Guide · Europe · 2027 intake

Erasmus Mundus scholarships: fully funded master’s in Europe (2027 intake)

Updated 19 October 2026 · For applicants worldwide · Always confirm details on the official listing

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJMs) are among the best-known routes to a fully funded master’s in Europe. Consortia of universities run integrated programmes across several countries, and the best-ranked applicants can receive an EU scholarship. This guide covers what an EMJM is, what the scholarship pays, how to find programmes in the official EACEA/Erasmus+ catalogue, typical deadlines for a 2027 start, eligibility, the documents you will need, how to choose about three programmes, and the mistakes that waste a year.

What Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are

According to the Erasmus+ page for students, an EMJM is a prestigious international master’s jointly designed and delivered by a group of higher education institutions. Programmes involve at least three institutions from at least three different countries, plus associated partners. They typically include study, research, traineeship, thesis preparation and defence.

Each edition lasts one to two academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits). You receive either a joint degree (one certificate on behalf of at least two institutions) or multiple degrees (at least two certificates from consortium members). You must complete study periods in at least two countries different from your country of residence, with at least one in an EU Member State or a country associated to the Programme—details are set in the consortium’s study agreement.

Scholarships are competitive. Not every student on an EMJM holds one; many programmes also enrol self-funded students. Some catalogue entries no longer offer new scholarships because funding is ending or the name is used temporarily after the grant—check scholarship availability on each programme site.

What the scholarship covers

The Erasmus+ organisations page for EMJMs states the EU scholarship for individuals is €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months. The students page says scholarships cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and a living allowance.

EACEA guidance for consortia (Programme Guide language quoted in official Q&A) adds that the scholarship is a contribution to travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs, and that projects cannot charge tuition fees or other mandatory course-participation costs to Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders. Visa, residence-permit and national-registration fees paid to third parties (for example a municipality) are normally paid by the student from the scholarship. Exact payment schedules and any advance for the first month vary by consortium—read the programme’s scholarship page.

Amounts and rules can change between programme generations. Always confirm the figure and conditions on the call you are applying to for the 2027 intake.

How to find programmes (official catalogue)

Start with the official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue on the EACEA website. It is updated annually and lists master’s programmes currently supported by the European Union. The Erasmus+ students page links to the same catalogue under “Search the course catalogue”.

• Filter by subject on the catalogue, then open each programme’s own website for mobility paths, language requirements and scholarship seats.
• Apply directly to the consortium that runs the programme. There is no single EU application form for all EMJMs.
• Check scholarship status: EACEA notes that some programmes in the catalogue may not offer scholarships (end of funding or temporary name use).
• FridayScout free list: this-week.html for currently open funded calls we have checked against the original posting.

Deadlines for a 2027 autumn start

EACEA states that most master’s programmes require applications between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. The Erasmus+ students page says the same: in most cases submit between October and January. Some consortia close later (into February). For a September/October 2027 start, expect most scholarship deadlines in late 2026 to early 2027.

Every programme sets its own dates. Do not rely on a blog calendar. Open each shortlisted programme’s admissions page and note the scholarship deadline, the self-funded deadline (often later), time zone, and whether recommendation letters must arrive by the same date.

For 10 scholarship deadlines for the 2027 intake, each checked on the programme’s own site, see Erasmus Mundus deadlines for the 2027 intake. Considering a one-year master’s in the UK instead? See our Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 guide.

Eligibility

From the Erasmus+ students page, you must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree (first degree), or be in your last year of bachelor studies and graduate before the master’s starts; or
• Demonstrate a bachelor’s-equivalent level of learning that is officially recognised under national rules in the degree-awarding country.

Students from all over the world are welcome. Individual consortia add their own academic, language and experience requirements. Programme rules also exclude applicants who have already received an EMJM scholarship from receiving another; you can still apply as a self-funded student if the programme allows it. Confirm every rule on the programme site you apply to.

Application documents

Each consortium publishes its own checklist. Typical items (verify on the programme page) include:

• Online application form on the consortium portal
• CV (often Europass-style or a research-focused CV)
• Motivation letter / statement of purpose tailored to that programme’s mobility track
• Bachelor’s diploma and full transcripts (plus certified translations if required)
• Proof of English (or other language) at the exact test and score the consortia name
• Passport or ID copy
• Two or three recommendation letters, uploaded by you or sent by referees before the deadline
• For final-year students: an official statement confirming expected graduation before the programme start

Some programmes ask for a research outline, portfolio, video interview or ranked preference of study tracks. Name files clearly and keep PDF scans ready weeks before the first deadline.

How to choose about 3 programmes

Winter deadlines cluster. Preparing five weak applications is usually worse than preparing three strong ones. A practical shortlist:

1. Fit the curriculum and mobility path to your background and career aim—not only the scholarship.
2. Check scholarship seats and past cohorts on the programme site when they publish them; competition varies widely by field.
3. Confirm you meet hard filters (ECTS in specific subjects, language score, work experience) before writing the letter.
4. Stagger deadlines so your first submission is ready before the earliest close date.
5. Write a distinct motivation letter for each consortium. Reuse your background skeleton; rewrite the “why this programme” paragraphs.

See also our motivation letter guide—the same specificity rules help master’s applications.

Common mistakes

• Missing the scholarship deadline while watching the self-funded one. Scholarship windows usually close earlier.
• Applying only from a secondary blog list. Use the official EACEA catalogue, then the programme site.
• Sending the same motivation letter to every consortium. Panels spot generic text.
• Ignoring language and transcript rules. Medium-of-instruction letters are not always accepted; use the named test.
• Leaving referees until the last week. Many portals require letters by the same deadline.
• Assuming every catalogue entry still has scholarships. EACEA warns that some do not.
• Applying again for an EMJM scholarship after already holding one. Prior EMJM scholarship holders are ineligible for another.

FAQ

What is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is an integrated master’s designed and delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions in at least three countries. Programmes last one to two academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS) and award a joint or multiple degree. Students typically study in at least two countries.

How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

According to the Erasmus+ programme pages, the EU scholarship for individuals is €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months. It is a contribution to travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs. Consortia cannot charge tuition or other mandatory course-participation fees to scholarship holders.

When do applications open for a 2027 start?

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and Erasmus+ state that most programmes ask you to apply between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. Some consortia extend into February. Always check each programme’s own website for the exact window for the 2027 intake.

Who can apply for an EMJM scholarship?

Students worldwide can apply. You need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent officially recognised in the degree-awarding country), or you must be in your last year of bachelor studies and graduate before the master’s starts. Applicants who previously received an EMJM scholarship are not eligible for another one.

Where do I find the official list of programmes?

Use the official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue on the EACEA website. It is updated annually and lists programmes currently supported by the EU. Apply directly to each consortium—not through a central EU portal.

How many programmes should I apply to?

There is no EU-wide cap that forces you to pick exactly three, but many advisors suggest shortlisting about three strong-fit programmes so you can prepare serious, tailored applications before overlapping winter deadlines. Quality of fit matters more than volume.

Sources

• Erasmus+ — Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (students)
• Erasmus+ — Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (organisations)
• EACEA — Erasmus Mundus Catalogue
• EACEA — Scholarships overview