Do you want to study a Master's Degree abroad? Erasmus Mundus makes it easy for you

Erasmus Mundus stands for cooperation, for international mobility, in short, it is a programme that seeks to facilitate cooperation between the European Union and third countries in terms of higher education students.

In English? The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is the grant you have to apply for if you are a European student and you want to study for your higher studies outside the European Union, or vice versa.

What is Erasmus Mundus? Find out what this international scholarship is really all about

This programme was first launched back in 2004, and has been renewed and expanded given the positive results that have been observed over the years in the students.

The main objective of this scholarship is to promote cultural exchange, to encourage union from the point of view of education and to allow students from all over the world to pursue higher studies at master's or doctorate level in order to be trained in their fields and to define their professional future.

Currently, the Erasmus Mundus scholarship is divided into two types of scholarships: the Erasmus Mundus Action 1 scholarship for international joint masters and doctoral students, whose institutions participate and are part of the consortium; and the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 scholarship, which allows students to undertake fully programmed bachelor, master and doctoral studies leading to a degree or credits recognised by the home university.

The scholarship is applied for directly to the consortium of universities organising the course in which we have been accepted. They will communicate whether or not you have been awarded the grant.

Who can participate in the Erasmus Mundus program?

Actually, any student with a university degree in any European Union member country or in any third country associated with the programme can apply. In short, all you have to do is to have a degree (and that's no small thing)!

European Union member countries, EEA-EFTA member countries, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Eastern Balkan states can coordinate and apply for Erasmus Mundus Masters and Doctoral programmes. Every year, it is announced a call for proposals to decide which programmes will be included. Although third-country institutions may participate in the consortium that delivers the studies, only the above-mentioned institutions may submit a proposal when coordinating and applying for inclusion in the programme.

There is an Action 3 scholarship in which higher education institutions from anywhere in the world can participate, regardless of their participation in other Actions of the programme, as well as Erasmus Mundus consortium, public or private organisations related to higher education, or Erasmus Thematic Networks. The coordinating institution must be a national of an EU Member State, Switzerland, Turkey, an Eastern Balkan country or a member of the EEA-EFTA.

Who can apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

First of all, it should be noted that Erasmus Mundus scholarships are only applicable to Erasmus Mundus Masters and PhD programmes and not to other postgraduate or PhD programmes. There is a grant modality (modality A), both in master and doctoral programmes, addressed to nationals of a non-EU third country, which is neither a candidate for access to this international organisation nor a member of the EEA-EFTA.

Persons who have carried out their main activity (either studies or work) for a period of more than 12 months in the European Union during the five years preceding the application for the scholarship are not eligible to apply for the scholarship in this category. Third-country nationals who are legally resident in the EU are also not eligible to apply.

Candidates who do not meet these requirements are eligible for scholarships in modality B.

In summary, anyone who meets the admission requirements for each master's degree can apply, although it is true that all master's degrees and doctorates have a certain number of places available for students and lecturers from third countries.

How much do I receive with the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

Students and scholars from third countries who come to study in Europe receive an average of €1600 per month for 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on the duration of studies, taking into account the costs of tuition fees, transport, accommodation, and the individual needs of each student.

The maximum amount you can receive as a student is normally €1400, excluding any contribution for individual needs. This amount is calculated each year on the basis of the total number of applicants and the duration of each applicant's studies.

In addition, depending on your home and host country, you may be required to take out student travel insurance. Fortunately, the Erasmus Mundus scholarship provides health and accident insurance offered by the European Commission.

How to get your visa?

Once they have received official confirmation from the consortium of their participation in an Erasmus Mundus Master, students and scholars from third countries can obtain their visas at the embassies of the different countries involved in their Master. The Erasmus Mundus International Office will inform students and scholars about the modalities.

What kind of facilities will I be offered by the consortium of universities organising the programme?

The institutions organising the programme have an International Relations Office that will assist students in finding accommodation, in academic matters and on their arrival in the country concerned. In addition, they usually set up language courses given the obligation of the different consortium to assist students in terms of languages.

Is there an association of Erasmus Mundus Masters students?

There is an association, the Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA), through which you can keep in touch with Erasmus Mundus students from other promotions.

If you are part of a centre and you want one of its programmes to become one of those selected as an Erasmus Mundus Master, don't miss out on the details of what you have to do.

Each year, dates are set for the call for proposals from the institutions. It is necessary that at the time of application there is already a fully developed integrated study programme and that it is ready to run for the academic year for which integration into the programme is requested. Applications must take into account the characteristics of the programmes, which include mobility, the guarantee of recognised double or multiple degrees, unified criteria for admission and assessment, and the integration of course contents.

The coordinating institution is responsible for sending the application on behalf of all universities in the consortium. The application will be sent to the indicated address of the Commission and copies will be sent to the corresponding national structures. Among the aspects that are assessed in the selection process is the academic quality of the programme in question, the financial capacity to carry out the project, the distinctive added value, compliance with ECTS mechanisms, the academic and administrative guarantees offered and other aspects of the organisation and content of the course, as well as the quality of inter-university cooperation and the level of integration.

To find out more about the Erasmus Mundus programme, you can visit the Erasmus Mundus Programme Guide produced by the European Commission.

Final steps before embarking on your Erasmus Mundus scholarship adventure

Once you have received the official confirmation of your participation in an Erasmus Mundus Master by the consortium, you can obtain your visa at the embassies of the different countries involved in your Master. The Erasmus Mundus International Office will inform you about what you need and will always be at your disposal!

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