African graduates who want to study in Europe can apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 for fully funded master’s programmes offered by universities across Europe and other participating countries.
Unlike many international scholarships, Erasmus Mundus can allow you to study at more than one university and live in more than one country during the same master’s programme.
Even better, successful scholarship recipients can receive €1,400 per month, while the scholarship also supports participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.
Students from all countries worldwide can apply. Therefore, applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and other African countries can compete for Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
Most programmes accept applications between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year. In addition, 37 newly selected Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes are expected to open applications in autumn 2026 for programmes starting in September 2027.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
- Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
- Study Level: Master’s degree
- Eligible Applicants: Students from all countries, including African countries
- Funding: Fully funded scholarships available
- Monthly Scholarship: €1,400 per month
- Scholarship Duration: Up to 24 months, depending on the programme
- Study Location: Multiple universities and countries
- Programme Duration: 1–2 academic years
- Academic Credits: 60, 90 or 120 ECTS
- Application Period: Usually October to January
- 2027 Intake: Applications generally open during late 2026
- Application Method: Apply directly to the individual Erasmus Mundus programme
- Last Updated: October 2026
What Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes designed and delivered jointly by groups of universities.
An Erasmus Mundus programme normally involves at least three higher education institutions from three different countries.
Therefore, you may not spend your entire master’s degree at one university.
Instead, the programme can require you to study, conduct research, complete an internship or prepare your thesis at different partner institutions.
The programmes cover many fields, including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Engineering
- Public health
- Agriculture
- Environmental science
- Economics
- Data science
- Law
- Education
- International relations
- Renewable energy
- Marine science
- Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Human rights
- Urban development
- Computer science
The European Union funds Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and provides competitive scholarships to outstanding applicants from around the world.
Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes.
Erasmus Mundus programmes can offer full scholarships to highly ranked applicants.
The current Erasmus+ funding structure provides an individual scholarship of:
€1,400 per month
The scholarship can continue for the full duration of the master’s programme, up to 24 months.
For example:
A 12-month programme could provide up to:
€1,400 × 12 = €16,800
An 18-month programme could provide up to:
€1,400 × 18 = €25,200
A 24-month programme could provide up to:
€1,400 × 24 = €33,600
However, the exact scholarship duration depends on the programme.
In addition, Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders cannot be charged tuition fees or other mandatory participation costs by the programme.
What Does the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Cover?
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship can support several major costs associated with studying abroad.
The scholarship contributes toward:
- University participation costs
- Tuition-related costs
- Travel expenses
- Visa expenses
- Installation costs
- Monthly living expenses
Furthermore, Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders generally do not pay mandatory tuition or participation fees charged by the joint master’s programme.
This makes Erasmus Mundus one of the major fully funded master’s opportunities available to African students who want to study abroad.
Can African Students Apply for Erasmus Mundus?
Yes.
Students from all over the world can apply for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.
Unlike some scholarships, Erasmus Mundus does not restrict applications to a short list of African countries.
Therefore, students from countries including:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Sierra Leone
- Liberia
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Mozambique
- Senegal
- The Gambia
- Mauritius
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
can apply, provided they meet the admission requirements of their chosen Erasmus Mundus programme.
However, eligibility does not guarantee selection because Erasmus Mundus scholarships remain highly competitive.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Requirements for African Students
The European Commission sets broad eligibility requirements, while each Erasmus Mundus programme sets its own detailed admission criteria.
Generally, you must:
1. Have a Bachelor’s Degree
You must hold a first higher education degree, normally a bachelor’s degree.
Alternatively, you can apply while completing your final year of undergraduate study.
However, you must graduate before your Erasmus Mundus master’s programme begins.
2. Meet the Programme’s Academic Requirements
Each Erasmus Mundus course determines its own academic requirements.
For example, an artificial intelligence programme may require a degree in:
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Statistics
- Information technology
Meanwhile, a public health programme may accept applicants from:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Biological sciences
- Public health
- Other related disciplines
Therefore, do not assume that qualifying for one Erasmus Mundus programme means you qualify for every programme.
3. Meet the Language Requirements
Each programme sets its own language requirements.
Depending on the programme, you may need to provide evidence such as:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Cambridge English qualification
- Another accepted language test
- Proof that your previous degree was taught in English
Always check the specific programme website.
4. Submit the Required Documents
Individual programmes determine their exact document requirements.
However, many programmes may request documents such as:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter
- Passport or identification
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of English proficiency
- Proof of residence
- Other programme-specific documents
Prepare these documents early because some universities may require certified copies or specific formats.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Deadline 2027
There is no single application deadline for every Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
This point is important.
The European Commission states that most applicants submit their applications between October and January for programmes beginning in the following academic year.
Therefore, African students targeting the 2027 intake should begin checking programmes from October 2026.
For example, one course could close applications in December while another could accept scholarship applications until January.
Always check the individual programme’s website for its exact deadline.
Important 2027 Update
The European Commission announced in July 2026 that 37 newly selected Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters will open for student applications in autumn 2026 for programmes beginning in September 2027.
Therefore, the final months of 2026 are an important application period for African students targeting Erasmus Mundus funding for 2027.
How Do You Find Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?
Start with the official Erasmus Mundus programme catalogue.
The catalogue contains available joint master’s programmes across different fields.
However, do not simply search for the word “scholarship.”
Instead, filter programmes based on your:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Academic background
- Career plans
- Preferred field
- Language ability
- Programme requirements
Once you find a suitable course, open its individual website.
The course website will explain:
- Entry requirements
- Partner universities
- Study countries
- Scholarship availability
- Documents
- Application procedure
- Deadline
Students apply directly to the institution or consortium running the Erasmus Mundus programme.
How to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship From Africa
Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Search the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue
First, visit the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and look for programmes related to your academic background.
Do not apply randomly.
Instead, focus on programmes where your education and experience match the entry requirements.
Step 2: Open the Individual Programme Website
Each Erasmus Mundus programme has its own website and admission process.
Therefore, once you find a programme in the catalogue, visit its official website.
Check:
- Eligible degrees
- Academic requirements
- English-language requirements
- Required documents
- Scholarship conditions
- Application deadline
Step 3: Confirm Scholarship Availability
Not every intake of every programme necessarily operates in exactly the same way.
Therefore, confirm that your selected course offers Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the intake you want.
The programme website should explain whether you can apply for:
- Admission with scholarship consideration
- Admission without a scholarship
- Both options
Step 4: Check Your Academic Background
Make sure your bachelor’s degree matches the programme requirements.
For example, if a programme requires an engineering or computer science degree, an unrelated bachelor’s degree may not qualify.
Read the requirements carefully before spending time preparing an application.
Step 5: Prepare Your Academic Documents
Gather your:
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Passport
- CV
- Recommendation letters
- Language evidence
If you are still completing your bachelor’s degree, check whether the programme accepts an interim transcript or expected-graduation document.
Step 6: Prepare a Strong CV
Keep your CV relevant to the master’s programme.
Include:
- Education
- Research
- Work experience
- Internships
- Volunteer experience
- Relevant projects
- Publications
- Conferences
- Awards
- Technical skills
- Leadership experience
However, avoid adding irrelevant information simply to make your CV longer.
Step 7: Write a Strong Motivation Letter
Your motivation letter should explain why you fit the programme.
A simple structure could include:
Your background → Why this programme → Why Erasmus Mundus → Career goal → Future impact
For an African applicant, you can also explain how the knowledge you gain could contribute to your professional field or address a relevant challenge in your country.
However, avoid generic sentences such as:
“I want to develop Africa.”
Instead, identify a clear problem.
For example:
“I plan to use advanced water-resource management skills to support flood-risk planning in rapidly growing urban communities in Nigeria.”
Specific goals make your motivation easier to understand.
Step 8: Request Recommendation Letters Early
If your programme requires references, contact your referees early.
Choose people who understand your:
- Academic ability
- Research skills
- Professional performance
- Character
- Potential for postgraduate study
Do not wait until the day before the deadline.
Step 9: Submit the Programme Application
Unlike Chevening or Commonwealth, Erasmus Mundus does not use one central student application for every master’s programme.
You apply directly to the consortium or institution managing your selected programme.
Follow that programme’s instructions exactly.
Step 10: Submit Before the Deadline
Do not wait until the closing day.
Technical issues can happen.
Moreover, you may discover that you uploaded the wrong transcript, forgot a recommendation or misunderstood a document requirement.
Submitting early gives you room to correct avoidable problems where the system allows it.
Do You Need IELTS for Erasmus Mundus?
There is no single IELTS rule covering every Erasmus Mundus Joint Master.
Instead, each programme determines its own admission and language requirements.
Therefore, some programmes may require IELTS or TOEFL, while others may accept another form of English-language evidence.
For example, a programme could accept a letter confirming that your previous university education took place in English.
Another programme could still insist on an approved English-language test.
Therefore, when searching for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship without IELTS, check the rules of the individual programme rather than assuming that the entire Erasmus Mundus scheme waives IELTS.
Can You Apply With a 2:2 or Second Class Lower Degree?
Erasmus Mundus does not publish one universal GPA or African degree-classification requirement for every joint master’s programme.
The broad programme requirement is that applicants hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent.
However, each master’s consortium sets its own academic criteria.
Therefore, an applicant with a second class lower degree should search for programmes whose admission requirements accept their academic profile.
Do not automatically assume that a 2:2 makes you ineligible for every Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
At the same time, do not assume every programme will accept it.
Check each programme individually.
Can HND Holders Apply for Erasmus Mundus?
Erasmus Mundus allows applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or can demonstrate a formally recognised equivalent level of learning under the applicable national rules.
Therefore, HND holders should check the qualification rules of the individual programme.
A programme may assess:
- Your HND
- Additional qualifications
- Postgraduate diploma
- Professional training
- Other recognised education
However, eligibility can differ significantly between programmes.
Contact the programme directly if its website does not clearly explain how it treats your qualification.
Is There an Age Limit for Erasmus Mundus?
The general Erasmus Mundus student eligibility information does not set one universal age limit for applicants.
Instead, applicants must satisfy the academic and programme-specific requirements.
Therefore, older applicants should not automatically assume they are ineligible simply because of their age.
Always check the individual programme in case it has additional conditions.
Do You Need Work Experience?
Not every Erasmus Mundus programme requires professional work experience.
Some programmes focus heavily on academic achievement.
Others may value:
- Work experience
- Research
- Internships
- Volunteering
- Technical projects
Therefore, check the programme’s selection criteria.
Fresh graduates can qualify for some Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters if they meet the academic requirements.
Can Final-Year Students Apply?
Yes.
The European Commission states that students in the final year of their bachelor’s studies can apply.
However, you must graduate before the master’s programme starts.
Therefore, final-year African students should not automatically wait until after graduation before checking Erasmus Mundus opportunities.
Do You Pay an Application Fee?
Current Erasmus Mundus programme rules state that selected projects cannot charge student application fees.
Therefore, you should not have to pay the Erasmus Mundus consortium simply to submit your programme application.
However, you may still incur personal costs while preparing documents, such as:
- Passport processing
- English tests
- Certified translations
- Document certification
Always use the official programme application portal.
Where Will You Study?
One of the biggest differences between Erasmus Mundus and a normal master’s degree is student mobility.
Erasmus Mundus programmes require students to complete physical study periods in at least two countries.
At least one of those study periods must take place in an EU Member State or another country associated with the Erasmus+ programme.
For example, depending on the specific programme, a student could study:
- Semester 1 — Germany
- Semester 2 — France
- Semester 3 — Spain
- Semester 4 — Research or thesis at another partner institution
The actual mobility path depends entirely on the programme.
What Degree Do You Receive?
After successfully completing an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, you can receive either:
- A joint degree, issued jointly by participating institutions; or
- Multiple degrees, awarded by two or more universities in the consortium.
The programme will explain its degree structure before you enrol.
How Long Does an Erasmus Mundus Master’s Take?
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master normally lasts between one and two academic years.
Programmes usually contain:
- 60 ECTS
- 90 ECTS
- 120 ECTS
depending on their duration and academic structure.
Can You Receive Erasmus Mundus Twice?
No.
Students who have already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship cannot receive another EMJM scholarship.
Therefore, choose your programme carefully if you receive an award.
How Competitive Is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Erasmus Mundus scholarships are competitive because students from around the world can apply.
The programmes award scholarships to highly ranked candidates.
Therefore, a strong application should combine several elements:
- Good academic performance
- A relevant academic background
- Clear motivation
- Strong references
- Relevant research or professional experience where applicable
- A well-structured CV
- A convincing connection between the programme and your career plans
However, do not exaggerate your achievements.
Clear evidence usually works better than vague claims.
Tips for African Erasmus Mundus Applicants
Apply to Programmes That Fit Your Background
Do not apply simply because a course offers €1,400 per month.
Your academic fit matters.
For example, if you studied electrical engineering, programmes in:
- Renewable energy
- Embedded systems
- Telecommunications
- Robotics
- Sustainable energy
may offer a stronger academic connection than an unrelated course.
Start Your Documents Early
African applicants can sometimes lose time obtaining:
- Official transcripts
- Passport documents
- Certified translations
- Recommendation letters
- English proficiency documents
Therefore, prepare these before the deadline approaches.
Explain Your Achievements With Evidence
Instead of writing:
“I am passionate about technology.”
Show the evidence.
For example:
“I developed a mobile inventory system used by three small businesses during my final-year project.”
Specific evidence makes your application more credible.
Connect Your Degree to Your Future
Your application should answer:
- Why this programme?
- Why now?
- What will you learn?
- What will you do with the knowledge?
- Why are you a strong candidate?
- Create one clear story rather than filling your application with unrelated achievements.
Erasmus Mundus vs Chevening Scholarship
Both scholarships can support African students who want to complete a master’s degree abroad.
However, they work differently.
Erasmus Mundus can involve studying in several countries and universities during one master’s programme.
Chevening, on the other hand, funds eligible one-year master’s programmes in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, Chevening requires applicants to meet specific post-graduation work-experience requirements.
If you are considering the UK, read our complete guide to the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028 for African Students.
Erasmus Mundus vs Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship focuses on eligible applicants from selected Commonwealth countries and funds postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
Erasmus Mundus, in contrast, accepts applicants worldwide and usually involves a joint programme delivered across multiple institutions.
Students interested in fully funded UK opportunities should also read our guide to the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/2028 for African Students.
Applying to different suitable scholarship programmes can give you more opportunities, provided you meet each programme’s requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Erasmus Mundus for African Students
Is Erasmus Mundus open to Africans?
Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters accept applicants from all over the world, including every African country, subject to the requirements of individual programmes.
Is Erasmus Mundus fully funded?
Full Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available to highly ranked applicants and support participation costs, travel, visas and living expenses.
How much does Erasmus Mundus pay?
The current EU individual scholarship is €1,400 per month, for up to 24 months depending on the duration of the master’s programme.
When will Erasmus Mundus applications open for 2027?
Application dates vary by programme. Most applications generally take place between October and January. The European Commission has also confirmed that newly selected programmes will open applications during autumn 2026 for programmes beginning in September 2027.
Can Nigerians apply for Erasmus Mundus?
Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply because Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters accept applicants worldwide.
Can Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Applicants from Ghana can apply, subject to each programme’s admission requirements.
Can Kenyans apply?
Yes. Kenyan students can apply for eligible Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.
Can Ugandans apply?
Yes. Ugandan graduates who meet programme requirements can apply.
Can South Africans apply?
Yes. South African students can apply for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.
Can Rwandans apply?
Yes. Students from Rwanda can apply.
Can Zimbabweans apply?
Yes. Zimbabwean applicants can compete for Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
Do I need IELTS?
There is no universal Erasmus Mundus IELTS requirement covering every joint master’s degree. Each programme sets its own language requirements.
Can I apply with a 2:2?
Possibly. Erasmus Mundus does not impose one universal degree classification on every programme. Individual master’s programmes set their own academic entry requirements.
Do I need work experience?
Not necessarily. Some programmes accept applicants directly after their bachelor’s degree, while others may prefer or require relevant experience.
Can final-year undergraduate students apply?
Yes, provided they complete their bachelor’s degree before the master’s programme begins.
Is there an application fee?
Erasmus Mundus projects cannot charge students an application fee under the current programme rules.
How many countries will I study in?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters include compulsory international mobility and require qualifying study periods in at least two countries.
Does Erasmus Mundus only cover European universities?
No. Erasmus Mundus programmes centre on international university consortia and can include institutions and partners outside Europe. However, the programme includes defined European participation and mobility requirements.
Final Advice for African Applicants
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 is a major opportunity for African graduates who want to complete a fully funded international master’s degree.
Successful scholarship recipients can receive €1,400 per month, while Erasmus Mundus also supports participation, travel, visa and living costs.
Moreover, you may study at multiple universities and experience several countries during one degree.
However, Erasmus Mundus does not use one universal student application or deadline.
Therefore, start by searching the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue.
Next, identify programmes that genuinely match your bachelor’s degree and career goals.
Then check the individual programme’s academic requirements, English-language requirements, documents and scholarship deadline.
Finally, prepare your application early and submit it directly through the programme’s official application system.
Most applications take place between October and January, which means African students targeting programmes beginning in 2027 should begin searching and preparing now.