The Playbook
Erasmus Mundus, explained step by step
Start with what Erasmus Mundus is, then work through programme choice, the application itself, every document you may need, and the strategy that keeps several applications on track.
Chapter 1
Erasmus Mundus, explained
What a Joint Master is, how consortia and mobility work, how scholarships differ from admission, who can apply, and the misconceptions that cost applicants time and money.
Chapter 2
How to choose the right programme
A practical method for turning 200 options into a shortlist you can defend, weighed against your own priorities.
Chapter 3
The application process, step by step
Twenty-two steps from self-assessment to enrolment, with what to do, what to watch for, and where programmes differ.
Chapter 4
Building a competitive document set
How selection committees read an application, how to build one master set of documents and adapt it per programme, and where most of the preparation time goes.
Chapter 5
Strategy, common mistakes and scams
How many programmes to apply to, how to plan a season of deadlines, the mistakes that most often sink applications, and how to recognise scams and misinformation.
Chapter 6
After you apply
Interviews, result types, reserve lists, deciding between offers, accepting, and preparing for enrolment and mobility.
Templates
Ready-to-adapt e-mails for referees and programme coordinators, and a planning sheet for your motivation letter.
- Motivation letter planning sheetPlan the argument before you write. Collect the evidence and programme specifics that make a letter credible.
- Recommendation request kitAn e-mail template, a briefing table for referees, and a reminder schedule.
- Questions to ask a programme coordinatorPrecise questions that get useful answers, and a template e-mail. Ask early and only what the website does not answer.
Document preparation guides
One guide per document: what it is, why programmes ask for it, who issues it, how to prepare it, common mistakes, a quality-control checklist and a planning lead time. Whether a document is required always depends on the programme.
- Academic transcriptsCommonly required
- Bachelor's degree certificate or diplomaCommonly required (or proof of expected graduation)
- Proof of expected graduationConditional (final-year applicants)
- Grading scale explanationProgramme-dependent, useful for all
- Course descriptions and syllabiProgramme-dependent
- CV or résuméCommonly required
- Motivation letterCommonly required
- Statement of purposeProgramme-dependent
- Recommendation and reference lettersCommonly required
- English language certificateCommonly required (exemptions vary)
- Other language certificatesProgramme-dependent (track-specific)
- Passport or national IDCommonly required
- Proof of residenceCommon for scholarship applicants
- PhotographProgramme-dependent
- Certified translationsConditional (documents not in an accepted language)
- Legalisation and apostilleConditional (often after admission)
- Work experience evidenceProgramme-dependent
- Professional certificationsOptional, programme-dependent
- PortfolioProgramme-dependent
- Research or project proposalProgramme-dependent
- Writing sample or essayProgramme-dependent
- Additional tests (GRE, GMAT, entrance tests)Programme-dependent (rare)
- InterviewCommon for shortlisted candidates
- Other programme-specific documentsProgramme-dependent