Introduction — Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2026 Intake
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) scholarship is one of the European Union’s flagship funding programmes for international students seeking a fully-funded Master’s degree across multiple European universities. For the 2026 intake, Erasmus Mundus continues to support academically excellent students from around the world by covering tuition, travel, insurance and living costs while offering an exceptional international academic experience. The programme selects high-quality master’s consortia which offer integrated degrees delivered by at least two higher education institutions from different Programme Countries. Recipients benefit from a globally-recognized degree, strong industry and academic networks, and enhanced employability across high CPC markets.
Erasmus Mundus is targeted at both EU and non-EU nationals, gives priority to excellence and diversity and aims to foster academic mobility, cross-cultural exchange and lasting links between universities and employers. Because it covers most study costs, it is one of the most sought-after scholarships for students aiming to study in Europe in areas such as Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Health Sciences and more.
Quick Search — Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2026
Host Country/countries — Where you can study (EU & Partners)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are delivered by consortia of universities across Europe and sometimes partner countries worldwide. Typical host (Programme) countries include:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia
- Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia
- Finland, France, Germany, Greece
- Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia
- Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands
- Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Many EMJMD consortia also include partner institutions outside Europe (e.g., in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia) — check each programme’s official page for exact hosting universities and mobility tracks.
Eligibility criteria — Who can apply for Erasmus Mundus 2026
General eligibility rules (program-specific variations apply):
- Academic degree: Applicants must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution before the programme starting date. Specific programmes may require minimum grades or years of study.
- Academic excellence: Selection is competitive and based primarily on academic merit, reference letters, statement of purpose and CV.
- Nationality: Both EU and non-EU nationals are eligible — certain reserved scholarship quotas exist (e.g., some scholarships reserved for non-EU students).
- Language & prerequisites: Candidates must meet programme-specific prerequisites (prior coursework, professional experience where required) and English language requirements (details below).
- Mobility rule: If you are applying to an EMJMD, ensure previous periods of residence/study in the host countries do not contravene the programme-specific mobility rules (some mobility restrictions may apply for scholarship eligibility).
- No simultaneous awards: You usually cannot hold two EU-funded scholarships for the same study period.
Note: Always consult the specific EMJMD programme page for precise eligibility (minimum GPA, exact degree titles accepted, reserved quotas, and mobility rules).
Scholarship benefits — What Erasmus Mundus covers (full details)
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship package is designed to cover the core costs of your study abroad. Typical benefits include:
- Tuition fees: Full or partial coverage of tuition fees charged by the consortium (most EMJMD scholarships cover full tuition).
- Monthly Living Allowance / Scholarship Payment: A generous monthly grant to cover living costs while studying in the consortium countries (amounts depend on whether you are an EU or scholarship-holder from a Partner Country — check each offer for exact figures).
- Contribution to Travel and Installation costs: Fixed contribution to cover travel from your country of residence to the hosting countries (depending on distance and nationality categories).
- Insurance: Health/accident insurance for the study period (sometimes partially covered by the consortium or by Erasmus Mundus stipend rules).
- Traineeship & Research Support: Some consortia provide additional funds for internships, thesis research, or mobility months (programme-specific).
- Scholarship duration: Typically covers the full length of the Master’s (1–2 years, depending on the EMJMD); payments continue while students meet progression requirements.
Important: Benefit amounts, distributions and eligibility categories (e.g., Partner Country vs Programme Country students) vary by call and by consortium. Always examine the specific programme’s scholarship table and the official Erasmus+ call documentation.
Available fields to study — All disciplines covered by Erasmus Mundus
Erasmus Mundus consortia cover an extremely broad set of subjects. Below is a comprehensive (non-exhaustive) list of fields where EMJMD programmes commonly exist — from STEM to the Humanities:
- Agriculture & Food Sciences
- Anthropology & Archaeology
- Architecture & Urban Planning
- Arts & Cultural Studies (Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts)
- Biology & Life Sciences
- Biotechnology & Bioengineering
- Business, Management & International Business
- Chemistry & Materials Science
- Computer Science, AI & Data Science
- Creative Technologies & Multimedia
- Economics & Finance
- Education & Teacher Training
- Energy & Renewable Resources
- Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental)
- Environmental Science & Sustainability
- Geography & Geosciences
- Global Health & Public Health
- History & Heritage Studies
- Humanities & Languages
- Information Systems & Cybersecurity
- Law & Public Policy
- Library & Information Science
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Media & Communication Studies
- Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
- Philosophy & Ethics
- Physics & Astronomy
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology & Counselling
- Social Work & Sociology
- Sports Science & Physical Education
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Veterinary & Animal Sciences
Because EMJMDs are consortium-specific, use program pages to find exact specializations (e.g., “Data Science for Social Good”, “European Public Policy”, “Marine Renewable Energies”, etc.).
Eligible fields — Who may apply from each discipline
Generally, applicants from any of the listed academic fields can apply — eligibility is determined per programme. Typical eligibility examples:
- Direct match: If you hold a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, you are eligible for EMJMDs in Data Science / AI.
- Related-background entry: Programmes often accept related degrees (e.g., Physics or Maths for Engineering-focused EMJMDs) if prerequisites are met.
- Work experience routes: Some programmes allow applicants with professional experience (plus a Bachelor’s) to apply for specializations like Management or Environmental Policy.
Always validate programme-specific “admissible bachelor degrees” and any required pre-requisite courses on the official programme page.
Documents required — Documents you must prepare for Erasmus Mundus
Common document checklist (individual programmes may ask for additional items):
- Completed online application form (programme portal).
- Certified copy of Bachelor’s diploma(s) and transcripts (official translation if not in English/French/etc.).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) / résumé (Europass format often accepted).
- Motivation letter / Statement of purpose (tailored to the EMJMD).
- Two or more academic reference letters (some programmes ask for professional references).
- Proof of English language proficiency (see language section below).
- Copy of passport / ID and passport-sized photograph.
- Additional programme-specific materials: portfolio (arts), GRE/GMAT (rarely), certificates of professional experience, research proposal (for research-focused tracks).
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate — if requested by the consortium (see note below).
Tip: Scan/certify documents per each consortium’s instructions. Late or incorrectly formatted uploads can disqualify an application.
English language requirements — tests & exemptions
Most EMJMD programmes require proof of English proficiency. Typical accepted tests and minimum scores (programme-specific):
- IELTS Academic: often 6.0–7.0 overall (check specific programme).
- TOEFL iBT: commonly 80–100 total (varies by programme).
- Cambridge English (CAE/CPE): accepted by many consortia.
Medium of Instruction (MOI) exemptions:
Many EMJMDs accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous university stating that your degree was taught in English. Whether an MOI certificate is acceptable is program-specific:
- Some programmes accept a valid MOI letter in lieu of an English test (common when the Bachelor’s was fully in English at a recognized institution).
- Other programmes require a formal language test regardless of MOI (especially if the university issuing the MOI is not widely recognized within the consortium).
Action: Always check the “Admission requirements / English language” section on the specific EMJMD page — the programme’s admissions FAQ will state whether MOI is accepted and the required format/content of the MOI letter.
How to apply — Application windows & step-by-step
Application process (general flow):
- Identify EMJMD programmes that match your field and profile (use programme portal pages and official Erasmus+ listings).
- Check eligibility, required documents, deadlines and scholarship quotas on the programme page.
- Prepare documents (diplomas, transcripts, CV, references, MOI if available, English proof if required).
- Submit the consortium-specific online application before the stated deadline and select scholarship application options where required.
- If shortlisted, attend interviews (online/in-person) or provide additional documents on request.
- If awarded, accept the scholarship and arrange visa, travel, accommodation and enrolment steps with the host universities.
Timing & opening windows:
Most EMJMD calls open annually. However consortia publish their own deadlines and they can vary:
- Many programmes open applications in the autumn/winter for the next academic year (e.g., Sept–Feb deadlines for intake starting the following autumn).
- Some programmes open earlier or later, and a few run rolling or multiple intake rounds across the year.
- Practical rule: start checking your target programmes 9–12 months before the intended start date and subscribe to programme mailing lists.
Reminder: The orange Apply Now button opens the official EACEA Erasmus Mundus hub. Individual EMJMD programmes always require you to submit via their own application portal (link provided on each programme page).
FAQs — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can citizens of any country apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
Yes. Citizens from most countries worldwide can apply. Some scholarship quotas may be reserved for non-EU nationals — consult programme pages and the annual call for precise nationality quotas.
2. Does Erasmus Mundus pay tuition and living costs completely?
In most EMJMDs, the awarded scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance plus travel & installation contributions. Exact amounts vary by programme and by beneficiary category.
3. Can I apply with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (not exact match)?
Often yes — many programmes accept candidates with related backgrounds if they meet prerequisites. Check the programme’s “admission requirements” for acceptable bachelor degrees and required bridging courses.
4. Is the Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate always accepted instead of IELTS/TOEFL?
No. Some consortia accept MOI documents; others insist on an official test. Confirm the accepted proof of English on the specific EMJMD page.
5. When should I start preparing my application?
Begin 9–12 months before your desired intake. This gives time to collect certified documents, request references, prepare language tests (if needed), and meet early deadlines for competitive programmes.
0 Comments