Erasmus Mundus is a European Union scholarship scheme for Master's and PhD students who want to study in more than one European country as part of a single degree. You do not apply to "Erasmus Mundus" as one central office. You apply to a specific joint programme, run by a group of universities called a consortium, and that consortium decides who gets in and who gets funded. Once that clicks, most of the confusion around this scholarship goes away. You can read the full scholarship details on our scholarship page before you start.
It suits a Pakistani student who already knows what subject they want to study, is comfortable moving between countries during the degree, and is willing to research individual programmes properly. It is a poor fit if you want to pick one city and stay there, or if you are hoping for a single application form that covers every course.
The scheme in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Provider | European Union |
| Study level | Master's and PhD (doctoral) |
| Fields | Varies by programme, confirm on the official site |
| Where you study | At least two European countries, across participating EU member states and partner countries |
| Deadline | Varies, set by each consortium. Confirm on the official site |
| Where to apply | Directly through the chosen programme's consortium portal |
Why you study in at least two countries
The defining feature of Erasmus Mundus is mobility. Every participant studies in at least two different European countries during the programme. At the end you receive a joint, double or multiple degree, depending on how that consortium has set things up.
In practice this means your degree is built by several universities working together, and the curriculum draws on each of them. For a student from Pakistan, this is a very different experience from a standard one-university Master's. You will relocate mid-degree, deal with more than one set of local rules, and adjust to different teaching styles. Some students love that. Others find it tiring. Be honest with yourself about which one you are before you put weeks into an application.
What the funding pays for
The scholarship is listed as fully funded. The package covers:
- Full tuition fees
- A waiver of participation costs
- A monthly living allowance for the entire duration of the programme
- A contribution to travel costs
- A contribution to installation costs (the expense of settling in when you arrive)
- Health insurance
Notice the wording on travel and installation: these are contributions, not open-ended reimbursements. The exact amounts are not fixed in one place that applies to every programme, so check the figures with your chosen consortium. Do not budget around a number you saw on a forum. And plan to carry some money of your own for the first few weeks, because allowances do not always arrive on the day you land.
Is Erasmus Mundus open to Pakistani students?
Yes. The programme is open to applicants from all over the world, which includes Pakistan. What changes from course to course is the selection criteria, because each consortium writes its own.
The general requirements are:
- A relevant Bachelor's degree if you are applying for a Master's track
- Meeting the academic criteria set by the consortium you choose
- Meeting English language proficiency requirements
- Submitting all required documents before that consortium's deadline
The word "relevant" matters. A consortium running a programme in a technical field will look closely at whether your Bachelor's actually prepared you for it. If your degree is in a neighbouring subject, read the admission page carefully and, if it is unclear, ask the programme office before applying.
Work experience is another area where programmes differ. Some may expect it and others may not, since each consortium sets its own eligibility rules. Never assume.
Paperwork to have ready before you open the portal
Most programmes ask for a similar core set of documents:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- English language proficiency certificate
- Valid passport
Individual consortia can ask for more, so treat this as a starting point. For Pakistani applicants, the slow items are usually transcripts and degree certificates, especially if your university takes time to issue official copies, and recommendation letters, because professors are busy. Start on those first. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers how to prepare each one, and if a programme asks for attested copies, the IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains the process.
Check that your passport stays valid well beyond your expected study period. Renewing it in the middle of an application cycle is a headache you do not need.
Applying to a consortium, not to the EU
The application route looks like this:
- Browse the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue to find a joint Master's or doctoral programme that fits your background.
- Open that programme's own website and check its admission criteria and deadline.
- Prepare your documents, including transcripts and recommendation letters.
- Submit your application directly through the consortium's portal.
- Wait for selection results and the acceptance notification from the consortium.
Step two is where people go wrong. They read a general article (including this one), assume the rules are the same everywhere, and miss a requirement that only one programme has. Every consortium publishes its own criteria and deadline. That page is the document that decides your application.
You can apply to up to three programmes
You are allowed to apply to up to three different Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes in the same academic year. Use that. Spreading your chances across three well-matched programmes is sensible. Spreading them across three programmes you have no real connection to is not, because each one needs its own tailored motivation letter, and a generic letter sent three times is easy for a selection committee to spot.
Timing, and why there is no single deadline
There is no one Erasmus Mundus deadline. Opening dates and closing dates vary by programme, so confirm the current cycle on the official site and on each consortium's website. Because the deadlines are scattered, the safest plan is to start researching programmes several months before applications open. That gives you time to sit an English test if you need one, collect references and draft a proper motivation letter for each programme.
If your English test result is close to a programme's minimum, retake it early. Finding out in the last fortnight that your score falls short leaves you with no options.
Where applicants usually lose marks
The single biggest weakness in applications from Pakistan is the motivation letter. A letter that talks about wanting to "study in Europe" and "experience new cultures" says nothing a committee can use. Write about this particular curriculum: which modules or specialisations interest you, why the combination of universities in this consortium makes sense for your plans, and how your Bachelor's prepared you. If you cannot say why this programme and not another, you have probably not picked the right one yet.
A few other habits help:
- Contact alumni of your target programme. They can tell you what the application process felt like and what the consortium seemed to value.
- Read the consortium's eligibility section line by line and tick off each requirement against your documents.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet of your programmes with their deadlines, test requirements and document lists, so nothing slips.
- Ask referees early and give them a short note on each programme so their letters are specific.
After selection, you will still need a visa for your first country of study. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons is a good read before you file.
For other options in the region, see all Europe scholarships in one place.
Frequently asked questions
What expenses does the Erasmus Mundus scholarship cover?
It covers full tuition fees, a participation costs waiver, travel costs, installation costs, health insurance and a monthly living allowance for the whole programme. Travel and installation are described as contributions, so confirm the amounts with your consortium.
Can I apply for more than one Erasmus Mundus programme?
Yes. You can apply to up to three different Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes in the same academic year. Each application goes to its own consortium.
Is work experience required?
It depends on the programme. Each consortium sets its own eligibility criteria, so check the admission page of every programme you apply to.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. The programme is open to applicants from all over the world. Selection criteria still vary by programme, so make sure you meet the specific requirements of each consortium.
Which fields can I study?
Fields vary from programme to programme. Search the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue for joint programmes in your subject and confirm details on the official site.
When is the deadline?
There is no single deadline. Each consortium sets its own, so confirm the current cycle on the official site and the programme's own website.
Before you apply, check the official website and each consortium's admission page for current requirements, and keep the Erasmus Mundus scholarship page handy for the full details.