What does the Erasmus Mundus scholarship cover?

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship covers: full tuition fees at all partner universities, a monthly living allowance of EUR 1,400, a travel contribution (EUR 2,000-3,000 depending on your country of origin), health insurance, and installation costs. It is one of the most comprehensive scholarship packages available to African students.

How competitive is Erasmus Mundus for African applicants?

Erasmus Mundus is competitive but African students are well-represented. The European Commission specifically targets students from developing countries. In recent years, African students have received approximately 30-40% of all Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Strong academic records, relevant work experience, and a compelling motivation letter are the key differentiators.

Can I apply to multiple Erasmus Mundus programmes?

Yes. You can apply to multiple programmes simultaneously. Each programme has its own application process and deadline. There is no central application - you apply directly to each programme consortium. Most applicants apply to 3-5 programmes to maximise their chances.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for African Students 2026: Fully Funded EU Masters

Key figures (2026)
Monthly stipend: EUR 1,400 (approximately NGN 2.1M/month)
Travel contribution: EUR 2,000-3,000
Duration: 1-2 years (depending on programme)
Application deadline: varies by programme, typically January-February
Primary source: European Commission (ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus)

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are among the most valuable scholarships available to African students. Fully funded by the European Commission, they provide tuition, a monthly stipend, travel costs and health insurance - while you study at two or three European universities in different countries.

What Erasmus Mundus actually is

Erasmus Mundus is not a single scholarship - it is a framework for Joint Master Degree programmes funded by the European Commission. Each programme is a consortium of 2-4 European universities that jointly deliver a master's degree.

What makes it different from other scholarships:

You study at multiple universities in different European countries
The degree is jointly awarded by all partner universities
The scholarship is funded by the EU, not by individual universities
African students are specifically targeted as a priority group

What the scholarship covers

Component	Amount
Tuition fees	100% covered at all partner universities
Monthly living allowance	EUR 1,400/month
Travel contribution	EUR 2,000 (nearby countries) / EUR 3,000 (distant countries including Africa)
Installation costs	EUR 1,000 (one-time, first year)
Health insurance	Covered
Total value (2-year programme)	Approximately EUR 40,000-45,000

How to find Erasmus Mundus programmes

The European Commission maintains a catalogue of all Erasmus Mundus programmes at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en.

Programmes relevant for African applicants include:

IMLEX (Imaging and Light in Extended Reality) - technology
EMJMD in Public Health - healthcare
EMJMD in Sustainable Energy - engineering
EMJMD in International Development - social sciences
EMJMD in Water and Coastal Management - environment

There are over 150 active programmes across all disciplines.

Application requirements

Academic requirements:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
Strong academic record (typically 3.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent)
English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent)

Application documents:

Completed application form (programme-specific)
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
CV/resume
Motivation letter (the most important document)
Two academic reference letters
English language test results
Passport copy

The motivation letter - what makes the difference

The motivation letter is the most important part of your Erasmus Mundus application. Selection committees read hundreds of letters from qualified candidates. Yours must answer three questions clearly:

Why this programme? Specific reasons related to the programme's content, partner universities, and how it fits your career goals.
Why you? Your academic background, work experience, and specific skills that make you a strong candidate.
What will you do with it? How will this degree contribute to your career and to your country/region?

Generic motivation letters that could apply to any programme are the most common reason strong candidates are rejected. Research each programme thoroughly and write a specific letter for each application.

Application timeline

Month	Action
September-October	Research programmes, identify 3-5 to apply to
November-December	Prepare documents, request reference letters
January-February	Submit applications (most deadlines fall here)
March-April	Interviews (some programmes conduct interviews)
April-May	Results announced
September	Programme starts

Evidence note

All figures sourced from the European Commission Erasmus+ programme at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/, retrieved October 2026. Scholarship amounts and programme availability are subject to annual change. Verify current requirements on the specific programme's website before applying.