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Erasmus Mundus motivation letter: what each consortium asks and how to plan it

Checked against official sources

There is no single Erasmus Mundus motivation letter. Each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is run by a consortium of universities in several countries, and each consortium decides its own questions, length limit, language rules and deadline. This guide separates what EU rules fix from what each programme decides, and shows how to plan a letter for one programme.

Where the letter fits in the application

You apply directly to the consortium running each programme, on its own website. There is no central EU portal, and each programme publishes its own entry requirements, document list and deadline. There is no application fee: EU rules forbid consortia from charging any student an application fee.

Before you write anything, confirm that the programme offers EMJM scholarships for your intake. Not every programme listed in the EACEA catalogue does: some no longer offer EU-funded scholarships or hold the label only temporarily. Links on EACEA's project results platform do not lead to application pages.

Point Fixed at EU level Decided by each consortium
Who can apply Any nationality; a bachelor's or recognised equivalent, or final-year students who graduate before the master's starts Academic entry requirements
Motivation letter No common format Questions, headings, length and language
CV and references No common rule Format (some require or recommend Europass), number and type of letters
Selection Organised transparently, impartially and equitably; full scholarships go to the best-ranked students Detailed criteria and weightings
Deadline Most programmes take applications between October and January Exact date and time zone
Interview Not mentioned on the Erasmus+ pages Whether shortlisted candidates are interviewed

Two consortia, two different letters: examples only

Any general word count would mislead you. NEURASMUS set a maximum of 1,000 words for the motivation letter; its page does not state the intake year. GEMMA asked for a letter addressed to the programme coordinator, written in two languages when the two universities the applicant chose teach in different languages. Both also asked for a Europass CV and two recommendation letters.

These are illustrations, not rules for your programme. Only your consortium's own page for the current intake counts.

Planning a letter for one programme

Start by pasting the programme's exact instructions into your notes: the questions or headings, the limit, the language and any format rules. If the consortium gives headings, use them as the parts of your letter, in its order. If it gives none, a simple plan covers your academic preparation, the experience you already have in the field, why this programme, and what you intend to do afterwards.

The "why this programme" part is where generic letters fail. Name the modules, tracks or research groups that connect to your past work. Explain what each university in your chosen mobility path adds. The mobility rule matters here: EMJM students must complete at least two study periods of one semester or more in two different countries, both outside their country of residence at enrolment. Explaining why those specific countries suit your goals answers a question a single-university master's never raises.

If you apply to several programmes, write each letter against that programme's own questions and limits. Read each programme's page for any rule it sets on applying to more than one programme.

The Application Kit for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is built around this programme-by-programme approach. Its Motivation Letter Worksheets include a comparison sheet to record and rank several programmes, a letter planner you repeat for each consortium after pasting its instructions, and a CV planner (Europass where your programme asks for it).

Selection, nationality balance and your country

Each consortium ranks its applicants, and full scholarships go to the best-ranked students. No more than 10% of a project's scholarships may go to candidates of the same nationality, with regional top-up places excepted. A person who has already held an EMJM scholarship cannot receive a second one, and scholarships are awarded in full for full-time study only.

EMJM scholarships are open worldwide; for six countries:

  • Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana: eligible. Sub-Saharan Africa is a targeted region for top-up scholarships held by some consortia.
  • Pakistan: eligible. Some consortia hold top-up places for targeted regions that include Asia.
  • Bangladesh: eligible. Consortia are encouraged to recruit from least developed countries for regional top-up places.
  • India: eligible. The 10% cap per nationality matters for large applicant pools such as India's.

The scholarship is EUR 1,400 per month for the full programme, from one academic year up to 24 months (at most EUR 33,600), and is meant to cover travel, visa, installation and subsistence. Consortia may not charge scholarship holders tuition or other compulsory participation costs.

Outside help, AI and fraud warnings

We found no EU-level rule on the use of AI tools in Erasmus Mundus applications. Any such rule comes from the individual consortium, so read your programme's application page and any declaration you sign before using AI tools or outside help, and follow it.

EACEA warns about fraud attempts: EU scholarships are never granted in exchange for a fee, and applicants should check that an advert comes from a trustworthy source before sharing personal data. Anyone who promises selection for money is not acting for the programme. For your recommendation letters, the kit's Referee Brief gives each referee the programme's format and deadline without supplying any wording.

General information: this article is general information, not admissions advice. Rules, document lists and deadlines are set by each consortium and change between intakes, so always check your programme's own page before you apply.

Sources