pinoy erasmus mundus

ERASMUS MUNDUS: Full scholarships for non-Europeans in over 100 Master’s degree programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Erasmus, anyway?
Desiderius Erasmus was a 15th century Dutch scholar from Rotterdam who lived and worked in different places in Europe.

I was just kidding. I do know Erasmus. Do all Erasmus students go to the Netherlands?
Some do, but not all.

What is ERASMUS?
The ERASMUS (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) program began in 1987 to support the mobility of higher education students and teachers within Europe. For European students, this means studying in another European country for a semester as part of their course.

What is Erasmus Mundus?
Erasmus Mundus, an expansion of the original ERASMUS program, began in 2004 to promote European higher education to non-European Union nationals through scholarships. There are over 100 Master’s degree courses in various fields, all of which must undertaken in least two European countries (usually three; four is rare). Most courses (programs) take two years, but some take 18 months or even just a year. Third-country (meaning outside EU/EEA/accession states) students receive a full scholarship.

How does it work?
Each program is facilitated by a consortium of universities in different countries. The consortium oversees  the program on behalf of the European Commission. Among the universities in the consortium, there is a coordinating university which takes care of the administrative side, including releasing funds.

How much is the scholarship worth?
The scholarship is worth €21,000 a year. Tuition is automatically deducted from this amount. The student receives €1,600 a month as living allowance. This is more than enough for food, accommodation and travel. The student will have to spend his own money in the beginning to pay for visa applications, flight tickets, accommodation deposit and personal items needed for study. But after the student reaches Europe and the allowance commences, he or she will be able to pay back these expenses.

Where can students go?
It depends on the partner universities in the consortium. You can choose your mobility (where you want to study at a particular semester) in some programs; it is fixed in others.

How do I apply?
Application processes, requirements and deadlines vary from program to program, but generally you will need letters of recommendation, a personal statement of intent (motivation), transcript of records of your bachelor’s degree, and language test results (TOEFL or IELTS). Some programs ask for a research proposal. There are no work experience requirements, application fees, entrance tests or interviews.

What languages do I need?
Most programs are conducted completely in English, but some require other European languages. There are a few programs that use no English at all.

When is the deadline for application and when are the results released?
Usually between December and January for the September intake. The results are usually announced between April and June.

Where can I find more information about a program?

For information specific to each course, check our Links section in the sidebar for the main Erasmus Mundus website, which lists the website of each consortia.

Do they ask for anything in return during or after the program?
No. There are no required hours of service or conditions about what you should do after the program.

Can I work while studying?
Yes, if the law of the country where you are studying permits international students to work. There are usually limits to the number of work hours per week.

I’m an applicant. When can I get word on my application?
Erm, we are former EM students, not university reps. We can give you advice on applications, but we cannot advise you on application decisions. Just wait a little bit longer or contact the consortium directly.

How about undergraduate, doctorate or research scholarships?
There are no undergraduate scholarships so far. The European Commission gives out research grants, but not under Erasmus Mundus. There should be Erasmus Mundus doctorate scholarships by next year.

I’m a Filipino Erasmus Mundus student/alumna/alumnus…
Mabuhay, kababayan! Please sign up for the Erasmus Mundus official students and alumni association and join the Pinoy Erasmus Mundus Yahoogroup. And yes, you’re welcome to contribute stories, photos and articles on this blog.

I’ve got another question…
Alright, then. Email us at pinoyerasmusmundus [at] gmail [dot] com.