Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarships are the closest thing Europe has to a fully funded master's that moves you around. You do not study at one university. You study at a partnership of institutions, spend time in at least two different countries, and finish with a joint degree or multiple degree certificates. The European Union funds the programs, and the scholarships go to the best-ranked applicants worldwide.
The catch most Pakistani students miss: there is no single Erasmus Mundus application. Every program is run by its own consortium, with its own entry requirements, deadline and selection. This guide explains how that works in practice and where applicants lose marks. For the condensed version, see the full scholarship details.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded: participation costs, monthly allowance of 1,400 EUR, travel and visa contributions |
| Level | Master's (60, 90 or 120 ECTS) |
| Duration | One to two academic years, funding for a maximum of 24 months |
| Deadline | Varies by program, typically between October and January |
| Country | European Union (study in at least two countries) |
| Provider | European Commission |
| Official site | Erasmus+ EMJM page |
How a joint master's actually works
Each EMJM is designed and delivered by at least three higher education institutions from three different countries. The curriculum is integrated, which means the partner universities plan the whole degree together rather than stitching courses together after the fact. A typical program includes study periods, research, a traineeship, thesis preparation and the thesis defense.
Mobility is compulsory. You must complete at least two study periods in two different countries, and neither of them can be your country of residence. For a student living in Pakistan this rule rarely causes trouble, but if you already live in a European country, check which partner locations would count for you.
Programs run for one to two academic years, worth 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. At the end, you get either a joint degree certificate or multiple degree certificates from the consortium institutions. Which one you receive depends on the program, so read the program website before you assume anything.
Who this scholarship suits, and who should think twice
EMJM is a strong fit if you want a master's with real international exposure and you are comfortable moving between countries every semester or so. It also suits students whose field is covered by a consortium. Eligible fields are all those offered by participating consortia, so your first job is to check whether a program in your subject exists in the current course catalogue.
It is a weaker fit if you want to settle in one city, build a part-time job network in one place, or need a specific degree title that only one university awards. Moving every term is exciting on paper and tiring in practice. Be honest with yourself about that before you write a statement of purpose that claims you love mobility.
The scholarships are competitive and go to the best-ranked students globally. Selection is run by each program consortium, so read how your chosen program ranks applicants.
What the 1,400 EUR monthly allowance sits alongside
The scholarship package has several parts:
- Full coverage of participation costs
- A monthly living allowance of 1,400 EUR
- A contribution to travel costs
- A contribution to visa costs
- Funding for a maximum of 24 months
Notice the word "contribution" for travel and visa. It is a contribution, not a promise to reimburse every rupee you spend. Keep some savings for the gap between your arrival and the first allowance payment, and for moves between partner countries. The 24-month ceiling also matters: on a two-year program the funding covers the whole period, but it will not stretch beyond that if your thesis runs late.
Eligibility, including final-year students
The scholarship is aimed at students worldwide, and the general rules are short:
- You hold a bachelor's degree, or you are in the final year of your bachelor's studies.
- You graduate before the master's program begins.
- If you have a bachelor's equivalent level of learning rather than a formal degree, you may apply if the degree-awarding country officially recognises it.
- You are accepted into a specific Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program.
- You meet that program consortium's own entry requirements.
The last point is where the real filtering happens. Consortia set their own requirements on subject background, grades and language level. Two programs in the same broad field can ask for quite different things, so do not rely on what a friend's program required. Check the exact rules for your nationality and background on each program website.
Final-year students in Pakistan can apply, but the graduation rule is strict. If your university is known for delayed results or late degree issuance, factor that in. You need to have graduated before the program start date.
The document pack consortia usually ask for
Most programs ask for a similar core set:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Proof of language proficiency
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Curriculum Vitae
The consortium specifies the exact format, so follow each program's instructions rather than sending one generic pack everywhere. If you are a final-year student, your degree certificate will not exist yet, and the program will tell you what to submit instead. For a general list of what Pakistani applicants should prepare in advance, see our international scholarships documents checklist. If a program asks for attested copies, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains that process.
The statement of purpose deserves the most time. A consortium is choosing people for a specific integrated curriculum across several universities. Write about why this particular program, its partner institutions and its mobility track fit your plans. A statement that could be pasted into any master's application will not rank well.
Applying program by program
- Browse the official Erasmus Mundus course catalogue and shortlist programs in your field.
- Open each program's own website and note its entry requirements and deadline.
- Prepare the documents that consortium asks for.
- Submit your application directly to the institution running the program.
- Wait for the selection results from the consortium.
Start from the official Erasmus+ EMJM page, which links to the course catalogue. A new batch of selected master's programs is added to the catalogue each year, so a field that had nothing last year may have an option now.
If something in the entry requirements is unclear, contact the program coordinator directly. A clear answer is better than guessing about whether your degree qualifies.
Why an October to January window means starting early
Applications typically open around October, and most deadlines fall between October and January for programs starting in the following academic year. The exact deadline varies by program, and the program start date depends on the university schedule. Confirm the current cycle and every deadline on the official portal and the program website.
In practice, this means your English test, recommendation letters and transcripts should be close to ready by the start of autumn. Some programs close early in the window, and if you discover a good one in December, you may already be too late.
Mistakes Pakistani applicants make with Erasmus Mundus
- Looking for one central application form. There isn't one. You apply to each program separately.
- Applying to programs outside your academic background because they are funded. Consortia check fit closely.
- Ignoring the graduation rule. If your bachelor's will not be finished before the program starts, you are not eligible.
- Reusing a single statement of purpose across programs with different partner universities and structures.
- Skipping the study agreement requirements for the chosen program. Read them before you accept an offer.
- Treating the travel and visa contributions as full coverage and arriving with no savings.
The Erasmus Mundus Association is another useful source of application advice. The alumni network is close to 50,000 people, so it is often possible to find someone who studied in the program you are considering.
Once you hold an offer, the visa stage still needs care. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students covers the usual problems. You can also compare other options in all Europe scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one application for all Erasmus Mundus programs?
No. You apply directly to the institution running your chosen master's program. The official course catalogue lists the programs and links to each one's application details.
What does the EMJM scholarship cover?
It covers participation costs, contributes to travel and visa costs, and pays a monthly living allowance of 1,400 EUR, for a maximum of 24 months.
Can I apply in the final year of my bachelor's?
Yes, as long as you graduate before the master's program starts.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The scholarships are offered to top-ranked students worldwide. Each consortium sets its own entry requirements, so confirm on your chosen program's website that your degree and background meet them.
Which subjects are available?
Any field offered by a participating consortium. The list changes every year as new programs are added to the catalogue, so check it each cycle.
Will I study in my home country?
No. You complete at least two study periods in two different countries, and neither can be your country of residence.
Before you apply, check the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters website for the current catalogue and deadlines, and keep the Erasmus Mundus scholarship page handy for the key facts.