders	India 6%, Brazil 5%, China 4%, Mexico 4%, Pakistan 4%
Official website	eacea.ec.europa.eu (Erasmus Mundus Catalogue)

What Is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM)?

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) – previously also referred to as EMJMD – provides international students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate education at leading universities across Europe. It is Master’s-level only, not available for undergraduate study. Per current official guidance, an EMJM program involves at least three higher education institutions from three different countries, with students completing at least two study periods in two different countries. At graduation, you receive a joint degree from several universities, or a separate certificate from each.

The scholarship is funded by the European Union as part of the Erasmus+ program and is one of the most prestigious, and most competitive, fully funded scholarship opportunities available to Indian students globally.

Benefits of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

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

Benefit	Details
Full tuition fees	Complete tuition coverage for the joint master’s program across all partner universities
Travel costs	International travel allowance for moving between the two or more program countries
Visa fees	Visa costs covered – you don’t pay for student visas to the European countries involved
Monthly living allowance	Approximately EUR 1,400/month for living expenses (current rate for 2026 cohorts), for up to 24 months. Some earlier cohorts and specific programs may state EUR 1,000-1,200; always confirm the exact figure with your specific consortium.
Health insurance	Coverage throughout the program duration
Multicultural academic experience	Study in at least two European countries; exposure to international networks; enhanced global employability
Joint or multiple degree	Graduate with a joint degree (from at least two institutions) or multiple separate degree certificates
EU alumni network	Access to the Erasmus Mundus Alumni Association; a professional network spanning Europe and 140+ countries

Note: the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is a genuinely strong opportunity, but competition is fierce, and only a small percentage of applicants receive it. If you don’t secure it, expect to cover significant expenses, often running into several lakhs per year. This is why many students explore education loans as a backup plan.

If you don’t receive the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, GradRight can help. Create a profile, and get offers from 18 lending partners across India and abroad within two days. Compare and choose the best loan, with approval possible in as little as 10 days. Apply on GradRight for an Education Loan.

Also Read: Top 10 Master’s Scholarships for Indian Students 2026

Eligibility Criteria for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

– You must hold a bachelor’s degree, OR be in the final year of your bachelor’s studies, OR be graduating by the time your master’s program begins.

– You may still apply without a formal bachelor’s degree if your prior education is officially recognized as equivalent.

– Your bachelor’s degree must align with the specific program’s requirements.

– Strong academic records and a high GPA help, given the competitive nature of selection (aim for a minimum of 3.5/4.0 as a general benchmark).

– English language proficiency, proven through test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent).

– Some programs also require relevant work experience.

– Some programs may require standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT).

– You should be a highly motivated individual with the potential to contribute to your program.

– Students from all countries are eligible, especially non-EU countries. There’s no maximum age limit.

Note: the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship generally doesn’t impose age limitations. Applicants from any age group can apply as long as they meet other program requirements. Some programs may indirectly require a minimum age through their work-experience requirement, but there’s no maximum age cap.

Important Documents for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Document	Details
Valid passport copy	To verify citizenship and nationality
Degree certificates / academic transcripts	Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification; official transcripts with GPA
English language test results	IELTS, TOEFL, or other recognized test; verify the minimum score required by your specific program
Statement of Purpose (SOP)	Should align your future goals and prior academic/professional experience with your intended program; keep it authentic, personal, and specific
Updated CV/Resume	Academic and work experience, relevant skills, and prior achievements
Letters of recommendation	From academic or professional references; 2-3 LORs typically required, detailed and specific to your leadership and potential
Research proposal	Required by some programs, especially research-intensive ones
Portfolio	Required by some creative/design/architecture programs
GRE/GMAT scores	Required by some programs; verify per program catalog

How to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship

Step	Action
1	Go to the official Erasmus+ portal (erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu).
2	Navigate to: Opportunities > Opportunities for Individuals > Students > Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees.
3	This redirects you to the program catalog, listing a wide range of Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programs across many fields – the exact number changes as new cohorts are added each year, so check the current catalog directly rather than relying on a fixed count. Explore and click on programs that interest you.
4	Review the program detail page and send your application directly to your program coordinator/consortium. If your intended program has an Indian partner institution, you can apply directly through that consortium.
5	Check the box to be considered for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship when filling out the application form – there’s typically a checkbox for this. Don’t skip it.
6	Submit before the deadline. Most programs open applications between October and January for the following academic year. Check the current cycle’s guidance and each program’s own rules on how many Erasmus Mundus programs you may apply to.

Application deadlines vary by participating institution, but generally fall between October and January. So if you’re targeting a 2027 program start, plan to apply by around January 2027. Erasmus+ also adds a new batch of eligible master’s programs to the catalog periodically, so always check the official catalog for the current list rather than relying on an older one.

Also Read: Difference Between Scholarships and Fellowships: What to Choose?

Selection Criteria for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Factor	What the Committee Looks For
Academic excellence	A strong academic background with a high GPA and relevant achievements. Some programs require a bachelor’s degree in subjects relevant to the master’s program.
Motivation	Demonstrated through your SOP – outline how your intended program aligns with your prior education, aspirations, and career goals.
Potential	Leadership skills, commitment to the program and to contributing to society, cultural awareness, and ability to thrive in a diverse environment.
Language proficiency	Proof of English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or similar.
Research proposal (where required)	Clarity of research direction, feasibility, and alignment with the program’s research focus.

How Competitive Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Since 2004, close to 50,000 students have participated in the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship program. The largest shares of scholarship holders come from India (6%), Brazil (5%), China (4%), Mexico (4%), and Pakistan (4%).

The number of applicants and acceptance rate both vary significantly by specific program – some receive far more applications than others, and scholarship quotas differ program to program (some fund as few as 2-3 international scholars per intake, others 15-20 or more). Check the specific program’s own published data where available, rather than relying on one figure across all 500+ Erasmus Mundus offerings combined. Selection criteria are rigorous across the board, making competition genuinely stiff.

Statistic	Number
Total scholarship budget 2021-2027	EUR 1 billion
Students awarded since 2004	50,000+ from 140+ countries
Eligible programs in catalog	180+
Awards annually (all programs combined)	Approximately 20,000
Awards per specific program per year	Approximately 90-100
Acceptance rate per program	Varies significantly by program – check individual program data
Indian students – share of scholarship holders	6% (largest single nationality group)
Maximum programs you can apply to	3

How to Win the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Being strong in just one area, academic, extracurricular, or professional, generally isn’t enough. Here’s what genuinely helps improve your chances:

– Work on scoring a strong, consistent GPA. It’s not the only requirement, but it’s a significant one – check your specific target program’s stated academic expectations rather than assuming a single universal cutoff applies.

– Demonstrate leadership potential, global perspective, motivation for social impact, and adaptability across diverse environments, in both your application and any interview.

– Take your Statement of Purpose seriously. Follow your program’s specific SOP guidelines, be authentic, share genuine experiences, and clearly connect them to why you’re applying.

– The scholarship typically requires 2-3 letters of recommendation. Make sure your recommenders know you well enough to write a detailed, specific, positive letter.

– Structure your CV precisely, using a format that adds real value to your application (see below).

– Start early. Transcripts, language certificates, your motivation letter, and your CV all take real time to prepare well.

– Some programs ask for more than documents, like a test, writing sample, or portfolio. Read your specific program’s requirements carefully.

– Consider applying to more than one program if your target cycle’s rules allow it – spreading your applications can improve your overall odds, since acceptance rates vary significantly by program. Check the current cycle’s specific policy on how many programs you may apply to.

How to Write a CV for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Erasmus+ doesn’t mandate a specific CV format, but this structure works well:

CV Section	What to Include
Personal information	Full name, nationality, contact details, proficiency in relevant languages
Educational qualification	Reverse chronological order (latest first): graduation dates, institutions, degrees/certificates earned, relevant achievements and coursework
Work experience	Reverse chronological order, including voluntary work, internships, and jobs; highlight research, project management, or role-specific skills
Skills and extracurriculars	Technical/software tools relevant to your program; community organizations or clubs that show leadership and global awareness
References	Academic or professional references, alongside your separate recommendation letters

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

Students from all over the world, especially non-EU countries, can apply. You need a relevant bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and English proficiency. Individual programs may add specific requirements, such as work experience or a research proposal.

Is it hard to get an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

Yes – it’s genuinely competitive, though acceptance rates vary significantly by specific program rather than following one fixed percentage. The selection committee looks for highly motivated candidates with strong academic and professional backgrounds.

What GPA do you need for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

Requirements vary by program, so check your specific target program’s stated academic expectations rather than assuming one universal GPA cutoff applies across all Erasmus Mundus programs.

How much money do Erasmus Mundus students get?

The exact amount varies by program, but the scholarship generally covers tuition, visa fees, travel costs, and a monthly living stipend, currently around EUR 1,400/month for up to 24 months (some sources and specific cohorts may cite slightly different figures, so confirm with your target program). This works out to roughly EUR 33,600 in stipend alone over a full 24-month program.

How many programs can I apply for through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

You can apply for up to three programs through the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.

Is Erasmus Mundus available for undergraduate/bachelor's study?

No – the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) is Master’s-level only. You need a bachelor’s degree, or to be in your final year with graduation before the program starts, to be eligible.