Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 in Europe: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply for a Joint Master’s

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes are master’s degrees taught by groups of universities in different European countries. Students study in at least two countries, and the European Union funds scholarships that cover the costs of the whole programme. There is no single application: you apply to each programme directly. Most deadlines for the 2027 intake fall between October 2026 and February 2027.

This guide explains how the scheme works, what the scholarship covers, who can apply, the documents and how to apply step by step. Each programme sets its own rules and dates, so always confirm them on the programme’s website. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 at a glance

What is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s?

Each programme is run by a consortium, which is a group of universities that designed the degree together. You move between them during your studies, for example one semester in Spain, one in Germany and one in France, and you graduate with a joint degree or several degrees. There are programmes in almost every field, from engineering and data science to public health, law and the arts.

What does the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship cover?

Scholarship holders receive a monthly allowance of 1,400 euros for the whole programme, which is 24 months for most programmes. The scholarship also covers tuition and participation costs, so you do not pay fees to the universities. The allowance is meant to cover your living costs, travel and visa, and how far it goes depends on the cities on your route. Check what your programme says about insurance and any extra support.

Programmes also accept self-funded students. Being admitted does not always mean you have the scholarship, so check your result letter carefully.

Who can apply?

• You hold a bachelor’s degree, or you are in your final year.
• You meet the academic and language requirements of the programme.
• You have not already held an Erasmus Mundus master’s scholarship.

Students of all nationalities can apply. Each consortium adds its own requirements, such as a degree in a related subject or a minimum grade.

Documents you need

• The programme’s application form
• Transcripts and degree certificate
• CV, often in Europass format
• Motivation letter
• Two recommendation letters
• English test results

Our Europass CV guide and motivation letter template explain how to prepare the two documents that consortia read most closely.

How students are selected

There is no single set of Erasmus Mundus selection criteria. Each consortium publishes its own criteria and scoring on the programme website, and they usually look at your academic record, motivation, references and language level. Read that page before you write your motivation letter, and answer what it asks for.

Typical timeline for the 2027 intake

How to apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, step by step

1. Search the official catalogue for programmes in your field. Our guide to the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue shows how.
2. Open each programme’s own website and confirm it offers scholarships for the 2027 intake.
3. Check the deadline and requirements of every programme on your list.
4. Prepare your documents, with a motivation letter written for each programme.
5. Apply directly on each programme’s website.
6. Wait for results, usually between March and May.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Choose programmes that match your degree. A close match matters more than the number of applications.
• Write a separate motivation letter for each programme, naming its courses and universities.
• Take your English test early, so the result is ready before the first deadline.
• Ask referees who can describe your academic work in detail.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending the same motivation letter to every programme.
• Assuming all programmes share one deadline.
• Applying to programmes outside your academic background.
• Missing a required document, which makes an application ineligible.

Is an Erasmus Mundus scholarship right for you?

It suits you if:

• you have a bachelor’s degree, or are in your final year, with good grades;
• you want to study in two or more countries during one degree;
• you are comfortable moving every semester or year;
• you can prepare several separate applications.

Look elsewhere if:

• you want to stay at one university for the whole degree;
• you have already held an Erasmus Mundus master’s scholarship;
• you want a PhD, which this scheme does not fund.

How to choose your programmes

• Search by subject in the official catalogue, then open each programme’s own website.
• Compare entry requirements. Most ask for a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and some set a minimum grade.
• Look at the mobility path: which countries, in which order, and where you write your thesis.
• Check that scholarships are offered for the 2027 intake. Not every programme funds every year.
• Choose two to four programmes. More than that usually lowers the quality of each application.

Our Erasmus Mundus 2027 tracker lists the programmes we have checked and their deadlines.

How to write the Erasmus Mundus motivation letter

Each consortium reads the motivation letter closely. Write a new one for every programme, about one page unless the programme sets a limit:

1. Your background: your degree, your best results and any relevant project or work.
2. Why this programme: name specific courses, tracks or partner universities, and say what you want to learn from them.
3. Why you fit: the skills and experience you bring to an international class.
4. Your plans: what you will do with the degree, in concrete terms.

Use the selection criteria published on the programme’s website as your guide, because they tell you what the committee scores. Our motivation letter template gives a structure.

References, CV and language test

• References: most programmes ask for two. Choose teachers or supervisors who know your academic work, and check whether the programme wants a form, a letter or an online submission.
• CV: many consortia prefer the Europass format. See our Europass CV guide.
• Language test: book it early. Each programme lists the tests and scores it accepts, and results can take two weeks or more.

A preparation plan

1. September and October: shortlist programmes and note every deadline.
2. October: take your English test and ask your referees.
3. November: write your CV and a motivation letter for each programme.
4. December and January: submit each application on the programme’s own website, earliest deadline first.
5. March to May: watch your email for results, reserve lists and requests for documents.

After you are selected

Programmes publish a main list and a reserve list. If you are on the main list, you confirm your place by the date given and then receive the documents you need for your visa. If you are on the reserve list, stay in contact, because places open when others withdraw. Students from outside the EU apply for a visa for the first country on their route, so start as soon as you have your admission letter.

How to compare two offers

If more than one programme accepts you, compare them on four points. First, the content: which courses and thesis options are closer to what you want to do. Second, the route: living costs differ a lot between cities, and the same 1,400 euros goes further in some than in others. Third, the degree you receive: a joint degree or several national degrees, and how each is recognised in your country. Fourth, the practical side, such as visa steps for each country on the route and whether the programme helps with housing. Reply to every programme by its deadline, including the ones you decline, so that reserve candidates can be offered the place.

Final checklist before you submit

• Each programme you chose offers scholarships for the 2027 intake.
• Your degree matches the entry requirements.
• Each motivation letter names that programme’s courses and universities.
• Your references are in the format each programme asks for.
• Your language certificate meets each programme’s score.
• Every document is uploaded in the size and format required.
• You submitted before the scholarship deadline, which can be earlier than the self-funded one.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required for Erasmus Mundus?

Most programmes ask for English test results. Each programme sets the tests and scores it accepts, and some accept other proof.

Can I apply to more than one programme?

Yes. Each application is separate. Check the rules on each programme’s website.

Can final-year students apply?

Yes, if you will finish your bachelor’s degree before the programme starts.

How much is the Erasmus Mundus stipend?

The monthly allowance is 1,400 euros.

When is the Erasmus Mundus deadline?

Each programme sets its own. Most fall between October 2026 and February 2027.

Where to apply

Start with the official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue. See our Erasmus Mundus scholarship page for benefits and the typical deadline, and our scholarship page for the Flood Risk Management programme as an example of one consortium.

See which programmes are open now in our Erasmus Mundus 2027 deadlines tracker.