FAQ - Frequently asked Questions
(This information is valid for student intakes 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028.)
Scholarships: General Rules and Eligibility
Question: Is it possible to apply to more than one Erasmus Mundus joint programme?
Answer: Yes, students can apply for an EMJMD scholarship to any of the Erasmus+ Erasmus Mundus courses of their choice (EMJMD catalogue: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/library/emjmd-catalogue_en). As of January 2022, there is no more official limit for the number of EMJMD programmes that the students can apply for.
Question: Is it possible to apply as a part-time student?
Answer: No, all Erasmus Mundus students must study full-time.
Question: Can I apply if I already hold a Master degree? Or: Can I apply if I already hold an Erasmus Mundus Master degree?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to apply if you already hold a Master degree. However, students who have previously obtained an EMJM scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship under the EMJM. In case of false declarations, the student has to reimburse all scholarships unduly paid, as well as the participation fee.
Application Requirements and Documents
Question: I want to apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, but I will not receive my final university degree diploma before the application deadline. Can I hand in my diploma later?
Answer: Yes, if you submit until the regular application deadline the “Statement on expected first university degree”, you may submit the scanned copy of your final university diploma later. Find out more in section Application Documents.
Question: English was the language of tuition during my secondary education (high school etc.) and/or during my university studies...
Or: I come from a country in which English is the official language...
Or: I am a teacher of English language...
..., can I be exempted from providing a test of proficiency in English from TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge CPE?
Answer: Applicants with a Bachelor degree or a two-year Master degree completed in English in a university or university of applied sciences in any country of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), or in Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States, can be exempted, as well as applicants with a full secondary education completed in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States. (Applicants must have resided in the country while studying.) Cf. section in Admission Requirements. Apart from this, MARIHE programm cannot grant any other exemptions.
Question: Concerning the two letters of recommendation - what are the formal requirements for the letters?
Answer: The letters of recommendation should be submitted as scanned copies of the original typed and signed paper letters. They have to include the signature and the contact details of the referee, and (if possible) should be on headed paper of the institution and bear the stamp of the institution. Letters, where the signature has been integrated as a graphic item into the PDF will NOT be accepted. Applicants should ask referees to provide them either with the original signed letter or with a scanned copy of the original signed letter. Digitally/electronically signed letters will be accepted. Applicants should turn in the letters electronically in the application database as two letters merged in one PDF file. The submission via e-mail is not accepted.
Question: Concerning the two letters of recommendation - I am already working. Can I submit as letters of recommendation letters from my employer/ persons supervising me at my job?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to hand in letters from employers/supervisors at work. However, we recommend that you hand in at least one letter of recommendation from a university professor or university lecturer that knows you from university classes.
Another possibility: In addition to two letters of recommendation from university professors/lecturers you can hand in a letter/confirmation from your employer or the person that supervises you in your job as an optional document.
For more information see next FAQ-entry.
Another possibility: In addition to two letters of recommendation from university professors/lecturers you can hand in a letter/confirmation from your employer or the person that supervises you in your job as an optional document.
For more information see next FAQ-entry.
Question: Is work experience required for applying to MARIHE programme?
Answer: No, this is not required. However, work experience can be a strong advantage for an application, especially if it has been acquired working for (higher) education institutions. To have work experience acknowledged applicants should clearly state it in their CV and hand in a letter/confirmation of their employer with their electronic application. This letter/confirmation should describe the type of work experience (function and responsibilities) as well as the applicant's skills.
Question: Do I need a first university degree in a certain subject or field to apply?
Answer: No. MARIHE programme requires at least a Bachelor degree issued by a university (i.e. a first university degree), quantified as three years of studies corresponding to 180 ECTS. We do not require this university degree to be in a certain field or subject. More important to us is the applicant's motivation to choose the MARIHE programme with regard to his/her previous education, working experience (if applicable) and future career plans.
Selection and Admission Process
Question: What is the review process?
Answer: To select the students for the programme, MARIHE partners will review all eligible applications. Each application is reviewed by two reviewers that assess the applicants academic quality, motivation, personal skillls and English language skills. Both reviewers will give scores which will lead to a ranking list of all eligible applications. The final decision on the selection then lies with the MARIHE Admission Board. The reviewers from the first and second step (cf. application process) are the same.
Question: When will I get the result of my application?
Answer: After the 1st review, you will be notified about the result (shortlisted for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship/ shortlisted as a self-funded student/ rejected). After the 2nd review, you will again be notified about the result (placement on scholarship main list/ placement on scholarship reserve list/ placment on self-funded student main list/ placement on self-funded reserve list/ rejected). The final notification will most likely happen during February/March in the year of the intake.
Question: I have a degree from a Chinese university. Is it necessary that I get my graduation documents checked by the Akademische Prüfstelle/APS for application for MARIHE?
Answer: No, a check of your Chinese graduation documents by Akademische Prüfstelle/APS is not required for the application process, but it will be required later for admission process in case you are selected for participation in MARIHE (no matter if as a scholarship holder or as a self-paying student). More information here.
Practicalities
Question: How much are the living costs in the cities of the MARIHE consortium partners?
Answer: This will vary due to personal requirements and preferences. As a general orientation, please see our information leaflet on estimated costs: Student Participation Costs - Marihe - Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education
Question: Will MARIHE Consortium partners provide accommodation for students?
Answer: In general, it is the students' responsibility to find a suitable accommodation. However, MARIHE Consortium will support students of the programme in finding accommodation, either through special arrangements with e.g. student dormitories, or by providing the relevant information and contacts to accomodation providers. For the internship period, the host institution can provide support in finding accommodation. Please note that participants will have to pay all accommodation costs themselves, and that MARIHE Consortium is not involved in any contractual issues related to accommodation (i.e. students will sign a rent contract directly with an accommodation provider and not with MARIHE Consortium).
Question: Can students in MARIHE programme choose at which of the European or Asian partner universities they spend the specializations?
Answer: The allocation to a university where a student in MARIHE spends the 3rd and 4th semester, is connected with his/her specialisations in Asia and Europe. MARIHE consortium will also take into account personal preferences and organizational issues (e.g. visa issues and an equal distribution of students among the partners hosting the fourth semester). Please note that the final decision for allocating a student to a mobility track and to a partner university lies within the MARIHE Consortium.
Question: I would like to apply as a non-scholarship holder (self-funded student). Is there an estimation on the total costs available?
Answer: An information on the estimated costs for MARIHE programme (including subsistence, travel and other costs for the whole programme duration of two years) is available here (see Estimation of Full Costs). Until further notice, self-funded participants do not have to pay the participation fee either, since the Consortium decided to waive this fee, based on the new funding structure.