If you have ever dreamed of studying in Europe across multiple countries on a fully funded scholarship, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is exactly what you are looking for. Funded by the European Union, this scholarship takes you through a two-year Master’s degree programme delivered jointly by universities in at least two different European countries. Nigerians are fully eligible to apply, there is no country-specific quota system that shuts Africa out, and the financial package is one of the most generous postgraduate scholarships in the world. This guide explains how the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship works, who qualifies, what it covers, and exactly how Nigerian students can apply.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) programme is part of the European Union’s Erasmus+ initiative, which is the EU’s flagship education and training programme. Rather than funding study at a single university in a single country, Erasmus Mundus is structured around consortia — groups of at least three universities from at least two different EU or EU-associated countries working together to deliver a jointly recognised Master’s degree. As a scholar, you study at more than one of these partner universities during your two years, experiencing different academic cultures, cities, and European environments. At the end of your programme, you receive a joint degree or individual certificates from each participating institution, depending on the consortium’s structure. Nigeria does not have a specific allocation cap, but the programme does aim for geographical balance across nationalities when awarding scholarships.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility Requirements
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is open to students of all nationalities, including Nigerians. There is no age restriction. The following general requirements apply across all EMJM programmes:
- You hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification — or you are in the final year of your undergraduate programme and will graduate before the course begins
- You have not previously received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship — prior EMJM scholarship winners are not eligible to apply for a second EMJM scholarship
- You are not currently receiving another EU-funded scholarship for the same course period
- You meet the English language requirements of your chosen programme — most EMJM programmes taught in English require IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT scores, though some accept alternatives like Duolingo or PTE Academic. If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, some programmes may waive the test requirement
- You meet any programme-specific academic or professional requirements set by the consortium — these vary significantly between programmes, so always check the individual programme’s eligibility criteria carefully
One important point for Nigerian applicants: if you studied at a Nigerian university where all your courses were taught in English, you may be able to request a waiver of the English language test requirement from the specific programme consortium. Check directly with the programme coordinator before spending money on a test.
Fields of Study Available
There are over 100 active Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes covering a wide range of academic disciplines. Nigerian students can find programmes in areas including:
- Engineering and technology — including sustainable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence
- Health sciences and public health
- Environmental science and climate change
- Economics, finance, and public policy
- Law and human rights
- Education and social sciences
- Journalism, media, and communication
- Agriculture, food science, and rural development
- Arts, culture, and heritage studies
Each EMJM programme has its own academic focus and often blends disciplines in innovative ways. The full and up-to-date catalogue of available programmes is published on the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) website. Browse the catalogue carefully and choose programmes that align closely with your academic background and career goals before applying.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is one of the most generous postgraduate funding packages available anywhere in the world. Here is what Nigerian scholars receive:
- Full tuition fees — completely waived for the entire two-year programme. You pay nothing in tuition, laboratory fees, or library charges
- A monthly living stipend of €1,400 for the full 24-month duration of the programme — totalling a maximum of €33,600 over two years
- A contribution to travel and installation costs — this covers flights, visa costs, and the expenses of relocating between the partner countries during your programme. Note that some programmes structure this as advance lump-sum payments at the start of each academic year, which slightly reduces the monthly stipend amount but covers your upfront travel costs
- Full insurance coverage for the duration of the programme
To put the financial package in perspective — €1,400 per month covers rent, food, transport, and daily expenses comfortably in most European university cities outside of London and Paris. Cities like Ghent, Lund, Lisbon, Krakow, and Ljubljana are particularly affordable for Erasmus Mundus scholars. Even in higher-cost cities like Amsterdam or Vienna, the stipend is designed to be sufficient for a student living reasonably.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Step 1: Browse the Erasmus Mundus programme catalogue. Go to the EACEA website and access the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue to find programmes that match your academic background and career goals. You can apply to up to three different EMJM programmes simultaneously — and it is strongly advisable to apply to more than one, since each programme is independently competitive.
Step 2: Check each programme’s specific requirements carefully. Each consortium sets its own academic requirements, English language standards, and document specifications. Do not assume that because you qualify for one programme, you qualify for all. Read every programme’s guidelines thoroughly before beginning your application.
Step 3: Prepare your application documents. While requirements vary by programme, standard documents across most EMJM applications include your Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts, a motivation letter tailored specifically to the programme you are applying to, two or three letters of recommendation from academic supervisors or professional references, a CV or résumé, proof of English language proficiency, and a copy of your passport. Your motivation letter is the most important document — make it specific, personal, and clearly connected to the programme’s academic focus.
Step 4: Submit your application directly to the consortium. Erasmus Mundus applications are submitted directly to the programme consortium — not to the EU or to a central portal. Each consortium has its own application system, usually accessible through the programme’s official website. Follow the instructions on the programme’s website exactly and submit all documents before the stated deadline.
Step 5: Await shortlisting and interview. After the application deadline, the consortium’s selection committee reviews all applications. Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for an online interview to discuss their motivation, academic background, and subject knowledge. Final scholarship decisions are usually communicated three to five months after the application deadline.
Step 6: Accept your offer and begin visa preparations. If selected, you will receive a formal scholarship offer letter. Accept promptly and begin your Schengen visa applications immediately — the process can take time and you need your visa sorted well before your programme start date.
Deadline Information
Erasmus Mundus application deadlines vary by programme. Most programmes open their application portals between October and December of the year before studies begin, with scholarship deadlines typically falling between January and March. For programmes starting in September 2026, most scholarship deadlines fell between January and March 2026. For programmes starting in September 2027, application portals are expected to open from October 2026 onwards.
Because deadlines vary so much between programmes, Nigerian applicants should begin researching programmes at least three to four months before the expected deadline and start drafting motivation letters early. Missing the scholarship deadline by even one day means waiting a full year for the next cycle. Moreschooling will continue to publish updates on open Erasmus Mundus programmes. Bookmark this page and check the official EACEA catalogue regularly for the most current programme information.