Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Study in at least two European countries on one Master's — and the only major award that takes you straight from your bachelor's, with no work experience needed.
Offered by European Union (Erasmus+)
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is a single Master's degree taught by a group of universities in different European countries. You do not stay in one place: you study in at least two countries, and you finish with either one joint degree signed by several universities or two separate degrees. It is the most open of the big scholarships. You do not need work experience. You do not even need to have finished your bachelor's yet — you can apply in your final year, as long as you graduate before the Master's begins. Scholarship holders pay no tuition and no application fee at all, because the EU forbids these programmes from charging them. As with DAAD, there is no single deadline. Each Master's runs its own application, and most close between October and January for courses starting the following September.
No single deadline — most Erasmus Mundus Masters accept applications between October and January
Each Erasmus Mundus Master sets its own deadline, and most fall between October and January for courses starting the following September. A new batch of Masters joins the catalogue every year, so check the official catalogue for the current list rather than relying on last year's dates. Applications for courses starting in September 2027 open during autumn 2026.
Details checked against the official source on 13 August 2026. Rules change every year — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
TontonAfriJobs is not connected to this scholarship and never charges any fee. You can apply yourself, for free, using the steps below. Nobody needs to apply on your behalf.
Fully funded
Masters
No single deadline — most Erasmus Mundus Masters accept applications between October and January
Set by each Master's programme — usually IELTS or TOEFL, sometimes another European language
Competitive
What the scholarship pays for
What you still pay for yourself
Find your country
Erasmus Mundus scholarships are open to students from anywhere in the world, so every African country qualifies — including Cameroon and Sudan, since this is the EU and not the UK. One rule is worth understanding before you choose: no more than 10% of a programme's scholarships may go to people of the same nationality. If you are from a country that sends very many applicants, you are effectively competing hardest against your own compatriots — and if you are from a country that sends few, that rule works in your favour.
Don't see your country? Eligibility can change each year — check the official country list.
Can I apply?
You need to be able to tick every box below. Each one links to the official page that states the rule.
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You hold a bachelor's degree — OR you are in the final year of one. You only need to have graduated before the Master's actually starts. What you need
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NO work experience is required. This is the main difference from Chevening and DAAD, and it is why Erasmus Mundus is usually the realistic option if you have just finished university. Official requirements
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Students from anywhere in the world may apply, including every African country. Who can apply
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If you do not hold a formal bachelor's degree, you may still apply where you can show an officially recognised equivalent level of learning under the laws of the country that awarded it. Equivalent qualifications
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You must study full-time. Scholarships are only awarded in full, for full-time enrolment. Programme Guide
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If you have already held an Erasmus Mundus scholarship before, you cannot apply for another one. Programme Guide
How to apply, step by step
Do these in order. Every step links to the exact official page you need — you never have to guess, and you never need an agent.
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1
Search the official EU catalogue for your subject
This is the only complete, official list of Erasmus Mundus Masters. Filter by your subject area and read what each one covers. A new batch is added every year, so use the live catalogue rather than an article listing last year's programmes.
Search the catalogue -
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Open each Master's own website and note its deadline
Every programme has its own site listing the participating universities, the entry requirements, the documents and the deadline. Most close between October and January. Write each date down — they differ, and none of them is set by the EU.
Find your programme -
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Apply to several programmes, not just one
Because no more than 10% of a programme's scholarships can go to one nationality, spreading your applications across several Masters genuinely improves your odds. There is no application fee, so the only cost of applying widely is your own time.
How scholarships are allocated -
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Take your English test if the programme asks for one
Most Masters are taught in English and want IELTS or TOEFL, but the minimum scores vary between consortia. Check the exact score your programme wants before paying for a test.
Book IELTS -
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Prepare your documents and translations early
You will normally need your degree certificate or proof you are in your final year, full transcripts, a passport, a motivation letter and references. Certified translations take time in most African countries — start before the deadline is close.
What you need -
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Apply on the programme's own website
You apply to the consortium directly, ticking the box that you want to be considered for a scholarship. The European Union does not accept applications, and no agent can submit one for you.
How to apply -
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Use the Erasmus Mundus Association for real advice
The alumni association runs events with volunteer representatives in many countries and publishes course contacts and stories from people who got in. It is free, official, and far more reliable than paid "consultants".
Erasmus Mundus Association
Papers you need to prepare
Start gathering these early — some take weeks to get.
Your bachelor's degree certificate — or proof you are in your final year
You must graduate before the Master's starts, but not before you apply.
Full academic transcripts
Certified translation needed if not in English.
A motivation letter for each programme
Write a fresh one per Master's — consortia can tell when a letter is generic.
Reference letters
The number varies by programme; check each one's requirements.
IELTS or TOEFL certificate
Only if the programme requires it — check the exact minimum score.
A valid passport
Needed for identity and later for your visa.
Your CV
Most consortia ask for one, often in the Europass format.
English test — which one to take
An English test proves you can study in English. You take it at a test centre (or sometimes at home), pay a fee, and receive a score. Book directly on the official website below — never pay an agent to book it for you.
IELTS Academic
Most Erasmus Mundus Masters are taught in English and ask for IELTS. Each consortium sets its own minimum score.
Check the required score on your chosen Master's own site before booking — they vary more than you would expect.
TOEFL iBT
Widely accepted as an alternative to IELTS by Erasmus Mundus consortia.
Confirm your chosen programme accepts TOEFL before you book it.
Choosing your Master's course
This is the part most people get wrong. There are two separate applications: one to Chevening for the money, and one to each university for your place. Chevening does not apply to universities for you. If you never get a university offer, the scholarship is cancelled — so start the university applications early, not after you hear from Chevening.
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Every Erasmus Mundus Master is run by at least 3 universities in at least 3 different countries, and you study in at least two of them. You are choosing a route through Europe, not a single campus.
Official page -
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You finish with either one joint degree issued by several universities together, or two or more separate degrees. Check which one your chosen Master's awards.
Official page -
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Find your Master's in the official EU catalogue. Only programmes listed there are real Erasmus Mundus Masters with EU scholarships.
Official page -
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You apply directly to the Master's consortium on its own website — not to the European Union, and not through any agency.
Official page -
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These programmes are forbidden from charging application fees to anyone, and cannot charge tuition to scholarship holders. If a "programme" asks you for an application fee, it is not an Erasmus Mundus Master.
Official page -
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No more than 10% of a programme's scholarships may go to students of one nationality. Applying to several different Masters matters more here than almost anywhere else.
Official page
Questions people ask
What is the deadline for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?
There is no single deadline for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. Each Master's consortium sets its own, and most accept applications between October and January for courses starting the following September. Applications for programmes beginning in September 2027 open during autumn 2026. The official EU catalogue lists every current programme and links to its own application page.
Do I need work experience for Erasmus Mundus?
No. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters require no work experience at all. You need a bachelor's degree, or to be in the final year of one, and you must graduate before the Master's begins. This makes Erasmus Mundus the main fully funded option for African students who have just finished university, unlike Chevening and DAAD, which both require at least two years of work.
How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship per month?
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is €1,400 per month for the entire length of the Master's — roughly €16,800 for a 12-month course, €25,200 for 18 months and €33,600 for 24 months. It covers travel, visa, installation and living costs, and scholarship holders pay no tuition fees, because EU rules forbid these programmes from charging them.
Can African students apply for Erasmus Mundus scholarships?
Yes. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are open to students from anywhere in the world, so every African country is eligible, including Cameroon and Sudan, whose citizens are currently blocked from UK student visas. One rule shapes your chances: no more than 10% of a programme's scholarships may be awarded to candidates of the same nationality, so applying to several different Masters is worthwhile.
Does Erasmus Mundus charge an application fee?
No. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are forbidden by EU rules from charging student application fees, and cannot charge tuition fees to scholarship holders. If a website asks you to pay a fee to apply for an "Erasmus Mundus" programme, it is not a genuine one — check the official EU catalogue to confirm a programme exists before sending anyone money.
How many countries do you study in with Erasmus Mundus?
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master involves at least three universities from at least three different countries, and you study in at least two of them during the course. You graduate with either a single joint degree issued on behalf of several universities, or two or more separate degrees from the universities you attended.
Can I apply for Erasmus Mundus in my final year of university?
Yes. You may apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master while still in the last year of your bachelor's degree, provided you graduate before the Master's programme starts. You may also apply if you can demonstrate an officially recognised equivalent level of learning under the laws of the country that awarded your qualification.
Tips that genuinely improve your chances
- Apply to three or four different Masters. The 10% nationality cap means spreading your applications does more good here than anywhere else — and it costs nothing but time.
- Write a separate motivation letter for each programme, naming the specific universities and modules. Consortia read a lot of generic letters.
- Look closely at which countries each Master's sends you to. €1,400 a month goes much further in Portugal or Poland than in the Netherlands or Sweden.
- If you are in your final year of a bachelor's, apply now rather than waiting to graduate — you are already eligible.
- Check the catalogue every autumn. New Masters join each year, and a programme in your exact field may not have existed last year.
Protect yourself from scams
Erasmus Mundus programmes cannot legally charge you an application fee, and scholarship holders pay no tuition. There is no agent, consultant or "Erasmus office" that can get you a place — you apply directly to the programme itself. Always confirm a programme exists in the official EU catalogue at eacea.ec.europa.eu before sending documents or money to anyone.
Ready to apply?
Applications are made directly on the official website — it is free, and you do it yourself.