What is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree and Why It's Perfect for Your Studies Abroad

If you have your mind set on studying in Europe, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree (EMJMD) programme is the perfect opportunity to both learn and have amazing new experiences in more than one European country. The greatest advantage of taking an EMJMD is the opportunity of having most of your costs covered. How’s that for exciting news?

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree is a highly rated international study programme that gives you the chance to study the same degree at multiple universities. There can be between 2 and 4 partner universities involved and the programme can last over a period of 12 or 24 months. 

At the end of the Master’s, you will receive either a joint degree (that is one certificate issued by the universities you attended) or multiple degrees. Plus, you would’ve had plenty of time to explore various cultures, landscapes and ancient history.

You can choose to study not only in Europe but in all parts of the world. You can also benefit from language courses, free of charge in all countries. For each university taking part in the EMJMD programme, between 10 and 20 students may receive a scholarship during each intake session.

It’s important to mention that the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree is a new initiative, which started in 2014 as part of the Erasmus+ programmes, and it should not be confused with the similar Erasmus Mundus project that ended in 2013.

Who can apply for the EMJMD?

Any student can apply for the Master’s, regardless of their country of origin, as long as they already have a Bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the legislation in the countries where you will study, the Bachelor’s degree can be replaced if you manage to prove that you have an equivalent level of learning.

This means that some countries may allow you to apply for a Joint Masters Degree as long as you manage to pass one of their own tests that prove you have the level of knowledge expected from a regular Bachelor’s graduate.

What subjects can you study as part of the EMJMD?

There are almost 200 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree courses, and each Master's is organised by a different consortium of universities.

But remember, it is quite important not to choose the Master's based on the countries it will take place in, but following your area of interest. Of course, finding a Master's degree in the subject you’re interested in that takes place in the countries where you would like to study is ideal. Otherwise, you might be surprised by some countries that are not on your list. You might end up having the time of your life. 

What is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

This is the scholarship that covers your participation costs to the EMJMD. The scholarship will pay for:

• tuition fees
• insurance
• library or laboratory costs
• other costs that are required in order to participate in your chosen Master’s degree

In order to receive this financial support, you have to first be admitted to one of the EMJMD programmes and then be selected for a scholarship. The amount you receive depends on the duration of the programme and your country of origin. Students from non-EU countries receive larger scholarships. Please make sure to check the official programme page in order to discover all the funding options available.

1. Scholarships for EU citizens

For citizens of EU member countries, the scholarship can be as high as 23,000 EUR for two years of study. This will cover:

• The tuition fees (if there are any)
• Health insurance
• Any documents and administrative requirements from the university
• A living allowance of 500 EUR per month for 24 months
• A 3,000 EUR extra scholarship (on top of the 500 EUR a month) in case your studies take you outside the European Union
• Different language courses and events

2. Scholarships for non-EU citizens

In the case of citizens of third-world countries, the scholarships are even better.

This is due to the fact that Erasmus Mundus was designed for non-EU citizens and only in recent years has it come to include EU citizens.

The Master's scholarship can get up to 48,000 EUR for two years of study, and this covers:

• The tuition fees (if there are any)
• Health insurance
• Any documents and administrative requirements from the university
• A living allowance of 1,000 EUR per month for 24 months
• A 3,000 EUR extra scholarship (on top of the 1,000 EUR a month) every time you change your university
• Different language courses and events
• A 2,000 EUR initial payment, before the studies start, for visas and travel expenses

How to apply for an EMJMD?

The first step in your application is finding an EMJMD programme. A great place to find one is Mastersportal, where you can open the last button on the left column, Special Programmes, and tick the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters options. 

An alternative to our portal is the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Catalogue, where you can find the full list of EMJMD courses waiting for you.

Usually, applications for EMJMD programmes are submitted between October and January, but there are courses where the deadline is either in March or even May. Check the official page of each programme to find out the specific application requirements and deadlines.

Meanwhile, let’s have a look at some common admission requirements:

• Proof of English language proficiency (the required level of proficiency can differ)
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
• Proving you have the financial resources to cover your costs if you do not qualify for the scholarship from EMJMD
• Recommendation letters
• Personal essay

Final thoughts

The competition is quite fierce and some programmes have a set limit for EU citizens they can accept. It's best to check with the universities before applying, to make sure they don't accept only non-EU citizens.

Usually, each Master's also has a Facebook page, with a helpful administrator to answer your questions, if you cannot find the answer on the “Frequently Asked Questions” page. 

There you have it! Now you know everything you need in order to apply for this great European study opportunity. If the chance to learn and live in at least two different countries doesn’t convince you, then the possibility of having most of your costs covered definitely will. And guess what? Doing an ERASMUS programme is so awesome that the notion of “post-ERASMUS depression” appeared. But don’t worry, we’ve got a cure for it! Read all about it in Life after Erasmus: How to Overcome Post-Erasmus Depression. 

At the same time, you can also check out other joint Master’s degree options along with the different types of scholarships available out there. You’ll surely find the right one for you.

Good luck with your application process and enjoy your study experience!

Additional resources

• The Complete Guide on the Different Types of Scholarships
• All You Need to Know About How to Apply for a Scholarship to Study Abroad
• How to Write a Convincing Scholarship Motivation Letter (with Examples from Studyportals Scholarship Winners)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree?

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree is a prestigious international study programme that allows students to study at multiple universities across different countries, offering a truly global education experience.

2. What are the benefits of enrolling in an Erasmus Mundus programme?

Benefits include multicultural learning, financial support through scholarships, diverse academic opportunities, and the chance to earn multiple degrees from prestigious institutions.

3. Who is eligible to apply for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree?

Eligibility varies by programme, but generally, students with a relevant Bachelor's degree and strong academic performance are encouraged to apply. Some programmes may also require language proficiency and other specific criteria.