The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Italy)

What is Erasmus Mundus?

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international, full-degree master’s programmes designed and run jointly by universities across several European countries — fundamentally different from the Erasmus+ exchange: not a term away from your own university but a two-year, full master’s applied to directly. Across the programme you generally study in more than one country (Italy plus one or two others, say) and take a joint or multiple diploma at the end. With Italian universities partnered in many of the programmes, Italy becomes part of the education itself.

The full funding and its coverage

The programmes’ most attractive side is the comprehensive scholarships frequently offered to the selected students — generally covering the tuition, a monthly living allowance and the travel/installation contributions: near-full funding for the programmes’ strongest candidates. The scholarship places run limited and the competition high — but won, the award is a prestigious multi-country master’s fully financed. The exact coverage varies by programme. For the academically strong, Erasmus Mundus is among the most prestigious fully funded roads into Italy and Europe there are.

How do you apply?

Unlike the Erasmus+ exchange, the Mundus application goes not through your own university but directly to the programme’s consortium — each programme with its own site, portal, deadlines and criteria. First find the Mundus programme that fits your interest, then apply on its conditions: generally the academic file, the motivation letter, the references, the language certificate and sometimes extras. With the programmes in English, English proficiency is required — and with the calendars opening generally a year ahead, early research and preparation are essential.

Who does it suit?

Erasmus Mundus is ideal for the academically strong, open to the international experience and willing to study across several countries. A strong bachelor’s file, a clear academic interest and good English are the baseline for programmes this competitive; and the mobility of studying in different countries is enriching and demanding at once — readiness for that way of life matters. A Mundus programme in your field, and a fully funded international master’s the goal: these programmes deserve serious weighing. The comparison with the other channels is in the decision guide.

Notes for Turkish students

For Turkish students, Erasmus Mundus is the prestigious road to a fully funded international master’s — and a programme with Italy partnered is Italy experienced as part of the education. With the application going directly to the consortium, research the fitting programmes early and track the deadlines; complete the preparations — the diploma–transcript apostille, the sworn translation, the English certificate — in advance, and plan the translations early. Competitive it is — but with a strong file, Erasmus Mundus can open the door to an education fully financed across Italy and Europe.

How do you find the fitting programme?

The first step is finding the Mundus programme that fits your interest. A great many Joint Masters run across the fields — engineering, the social sciences, environment, health, culture and more; the official Mundus catalogues and the programmes’ own sites show which run where, and with which universities. Choosing the Italy-partnered ones makes Italy part of the education. Compare the programmes on field, partner universities, the countries studied in and the scholarship provision — the right programme found is the application’s and the experience’s foundation, so start the research early.

The consortium structure and the mobility

The programmes are run by consortia of universities across several countries — meaning you study in different countries across the programme: a term in Italy, a term elsewhere in Europe. The mobility makes a rich, varied academic experience, and demands the frequent moves and the adaptation to different systems that go with it — readiness matters. Each programme’s consortium differs; settle before applying which countries, in which order, and what each stage expects. The structure understood is the programme’s fit judged right.

The diploma and its recognition

Completing a Mundus programme, you take — by the consortium’s structure — a joint, double or multiple diploma, issued by all or some of the partner universities and recognised internationally: great academic prestige and standing for the programme, and a strong position for its graduates on the academic and professional roads alike. Learn before applying which diploma type the programme grants and how it is recognised where. Carrying several European universities’ joint endorsement, the Mundus diploma is a valuable, respected document for the career.

Preparing the application

Mundus applications are competitive and reward the preparation: the strong academic file, the persuasive motivation letter, the quality references and a valid English certificate are the core — with the diploma–transcript apostille and sworn translation prepared early besides. The calendars opening generally a year before the programme’s start, early planning is essential; and each programme carrying its own deadlines and requirements, track your targets’ conditions closely. The sworn translations completed in advance save time in this exacting process — and strengthen the file.

A short checklist

• Research the Italy-partnered programmes fitting your interest
• Learn the consortium structure and the countries studied in
• Check the diploma type and its recognition
• Prepare the strong file, the motivation letter and the references
• Track the application calendar a year ahead

Frequently asked questions