Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Explained

How EMJMD differs from a regular Erasmus+ exchange

A standard Erasmus+ exchange sends you abroad for one or two semesters while you stay enrolled at your home university and receive your original degree at the end. An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree works differently: you enroll directly in a two-year master's degree jointly designed and delivered by a consortium of universities in at least two countries, and receive one joint diploma, or in some cases double or multiple diplomas, at graduation, not your home university's standard degree.

You do not need a home university to apply. Admission goes straight through the consortium that runs the EMJMD program, and the degree stands as your primary qualification, not an addition to a separate one.

How the consortium structure works

Each EMJMD program groups two or more universities from different countries, often alongside partner organizations such as research institutes or companies that host part of your study or a work placement. The consortium designs one shared curriculum, agrees the split of study time between campuses, and issues the joint qualification together. The Erasmus Mundus catalogue lists around 220 funded joint master programs, covering fields from data science to heritage management.

You typically spend one semester or year at each partner university in turn, following the mobility track the consortium sets before the program opens for applications. Some programs also include a placement at a non-academic partner, such as a research institute, museum or company, as part of the same structured mobility plan.

What the scholarship covers

The European Commission's Erasmus Mundus scholarship waives your tuition fees in full and pays a monthly living allowance. Individual programs report a stipend of up to €1,400 per month for the full 24 months of study, giving a total award of €33,600, plus insurance and a travel contribution on top depending on where you live before starting the program.

Universities distribute payments a little differently. Some pay the full €1,400 each month, others reduce early installments to give an advance for travel and visa costs before you arrive, as one University of Glasgow-hosted EMJMD shows. Check the specific consortium's scholarship page for its exact payment schedule.

Which fields EMJMD programs cover

The catalogue spans nearly every academic field, from engineering, data science and public health to cultural heritage, law and sustainability studies. Consortia design each program around a specific theme, often bringing together universities that each contribute different regional expertise to the same curriculum.

Search the catalogue by subject area rather than by country, since a single program frequently combines universities from three or four different countries in one intake year.

How to apply

You apply directly on the consortium's own program website, not through a single EU portal. Most programs open applications in autumn and close between October and January for a September start the following year. Requirements typically include a completed bachelor's degree, transcripts, a motivation letter, and in some cases an interview with consortium staff.

Apply only to programs you want to study, since each consortium runs its own selection process and scholarship allocation. Scholarship places are limited and awarded on academic merit, so check each program's exact deadline early and prepare your documents in advance.

What to prepare before you apply

• Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript

• A motivation letter tailored to the specific program's mobility structure

• Two academic references

• Proof of English or another required language level, depending on the program

• A CV listing relevant coursework, research or work experience

Requirements vary by consortium, so check the specific program's admission page for its exact checklist before you start gathering documents.

Prepare documents in the exact format each consortium asks for, since certified copies, sworn translations or specific reference letter templates take time to arrange, and late paperwork is a common reason strong candidates miss a scholarship place.

Who is eligible

EMJMD scholarships are open to students of any nationality, including students from EU and non-EU countries. You need a completed bachelor's degree by the time the program starts. The EU sets no upper age limit, though individual consortia set their own academic entry requirements.

What happens after you graduate

Your joint, double or multiple diploma carries the same legal weight in each partner country as a diploma issued by that country's own universities. Most consortia also run an alumni network, since EMJMD graduates often work internationally and stay connected through the same institutions that trained them.

If you plan to work in a regulated profession, check recognition rules with your destination country's ENIC-NARIC centre before you start job hunting, since professional recognition follows separate rules from the academic recognition your diploma already carries.