Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to our FAQ section. Here you’ll find detailed answers to the most common questions about the MARIHE programme, from admission requirements and application procedures to funding opportunities, career prospects and practicalities.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for below, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our MARIHE Secretariat directly: marihe@donau-uni.ac.at

Why MARIHE?

MARIHE (Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education) is a 2-year Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) programme offering a unique global perspective on higher education, research, and innovation. The programme is delivered across seven partner institutions in Europe and Asia, providing students with an international educational experience that prepares them for leadership roles in higher education systems worldwide. The programme focuses on developing critical thinking, research skills, and innovation management capabilities within the context of higher education governance and policy. Check out MARIHE in brief.

The programme is designed to develop both core competencies and professional skills that prepare students for leadership and innovation in higher education.

Among the core competencies, students will strengthen their critical thinking and analytical reasoning, enhance their leadership capacity in educational contexts, and acquire entrepreneurial and innovation management skills. They will also gain solid grounding in research design and methodology, deepen their understanding of higher education governance, and develop cross-cultural management and communication abilities. Additionally, students will learn to conduct policy analysis and development, as well as engage in strategic planning for educational institutions.

In terms of professional skills, the programme emphasizes international project management and multicultural team collaboration, enabling students to work effectively in diverse environments. It also builds expertise in educational technology integration, stakeholder engagement and communication, and equips students with tools for change management within academic settings. Together, these skills create a comprehensive foundation for professional advancement in global higher education.

Graduates of the programme are well-positioned to pursue careers across a range of sectors in education and beyond. Career opportunities exist in higher education institutions such as universities, colleges, and research institutes, as well as in government agencies and education ministries. Graduates may also find roles within international organizations like UNESCO, the World Bank, and EU institutions, or in NGOs dedicated to education, educational consulting firms, and research and policy think tanks.

Within these sectors, graduates typically pursue roles that include managerial positions in academic administration and institutional management, analytical positions in policy analysis and institutional research, and research-focused positions in educational studies and innovation. Leadership opportunities such as department head, programme director, or strategic planning roles are also common, along with consulting opportunities in higher education system reform and advisory work.

Importantly, the programme prepares graduates with a special focus on leadership, innovation, and institutional management, with a strong orientation toward both European and Asian higher education contexts.

The programme comprises 120 ECTS, spread over four full-time semesters (2 years). All students must study on-site and full-time. Remote and part-time study is not permitted for Erasmus Mundus programmes. Read our Curriculum page for more detailed information on courses and content. The academic year follows the European higher education calendar, with each semester consisting of approximately 30 ECTS credits of coursework, research, and practical activities.

Further information is also provided on the website of the University for Continuing Education Krems (coordinating institution), incl. a translation from the University Bulletin: Ordinance of the University for Continuing Education Krems on the curriculum of the continuing education master´s program „Research and Innovation in Higher Education“ (Faculty of Education, Arts and Architecture, Department for Higher Education Research).

Students have the same mobility track in the first two semesters (Krems/Austria and Tampere/Finland). In the third semester, students chose their specialization in Asia (Beijing/China or Patiala/India) and in Europe (Krems/Austria, Tampere/Finland, Osnabrück/Germany, Budapest/Hungary, or Aveiro/Portugal). The master’s thesis (fourth semester) is written at one of the visited specialization hosts (either the host in Europe or in Asia). The mandatory 8-week internship can be done worldwide. Please find further information here: Mobility, Specialisations & Degrees – MARIHE

Please note: While student preferences are considered, the final allocation to a host university and mobility track in the third and fourth semester is determined by the MARIHE Consortium, based on specialization choices, organizational factors (including visa requirements), and a balanced student distribution among the partner institutions. This means that the final allocation decision lies within the consortium, not the student.

Graduates receive either a joint, double or multiple master’s degree, depending on their specialization track. The degree structure ensures that the qualification is awarded collaboratively by the participating universities within your mobility track, providing international recognition and academic credibility across multiple higher education systems. More information is available here: Mobility, Specialisations & Degrees – MARIHE

Yes. Students can apply for an EMJM scholarship to any of the Erasmus Mundus courses of their choice (EMJM catalogue). As of January 2022, there is no more official limit for the number of EMJM programmes that the students can apply for.

Important: Students with previously awarded EMJM scholarships cannot apply for another EMJM scholarship. In case of false declarations, the student has to reimburse all scholarships unduly paid, incl. the participation costs.

Who can apply?

The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:

  1. A first university degree quantified as three years of studies (full time) corresponding to 180 ECTS, e.g. a bachelor’s degree.
  2. Sufficient knowledge of English for academic purposes.
  3. Strong motivation and interest in higher education.

>> No Subject Restrictions: You do not need a degree in any specific field or subject. MARIHE welcomes applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. What matters most is your motivation for choosing the programme, in relation to your previous education, work experience (if applicable), and future career plans.

>> Work Experience: While not required (nor recognised) for admission, work experience can be a strong advantage for your application, especially if acquired in higher education institutions. If you have relevant work experience, clearly state it in your CV and include a letter of confirmation from your employer describing your role, responsibilities, and skills developed.

>> Previous Master’s Degree(s): You can apply if you already hold one ore more Master’s degree(s).

For detailed information, carefully read our Admission Requirements page.

No. All Erasmus Mundus students must study full-time and on-site. The international mobility structure of the programme requires full-time commitment throughout the two-year duration.

How can i apply?

All applications to the programme must be submitted electronically via the official MARIHE online application database (Evalato) and only during an open application period. Be sure to carefully review the How to Apply page for application guidelines, required documents and so on before starting your submission! Especially refer to the most recent version of our MARIHE Guideline for Applicants.

Please note: Paper or e-mail applications are generally not accepted.

For an application to MARIHE, the following documents have to be submitted:

Application Round 1 (mandatory for all applicants):

  1. MARIHE Application form
  2. Copy of passport or national ID
  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV; in Europass format)
  4. Motivation letter
  5. University diploma(s) / degree certificate(s)
  6. Official transcript(s) of records
  7. Proof of English language proficiency
  8. Two letters of recommendation
  9. Essay

Application Round 2 (only if shortlisted):

  1. Short video

For full details, please carefully read the Application Documents page and the corresponding MARIHE Guideline for Applicants. We advice you to pay great attention to the (formal) requirements, otherwise your application will not be considered.

Exemption can only be granted, if the education (which must be a Bachelor, 2-year Master, or full secondary education) took place in one of those countries (you must have resided in that country while studying):

  • any country of the European Union (EU) or in the European Economic Area (EEA) [applies only to tertiary education]
  • Switzerland [applies only to tertiary education]
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • the United Kingdom
  • the United States.

Please carefully check the Admission Requirements, section Exemption from the test requirement! If you are unsure whether your previous qualification and experiences do exempt you from providing an English language test certificate according to our requirements or not, please do not hesitate to contact us in advance: marihe@donau-uni.ac.at

The programme has a new student intake every September or October, with the application period opening in late summer/autumn of the previous year. For instance, the application period for intake 2025 will be open in the second half of 2024, and so on. The exact dates are announced here: How to Apply – MARIHE

Under the current funding cycle, there will be a student intake with available Erasmus Mundus scholarships in the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028.

The final results of the student selection are usually published in February of the intake year. For exact deadlines, please refer to the Process and Timeline page.

MARIHE uses a two-round review process to ensure a fair and thorough assessment of every application. Each submission is evaluated by two independent reviewers from the consortium who consider academic quality, motivation and programme suitability, personal skills, and English language proficiency. Both rounds are carried out by the same reviewers to maintain consistency. Their scores form a ranked list of all eligible applicants. The final student selection (participation with or without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship) is decided by the MARIHE Admission Board, based on the ranking. For detailed criteria and weighting, please see the Assessment Criteria page.

Unfortunately, we are not allowed to communicate any details from the main and reserve list placements, the review rankings, or the student selection results. We cannot give any feedback on the quality of your application either.

What does it Cost to participate? Are there Funding Options? And how about practicalities?

Yes. MARIHE offers full Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Each scholarship is worth € 1,400 per month and contributes to travel, visa, installation, and subsistence costs, for up to 24 months. The scholarship also includes the coverage of the participation costs (tuition fees) and a worldwide health and accident insurance. The number of available Erasmus Mundus scholarships per intake is limited. Find out more: Funding – MARIHE

Then you can also participate in MARIHE without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship. The consortium offers tuition fee scholarships to all students without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship – meaning that the participation costs (tuition fees) of EUR 18,000 are waived.

In addition, there may be other funding options available for non-EM-scholarship holders, e.g. Erasmus+ Student Mobility funding, or a special scholarship awarded by the consortium for students from deprived backgrounds and/or first-in-family students. See the Funding – MARIHE page for full details, including a guide to external funding sources.

Living costs vary depending on the host city and your lifestyle. We provide a rough estimation of costs with accommodation, meals, transport, and other costs, in the Costs – MARIHE section. Please note that all figures in this leaflet are estimates and subject to change! MARIHE consortium cannot held liable.

MARIHE is a full-time study programme with a corresponding and demanding workload. Schedule times vary from day to day. Therefore, we do not recommend taking up work besides your commitment as a (high-mobility) student – however, it is not forbidden. In any case, the applicable visa regulations must be taken into account.

If you are not a national of an EU/EEA country, you will need to apply for a “Residence Permit – Student” for students participating in a mobility programme with a validity of two years (i.e. the duration of the programme; exact dates will be communicated in time). In most cases, applications for the residence permit have to be submitted at the competent Austrian embassy/consulate in the country of residence (since Austria is the first country you will have to enter at the start of the programme). More information are available on the website of the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD, https://oead.at/en/to-austria/entry-and-residence/residence-permit-student-mobility-programme). Students will receive updated instructions after their selection for the participation in the programme.

Important: Students without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship are required to provide the authorities with a proof of sufficient financial means to cover the living costs for two years. Students under 24 years of age must have EUR 722.58 per month available. Students aged 24 and over must have EUR 1,308.39 per month available in their accounts (as of February 2026). This does not mean that those amounts will indeed cover all your individual costs.

Special visa requirements for, e.g., the mobility to Asia, will be provided in a timely manner.

Students will receive detailed handbooks with practicalities at the start of each mobility to prepare them for living in another country, incl. visa and travel arrangements, housing options, information about the host university and city, the study period, etc. Furthermore, each partner names at least one contact person to assist students with on-boarding questions.

In general, it is the sole responsibility of the student to secure accommodation during the programme. However, the MARIHE consortium partners provide valuable support to make this process easier. This support may include special arrangements with student dormitories (if available), providing useful information and contacts of local accommodation providers, and offering guidance on navigating the housing market in each location. During the internship period, the host institution may provide additional support to help students securing accommodation.

Because housing markets and availability differ across locations, students are advised to begin their accommodation search early enough for each city on their mobility track. This will help to ensure better access to suitable housing options and smoother transitions between the mobilities.

Please note: Students remain fully responsible for their accommodation costs. Rental agreements are made directly between students and housing providers. The MARIHE Consortium itself is not contractually involved.

In the first and second semester, all students follow the same mobility path (Krems/Austria and Tampere/Finland). In the third and fourth semester, students chose their specialization in Asia (Beijing/China or Patiala/India) and in Europe (Krems/Austria, Tampere/Finland, Osnabrück/Germany, Budapest/Hungary, or Aveiro/Portugal). However, the final allocation is decided by the consortium – not the student. For this, the consortium takes into account both personal preferences and organizational issues (e.g. visa issues and an equal distribution of students among the partners). Students are asked to name their preferences and are definitely allocated to one of their choices (but not necessarily to the first).