Erasmus Mundus Tunisia: a complete guide for Tunisian applicants

Erasmus Mundus Tunisia: what is it?

People who search for "erasmus mundus tunisia" usually want a straight answer: can a Tunisian student do a master's in Europe on a full scholarship? Yes, it is possible, but the system works differently from what many expect.

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is a master's programme designed and taught jointly by a group of universities, called a consortium. According to the official Erasmus+ page, each consortium brings together at least three institutions in at least three different countries, along with associated partners from the academic and non-academic world.

In practice, you move between universities and countries during the programme. It usually combines coursework, research, a traineeship, then writing and defending a thesis. At the end you receive either a single joint degree issued on behalf of at least two institutions, or multiple degrees issued by at least two universities in the consortium.

The programme lasts one to two academic years, that is 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

Source: Erasmus+ – Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (page étudiants) · checked 23 Oct 2026

Can Tunisians apply? Entry requirements

Tunisian eligibility: confirmed. The Erasmus+ students page says students from all over the world are welcome, and the Erasmus+ Programme Guide states that EMJM scholarships can be offered to students of any nationality.

The basic EU requirements are:

• hold a bachelor's degree (first university degree) or be in the final year of a bachelor's;
• complete that degree before the master's begins;
• otherwise, show a level of learning equivalent to a bachelor's, provided it is officially recognised in the country that awards the degree.

Each master then adds its own requirements: field of study, grades, language test, experience. You will only find these on the official website of the master you are targeting.

Worth knowing: the Programme Guide asks consortia to keep a geographical balance. No more than 10% of a project's scholarships should go to candidates of the same nationality, so Tunisian applicants to the same master are also competing with each other. This cap does not apply to the additional scholarships some masters receive for targeted regions of the world. For the 2026 call, the Neighbourhood South region, which includes Tunisia, has an indicative 18% of that budget, and at least 20% of this share should go to Tunisia. How many such scholarships each master offers is to be confirmed with the consortium.

Finally, a student who has already received an EMJM scholarship cannot apply for a second one.

Source: Guide du programme Erasmus+ – Partie B, action Erasmus Mundus (appel 2026) · checked 23 Oct 2026

What does the Erasmus Mundus scholarship cover?

Masters may offer full scholarships to the best-ranked students, whatever their country. According to the Erasmus+ action page, the EU scholarship for individuals is EUR 1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months (rules of the 2026 call in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide; the amount each master applies for the 2027 intake is to be confirmed).

The students page adds that the scholarship covers participation costs for the master and contributes to travel, visa and living costs.

The Programme Guide gives three useful details:

• a funded master cannot charge application fees;
• an Erasmus Mundus scholarship holder pays no tuition fees or other mandatory costs linked to taking part in the course;
• the scholarship requires full-time enrolment and covers the whole programme (12, 18 or 24 months).

The Programme Guide also says that the funding paid to the consortium covers, among other things, full insurance coverage for enrolled students.

Still to check for each master: the payment schedule, the details of that insurance (including health) and how the travel contribution is worked out. These points are to be confirmed with the consortium for the 2027 intake.

Source: Erasmus+ – Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (page de l'action, montant de la bourse) · checked 23 Oct 2026

Calendar: when to apply for the 2027 intake

There is no single deadline. According to the EACEA catalogue and the students page, most masters take applications between October and January for courses starting the following academic year. For the 2027-2028 academic year, the window to watch is therefore October 2026 to January 2027.

Each consortium sets its own date, and the steps can differ depending on whether you apply with or without a scholarship: each master's website sets them out. The exact date for each master is to be confirmed on its official website.

A realistic timeline from Tunisia:

• September-October: shortlist three to five masters and read their requirements;
• October-November: sit the language test, ask for recommendation letters, arrange translations;
• November-January: write one motivation letter per master and submit your applications;
• from spring: consortia send their decisions, then visa steps if you are admitted (dates to be confirmed for each master).

Source: EACEA – Erasmus Mundus Catalogue · checked 23 Oct 2026

Choosing a master in the Erasmus Mundus catalogue

Your search starts in the Erasmus Mundus catalogue of EACEA, the European agency that runs the programme. It is updated every year and listed 218 projects on 23 October 2026. You can filter by field of study, country, university and duration (12, 18 or 24 months).

Be careful: the catalogue warns that some listed masters do not offer Erasmus Mundus scholarships, for example those reaching the end of their funding period or allowed to keep the Erasmus Mundus name for a while after funding ends. Before investing time, check on the master's website that it awards scholarships for the 2027 intake.

A detail of interest to Tunisian readers: Tunisia appears in the catalogue's country filter, and Tunisian institutions such as the University of Tunis El Manar, the University of Sfax and the Virtual University of Tunis appear in the catalogue's list of universities. Note, however, that under the Programme Guide the two compulsory study periods must take place in countries other than your country of residence at the time of enrolment.

To narrow your choice, compare the course content with your bachelor's, the teaching language, the countries on the mobility track and the stated career outcomes. The Erasmus Mundus Association, mentioned on the Erasmus+ page, also offers application resources, contacts and stories from successful applicants.

Source: EACEA – Erasmus Mundus Catalogue · checked 23 Oct 2026

Building a strong application from Tunisia

You apply directly on the master's own portal, to the consortium. There is no national channel: the EU-funded National Erasmus+ Office Tunisia gives information about the programme; under the Programme Guide, selecting students is the sole responsibility of the consortium. Opporiva does not submit applications on your behalf either.

The documents most often requested (the exact list depends on each master):

• valid passport;
• bachelor's degree or proof of enrolment in the final year;
• transcripts for every year;
• language certificate, often English, at the score the master sets;
• CV, sometimes in Europass format;
• a motivation letter written for that master;
• recommendation letters.

Your Tunisian documents are often in Arabic or French. Check whether the master accepts French or requires a sworn translation into English, and start these steps early. In your motivation letter, connect your background to the consortium's specific programme: why these universities, this mobility track, and what you plan to do afterwards. A generic letter sent to five masters is easy to spot.

Source: Opporiva editorial team · checked 23 Oct 2026

After selection: mobility, visa and traps to avoid

Physical mobility is compulsory for every student, with or without a scholarship. The Programme Guide requires at least two study periods in two countries, at least one of them an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme. Each period must be at least one semester, or 30 ECTS credits (exceptionally, at least 20 ECTS for 60-ECTS masters). These periods cannot be replaced by distance learning.

If you are admitted, ask the consortium how the visa application works: the Programme Guide lists visa support among the common services offered to students. Leave plenty of time: appointments, supporting documents and processing times vary by country (to be confirmed with the embassy concerned).

Common traps:

• assuming every master in the catalogue offers a scholarship;
• mixing up the procedure with a scholarship and the one without (check steps and dates on the master's website);
• paying a middleman who promises a guaranteed scholarship: the EACEA catalogue page links to a "Scams and Frauds" section, and a funded master cannot charge application fees;
• leaving the language test or translations to the last week.

No step guarantees a scholarship: selection is competitive and decided by each consortium.

Source: Guide du programme Erasmus+ – Partie B, action Erasmus Mundus (appel 2026) · checked 23 Oct 2026