Erasmus Mundus: How to Win a Scholarship for Joint Master's Degrees in Europe

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is a prestigious European Union programme that funds integrated, international master's programmes delivered by consortia of higher education institutions across different countries. Moroccan graduates are fully eligible and can secure comprehensive scholarships covering all study and living expenses in Europe for 1 to 2 years. It provides an exceptional opportunity to gain international exposure and earn a double, multiple, or joint master's degree recognized across several nations.

How an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master operates

Each master's course is designed and implemented by an international consortium of universities. Students spend study periods in at least 2 distinct countries, and frequently 3, completing specialized modules across partner faculties. Programmes span diverse fields: environmental science, artificial intelligence, public health, cultural heritage, civil engineering, and economics. The European Commission publishes the official catalogue of active joint master's courses online.

What the scholarship covers

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship provides complete coverage of participation costs and university tuition, an allowance for international travel and relocation costs, and a monthly subsistence grant for living expenses throughout the course duration. Financial provisions are established under European Commission rules according to student categories. Because each consortium receives funding for a strictly limited number of grants, admission competitions remain highly selective.

Direct application to academic consortia

Unlike centralized grant agencies, applicants do not apply through an EU office: submissions are made directly to the chosen master's programme through the consortium website. Each joint master's determines its own specific deadlines, required documents, and academic evaluation criteria. Candidates can apply to several programmes concurrently, but regulations generally limit the number of active Erasmus Mundus submissions to a maximum of 3 consortia per recruitment cycle.

Preparing a competitive application dossier

• A structured academic CV detailing academic marks, university projects, laboratory research, and practical internships.
• A tailored motivation letter for each master's: explain why this specific pathway across partner universities matches your professional aims.
• Certified translations of official university transcripts and degree certificates.
• An official language proficiency certificate (predominantly English) meeting the score thresholds of all consortium partners.
• At least 2 or 3 strong academic letters of recommendation from university professors.

Selecting joint master's programmes strategically

Carefully examine academic entry requirements, mobility tracks across partner universities, curricular syllabi, and graduate employment statistics. Avoid applying indiscriminately: submitting 3 or 4 meticulously prepared applications yields far greater success than hastily dispatching numerous generic files. Investigate alumni profiles to understand typical career trajectories and international doctoral admissions.

Timelines and planning

Application deadlines for scholarship applicants typically cluster between October and January for courses commencing the following autumn, although exact cut-off dates differ across consortia. Record all milestone dates in a personal planning sheet and ensure final submissions are lodged at least 1 week before deadlines to avoid server congestion.

Preparing for international mobility

Once selected, immediately begin preparations for national entry visas (often involving multiple European states), international health cover, student accommodation in each host city, and initial travel arrangements. Consortia regularly publish comprehensive handbooks to assist incoming cohorts with logistical procedures.

Alternative European funding pathways

If your joint master's application is placed on a reserve list, investigate alternative funding options: bilateral university grants, national scholarships offered by Germany, France, or Belgium, and specialized research foundations. Explore active opportunities indexed within the MaBourse.ma search engine.