Imagine studying one master’s across two or three European countries, with your tuition, travel, insurance, and a monthly living stipend all covered. That’s Erasmus Mundus — one of the most generous and prestigious scholarships open to Sri Lankans. Here’s how it works and how to apply.
Scholarship coverage and country allocations change each cycle. The details below are for guidance only — always confirm current funding availability, programme details, and deadlines on the official Erasmus+ pages and each programme’s own website before applying.
What Erasmus Mundus is
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) is a high-quality, integrated master’s delivered by a consortium of universities across different European countries. You typically study at two or more institutions and graduate with a joint or multiple degree. The EU funds a set number of scholarships per programme to attract top students worldwide.
A full scholarship is designed to cover:
- check_circle A monthly living stipend (commonly around €1,400) for the programme's duration
- check_circle Tuition / participation costs
- check_circle A contribution toward travel and installation
- check_circle Insurance
An important note on availability for Sri Lanka
Funding is allocated per region and can fill up. In some cycles, fully funded places for applicants from certain countries — Sri Lanka included — may already be allocated, while fee-waiver / partial scholarships remain available. Don’t assume; check the specific programme’s current funding terms for your nationality before you build your plan around a full award.
Pro Counsellor Tip
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Because funding allocations shift year to year, the safest approach is to apply to programmes you’d genuinely want even on a fee-waiver — and to have a backup funding plan. Choose courses on academic fit first, then layer the scholarship question on top, rather than chasing only the “fully funded for Sri Lanka” label.
"How to apply — the key difference from other scholarships
There’s no single central application. You apply directly to each individual master’s programme through its own website, and you indicate that you want to be considered for the scholarship as part of that application. So your first job is to find the right programmes:
- check_circle Search the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue for programmes in your field
- check_circle Read each programme's website for entry requirements, the consortium universities, and the scholarship terms for your nationality
- check_circle Prepare your documents — degree (usually a bachelor's worth at least 180 ECTS), transcripts, English evidence (IELTS/TOEFL, sometimes Duolingo/PTE), references, and a motivation letter
- check_circle Apply directly to each programme by its deadline
The deadlines
Most Erasmus Mundus programmes open applications in autumn and close between roughly October and January for courses starting the following academic year. Because you’re applying to several programmes, each with its own deadline and documents, start early and track them carefully.
Interested in Erasmus Mundus?
Come to a free office visit with your degree transcripts, CV, English test score and the Erasmus Mundus programmes you've shortlisted. We'll check the scholarship terms and review your motivation letter drafts before the deadlines.
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Why it’s worth the effort
Beyond the funding, Erasmus Mundus gives you a degree recognised across Europe, study experience in multiple countries, and a powerful international network — all things that strengthen both your CV and any future European visa or career plans. The multi-programme application is more work than a single form, but the payoff is exceptional.
The bottom line
Erasmus Mundus is generous, prestigious, and genuinely open to Sri Lankans — but you apply programme by programme, deadlines fall in autumn, and full-scholarship availability for Sri Lanka can vary by cycle. Pick programmes on fit, check the funding terms carefully, and start early.
Next steps
If a European master’s appeals, bring us your field and academic background. We’ll help you shortlist Erasmus Mundus programmes, verify the current funding picture for Sri Lankans, and prepare applications that stand out. For other funded routes to line up alongside it, browse our scholarships index.
Written by
Lakmal Silva
Founder
Lakmal Silva founded Lanka Scholar to help Sri Lankan students apply abroad without paying agent fees, and works with applicants across 18 destinations from the team offices in Rajagiriya, Jaffna and Matara.
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