Erasmus Mundus scholarship – things I learned – information & advice to future applicants

Samita Salim

Are you dreaming of pursuing higher studies and traveling to different cities of Europe at the same time? If yes, Erasmus Mundus could be the answer you have been looking for. It is a prestigious program that aims to improve the academic co-operation between the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries through globalization and partnership of students, staff, and research. The main attraction of this scholarship is the mobility system. Students receive a master’s or doctorate degree by studying in at least two different universities in different European countries. However, currently Erasmus Mundus only offers master’s level courses under the Erasmus+ Scheme, and applications for doctoral degrees are now processed under the Marie-Sklodowska Curie scholarships, both funded by European Commission. In this article, I will mainly discuss about Erasmus+ Master program which is also known as Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD).

People who are keen on higher studies abroad already know that managing a fund/scholarship at the master’s level is quite difficult. With the EMJMD programs, you can receive a full scholarship package for the entire duration of your master’s course. Hence, it is a great opportunity for you if you are seeking a master’s degree in abroad without even depending on any type of assistantships (TA or RA). After successful completion of the program, a double or joint master’s degree is offered. There are two types of applicant categories involved in Erasmus Mundus scholarships, such as applicants from Program Countries and applicants from Partner Countries. The total amount and number of the scholarships vary according to the duration of the course and the nationality of the candidate (the non-EU students usually receive both higher amount and number of scholarships compared to EU students). Candidates from Partner countries usually receive a minimum of 75% of the scholarships every session. Bangladesh is a partner country, so you can definitely keep your hopes high to procure this scholarship!

The EMJMD programs run for a minimum of 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months, and can carry 60, 90, or 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. There are more than 120 Master’s programs in a variety of fields of study such as Veterinary and Agriculture, Construction and Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, Welfare and Health, Computing and Mathematics, Business, Law, and Social Sciences. You can check your desired programs here. A student can apply to a maximum of three different programs. So selection of suitable programs that align with your bachelor’s study or relevant experience is very crucial. Each program has its own set of information as well as application procedure. Interested applicants should thoroughly check the respective program websites to get familiar with specific requirements. You will automatically be considered for the admission + scholarship to the master’s program when you lodge your application. No separate application is required.

For two years master’s course usually the scholarship covers participation costs €9000/year for the partner country students (Bangladesh) and €4500/year for program country students. Participation costs include tuition fees, library and laboratory fees, mandatory insurance coverage, and any other costs related to the program. Travel costs up to €3000/year, installation costs €1000 (only provided once), and a monthly living allowance of €1000/month up to 24 months are also provided to each of the scholarship holders. Some programs also offer internships at different European industries and research organizations where you can gain some practical experience and knowledge in an international working environment.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a bachelor’s degree holder. Students studying in their final semester can also apply if they can convince the coordinator that they will get their final result before the starting of the program. The minimum CGPA requirement varies from program to program. If your CGPA meets the minimum requirement of the program, you should definitely apply . The medium of instruction of all of the EMJMD programs is in English, so an official English language test report is required (IELTS/TOEFL). The minimum requirements of IELTS/TOEFL vary from program to program and can be found on the program website. Some programs also accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate as well. It is a certificate which states that the four-year undergraduate study was conducted in English. Please carefully check the websites if they allow MOI certificate instead of IELTS/TOEFL as a proof of English language proficiency. Although GRE is not a prerequisite, I would suggest you to mention the score if you have taken the examination. I submitted my GRE scores while applying and I think it reinforced my application to achieve the scholarship.

The mandatory documents required for the application are CV, all academic certificates and transcripts, English language proficiency certificate, Letter of motivation (also known as Statement of Purpose, Statement of Intent, Letter of Intent, Personal Statement, etc.) and at least 2 letters of recommendation. Some programs may also require a copy of passport, residency certificate, medical certificates, etc. Make sure all of those documents are in English or any other language instructed by the coordinators. The application system is fully online and most of the programs have no application fee at all. The online procedure is very easy, no agent is needed to process your application. All you have to do is- open an account in your intended program website, provide all your information, and upload the scanned documents following the given instructions. Do not forget to double-check your whole application before the final submission as you cannot edit anything after that.

Most of the programs run their application period from October to January. It means, if the course will start in September 2021, you have to apply between October 2020 and January 2021. The results of the selected candidates are published from late March to early May. Nonetheless, the deadlines of different programs vary according to the programs. I suggest you keep an eye on the individual program websites and take IELTS/ TOEFL as early as July. Consequently, you will get enough time to gather your necessary documents as well as prepare your motivation letter.

Now some advice to future applicants, which I wish I had before my application to EMJMD!

1) Use the EUROPASS format to prepare your CV. You can lose some points in the selection process if any other format is used.

2) Allot enough time to write your motivation letter. Shabash Fakibaj™ – s video on SOP writing can greatly help you in this regard. Do NOT copy anyone else’s motivation letter. Write your own story covering your academic and professional achievements, research experience, reasons to choose this program, expectations from the program, why you are the most eligible candidate for this scholarship, how this program can help you to achieve your long term career goals, etc. You can also follow different instructional videos of Shabash Fakibaj™ to prepare your other application materials perfectly.

3) Most of the people have a misconception that having a publication or job experience is a must to secure this scholarship, which is totally wrong! Obviously, a publication or job experience will increase your chances for the scholarship. But I have seen a lot of students who got the scholarship without any publication or job experience. So don’t hold back yourself from applying if you have a similar case!

4) Recommendation letters are also a major part of your application. Select your referees wisely who know you well and give them at least 3 weeks to compose the letter.

5) If any question arise in your mind about the program or application procedure, ask the respective program coordinator through email.

Through the platform of Shabash Fakibaj™, I am looking to provide crucial information and my experience regarding Erasmus Mundus scholarship – so that more students from Bangladesh feel encouraged to apply for it! I firmly believe that a good number of Bangladeshi graduates are competent enough to acquire this scholarship. But owing to lack of proper guidelines about the application system, requirements, and deadlines, most of the students are losing this opportunity without even properly knowing about it. Even I, myself was skeptical enough about getting the scholarship, yet I went ahead to apply for it and finally came out successful. So why not give this program a try, especially when it is offering the lucrative Euro trip with a master’s degree!