Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (2026) Requirements, Eligibility and How to Apply

Last updated: 9 October 2026

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is a European Union scholarship for selected students who join an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. A Joint Master is one Master’s programme taught together by universities from at least three countries. Nepali students can apply. You need a bachelor’s degree or must be in the final year of one, and you apply directly to the programme you choose, not to one central Erasmus Mundus office. GPA, language scores, documents and deadlines are set by each programme, so no single checklist covers all of them. Under the current Erasmus+ framework, the scholarship is calculated at €1,400 for every month of the Master’s, which means up to €33,600 for a 24 month programme, and scholarship holders are not charged tuition or other compulsory participation costs.

Some Erasmus Mundus programmes include a study period at a German university. If yours does, our complete guide on study in Germany from Nepal explains the German visa, blocked account and living costs, which this article does not repeat.

Erasmus Mundus at a Glance

Question	Short answer
What level is it?	Master’s level only
Who pays?	The European Union through the Erasmus+ programme
Who can apply?	Students from all over the world, including Nepal
Where do I apply?	Directly to the institution running your chosen programme
How long is the Master’s?	1 to 2 academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits)
How much is the scholarship?	€1,400 per month of the Master’s, up to €33,600 for 24 months
What does it cover?	Participation costs, plus a contribution to travel, visa and living costs
When do I apply?	In most cases between October and January for the next academic year
What is the minimum degree?	A bachelor’s degree, or final year of a bachelor’s, finished before the Master’s starts
Is there one GPA, IELTS score or document list?	No. Each programme decides its own

What Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is money given to selected students studying on a specific Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. You cannot attach it to any Master’s degree you like. First you choose a programme from the official list, then you apply to that programme, and if you are selected for a scholarship, it covers the costs described later in this article.

People often mix up several terms that sound alike. They mean different things.

Term	What it means	Why it matters to you
Erasmus+	The EU programme for education, training, youth and sport	This is the large umbrella. Student exchanges and many other opportunities sit under it
Erasmus Mundus	The part of Erasmus+ that supports international joint Master’s programmes	This is the action that funds the programmes and their scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM)	The actual Master’s programme you study	This is what you apply to. It has its own website, rules and deadline
Erasmus Mundus scholarship	Funding given to selected students on an EMJM	Not every student on a programme necessarily receives it
Consortium	The group of universities that run the programme together	They design the course, select students and award the degree
Participating university	One institution inside the consortium	You may study at several of them
Degree	A joint degree or multiple degrees, depending on the programme	Explained in its own section below

The Erasmus Mundus action also includes something called Design Measures. These help universities prepare new programmes. Students do not apply for them, so you can ignore them as an applicant.

Official Erasmus+ information says almost 50,000 students have taken part in Erasmus Mundus since 2004.

Can International Students Apply for Erasmus Mundus?

Yes. The official Erasmus+ student page says students from all over the world are welcome. A person does not need to be European, and the programmes were designed to attract students from many countries.

Two details matter for international applicants.

First, individual programmes decide their own entry requirements. Being allowed to apply in general does not mean you meet one specific programme’s rules.

Second, scholarships follow rules about nationality and residence. Erasmus+ rules aim for a geographical balance, and official Erasmus+ information sessions describe a limit of 10 percent of the students of the same nationality in a programme. Some programmes apply this rule over all their intakes together. Some targeted scholarships are exceptions, so the exact rule depends on the programme. The limit is not a quota for Nepal or any other country. It is a cap that applies to every nationality equally. Some programmes also ask you to state which nationality you apply under if you hold more than one.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for Nepali Students

Nepali students can apply for Erasmus Mundus. There is no special Nepal quota and no Nepal specific scholarship, so Nepali applicants compete with applicants from many countries for the same places. What you can control is how well you prepare. Here is what a Nepali applicant should think about.

Your bachelor’s degree. The official student page asks for a bachelor’s degree, or a final year of study, or an officially recognised bachelor’s equivalent level of learning. Nepali bachelor’s programmes are of different lengths. Some are three years and some are four years. Some European programmes ask about the length or number of credits of your first degree, so read the entry requirement for your programme carefully and ask the programme contact if you are unsure.

Your marks. Nepali universities use percentages, divisions or grade point systems. A European programme may describe its requirement in another system. Do not try to convert your marks by yourself and assume the conversion is correct. Look for the programme’s own guidance, and send a short email to the programme contact if it is unclear.

Your documents. You will usually need transcripts and a degree or provisional certificate. If your documents are not in English, ask the programme whether an official translation is needed. Start early, because university offices in Nepal can take time to issue transcripts.

Your English proof. Many English taught programmes ask for a test such as IELTS or TOEFL, and some accept other proof. This is covered in the language section below.

Your passport and visa plan. Nepali citizens need a visa for most European study stays. You will need a passport that is valid for the whole period, and you should read the visa section below before you accept a place.

Your money for the first weeks. The scholarship is a contribution, and payments may not arrive on the first day you land. Plan some personal savings for flights, housing deposits or the first month.

Your nationality and residence. The scholarship rules use your nationality and country of residence. If you have lived in Europe for a long time, check how the programme treats your situation before you apply.

There are no official statistics in this article about how many Nepali students receive Erasmus Mundus scholarships. If a website gives you an exact figure for Nepal, ask where the number comes from.

How Does Erasmus Mundus Work?

The basic path looks like this:

1. You choose a Joint Master from the official catalogue.
2. You apply to the programme (and to its scholarship, if the programme offers one and your application rules allow it).
3. If you are accepted, you study through the consortium.
4. You move between the participating institutions and countries in the order the programme sets.
5. You complete study periods, research, and in many programmes a traineeship or placement, followed by a thesis and its defence.
6. You receive the degree or degrees that the programme awards.

A consortium is a group of universities that agreed to build one programme together. They share the teaching, select students together, and decide together how the degree is awarded. For you, this means one application, one programme identity, and several universities.

Mobility means that you physically move. You do not stay at one university for the whole programme. Each study period happens at a different participating institution, and you live in that city for that period. You usually do not choose the countries one by one yourself. The programme sets a route, and some programmes allow limited choices, such as a specialisation track.

What Is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is an integrated Master’s degree, which means the whole programme is designed as one course across several institutions, not a set of separate courses that you assemble yourself.

Official Erasmus+ information describes the key features:

• It is at Master’s level.
• It involves at least three institutions from at least three different countries, plus associated partners from universities or from non academic organisations such as companies.
• It usually includes study, research, a traineeship, thesis preparation and a thesis defence.
• It lasts 1 to 2 academic years and carries 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

ECTS means European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It is the common way European universities count study workload. Sixty ECTS credits equal one full academic year of full time study. So 60 ECTS means one year, 90 ECTS means one and a half years, and 120 ECTS means two years.

For students, the practical point is that an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is not a short exchange. It is a full Master’s degree, and it takes you through several countries while you earn it.

Who Is Eligible for Erasmus Mundus?

The basic eligibility rule from the official Erasmus+ student page is that you must have a bachelor’s degree (your first degree), or be in the last year of your bachelor’s studies, and you must graduate before the Master’s programme starts. You can also apply if you can show a bachelor’s equivalent level of learning, as long as it is officially recognised according to the national legislation and practices of the country that awards the degree.

On top of that basic rule, each programme can set its own requirements. These may include:

• the subject area of your bachelor’s degree
• a minimum academic level
• language proof
• work experience, if the field needs it
• specific documents such as a portfolio
• other rules in the programme’s own admission policy

If a website says that “Erasmus Mundus requires X” for everyone, treat that statement carefully. The correct sentence is usually: “This depends on the specific Erasmus Mundus programme.” Your task is to read the programme page and match your profile against it.

Erasmus Mundus GPA and CGPA Requirements

There is no single minimum GPA or CGPA for Erasmus Mundus. Each programme sets its own academic requirements, and the selection committee ranks applicants against each other. A strong profile for one programme may not be strong enough for another.

Here is how to think about it.

Entry requirement versus competitiveness. A programme may state a minimum academic level to be considered. But reaching the minimum does not mean you will receive a scholarship. Scholarships go to the highest ranked applicants, so your marks matter relative to the other people who applied.

Different grading systems. Programmes receive applications from many countries. They may state their requirement as a percentage, as a European grade, as a class of degree, or as “top part of your class”. Read the exact wording on the programme page. If the wording does not match the Nepali grading system, write a short email to the programme contact and ask how they assess Nepali transcripts. Keep the reply, because it may help later.

What else counts. Marks are only one part of an application. Many programmes also look at your subject background, relevant projects, research or work experience, references and your motivation letter. A student with slightly lower marks and very strong relevant experience may still be competitive in some programmes.

Do not invent a number such as “you need 3.0” and plan around it. Use only what the specific programme states.

Erasmus Mundus Age Limit

The official Erasmus+ student information does not set a universal age limit for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. The general eligibility rules talk about your degree, not your age.

Some programmes may have their own conditions, usually connected to the content of the course or to the type of candidate they want. So check the programme page and its admission policy. If you cannot find an age rule there, the safe reading is that no age limit is stated, and you can email the programme contact to confirm.

Erasmus Mundus Language Requirements

There is no single language requirement for all Erasmus Mundus programmes. The requirement depends on the language of instruction of the programme, and many programmes use more than one language.

Situation	What to check
The programme is taught in English	Which English proof is accepted (IELTS, TOEFL, other tests) and what minimum score is stated
Your bachelor’s was taught in English	Whether the programme accepts a letter from your university confirming English as the language of instruction
The programme has a study period in a country with another language	Whether you must reach a certain level in that language or whether language courses are included
The programme is partly taught in another language	The level required for that language and the accepted certificates
You have no test score yet	Test dates, because results can take time and the scores must usually be valid at the deadline

Do not assume that every programme requires IELTS. Do not assume every programme requires German either, because German is only needed if the programme includes a German language component. Check the exact wording about accepted tests, minimum overall scores, and minimum scores in each skill. If a test result is required at the deadline, book your test early.

Do You Need Work Experience for Erasmus Mundus?

Work experience is not a universal Erasmus Mundus requirement. Some programmes, especially in professional or applied fields, ask for experience or prefer it. Academic programmes may care more about research, projects or your bachelor’s thesis.

If a programme asks for experience, check what counts. It might be paid work, internships, research work, volunteering, or work in a related field. Check whether a minimum number of months or years is stated.

To document experience properly, use:

• an employment or internship letter that shows your job title, dates and main tasks
• a reference from a supervisor
• your CV, with dates that match the letters

Do not exaggerate or invent experience. Selection committees may contact referees, and false claims can end an application.

How to Find Erasmus Mundus Programmes

Use the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue, which is run by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). A new batch of selected programmes is added each year, so the list changes. Do not rely on an older list from a blog or a video.

Here is a practical way to research one programme at a time.

1. Open the official catalogue from the Erasmus+ student page.
2. Search by subject that matches your bachelor’s degree and your plans.
3. Open the individual programme page. The programme website, not the catalogue, holds the real details.
4. Check the participating universities to see who runs the course.
5. Check the countries in the mobility route, because each country means a possible visa and a different cost of living.
6. Read the eligibility section to see whether your degree and subject background fit.
7. Read the language requirements and compare them with your current test results.
8. Check scholarship availability. Look for whether the programme offers Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the intake you want, and how scholarship applications work.
9. Check the document list. Compare it with what you can obtain from your Nepali university.
10. Check the deadline. Look for both the admission deadline and the scholarship deadline, since they can be different.
11. Read the application instructions. Some programmes use a university portal and some use their own system.
12. Check the mobility structure. See which semester happens in which country, and whether there are options.

Make a simple table for your shortlist with columns for programme, countries, deadline, language proof, required documents and special requirements. A comparison table can save you from missing a requirement later.

The Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), which the official Erasmus+ page lists as a source of advice, offers resources for applicants, such as course contacts and stories from former students.

Erasmus Mundus Application Deadline

There is no single Erasmus Mundus deadline. The official Erasmus+ student page says that in most cases you should submit your application between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. The exact date depends on the programme.

Keep these points in mind:

• Some programmes close in November, others in December or January.
• The scholarship deadline and the admission deadline may be different. A programme may want your scholarship application earlier.
• Reference letters, language test results and degree documents often have their own timing, so a deadline is really a chain of smaller deadlines.
• Always use the official programme website, not a third party list, to confirm the date and the time zone.

Current Application Cycle: What to Do Now

The 2026 Erasmus+ call selected 37 new Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. Official Erasmus+ communication says new programmes open applications in autumn 2026 for programmes starting in September 2027. This means the application window for the September 2027 intake is the one students should be looking at now, and many programmes close between October and January.

Programme availability changes. Before you spend time on a programme, check on its own official page that it is open for the intake you want and that it offers scholarships. A programme listed in the catalogue is not always open at the moment, and some newly selected programmes may open later than others. Do not treat a programme as open until its page says so.

A simple plan for this cycle:

When	What to do
Now	Shortlist up to three programmes, read each entry requirement, and write down every deadline
Now to the next few weeks	Book or take your language test, request transcripts from your university, and ask referees early
Before the deadline	Write your motivation letter, update your CV and complete the application form
After submission	Watch your email (including the spam folder) and keep copies of everything

How to Apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Students apply directly to the institution or programme that runs their chosen Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. There is no single central Erasmus Mundus student application form.

Here is the full process in order.

1. Find suitable programmes in the official catalogue.
2. Compare academic fit with your degree and your career goals.
3. Check eligibility against the programme’s own rules.
4. Check scholarship availability for your intake.
5. Read the official programme requirements carefully, including the small print.
6. Prepare your documents, starting with transcripts, because they take longest.
7. Prepare your CV.
8. Write your motivation letter.
9. Prepare your references by contacting referees early.
10. Prepare your language proof.
11. Complete the programme’s application.
12. Apply through the official programme or consortium route.
13. Submit before the deadline, ideally a few days earlier.
14. Complete any extra steps, such as an interview, a form or a follow up document.
15. Wait for selection.
16. Follow the admission and enrolment instructions if you are selected.
17. Begin visa and residence preparations.

An important detail is how admission and the scholarship relate to each other. Some programmes treat them as one process, where one application covers both. Others ask you to apply for the scholarship with an additional form or a separate deadline. Some programmes require that you secure a place on the programme first, and then rank scholarship applicants. Read the programme’s own explanation.

Be careful with anyone who asks you for money to “submit your Erasmus Mundus application”. The application goes to the programme itself. If a fee is mentioned, confirm it on the official programme website.

Erasmus Mundus Application Documents

There is no universal document checklist for every Erasmus Mundus Master’s. These are the documents that programmes commonly ask for.

Document	Why it may be asked	Tip
Bachelor’s certificate or proof of final year	To prove your eligibility	If your degree is not finished, ask your university for a letter about your expected graduation date
Transcripts	To judge your academic record	Order them early and check names and dates
Proof of graduation	To confirm that you have finished	Some programmes need this only at enrolment
Passport copy	To confirm identity and nationality	Check that it will be valid for the whole study period
CV	To show your background	Keep it clear and accurate
Motivation letter	To show why you fit the programme	Write it for each programme separately
Recommendation letters	To confirm your ability from other people	Ask referees weeks before the deadline
Language certificate	To prove your language level	Check the accepted tests and minimum scores
Proof of work experience	Where the programme asks for it	Use employer letters with dates
Portfolio	For design, architecture or similar fields	Follow the file and size rules
Other documents	Programme specific items	Read the programme page line by line

Upload clear scans, use file names that make sense, and keep the same spelling of your name in every document.

Motivation Letter for Erasmus Mundus

The motivation letter explains who you are academically, why this specific programme suits you, and what you plan to do afterwards. The selection committee uses it to understand your fit, your seriousness and your goals.

A strong letter usually covers these points:

• Your academic background. Briefly state your bachelor’s subject and the parts of it that connect to the Master’s.
• Why this programme. Name specific courses, topics or features of the programme. A letter that could be sent to any programme is weak.
• Why this mobility structure. Explain why studying in several countries helps your goals, for example because different universities have strengths in different parts of your subject.
• Relevant experience. Mention research, projects, internships or work that connect to the programme.
• What you bring. Say what skills, perspectives or experience you will contribute.
• Your future plans. Describe realistic goals after the Master’s, including how you may use the degree.

Follow the programme’s instructions on length and format. Use your own words and your own examples. Do not claim achievements you do not have. If you use a template, rewrite it fully, because committees read many letters and notice copied language.

CV and Recommendation Letters for Erasmus Mundus

CV

Your CV should show your education, relevant experience, projects, research, achievements, skills and activities that connect to the programme. Some programmes ask for a specific format such as Europass, and others accept any clear format. Check the instructions. Keep the CV short, accurate and consistent with the rest of your application.

Recommendation Letters

A recommendation letter is a statement from another person about your abilities. Programmes differ in what they ask for, so check how many letters are needed, who should write them, and how they must be sent.

Appropriate referees include:

• an academic referee, such as a professor, thesis supervisor or department head, who has taught or supervised you
• a professional referee, such as an employer or internship supervisor, if the programme accepts or asks for one

Many programmes send an automatic link to your referees, and the referee uploads the letter directly. Give your referees your CV, your motivation letter draft and the deadline, and ask them several weeks in advance. Choose people who know your work well, not only people with famous titles.

How Competitive Is Erasmus Mundus?

Erasmus Mundus scholarships are competitive. The official Erasmus+ page describes the scholarships as going to the best ranked students worldwide, which tells you that scholarships are a ranking result and not an automatic benefit of admission.

No official universal acceptance rate exists, and this article does not give one. Programmes differ in how many applications they receive and how many scholarships they have, so any single percentage you see online is at best an estimate for one programme.

What the selection process generally looks at, programme by programme:

• academic record and fit with the programme’s subject
• motivation letter
• relevant experience
• reference letters
• language proof
• the programme’s own criteria

Selection usually involves an eligibility check, an assessment by an academic committee, a ranking, and often a reserve list. If a selected student withdraws, the next eligible candidate on the reserve list may be offered the place. The geographical balance rule also affects the final list, because of the 10 percent nationality limit mentioned earlier.

What makes an application strong is not a trick. It is a clear match between your background and the programme, a letter that shows you understand the course, strong references, and correct documents submitted on time.

How Much Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Under the current Erasmus+ framework, the scholarship is calculated as €1,400 per month multiplied by the number of months of the Master’s. Programmes under the framework generally last 12, 18 or 24 months.

Master’s length	Calculation	Maximum scholarship amount
12 months (60 ECTS)	€1,400 × 12	€16,800
18 months (90 ECTS)	€1,400 × 18	€25,200
24 months (120 ECTS)	€1,400 × 24	€33,600

Official Erasmus+ material states that the maximum amount per student is €33,600, which is €1,400 for 24 months.

Several points explain what this means in practice.

It is for selected students only. Being admitted to a programme does not guarantee a scholarship. The scholarship goes to the students the programme selects.

It is tied to the length of your programme. A shorter Master’s has fewer months of funding.

The monthly figure is not simply pocket money. Official programme guidance describes it as a contribution to costs such as travel, visa, installation and living. How a programme pays it, for example month by month or with some payments earlier, depends on the programme and on your scholarship agreement.

It is not the same as “everyone gets €1,400”. Please do not tell anyone that all students on Erasmus Mundus receive this money.

What Does the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Cover?

The official Erasmus+ student page says the scholarship covers your participation costs and contributes to travel, visa and a living allowance.

Cost	How the scholarship treats it	What to do
Participation costs	Covered. This includes tuition fees and other compulsory costs, and official material says scholarship holders benefit from a fee waiver and insurance coverage	Read the programme’s funding page to see exactly what is included
Living allowance	The scholarship contributes to living costs	Compare it with the real cost of each city on your route
Travel	The scholarship contributes	Plan the flight from Nepal and your moves between study locations
Visa	The scholarship contributes	Keep receipts and know when you will be paid
Installation (settling in)	Programme guidance includes it in the scholarship calculation	Remember that deposits and first rent can arrive before your first payment

Participation costs is a term many students do not understand. It means the costs that the programme charges students to take part in it, mainly tuition fees and other compulsory costs, such as certain insurance. A scholarship holder is not charged these.

The word “contributes” is important. It means the scholarship helps with costs, but it does not promise to pay every personal expense. A student who moves between several expensive cities may spend more than the monthly amount in some months, and may spend less in others. Some websites say that travel and installation money is always paid in addition to the monthly amount. Programmes organise payments differently, so rely on your programme page and your own scholarship agreement rather than a blog.

Is Erasmus Mundus Fully Funded?

Erasmus Mundus offers full scholarships to selected students, and “fully funded” in this context means that the scholarship covers your participation costs and gives you a monthly contribution for travel, visa and living.

It does not mean that every possible expense is paid. These items may still be your responsibility:

• personal spending and everyday items
• extra rent in expensive cities
• costs that arise before your first scholarship payment, such as flight tickets or deposits
• translation, certification and language test fees during the application
• costs outside the programme, such as holidays or visits home

Also remember that a student can be admitted to a programme without a scholarship. These self funded students normally pay the programme’s tuition fees, which are set by each consortium. Check the funding details in the programme description, because no single tuition amount applies to all programmes.

If you plan to use Erasmus Mundus together with other funding, such as a loan, family support or another scholarship, read the rules of each, since conditions can differ. If Germany is part of your study route, our guide on scholarships, student work and post study options in Germany for Nepali students explains German funding, such as DAAD, and the difference between scholarship money, student income and visa financial proof.

Tuition Fees and Participation Costs

The costs of an Erasmus Mundus Master’s depend on whether you receive the scholarship.

If you receive the scholarship: you are not charged tuition fees or other compulsory participation costs by the programme. Official Erasmus+ material states that scholarship holders benefit from a fee waiver and insurance coverage.

If you do not receive the scholarship: the consortium sets its own fees. These can look very different between programmes, so check the programme’s fee page.

Some questions to ask when you read a programme’s fee information:

• Which costs does the programme consider compulsory?
• Is health or accident insurance included for scholarship holders?
• Are there optional costs, such as extra activities?
• Are there extra costs when moving between partner universities?

Do not assume that every programme uses the same fee structure.

Studying in Multiple Countries

Erasmus Mundus means studying in more than one country, and each country is part of the degree design. It is one of the biggest differences from a normal Master’s.

The official rule for Joint Masters says the integrated curriculum must include at least two study periods in two countries that are different from the country of residence of the students, and at least one of them must be in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme. For a student living in Nepal, that means your study periods must happen outside Nepal, and one has to be in an EU country or a country associated with Erasmus+.

Practical points to understand:

• A study period is a block of time, often a semester, when you study at one participating institution.
• The consortium usually sets the route. Programmes publish which universities you will attend and in which order. Some programmes let you pick between a few tracks or specialisations.
• You cannot freely choose any European country. The route belongs to the programme.
• Each move has real consequences. You may need housing in a new city, new insurance, a registration at the local authority, and sometimes a new residence document.
• Different countries have different living costs. Your scholarship amount is the same, but your monthly spending may change from one country to the next.

If one of your countries is Germany, the German requirements in our guide on how to apply to German universities from Nepal may not all apply, since you are applying through your programme and not through the German application system, but the practical parts of living there will.

Erasmus Mundus Degree: Joint Degree or Multiple Degrees

According to the official Erasmus+ student page, you will receive either a joint degree or multiple degrees. The programme decides which, and you define the details in the study agreement you sign at the beginning of your studies.

Type	What it means
Joint degree	One single degree certificate issued on behalf of at least two higher education institutions
Multiple degrees	At least two degree certificates, each issued by a different higher education institution of the consortium

The official Erasmus+ information for institutions describes the joint degree as the recommended option. Check your programme page for which one it awards. If you plan to work or study further in Nepal, ask the relevant Nepali authority or employer how foreign degrees are recognised, because recognition rules can involve their own process.

Erasmus Mundus Programme Duration and ECTS

Programmes last one to two academic years and carry 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Not every programme is two years.

ECTS	Typical length	Months of scholarship funding
60	1 year	12
90	1.5 years	18
120	2 years	24

When you compare programmes, check the length first. A one year programme is cheaper in time but offers a shorter funding period, and a two year programme has more months of funding but also more time away from home.

Can You Apply to Multiple Erasmus Mundus Programmes?

Yes, you can apply to more than one programme, but there is a limit. Under the Erasmus+ rules as they are commonly described by programmes and information sessions, a student can apply to a maximum of three Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in the same application round. Applying to more than that may lead to your applications being rejected. Confirm the current limit in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and on each programme page before you submit.

Keep these two things apart:

• Applying to several programmes is allowed within the limit.
• Receiving several scholarships is a different matter. You cannot hold more than one Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship, because a person who has already received one is not eligible for another (see the section on previous scholarships).

If you are offered a scholarship by more than one programme, you will have to choose. A good way to choose is to compare the mobility route, the subject focus, the cities and the career fit, not only the name of the programme.

Can You Apply If You Already Have a Master’s Degree?

The official student page requires a bachelor’s degree or a final year of one, and it does not list holding another Master’s as a reason for exclusion. So there is no general official rule that blocks you, but programme rules may still matter.

Check the following on the programme page:

• whether the programme is written for students entering their first Master’s
• whether your previous Master’s is in a related subject
• whether the programme admits students with a previous Master’s
• how a previous degree affects your motivation letter, since you must explain why you want another Master’s

The one scholarship rule that does apply is that people who already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship are not eligible for another one. Having a different Master’s from another university does not do that.

Can You Apply If You Are Still Completing Your Bachelor’s?

Yes. The official student page says you can apply if you are in the last year of your bachelor’s studies. You must graduate before the Master’s programme starts. The programme may have its own deadline for proof of graduation.

If you are in your final year:

• ask your university for a letter that confirms your expected graduation date
• send your latest transcripts
• find out when you will receive the final certificate, and tell the programme if it will arrive after the deadline
• check the programme’s rule about when the final degree proof must reach them

In Nepal, final results and certificates can take time, so ask your department early. If your degree is not finished by the start of the Master’s, you may lose your place, so plan around that risk.

Can You Work While Studying on Erasmus Mundus?

Whether you can work depends on the country where you live at that time, your residence status, and the rules of your programme and scholarship. It does not follow one universal rule.

Several different questions are mixed here, and they should be kept separate:

• Scholarship eligibility is about whether you receive funding. It is not the same as permission to work.
• Employment rules come from each country’s immigration and labour law.
• Residence status decides what your permit allows. When you move to a second country, your legal situation may change.
• Programme and scholarship rules may also limit outside activities, because the programme expects full time study.

For example, our guide on scholarships, student work and post study options in Germany explains the rules for international students in Germany, but a different country on your route can have a different limit. Do not copy one country’s rule to another.

Before you work, check the official immigration or labour authority of the country where you are, and ask your programme coordinator if the programme has its own conditions. Do not plan to cover your basic living costs with a part time job, since the programme workload is demanding.

Erasmus Mundus and Visa Requirements

You may need a visa or residence permit for each country where you study, depending on your nationality, your route and how long you stay. For a Nepali citizen, the rules are not the same for every European country, so treat this as a country by country question.

Steps to follow:

1. Find your first country of study. This is where you will usually apply for your first visa.
2. Identify the right authority. This is the embassy or consulate of that country, or the official immigration authority. Some countries do not have an embassy in Kathmandu and process visas through another city or an authorised visa centre. Check the foreign ministry website of that country. For Germany, the application is made at the German Embassy in Kathmandu, as explained in our Germany guide.
3. Ask your programme about support. Consortia often give admitted students guidance and documents for the visa.
4. Check the rules for your next countries. Do not assume the first visa covers everything.

EU law gives some help for students on programmes that involve mobility. Directive (EU) 2016/801 allows students in a Union or multilateral programme with mobility measures to study for up to 360 days in a second EU Member State on the basis of their study residence permit from the first one, usually after a notification procedure. There are conditions. The directive does not apply in Denmark and Ireland, and countries outside the EU, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland or Norway, have their own rules. The first residence permit must also be valid for the whole period. Because the details differ between countries, ask the programme and the authority of each country what paperwork you need.

Keep in mind:

• A scholarship award letter is useful evidence of funding, but each country decides what financial proof it accepts.
• Processing times differ, and a late visa can make you miss the start of a study period.
• No visa approval is guaranteed.
• Do not book non refundable flights before you understand the visa steps.

What Happens After You Receive the Scholarship?

Getting a scholarship offer starts the next set of steps.

1. Notification. The programme tells you if you were selected, or if you are on a reserve list.
2. Admission confirmation. You receive your offer of a place.
3. Acceptance. You usually have a deadline to accept, so respond on time. If you do not accept, your place can go to someone else.
4. Study agreement and scholarship agreement. Read both carefully. They explain your degree structure, your rights and duties, and how payments work.
5. Visa and residence preparation. Start as soon as you accept.
6. Travel planning. Book travel after you understand the visa timing.
7. Enrolment. Complete the registration at the first university.
8. First study period. Settle in, register your address if required, and open a bank account if you need one.
9. Mobility to the next institutions. Prepare housing, insurance and permits for each move.
10. Research, placement and thesis. These parts differ by programme.
11. Graduation. You receive the degree or degrees defined for your programme.

If you can, contact current students of the programme. Many programmes have student representatives or alumni who explain practical details such as housing in each city.

Can You Reapply After Rejection?

Yes, you can try again in a later application cycle if you are still eligible. Note that official sources do not describe a general appeal process for scholarship decisions, so do not plan around an appeal.

If you were not selected, use the time well:

• Check which part was weak. It may have been your academic fit, your language proof, your letter or your references.
• Improve what you can. Raise a language score, gain relevant experience, or ask for a stronger reference.
• Choose a better fit. A different programme may match your background more closely.
• Check programme rules again. Requirements and deadlines can change between years.
• Ask for feedback. Some programmes may provide it, but this is not guaranteed.

Being rejected one year does not stop you from applying again, unless you have already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship.

Previous Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Students who have previously obtained an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship are not eligible for an additional Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship. Programme pages and official Erasmus+ material state this rule.

This rule is about Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships. It does not automatically apply to other Erasmus+ opportunities, such as study exchanges, which have their own rules. If you are unsure about your own situation, ask the programme contact before you apply.

Where to Check the Official Facts

Rules change, so check the original source before you apply. These are the pages used for the main facts in this article:

• Erasmus+ student page for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
• Official Erasmus Mundus catalogue (EACEA): eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en
• Erasmus+ Programme Guide: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/erasmus-programme-guide
• Erasmus+ page about Joint Masters for institutions (rules for mobility and degree type): erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/organisations/cooperation-among-organisations-and-institutions/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
• Directive (EU) 2016/801 on student mobility: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32016L0801
• Erasmus Mundus Association: em-a.eu

For anything specific to your own application, the programme’s own website is the main authority.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship