Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027-28: How to Apply

Written and reviewed by the EuroGulf Guide editor. Last checked: October 2026.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are EU-funded master’s programmes run by groups of universities in at least three countries. The best-ranked applicants worldwide can receive a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship that covers participation (tuition) costs and pays EUR 1,400 per month for the whole programme. For courses starting in autumn 2027, most applications open between October 2026 and January 2027, and you apply directly to each programme, not to the European Commission.

This guide explains how the scholarship works, who is eligible, how to choose programmes, what to prepare and the mistakes that most often cost applicants a place. All figures are as of October 2026 and are linked to the official source at the end.

Why I wrote this guide: when my family moved abroad in 2025, I learned how much time you lose when every step has its own deadline and its own set of documents. Erasmus Mundus works the same way, because each programme runs its own calendar. I’ve tried to put the rules that apply to everyone in one place, so you can spend your energy on the applications themselves.

Quick facts: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships

Item	Details (as of October 2026)
Funded by	European Union, Erasmus+ programme
Level	Master’s degree (60, 90 or 120 ECTS, 1 to 2 years)
Who can apply	Students from any country with a bachelor’s degree (or final-year students who graduate before the programme starts)
Scholarship amount	EUR 1,400 per month for the full programme duration (12, 18 or 24 months)
Tuition for scholarship holders	Programmes cannot charge scholarship holders tuition or other mandatory participation costs
Application fee	Programmes funded under the current rules cannot charge student application fees
Where to apply	Directly on each programme’s own website
Typical application window	October to January for courses starting the following academic year
Degree awarded	A joint degree or multiple degrees from partner universities

What is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is a single, integrated master’s programme designed and delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions. According to the European Commission, each programme involves at least three institutions from at least three different countries, plus associated partners from academia and industry.

Students do not stay in one place. The Erasmus+ Programme Guide requires every student to complete at least two study periods in two different countries, at least one of which must be an EU Member State or a country associated to the Erasmus+ programme. Each of these mobility periods must be at least one semester (30 ECTS). Importantly, these two countries must be different from your country of residence when you enrol, and the mobility cannot be replaced by online study.

At the end, you receive either a joint degree (one certificate issued on behalf of at least two universities) or multiple degrees (at least two certificates from consortium universities).

What the Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers

The EU scholarship is designed to cover the real cost of taking part. Under the current Erasmus+ Programme Guide:

Monthly scholarship: EUR 1,400 per month for the entire duration of the master’s programme. The Commission describes it as a contribution to travel, visa, installation and subsistence (living) costs.
No tuition for scholarship holders: consortia may not charge tuition fees or any other mandatory participation costs to Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders.
Full duration: the scholarship covers study, research, placement, thesis preparation and defence, for the full 12, 18 or 24 months of the programme. It is only awarded to full-time students.
Disability support: the Programme Guide allows an additional contribution for the individual needs of students with disabilities.

As a simple illustration, a 24-month programme multiplied by EUR 1,400 per month gives a maximum scholarship of EUR 33,600 over two years. A shorter duration applies if prior learning is formally recognised, with a minimum of one academic year.

Some programmes also admit self-funded students or offer smaller consortium scholarships. These are set by each programme, so read the fees page of every course you consider.

Who is eligible?

According to the official Erasmus+ pages, you must:

hold a first higher education degree (a bachelor’s), or be in the final year of your bachelor’s studies, and
graduate before the master’s programme starts.

A recognised equivalent level of learning may also be accepted if it is officially recognised under the national rules of the degree-awarding country.

Two further rules from the Programme Guide matter for scholarship applicants:

One scholarship per person: students who have already received an EMJM scholarship cannot receive another one.
Geographical balance: no more than 10 percent of the scholarships a programme awards over its funding period should go to candidates of the same nationality. This is one reason competition is often strongest among applicants from countries with very high application numbers.

Each programme adds its own academic requirements, such as a degree in a related field, minimum grades and English language test scores.

Step-by-step: how to apply for 2027-28

Step 1: Search the official catalogue

Start with the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue published by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It lists the programmes currently supported by the EU. EACEA notes that some listed programmes may not offer scholarships, for example because their funding period is ending. Always confirm on the programme’s own website that EU scholarships are available for the 2027 intake.

Step 2: Shortlist programmes that fit your background

Look at entry requirements, the mobility path (which countries you will study in), language of instruction and the career profile of graduates. A strong fit between your degree, experience and the programme’s focus is usually more important than the prestige of a single university.

If I were applying this year, I’d shortlist three or four programmes that really fit my degree, not fifteen. A motivation letter written for one specific programme usually reads far better than a general one sent everywhere.

Step 3: Check each programme’s dates

There is no single EU deadline. Each consortium sets its own calendar. EACEA advises that most programmes take applications between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. Two examples from official programme websites (as of October 2026):

GLOBE (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management): applications for the 2027-2029 edition are open from 28 September 2026 to 4 January 2027, with a second selection stage in January and February 2027.
Mundus Journalism: the programme states that its call for the 2027-2029 intake opens on 1 November 2026.

Step 4: Prepare your documents early

Most programmes ask for a similar core set of documents (see the checklist below). Some, like GLOBE, use a two-stage process where supporting documents are only requested from shortlisted candidates.

Step 5: Submit through the programme’s portal

Applications go through the consortium’s own online system. Programmes funded under the current rules cannot charge an application fee, so treat any request for payment at the application stage with caution and verify it on the official programme website.

Step 6: Selection and results

Consortia rank applicants and award scholarships to the top candidates, often with a reserve list. Results typically arrive in spring. If you are offered a scholarship, you will sign a student agreement that sets out your study path, rights and obligations.

Step 7: Visa and travel

Scholarship holders still need the correct visa or residence permit for each country in their mobility path. The monthly scholarship is intended to help with these costs, but start visa applications as soon as you have your admission documents.

Documents checklist

Requirements vary, but most Erasmus Mundus programmes ask for:

Valid passport (proof of nationality)
Bachelor’s degree certificate, or proof that you are in your final year and expected graduation date
Academic transcripts, with certified translations if not in English
English language certificate at the level the programme requires (for example, GLOBE requires at least B2)
Curriculum vitae
Motivation letter or statement of purpose tailored to that programme
Reference letters or referee contact details
Proof of residence, if the programme asks for it
Any programme-specific items such as a portfolio, research proposal or writing sample

My advice: request your reference letters and certified translations first. Working on an education and jobs guide site before this one, I saw again and again that the documents that depend on other people are the ones that make applications late.

Typical timeline for a 2027 intake

When	What to do
September to October 2026	Search the catalogue, shortlist programmes, book a language test
October 2026 to January 2027	Applications open and close (dates vary by programme)
January to March 2027	Shortlisting, interviews or second-stage document checks
Spring 2027	Scholarship and admission results, reserve lists
Spring to summer 2027	Accept your offer, sign the student agreement, apply for visas
August to September 2027	Travel and start the programme

Costs to budget for

If you win a full scholarship, tuition is covered and you receive EUR 1,400 per month. Even so, plan for:

Language test fees and document translations before you apply
Upfront travel and visa costs before the first scholarship payment arrives
A deposit and first month’s rent in the first host city
Differences in living costs between host cities, since the monthly amount is the same everywhere

If you are not selected for an EU scholarship, some programmes accept self-funded students. Participation costs for non-scholarship students are set by each consortium and can be substantial, so check the programme’s fees page before accepting an unfunded place.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming every listed programme has scholarships. Confirm availability for your intake year on the programme website.
Applying with a generic motivation letter. Selection committees look for a clear link between your background and their specific curriculum and mobility path.
Missing language requirements. Many programmes require the test result by the application deadline, not later.
Ignoring the residence rule. Your two mandatory mobility countries must be different from your country of residence at enrolment, which affects which programmes suit you.
Applying too late. Some deadlines fall in early January, and portals can be slow on the final day.
Paying unofficial agents. You apply directly to the consortium. There is no official intermediary.

If you spot a deadline or amount here that has changed, email me at contact@eurogulfguide.com and I’ll check it against the official source and update the guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship in 2027?

Under the current Erasmus+ Programme Guide, the scholarship is EUR 1,400 per month for the full duration of the programme, and scholarship holders pay no tuition or mandatory participation costs. Confirm the exact package with your programme.

Can I apply to more than one Erasmus Mundus programme?

Each programme runs its own selection, so you can generally apply to more than one, but check each programme’s rules. Remember that you can only ever hold one EMJM scholarship.

Do I need work experience?

The EU rules do not require work experience. Individual programmes may value or require it, so check their admission profile.

Can final-year students apply?

Yes. The European Commission states you may apply in the final year of your bachelor’s, provided you graduate before the master’s programme starts.

Is there an age limit?

The official Erasmus+ eligibility rules on the Commission’s student page do not set an age limit. Individual programmes set their own academic criteria.

Where can I get help with my application?

The European Commission points applicants to the Erasmus Mundus Association, which shares advice, contacts and experiences from former students. For programme-specific questions, contact the consortium directly.

Official sources

Rules, amounts and deadlines can change. Always confirm the details on the official programme and European Commission pages before you apply. This guide was last checked in October 2026.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2027-28: How to Apply, Deadlines and What They Cover