The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded European Union scholarship awarded to students admitted to Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programmes. These are integrated master's degrees delivered jointly by a consortium of universities in at least two European countries, and the scholarship funds your studies and living costs for the full duration of the programme.

Selection is highly competitive, so start preparing 10–12 months before deadlines. Build a strong academic record, gain relevant experience through research projects or internships, tailor your motivation letter to each consortium since programme fit is heavily weighted, secure strong recommendation letters, and apply to more than one programme to maximise your chances.

You apply directly to the consortium running each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, not through one central portal. Shortlist programmes, prepare your transcripts, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters and proof of English proficiency, then submit through the consortium's own application system before its deadline. Some programmes also interview shortlisted candidates.

Requirements vary by programme, but most ask for a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (final-year students can often apply), academic transcripts, a CV, a motivation letter, usually two recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL. Always check the specific programme's page, because criteria like minimum grades or work experience differ between consortia.

It typically covers participation costs (tuition) in full, provides a monthly living allowance for the duration of the programme, and contributes to travel and installation costs, with health insurance generally included. The exact breakdown is set by each consortium and published with the programme details.

The award is effectively a full ride: tuition is covered and scholars receive a monthly living allowance (commonly around €1,400) plus travel and installation support. Because amounts and living costs differ by country and programme, always confirm the figures in the funding section of each programme.

There is no single date, as each consortium sets its own. For intake the following autumn, most programmes open applications around October and close between December and February, so shortlist early and verify the exact date on each programme's page.

The catalogue lists every accredited Erasmus Mundus Joint Master with its specialisations, funding, entry requirements, deadlines and contacts. Filter it by your field, build a shortlist of programmes that match your profile, then go to each consortium's own website, since the catalogue entry and the programme page together give you the complete picture.

It refers to a funded doctoral position under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the European Union's flagship programme for researcher training. Doctoral candidates are usually hired as paid researchers within MSCA Doctoral Networks or COFUND projects, work on a defined research project while completing their PhD, and often spend time on secondments or at partner institutions in other countries.

Unlike a standard PhD application, you apply to advertised positions. Find open MSCA doctoral calls, check the eligibility criteria (including the mobility rule, which generally requires that you have not lived in the host country for more than 12 of the last 36 months), and submit your CV, transcripts, motivation letter and references through the project's application system before the deadline. Shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed.

Open Marie Curie PhD positions are advertised on the EURAXESS portal, on the websites of MSCA Doctoral Network projects, and on university and departmental job boards. Searching "MSCA Doctoral Network" together with your research field, and following researchers in your area, helps you catch calls as soon as they open.

MSCA doctoral candidates receive a monthly living allowance plus a mobility allowance, both adjusted for the host country's cost of living, and a family allowance if eligible. The baseline living allowance in recent calls has been around €3,400 per month before country adjustments and national taxes, making it one of the best-funded PhD routes in Europe; exact figures are published in each call.

Focus on fully funded routes rather than self-funded ones: Erasmus Mundus for master's degrees, MSCA and national programmes for funded PhDs, country-specific scholarships such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship in France, and paid research internships that cover your stay. The winning strategy is to build the profile these programmes select for — strong academics, research experience and polished application documents — and to target funding-first programmes from the start.

No — many applicants succeed on their own using free official resources. That said, guidance from a mentor who has actually gone through these selections can save months of trial and error on programme shortlisting, SOP/CV feedback and interview preparation. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed admission, because no legitimate consultant can promise that.

Start six to twelve months in advance, shortlist labs and structured programmes whose research genuinely matches your interests, and write concise, personalised emails to supervisors instead of mass messages. A one-page, research-focused CV plus demonstrable skills from projects, thesis work or lab techniques matters more than a long CV, and a funded internship abroad also strengthens later applications for Erasmus Mundus and MSCA positions.