Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s, commonly shortened to EMJM, funds Master’s study across multiple European universities under a single joint programme, open to students of any nationality, including Nigerians. Unlike scholarships with one central application portal, EMJM works through individual joint programmes, each with its own consortium of universities, so the real first step is not filling a form but finding the right programme.
Table of Contents 10 sectionsShowHide
Who is eligible
- EMJM is open to Master’s level students from anywhere in the world, with no nationality restriction.
- Scholarships are available for outstanding students, but not every listed programme currently has active funding. Some programmes have reached the end of their funding cycle, or continue to use the Erasmus Mundus name without current scholarship slots, so this is something to confirm programme by programme.
- Each individual joint programme sets its own specific academic eligibility, such as the required first degree class, relevant field of study, and any language proficiency requirement, since EMJM itself is a funding framework rather than a single standard admission test.
Step one: find your programme in the catalogue
The official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue, maintained by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, lists every EU supported joint Master’s programme currently running. You can access and filter it at eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en, filtering by keyword, country, duration (typically 12, 18, or 24 months), participating university, field of study, and the year the project was selected for funding.
Spend real time here rather than applying to the first programme you see. Since you will study across at least two of the consortium’s partner countries, consider which countries, universities, and course structures genuinely fit your academic and career goals, not just which programme name sounds most prestigious.
Step two: contact the consortium directly
Once you have shortlisted a programme, the catalogue’s “project overview” links usually lead to the Erasmus+ project results platform, which is informational rather than an application page. For the actual application process, scholarship availability for the current intake, and specific document requirements, you need to visit that programme’s own official website and, where needed, contact the consortium coordinating the programme directly. Each joint programme runs its own admissions process independently.
Documents to prepare
Because each programme sets its own specific list, treat the following as a general starting point rather than an exhaustive final list, and always confirm the exact requirements on your chosen programme’s own website:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates, often needing certified translation if not originally in English.
- A valid passport or national identification document.
- A Statement of Purpose or motivation letter, explaining why you are applying to that specific joint programme.
- A CV or academic resume.
- Reference letters, usually two, from academic or professional referees.
- Proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL, if the programme is taught in English and you are not from an exempted background.
- For some fields, a research proposal or writing sample, depending on the specific programme’s requirements.
The application timeline
Most EMJM programmes open their application window between October and January, for courses beginning the following academic year. Because this window varies by consortium, lock in your chosen programme’s specific dates directly from its own website rather than assuming every EMJM programme follows an identical calendar.
What the scholarship typically covers
While the catalogue itself does not detail scholarship benefits for every programme, EMJM scholarships have historically covered tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel costs, and insurance for selected scholarship holders. Because coverage can differ by consortium and by funding cycle, confirm the exact benefits for your specific shortlisted programme directly with that programme’s coordinating office before making any financial assumptions.
Applying to more than one programme
Since each joint programme runs an independent selection process, there is generally no rule preventing you from applying to multiple EMJM programmes in the same cycle, as long as you can genuinely meet each programme’s specific deadline and document requirements. Many successful applicants apply to two or three well matched programmes rather than placing all their effort behind a single application.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every programme listed in the catalogue currently has active scholarship funding, when some have ended their funding cycle.
- Applying to a programme without visiting its own official website for the exact, current application process.
- Submitting a generic Statement of Purpose that does not mention the specific programme, consortium, or countries involved.
- Missing a programme specific deadline because you assumed the general October to January window applied exactly to your chosen course.
Conclusion
Erasmus Mundus rewards applicants who treat the catalogue as a starting point for serious research, not a one click application form. Search eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en carefully, confirm active scholarship funding and exact requirements directly with your shortlisted programme’s own website, prepare a tailored set of documents, and apply within that specific consortium’s own deadline window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this guide
1Is Erasmus Mundus open to Nigerian students?
Yes, EMJM is open to students of any nationality, including Nigerians, as long as they meet the specific academic requirements of their chosen joint programme.
2Does every programme listed in the catalogue offer a scholarship?
No, some listed programmes have reached the end of their EU funding cycle or only use the Erasmus Mundus name without current scholarship slots, so confirm this directly for your shortlisted programme.
3Can I apply to more than one Erasmus Mundus programme at once?
Generally yes, since each joint programme runs its own independent selection process, though you must meet each one’s specific deadline and requirements.
4Where do I submit my actual application?
Through your shortlisted programme’s own official website, not through the central catalogue itself, which is primarily a discovery and filtering tool.
5What does the scholarship typically cover?
Historically, tuition, a monthly stipend, travel, and insurance for scholarship holders, though exact coverage depends on the specific programme and funding cycle, so confirm with your chosen consortium directly.
6Will I study in only one country throughout my Erasmus Mundus programme?
No, EMJM programmes are specifically structured so you study across at least two of the consortium’s partner countries, which is part of what makes the application and visa planning more involved than a single country Master’s degree.
7Do I need to already speak the local language of my host countries?
Not necessarily, since many EMJM programmes are taught fully in English, though always confirm your specific programme’s language of instruction and any proficiency certificate it requires.
8How competitive is Erasmus Mundus funding compared to self funded admission?
Scholarship slots are generally far more competitive than self funded admission to the same programme, so apply to self funded options as a backup only if you can genuinely afford them, rather than relying solely on receiving a scholarship.
9Can I switch countries or universities mid programme if my circumstances change?
EMJM programmes are structured around a fixed mobility path across specific partner universities, so confirm your chosen programme’s exact structure before assuming you can freely switch locations once enrolled.
10Does having a lower degree classification automatically disqualify me?
Each joint programme sets its own specific academic threshold, so a classification that disqualifies you from one programme may still be acceptable for another, which is one more reason to research several options in the catalogue rather than only one.
Join Our Educational Updates Community
Get instant real-time alerts on scholarships, state bursaries, admission lists, and student opportunities.