If you want to earn a master’s degree while studying in several European countries — and receive a scholarship along the way — Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are among the strongest options. According to the European Commission, most programmes accept applications for the next academic year between October and January.
This means the season for programmes starting in autumn 2027 is already open, and some deadlines fall in mid-December. Below, based on official sources, we explain what the scholarship covers, who can apply and what is worth preparing right now.
What is Erasmus Mundus?
These are joint master’s programmes supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. Each programme is run jointly — as a consortium — by at least 3 higher education institutions from at least 3 different countries.
- Duration: 1–2 academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits).
- Programmes usually include periods of study, research, traineeship and thesis preparation and defence.
- Graduates receive either a joint degree (a single diploma issued on behalf of several universities) or multiple degrees.
- The official EACEA catalogue currently lists 218 projects and is updated every year.
What does the scholarship cover?
Scholarships are awarded to the best-ranked candidates from all over the world. According to the European Commission, the scholarship covers participation costs (including tuition) and contributes to travel, visa and living costs. Official programme pages state the following:
- a living allowance of EUR 1,400 per month for up to 24 months — up to EUR 33,600 in total for a two-year programme;
- tuition fees fully covered (waived) for scholarship holders;
- insurance (mentioned, for example, on the pages of the University of Glasgow’s MAGMa programme and of Euroculture);
- in some programmes, an alternative option: EUR 1,275 per month plus three advance payments of EUR 1,000 for visa and travel costs (these advances are deducted from the total award).
Exact conditions can differ from programme to programme, so we always recommend checking the page of the programme you choose.
Who can apply?
- Holders of a bachelor’s degree (or an officially recognised equivalent level of learning), or students in the final year of their bachelor’s. As a general rule, you must graduate before the programme starts.
- Note: some programmes require the degree earlier — by the application deadline. For example, to be eligible for a NOHA scholarship, you must have completed your undergraduate degree by 15 December 2026.
- People who have previously received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship cannot receive it again.
- Some programmes limit the number of scholarships per nationality. For example, at NOHA this share does not exceed 10%, and Glasgow’s MAGMa programme awards no more than 6 scholarships per nationality.
Deadlines: why start now?
There is no single Erasmus Mundus deadline — each consortium sets its own dates, and you apply directly to the programme. One example:
- NOHA (joint master’s in humanitarian action): applications for the 2027–2029 cohort opened on 1 October 2026, and the deadline for Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications is 15 December 2026, 23:59 (GMT). The programme offers 12 scholarships for this cohort, with results announced in March 2027.
Another important point: not every programme offers scholarships every year. For example, the University of Glasgow’s EDUMAH programme states clearly that scholarships are not available for the September 2027 intake. The EACEA catalogue also notes that some programmes are near the end of their funding. So make sure the programme you choose offers scholarships for the 2027 intake specifically.
How to prepare: step by step
- Choose several programmes that fit your field from the official catalogue.
- For each programme, note the deadline, whether scholarships are available for the 2027 intake and the entry requirements in one table.
- Check the English language requirements and plan for your test results to arrive before the deadline. More: What IELTS score do you need?
- Prepare an academic CV: How to write an academic CV
- Write a separate motivation letter for each programme: How to write a motivation letter
- Ask for recommendation letters in good time — give your referees enough notice: Recommendation letters: who to ask and how?
- Prepare translations of your diploma and transcript and, where needed, an apostille: Translation, notarisation and apostille
- Don’t leave your application to the last day — portals can have technical delays.
A few things to keep in mind
- Each consortium has its own application portal and document list. Don’t send the package prepared for one programme to another as it is — read the requirements separately.
- In your motivation letter, explain specifically why you chose this programme and its universities. Since Erasmus Mundus study takes place in several countries, the committee also wants to see how you approach this mobility.
- Entry requirements may include a specific bachelor’s field, work experience or knowledge of certain subjects. Checking these early saves you time.
- Even without a scholarship, some programmes accept self-funded students, and the deadlines for these places are often later. For example, NOHA’s central deadline for self-funded applicants is 1 April 2027.
- Besides Erasmus Mundus, look at universities’ and foundations’ own scholarship programmes too: Lesser-known scholarships.
How Hogwart Academy can help
Erasmus Mundus programmes are competitive, but a well-chosen programme and carefully prepared documents can significantly improve your chances. If you have questions about choosing a programme, planning your deadlines or writing your motivation letter, book a free consultation — let’s build a roadmap that suits you together.