Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — European Union — 2026/2027

What if your plan to move abroad did not have to begin with paying an international university out of pocket?

For many Nigerians interested in studying overseas, the biggest challenge is not necessarily finding a course or choosing a country. It is figuring out how to finance tuition, travel, accommodation and everyday living expenses.

That is why scholarships and other forms of study funding deserve serious attention.

Our 30 Scholarships & Sponsorship Opportunities That Will Pay You to Move Abroad series starts with one of Europe’s best-known international study opportunities: the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM).

The programme offers eligible students from around the world the opportunity to pursue master’s-level education delivered by international university consortia. Importantly, Erasmus+ states that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked students and can contribute towards participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.

If you are a Nigerian graduate considering a master’s degree abroad, this is an opportunity worth researching carefully.

What Is Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes jointly designed and delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions.

Rather than completing your entire degree at one university in one country, an Erasmus Mundus programme can involve studying at several participating institutions and in different countries.

According to the official Erasmus+ programme information, an EMJM normally involves at least three higher education institutions from at least three different countries.

The programmes can last between one and two academic years, equivalent to 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

Depending on the programme, students may experience different academic environments, participate in research or traineeships, and complete different stages of their master’s education across participating institutions.

This makes Erasmus Mundus particularly interesting for students who want an international academic experience rather than simply studying in one foreign university.

Is Erasmus Mundus Fully Funded?

Some Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer full scholarships to the best-ranked students worldwide.

This is one of the reasons the programme attracts significant interest from international students.

The official Erasmus+ website explains that scholarship support can cover participation costs and contribute towards:

• Travel
• Visa expenses
• Living allowance

Current Erasmus+ information also lists an EU scholarship of €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months for eligible Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders.

However, it is important to understand what this means.

Not every student who applies receives a scholarship. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are competitive, and scholarship availability can vary by programme.

Therefore, you should never assume that receiving an admission offer automatically means you have received a fully funded scholarship.

Always check the specific programme’s scholarship conditions before making financial or travel commitments.

Who Can Apply for Erasmus Mundus?

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are open to students from around the world.

For a prospective student, one of the most important basic requirements is having a bachelor’s degree or being in the final year of bachelor’s studies, provided the degree will be completed before the master’s programme begins.

Applicants may also be considered if they can demonstrate an officially recognised equivalent level of learning, depending on the relevant national rules and programme requirements.

But there is an important point to remember:

There is no single universal Erasmus Mundus admission checklist for every master’s programme.

Each programme has its own website, academic requirements, application process and scholarship criteria.

Your first job is therefore not to start submitting random applications. Your first job is to find a programme that matches your academic background and career goals.

When Should Nigerians Apply?

The official Erasmus+ guidance says that, in most cases, applications for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are submitted between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year.

However, deadlines vary from one master’s programme to another.

That means a Nigerian applicant should not rely on a general January deadline.

Some programmes may close applications earlier, while others may have different deadlines for scholarship consideration and self-funded admission.

For the 2026 cycle, Erasmus+ announced in July 2026 that 37 new Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters had been selected. These programmes were expected to be added to the Erasmus Mundus catalogue and open for student applications in autumn 2026, with programmes starting in September 2027.

So if you are reading this in October 2026, this is an especially important period to start checking the catalogue and individual programme websites.

How to Apply for Erasmus Mundus from Nigeria

One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is looking for a single central Erasmus Mundus application form.

There isn’t one universal student application form for all Erasmus Mundus programmes.

Instead, applicants apply directly to the institution or consortium running their chosen master’s programme.

Here is a practical process to follow.

Step 1: Find a Suitable Erasmus Mundus Programme

Start by searching the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue.

Look beyond the programme title.

Check:

• Course content
• Participating universities
• Countries involved
• Academic background required
• Duration
• Scholarship availability
• Language requirements
• Application deadline
• Required documents

Your goal is to identify programmes where your academic background and career direction make sense.

Step 2: Read the Programme Website Carefully

Once you find an interesting programme, move from the general Erasmus+ page to the programme’s official website.

This is extremely important because the programme website contains the specific admission instructions.

Do not assume that the requirements for one Erasmus Mundus programme are identical to another.

Read the eligibility requirements, application instructions, scholarship information and deadline carefully.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

The exact documents will depend on the master’s programme.

Depending on the programme, applicants may be asked for academic records, degree certificates, CVs, motivation statements, references, proof of language ability or other supporting documents.

Do not prepare documents based on an unofficial checklist you found online and assume they will be accepted.

Use the official programme requirements as your checklist.

For Nigerian applicants, it is also wise to ensure that names, dates, academic records and other important information are consistent across your documents before submission.

Step 4: Prepare a Strong Motivation Statement

For competitive international master’s programmes, your application should communicate more than the fact that you want to leave Nigeria.

Explain why the particular programme fits your academic and professional goals.

A strong application should show that you understand the programme, have relevant preparation or experience, and have a clear reason for pursuing the degree.

Avoid turning your motivation letter into a general statement about wanting to relocate to Europe.

The scholarship committee is assessing your suitability for the academic opportunity.

Step 5: Check the Scholarship Conditions

This step is essential.

Some Erasmus Mundus programmes offer scholarships while others may have different funding arrangements.

Check whether the scholarship is available for the intake you are applying for, what it covers, how scholarship applicants are assessed and whether there are programme-specific conditions.

Do not budget your entire move around a scholarship until you have received an official award.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

International scholarship applications can involve several documents, references, forms and uploads.

Do not wait until the final day.

Create a personal deadline several days before the official closing date.

This gives you time to correct errors, replace missing documents or resolve technical problems.

What Does the Scholarship Actually Help Pay For?

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is designed to contribute to the costs associated with participating in the programme.

Official Erasmus+ information says scholarships can contribute to participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.

The current Erasmus+ information also states an EU scholarship rate of €1,400 per month for up to 24 months for eligible scholarship holders.

The actual financial arrangements and programme implementation should still be checked against the specific master’s programme and current official guidance.

This distinction matters because “fully funded” does not mean that every possible expense associated with international relocation will automatically be paid in every circumstance.

Read the funding terms before making commitments.

Can Nigerians Apply?

Yes.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters welcome students from around the world, and Nigeria is included among the eligible countries listed by Erasmus+ for relevant programme participation.

However, being from an eligible country does not automatically mean you qualify for every programme or scholarship.

Your academic qualifications, programme-specific eligibility, application quality and scholarship selection all matter.

You should also distinguish between being eligible to apply and being selected for a scholarship.

They are not the same thing.

Common Mistakes Nigerian Applicants Should Avoid

1. Applying Without Reading the Programme Requirements

A programme may have a specific academic background, language requirement or other eligibility condition.

Read before you apply.

2. Assuming Every Erasmus Mundus Programme Is Identical

They are not.

Each consortium designs its programme and application process.

3. Waiting Until the Deadline

A missing document or technical issue on the final day can create unnecessary pressure.

Start early.

4. Using Unverified Scholarship Information

Social media posts can contain outdated deadlines, incorrect funding amounts or misleading claims.

Use the official Erasmus+ website and the official website of your chosen master’s programme as your primary sources.

5. Treating the Scholarship as a Guaranteed Route Abroad

A scholarship application is competitive.

Admission, scholarship selection, visa issuance and travel are separate stages.

Even after receiving an academic or scholarship offer, you must follow the applicable visa and entry requirements of the destination country.

What Should You Do If You Want to Apply in 2026?

If Erasmus Mundus is on your study-abroad list, do not simply bookmark the opportunity and forget about it.

Take these steps:

1. Search the Erasmus Mundus catalogue.

2. Shortlist programmes that match your academic background.

3. Visit each programme’s official website.

4. Check the 2026/2027 application deadline.

5. Confirm scholarship availability.

6. Download or review the programme’s application requirements.

7. Prepare your academic and supporting documents.

8. Work on your CV and motivation statement.

9. Arrange references where required.

10. Submit the application before the official deadline.

And remember: deadlines can differ between programmes.

How TRAVUL.ORG Can Help

Finding a scholarship is only one part of planning to study abroad.

Once you begin considering an international master’s programme, you may also need to think about documentation, destination planning, visa preparation, flights and your wider travel arrangements.

TRAVUL.ORG’s Study Abroad and Consultation services can help travellers approach their international plans more systematically.

The goal is not to promise admission, scholarship selection or visa approval. Those decisions belong to the relevant universities, scholarship authorities and immigration authorities.

Instead, the focus should be on helping you research your options, understand the journey ahead and prepare responsibly.

Your study-abroad plan should not end with “I found a scholarship”.

You should also ask:

Where will I study? What documents do I need? How will I prepare? What travel arrangements will I eventually need to make?

That is where informed travel planning becomes important.

Final Thoughts

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is a serious opportunity for graduates looking for international master’s education and potential scholarship support.

For Nigerian students, the most important lesson is simple: do your research early and apply through the correct official channel.

Do not rely on random WhatsApp messages, outdated scholarship posts or claims that every applicant will receive a full scholarship.

Start with the official Erasmus+ information, identify suitable master’s programmes, read their specific requirements and prepare your application carefully.

And because Erasmus Mundus applications are typically concentrated between October and January for the following academic year, now is a good time to start researching the programmes available for the next intake.

This is No. 1 in TRAVUL.ORG’s series on scholarships and sponsorship opportunities that can help eligible people pursue opportunities abroad.

Your next destination may be possible but the smartest journeys begin with proper preparation.

DISCOVER. EXPERIENCE. REMEMBER.

FAQs

Is Erasmus Mundus fully funded?

Some Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer full scholarships to the best-ranked students worldwide. Official Erasmus+ information says scholarship support can contribute towards participation costs, travel, visa expenses and a living allowance. Erasmus+

How much is the Erasmus Mundus scholarship?

Current Erasmus+ information lists an EU scholarship of €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months for eligible Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders. Erasmus+

Can Nigerians apply for Erasmus Mundus?

Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters welcome students from around the world, and Nigeria is listed among the eligible countries in the Erasmus+ framework. Erasmus+

When is the Erasmus Mundus application deadline?

There is no single deadline for every master’s programme. Erasmus+ says that, in most cases, applications are submitted between October and January for programmes starting the following academic year. Applicants must check the individual programme website for the exact deadline. Erasmus+

Where do I apply for Erasmus Mundus?

Students apply directly to the institution or consortium running their chosen Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. There is no single central student application form covering all programmes. Erasmus+

Can I apply if I am still completing my bachelor’s degree?

Yes, Erasmus+ states that applicants may apply while in the final year of their bachelor’s degree, provided they graduate before the master’s programme starts. Programme-specific requirements should still be checked.