All About Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD)

This blog discusses complete information about Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) in brief.

INTRODUCTION (Read these points carefully)

• An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD), is a prestigious, integrated, international study program, jointly delivered by an international group of higher education institutions.
• If you are looking for Jobs in Europe after study, then you must apply as Erasmus people get priority over other candidates. They also have lots of professional activities to do during their studies.
• You will spend your semester in at least 2 countries in Europe.
• You can apply for a maximum of 3 programs from EMJMD Catalogue. If you apply for more than 3, your all previous application will be rejected. So, be careful.
• Duration: An EMJMD is a study program of 60 (roughly equals to 1 year Master), 90 or 120 ECTS (Roughly 2 years) credits. This means that it lasts from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. If you have already completed a Master's Degree, still you can apply for 1 year MS degree if you find the relevant program.
• Scholarship Amount: The EMJMD scholarship covers your participation costs (including the tuition fees, library and laboratory costs, full insurance coverage, and any other mandatory costs related to your participation in the Master); it represents a contribution to your travel and installation costs and includes a monthly subsistence allowance for the entire duration of the study program.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY (Match & Confirm from your desired program)

• At least 16 Years of Education (Last semester/final year students can apply to many programs if they expect their undergraduate degrees to be completed around June/July 2021, however, you need to check websites of specific programs and email the coordinators to confirm this).

• Proficiency in the English Language is a compulsory requirement (Some programs will accept English Proficiency letters from your University but most want IELTS/TOEFL as compulsory to apply). To be on the safer side, take IELTS/TOEFL latest by December. Most programs require 6.5 and some need 7 scores in IELTS or 80 or 90 in TOEFL. Some programs also require that no individual score within IELTS is below 6 (or equivalent for TOEFL).

• You need a Passport as an Identity Document to apply, so apply for it and keep it ready. Most programs’ applications open in October and end variably around January, February, or even March (rarely). Opening of applications and deadlines to apply to vary from program to program.

How to Apply? (Application Procedure)

STEP 1

FIND YOUR DESIRED PROGRAM

• Explore the online EMJMD Catalogue (Chose your Max 3 Programs here: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/emjmd-catalogue_en) and contact the consortium (coordinators’ contacts are given on the website of each program) offering the Master Course for more information on courses and application procedures.
• Each program has its own website. Find it and Explore it, find the eligibility criteria, required documents, other necessary things, and apply accordingly. The application process is easy. (Some new MS programs are added to the list of offered MS programs each summer and some may be removed as well. So, you have to check the above website regularly.)

STEP 2

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All programs have different requirements. All programs mostly provide a grid of weights or a general idea of the components of the application that they will consider in determining your merit.

For example, Academic Qualification 30%, Experience in the same field 15%, TOEFL/IELTS 5%, SOP 20%, LOR 10%, etc.

1. DEGREE and TRANSCRIPT (Available or should be available around June, July 2021)
2. 2 Letters of Recommendation (Generally, again you need to check program requirements). The formats vary from program to program, your online application will contain guidelines.
3. Motivation Letter (Word lengths will vary a lot from program to program). Some don’t give any limit, others may give only one paragraph.
4. IELTS/TOEFL (6.5 is safe for most on IELTS or TOEFL Equivalent/English Proficiency Letter if they take it), however, 7.0 is needed for some more competitive programs so try to get a 7.0. OR in TOEFL 80 is safe but some require 92+, so try to score 92+)
5. CV in Europass format (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose)
6. Passport
7. Certificate of Residence that you have not been living in Europe for 1 or more years within the last 5 years (if you want to apply as a partner country student). Otherwise, even being Indian you will be considered a program country applicant. It can be taken as a letter from university/workplace/municipal office etc. and get it attested ideally from a notary public lawyer.
• Note: Ideally include your passport number as well in the above residence certificate and it should be on letterhead if possible with a sign/stamp from the authorized person and attested by notary public also change the details as per your own scenario. For instance, if you have never been abroad, you can write as, “I have been living in Aligarh, UP, India since birth…”
• The only thing they are checking through this letter is that you shouldn’t have lived for 12 months or more in Europe in the last 5 years. Otherwise, you are considered program country students (like European nationals) and not partner country students (like India and all non-Europeans, etc. with higher scholarships because we are not from Europe so our cost of attendance would be high).
8. Any other documents you deem as important for your selection like experience certificates, projects, GRE scores maybe if they are high, certificates, seminars/conferences/workshops attended, honors and awards, etc.

STEP 3

AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• In case you are shortlisted after the initial screening of applications (complete/valid information plus merit-based selection on the basis of your documents, qualification, etc.), you will be informed about your online interview through email (some programs don’t have an interview so don’t worry if there isn’t one for your program).

• Skype interviews are the last step if you are shortlisted for it and if there is an interview for your program, after that you either get selected with/without a scholarship and are informed via mail to confirm your admission by completing their required formalities.

• The dates of acceptance/rejection vary according to deadlines. Programs with early deadlines announce results a bit earlier than others. But after selection, all the students fly to Europe generally around SEPTEMBER. If you apply in September call of 2020 and get selected, you will go to your home Country University in September 2021.

KEY POINTS FOR INCREASING YOUR CHANCES OF SELECTION

Maximum 2 or 3 people per program per country are selected for this scholarship. This is a highly competitive and therefore highly prestigious scholarship.

It is just for guidance purposes according to the experiences of people on the internet.

• GPA is the crucial factor for admission in Erasmus scholarships (If you have a low GPA, you can compensate through GRE, however, GRE is not mandatory for any of the Erasmus programs.)
• TOEFL/IELTS (95% of Master's programs are taught in English, so take it as soon, it has some weight, if you don't have, you will lose your marks voluntarily. However, few programs require proficiency in some European languages too as one or some semesters are offered in local languages so check individual websites before applying to any specific program.
• Your past academic and professional background and relevant experience, if applicable.
• Subjects grasp in which you are applying (interviews are sometimes technical and lengthy, so be ready for it.)
• Experience in the same field demonstrated through internships/job/research experience etc.
• Your intent and ability to study/work in highly diverse and cross-cultural contexts (demonstrate it in your interview too if you have taken any trips/projects/jobs etc. with any foreigners)
• Your Motivation Letter MATTERS A LOT more than you may dedicate time for it, it can make or break the deal irrespective of your CGPA, etc. I posted a lot of samples in the group (Motivation Letter Samples and Guidelines). Also, Google how to write an effective SOP/Motivation letter.
• Letters of Recommendation, It must be something real or genuine. Don't write a general one.
• Your co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
• Your passion and intent to study in the field you applied to, demonstrated through motivation letter and an interview plus by taking relevant courses/internships, etc.)

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