Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) are integrated study programs at Masters level, designed to distinguish Europe as a center of excellence in higher education. (For a definition of an "integrated study programme", please see Question 3 below.) They are offered by at least three universities in three different European countries.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees provide a distinctively European offer in higher education, which foresees a period of study in at least two universities in two different European countries. They result in the award of a double, a multiple or a joint degree recognised in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located. Moreover, they offer substantial study grants for top-quality graduate students and scholars, who enjoy high-quality hosting and welcome facilities while participating in an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree. Finally, Erasmus Mundus Masters consortia may establish partnerships with third-country universities, under which grants are awarded to EU graduate students and scholars who are enrolled in the respective Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in order to study or work at the third-country partner university.

An Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium is a group of at least three higher education institutions from three different European countries which has been selected to offer an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree under Action 1 of the EM programme. In cases where the consortium includes higher education institutions from an EEA/EFTA state or a candidate country, at least two of the participating institutions must be located in EU Member States.

Each consortium has a coordinating institution which has a legal agreement with the Education, Audio-Visual & Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) on behalf of the consortium. Throughout the duration of the Erasmus Mundus Masters program, the coordinating institution is the Agency's contact partner who speaks and reports for the consortium. It is responsible for the financial management of the Erasmus Mundus Community funds paid to the consortium. However, the coordinating institution does not necessarily play a predominant role in the delivery of the master's program.

An integrated study program offered by an Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium has the following features:

Course integration: delivery of a jointly developed curriculum or full recognition by the Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium of modules which are developed and delivered separately, but which together make up a common standard master's program.

Joint criteria for admission and examination: students must be able to apply to a single program with common standards for admission, a common application procedure and a joint student selection process in accordance with the relevant national legislation in the countries of participating institutions. Entry requirements must be clearly described and common to the Master's program. Examinations passed at one institution of the Erasmus Mundus Master consortium are recognized fully and automatically by the other institutions of the consortium.

Mobility: students must carry out a period of study in at least two of the participating institutions. The mobility at a second institution cannot be replaced by virtual mobility. Neither can this mobility take place in institutions outside the consortium. The sequence of study periods spent in the various hosting institutions and the various possible mobility combinations must be known at the time of application for the Master's program and made known to potential students in advance. In a minimum consortium of three partners (A, B, C), mobility combinations would normally be A+B, A+C, B+C or A+B+C. In cases where the consortium includes institutions from EEA-EFTA states, at least one of the hosting institutions must be located in a Member State.

Guaranteed award of a recognized joint, or a double or a multiple degree after the successful conclusion of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program: a clear definition of the nature and the form of the final degree(s) delivered is required. A double or multiple degree is defined as two or more nationally recognized diplomas issued officially by two or more institutions involved in an integrated study program. A joint degree is defined as a single diploma issued by at least two of the institutions offering an integrated study program. The possibility to deliver a double degree is a minimal requirement.

Common program fee: Program fees, if any, must be common to the Master's program and must not depend on where the students start, continue or finish the Master's program. There can be two different tuition fee amounts for European students and non-European students. However, all overseas students must be treated in the same way regardless of their origin and whether or not they receive an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are open to graduate students having obtained a first university degree from a study lasting a minimum of three years. The specific admission conditions are defined by each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree consortium.

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree carries between a minimum of 60 and up to max. 120 ECTS credits at masters level. 60 to 120 ECTS credits correspond to courses lasting from one up to two academic years. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees all use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) or equivalent systems.

No, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships are intended for full-time studies.

All fields of study and disciplines are covered; a complete list of Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters can be consulted here.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees lead to the award of a recognized double, multiple or joint degree. A double degree is a minimum requirement. A double or multiple degree is defined as two or more national diplomas issued officially by two or more institutions involved in an integrated study program. A joint degree is defined as a single diploma issued by at least two of the institutions offering an integrated study program. The obtained degrees will be recognized in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located.

All students (European and non-European) following an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree are obliged to study in at least two of the European institutions offering the program. The sequence of study periods spent in the various institutions and the various possible mobility combinations must be known to potential students when they apply for the program. The length of the study period in each of the participating institutions can vary, but normally at least 30% of the program should be completed in a second institution.

Each institution of an Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium should have an International Office with adequate opening hours and linguistic coverage. They should offer housing facilities, coaching, language support, activities aiming at social integration as well as assistance with residence permits and social insurance. These services must be of high quality.

Each selected Erasmus Mundus Masters consortium reserves a minimum number of places for third-country students and scholars: about 20 students and 4 scholars every year. Erasmus Mundus Masters consortia should ensure an appropriate balance in the distribution of these students and scholars between the partner institutions within the consortium.

For intakes without Erasmus Mundus scholarships there are places specifically reserved for third-country students. All places are open for students from any countries.

Yes, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees must also be attended by European students and applying consortia must demonstrate that they have taken the necessary measures to ensure such participation.

Formally, you are eligible to apply to the program with such a degree. The selection committee will carefully review your qualifications to determine whether your background in formal linguistics is sufficient to allow you to successfully participate in the program. Concerning your academic qualification given your degree, it depends how much formal linguistics the courses you followed have covered. It has often been the case so far, that courses for example at literature departments did not fulfill minimal requirements on the linguistics side. There were exceptions but in general literature students do not take the type of formal linguistics courses that are needed for computational linguistics. Catching up in both computer science and linguistics would be too much for the three to four semesters of courses our MSc students do. However, students from "hardcore" linguistics departments typically satisfy the requirements, and thus do not need to catch up on linguistics, only on computer science.