How Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Work for a Canadian Applicant

What an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree actually is

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree, usually shortened to EMJMD, is a master's program lasting 1 to 2 years (60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits), designed and delivered jointly by a consortium of universities based in at least two different countries. You are not choosing one university and adding a study-abroad term. You are enrolling in one integrated program from the start, and its structure requires you to physically study in at least two of the consortium's countries before you finish.

At the end, you receive either a joint degree certificate recognized by all participating institutions, or in some consortiums a set of degrees from each institution you attended. Either way, the curriculum, admissions process, and quality assurance are run as one program by the consortium, funded and coordinated under the EU's Erasmus+ program.

Where to find programs

Every active Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is listed in the official course catalogue maintained by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) . This catalogue is the only reliable master list. Individual programs also run their own websites with full detail on curriculum, mobility structure, entry requirements, and deadlines specific to that consortium.

General program information and the current opportunities page for students sits on erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu .

How the application actually works

There is no single EU-wide application form. You apply directly to the consortium running your chosen program, through that program's own website. Application windows typically open in the fall and close between October and January for a program starting the following academic year, though the exact window is set by each consortium and can vary.

Entry requirements are set individually by each program but commonly include:

• A completed bachelor's degree, or confirmed graduation before the master's program starts if you apply in your final undergraduate year

• Language proficiency proof, usually English, sometimes a second language depending on where you will study within the consortium

• A statement of purpose or motivation letter specific to the program's field

• Academic transcripts and reference letters, following that program's own submission process

Because Canadian undergraduate transcripts and grading scales differ from European systems, some programs may ask for a credential evaluation or grade conversion. Check the specific program's admissions page for how they want your Canadian transcript presented, rather than assuming a standard conversion applies across every consortium.

How the two-country study structure plays out

Every EMJMD splits your study time across at least two countries in the consortium, following a set mobility path that the program designs in advance. A typical pattern has you complete semester one and two at your first institution, then move to a second institution for semester three, with a thesis or capstone completed at either institution or a third partner site, depending on the program's design.

You do not choose this path freely. The consortium sets the mobility tracks, sometimes with a small number of track options you pick between at application time (for example, a technical track based in one country pair versus a policy track based in another). Review the specific mobility structure on the program's own page before applying, since it decides where you will actually be living for the length of the program.

Funding and cost reality

Full scholarships are available for the strongest applicants to each program. According to the official Erasmus+ opportunities page, these scholarships cover your participation costs (which includes tuition-type fees for the program) and contribute toward travel, visa costs, and a living allowance. Not every accepted student receives a scholarship. Competitive programs receive far more applications than funded places, so apply with a strong academic record and a specific, well-researched motivation letter rather than a generic one.

If you are not offered a scholarship, ask the program directly about self-funded seats and the actual cost breakdown per country of study, since tuition-equivalent costs and living costs both vary by where in the consortium you are placed each semester.

Life across two countries, practically speaking

Moving mid-degree means opening a bank account, finding housing, and registering with local authorities more than once during your studies. Build this into your planning rather than treating it as an afterthought once classes start. Most consortiums run an orientation for each mobility phase and connect incoming students with buddy programs or housing lists, so ask your program coordinator about this support before you arrive at each location.

Cost of living differs sharply between consortium countries. A program splitting time between, for example, a Nordic country and a Southern or Eastern European country can mean your monthly budget needs adjusting significantly between phases. Ask current or recent students in the program, often reachable through the consortium's alumni network, what their real monthly costs looked like at each location.

Steps to apply as a Canadian student

1. Search the EACEA catalogue for programs in your field and shortlist ones whose mobility structure and countries you can commit to for the duration of the program.

2. Read each shortlisted program's own entry requirements and deadline, since these are set by the consortium, not by a shared EU calendar.

3. Prepare your transcript, language test scores, and motivation letter well before the October to January application window most programs use.

4. Apply directly on the program's website, and separately note whether the scholarship application is automatic with your admission application or requires an additional step.

5. Once accepted, contact each country's consortium partner about the visa process for your specific mobility phases, since immigration paperwork runs by country, not by consortium.