Written by Christian Chinonso
Founder, LearnViaHub | Academic Credential & International Student Research
Short answer
The EU sets only a few requirements for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM): you hold a first higher education degree or an equivalent level of learning, you have not already received an EMJM scholarship, and you apply directly to the programme’s consortium, for up to three programmes. The EU lists no age limit and the programmes are open to applicants worldwide.
Everything else is decided by each consortium: the minimum grades, the English test, the documents and the deadlines. The scholarship is €1,400 per month for up to 24 months (€33,600 at most), and no more than 10% of a programme’s scholarships can go to students of one nationality.
Last checked October 18, 2026 against the European Commission, EACEA and programme websites. Part of our fully funded scholarships guide.
EU eligibility rules for students
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is a full master’s degree designed and delivered by at least three higher education institutions from at least three countries, at least two of which are EU Member States or countries associated to Erasmus+ (Erasmus+). It is not a semester exchange. The conditions that apply to every programme come from the European Commission and EACEA, the EU agency that runs the action.
| Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| Degree | You hold a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognised equivalent level of learning (EACEA). |
| Final-year students | Only some consortia accept applications from students in the last year of their undergraduate studies (Erasmus+ National Agency, Serbia). Check the programme. |
| Previous scholarship | You must not have benefited from an EMJM scholarship before (EACEA). BDMA’s application manual also excludes students who already hold an Erasmus+ master’s or joint doctorate scholarship (BDMA). |
| Nationality | Open to applicants worldwide (EACEA). No more than 10% of the total scholarships per project go to students of the same nationality; this does not apply to additional scholarships for targeted regions. |
| Age | The EU’s eligibility conditions list no age limit. |
| Where to apply | Directly to the institution running your chosen programme, not to a central EU portal (Erasmus+). |
| How many programmes | You can apply to a maximum of three different programmes (University of Almería, citing the EU rule; Serbian National Agency: up to three in one application round). |
| Mobility you commit to | At least two study periods in two countries, each lasting at least one semester and different from your country of residence, with at least one in an EU Member State or associated country (EACEA). |
Meeting these conditions lets a consortium consider you. It does not guarantee a place or a scholarship: the EU says scholarships go to the best-ranked students, and only some programmes offer them (Erasmus+).
What each programme decides
There is no universal minimum GPA, English test score or document list. Each consortium publishes its own admission rules, and they differ. We removed the typical-score ranges and class-rank claims that circulate online because we could not trace them to a source. Examples of how programmes differ:
| Programme | Published rule |
|---|---|
| BDMA (Big Data Management and Analytics) | Application manual says it requires a strong computer science background and that students can apply to no more than three Erasmus Mundus scholarships; it evaluates applications only after its deadline. |
| GOALS | Participation fees are €8,000 per year for students from third countries not associated to the programme and €4,000 per year for EU and associated-country students. Erasmus+ pays them for scholarship holders. You apply for the scholarship by mentioning your choice on the application form. |
| EDUMaH | Scholarship applications for the 2026 edition opened in October 2025. Students can take an optional contribution to travel and installation costs, which lowers the monthly amount, or take €1,400 a month for two years with no separate payment. |
Always read your programme’s own admission page before you prepare documents. If a consortium asks for an evaluation of your grades, see our GPA systems around the world guide and our WES guide.
What the scholarship pays
EACEA describes the EMJM scholarship as a single unit cost: €1,400 multiplied by the number of months, with a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of 24 months, so no more than €33,600 per student. It covers subsistence, installation and travel, together with a fee waiver, and it is the same amount for students from EU countries, associated countries and other countries (EACEA). Scholarships are also paid for study periods in your country of residence.
| Months paid | Scholarship at €1,400 per month |
|---|---|
| 12 months (one academic year) | €16,800 |
| 18 months | €25,200 |
| 24 months (maximum) | €33,600 |
Check how long your programme pays. GOALS, for example, pays €1,400 for 18 of its 24 months, up to €25,200, because of its funding period, which ends on 31 December 2027 (GOALS). Programmes also decide how the amount is split between living, travel and installation, as the EDUMaH option above shows.
The programme itself receives an EU unit cost of €750 per month for each enrolled student, the same for scholarship holders and others. That is €9,000 per year and funds the programme, so it is not a tuition fee you pay or a figure that every programme charges. The scholarship waives participation costs for the holder, including tuition and insurance, according to EDUMaH.
How to apply
- Search the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and shortlist up to three programmes.
- Read each programme’s own page for its academic requirements, language rules, documents and deadline.
- Apply directly to the consortium. When the form asks about the scholarship, say that you want to be considered: GOALS states that you apply for the EMJM scholarship by mentioning your choice on the application form.
- Keep your applications within the limit of three programmes.
- Wait for the consortium’s selection results. Each consortium sets its own timeline, so look for it on the programme page.
Documents beyond proof of your degree, such as transcripts, a CV, a motivation letter, references and language certificates, are defined by each consortium. The EU’s own conditions ask only for your degree or equivalent.
Competition and numbers
The number of scholarships awarded has fallen for three years running:
| Cycle | Scholarships awarded | Top recipient countries |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,603 students from 137 countries | Pakistan 189, India 146 (EU Delegation to India) |
| 2025 | 2,176 students from 137 countries | Pakistan 114, India 96, Bangladesh 95, Mexico 93, Nigeria 75, Brazil 73 (APP) |
| 2026 | 1,872 scholarships to students from 135 countries | Pakistan 98, Bangladesh 80, India 75, United States 68, Italy 67 (Pakistan Today) |
Only the 2024 figures come from an EU source. The 2025 and 2026 figures are reported by Pakistani news outlets citing official Erasmus+ data, and Bol News says there are tens of thousands of applications for fewer than 2,000 fully funded seats (Bol News). We could not find an official acceptance rate, so we do not give one. Because of the 10% rule, students from countries that send many applicants compete for a limited share of each programme.
Finding programmes
The Erasmus Mundus catalogue lists every running programme, and a new batch is added each year (Erasmus+). Not every listed programme offers scholarships. We link to the catalogue instead of reproducing a list, because programmes, intakes and funding change every year. Use it to filter by subject, then check each programme’s intake and scholarship details on its own site.
FAQs
Is there an age limit for Erasmus Mundus?
The EU’s eligibility conditions list no age limit. You need a first higher education degree or an equivalent level of learning, and a consortium may add its own academic requirements.
What GPA do I need for Erasmus Mundus?
There is no EU-wide minimum GPA. Each consortium sets its own academic requirements and publishes them on the programme page.
Who is eligible for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
Applicants worldwide with a first higher education degree or equivalent, who have not previously received an EMJM scholarship. Only some consortia accept students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree.
How many programmes can I apply to?
Up to three different programmes in an application round.
How much does the Erasmus Mundus scholarship pay?
€1,400 per month for the length of your programme, up to 24 months and €33,600. It covers subsistence, installation and travel, and comes with a fee waiver. Check how long your programme pays and how it splits the amount.
Is it the same as an Erasmus+ exchange?
No. Erasmus+ is the umbrella programme. An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is a full master’s degree delivered by a consortium, ending in a joint or multiple degree, with study periods in at least two countries.
Do I need IELTS?
Each consortium sets its own language requirement and accepted tests. Read the admission page of each programme you apply to.
When are results announced?
Each consortium sets its own timeline. EDUMaH, for example, opened its 2026 scholarship applications in October 2025. Check your programme’s page.
How we researched this
Eligibility, funding and statistics were read from the sources below and compared. Last checked: October 18, 2026.
- EACEA Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters presentation, Erasmus+ student page and Erasmus+ organisations page
- University of Almería and Serbian Erasmus+ National Agency on the three-programme limit and final-year applicants
- BDMA application manual, GOALS and EDUMaH as programme examples
- EU Delegation to India (2024), APP (2025), Pakistan Today and Bol News (2026)
- Erasmus Mundus catalogue
Programme rules, deadlines and funding change each year and between consortia. The EACEA presentation we rely on dates from 2023 and describes the 2021–2027 rules; confirm the current call and your programme’s own page. Where a source does not publish a figure, none is shown here.
This page is for general information and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. LearnViaHub is not affiliated with any government agency or institution mentioned. Check official sources before acting.
Related guides: our fully funded scholarships guide and our GPA for scholarships guide.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.