Franziska Enichlmayr, Policy Officer (Europe) at UUKi, outlines how Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM), part of Erasmus+, have enabled UK universities to continue playing a leading role in international collaborative postgraduate taught degrees — even during the period of non-association. As the UK associates to Erasmus+ in 2027, this role is now set to expand further.
What are Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJMs), delivered under Erasmus+ Key Action 2, involve universities across Europe and beyond designing and delivering high-quality, innovative joint master’s degrees. These programmes are explicitly designed to enhance students’ skills, competencies and employability, while responding to wider societal and labour market needs.
At their core, EMJMs are a powerful mechanism for structured international collaboration. Each programme brings together at least three universities from three different countries, including a minimum of two EU Member States or associated third countries. Each project can receive a grant of up to €5 million, supporting the delivery of at least four editions of a transnational master’s programme over a period of up to six years. From 2027, with the UK becoming a third country associated with the programme, UK universities will be able to form a consortium with more universities from outside Europe, creating even more globally connected degrees.
Crucially at present, UK universities are eligible to participate fully in EMJMs as consortium members, coordinators or associated partners, and UK students remain eligible for competitive Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Therefore, EMJMs still support UK institutions’ internationalisation strategies by providing substantial funding, clear frameworks for collaborative TNE delivery, and scholarships that attract global talent.
Mapping the UK’s EMJM footprint
With Erasmus Mundus having marked its 20-year milestone in 2024, the UK continues to be a valued partner for EMJM consortia. Mapping the UK’s EMJM footprint demonstrates how UK institutions have actively engaged in high-quality international joint master’s programmes over the past two decades. Between 2004 and 2023, the UK participated in a total of 394 EMJM projects — ranking 7th globally — including 42 projects in 2004–2008, 88 projects in 2009–2013, 217 projects in 2014–2020, and 47 ongoing projects in 2021–2023.
Over the same period, UK universities coordinated 37 projects, acted as a full partner in 128, and participated as an associated partner in 76 projects. The UK ranked as the 5th most popular host country, welcoming 8,283 scholarship holders, 7% of all EMJM scholars, reflecting the UK’s continued attractiveness for international students. Looking at the latest data from the EMJM calls between 2021-2025, UK institutions have been involved in 57 EMJM programmes as either coordinators (5 times), partners (16 times), or associated partners (36 times).
Data source: European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Across EMJMs with UK involvement, disciplines such as sustainability and environmental studies, culture and humanities, and policy and law are particularly prominent, reflecting the breadth of UK expertise. Examples include:
- Aquaculture, Environment, and Society (University of the Highlands and Islands)
- Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (The University of Manchester)
- Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management (Bangor University)
One UK institution with a particularly strong track record in this area is the University of Glasgow. Between 2004 and 2023, it coordinated 18 EMJM programmes, making it the second most active coordinator in Europe. In the 2021–2025 calls alone, Glasgow was involved in seven EMJM programmes, underlining its sustained leadership in this space.
At the University of Glasgow, we are proud to be an international and globally connected institution, and our contribution to the Erasmus Mundus programme plays a significant role in our internationalisation ambitions. Despite operating in a post-Brexit landscape, we continue to strive to play a meaningful and impactful role within the European education sector.
Rachel Sandison
Vice-Principal (External Relations) & Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), University of Glasgow
In 2024, the University of Glasgow was awarded an Erasmus Mundus 20th Anniversary Institutional Award in Brussels, recognising its outstanding contribution to the Erasmus Mundus programme and placing it among just 10 European universities to receive the award.
Our students can engage in summer schools, internship opportunities as well as masterclasses and guest lectures from private and public sector representatives which provide real-life insights into situations discussed in the classroom environment. As a proudly European university, we embrace collaboration with our Erasmus Mundus partners to pioneer innovative teaching, foster intercultural competences and equip students with professional skills for global careers. These programmes attract outstanding talent and offer transformative opportunities for every participant. Leading multiple EMJM programmes has strengthened Glasgow’s European partnerships, even post-Brexit, and is now central to our Global Glasgow: International Strategy. Our EMJM Consortia have created enduring academic and professional relationships, which often extend into joint research projects, staff exchanges and policy engagement.
Professor Clare McManus
Head of Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow
How EMJMs work: TNE type of provision, quality assurance and funding
EMJMs are a distinct form of transnational education (TNE). They comprise international consortia that jointly design, deliver and assess a single, integrated curriculum, typically leading to joint or dual/multiple degree awards at the postgraduate taught (PGT) level.
What type of degree is awarded also depends on national legislation and consortium agreements, but all EMJMs require fully integrated curricula and close coordination between partner institutions. Programmes must adhere to the Standards for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes (EQR) in the European Higher Education Area, in accordance with part one of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). The call document states that joint degrees are encouraged wherever national legislation allows.
Evidence from the latest UUKi Scale of TNE report for 2023–2024 illustrates the growth of this type of provision. In 2023–24, almost half of all TNE students (279,565, or 42.8%) were studying via collaborative provision, a +10.8% increase on the previous year. Growth has been strongest at PGT level, with TNE PGT student numbers increasing by 80.6% over the past decade to reach 201,800 students globally in 2023–24. In Europe, nearly half of all TNE students (55,575, or 46.3%) were enrolled on PGT courses in 2023–24, underlining the relevance of EMJMs within the expansion of collaborative TNE provision at the postgraduate level.
EMJM funding is awarded through a competitive process, assessed against four criteria:
- relevance of the project
- quality of project design and implementation
- quality of the partnership and cooperation arrangements
- impact
Successful projects receive funding for 74 months to deliver at least four master’s editions lasting one to two academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits). Students must complete at least two study periods in two different countries, and to ensure diversity, no more than 10% of scholarships may be awarded to students of the same nationality (with exceptions for targeted regions). Each EMJM can award up to 50 Erasmus Mundus scholarships, with up to 20 additional scholarships for students from target regions.
The current EMJM call is open until 12 February 2026, with a budget of approximately €150 million and an expectation to fund around 36 projects.
The student lens: experience, perceived individual impact and financial support
The latest Graduate Impact Survey (GIS), conducted by the European Commission and the Erasmus Mundus Association, offers an insightful view of how the EMJM student community is evolving. One of the strongest trends is its shifting geography: earlier cohorts were mostly European, while recent ones include rising numbers of graduates from Africa and Latin America, reflecting the programme’s expanding global reach.
Among this more diverse community, satisfaction remains high across cohorts, averaging 4.3 out of 5, and graduates offered constructive suggestions for further enhancement. These include more targeted career support, strengthened practical and digital skills training, and improved access to internships and employer networks.
Career impact emerges as a central theme for graduates. Although alumni most frequently reported gains in intercultural competencies (78%), followed by career development (69%), personality (66%) and attitudes towards the EU (62%), career ultimately stood out when asked to identify the single most affected area. Thirty-one percent chose career as their top impact area, ahead of intercultural competencies (24%), personality (16%) and subject-related expertise (15%). This emphasis on career outcomes is reflected in employment satisfaction: 89% of alumni working in roles aligned with both their qualifications and field of study report high satisfaction, compared with 61% among those whose jobs match neither.
As a UK scholarship recipient of an EMJM programme, the most valuable aspects were the opportunities for learning far beyond the classroom. Studying and living in three different European countries exposed me to diverse cultures, academic approaches and education systems. Without the scholarship this experience simply would not have been possible for me. It enabled me to build lifelong friendships and a professional network that stretches across Europe, which I know will be beneficial throughout my career. It has also shaped my professional journey, as the skills, confidence and international outlook I gained helped me to secure an engaging job within my field.
Vivien Keenleyside
UK Graduate, EMJM European Politics, Consultant in London
Financial support remains the leading motivation for choosing an EMJM, closely followed by the desire for international experience. This underscores the vital role of scholarships, with the share of graduates relying solely on them rising from 52% in 2012-13 to 63% in 2021-22. Between 2021 and 2025, nearly three-quarters of UK students participating in EMJMs — 45 out of 62 — received scholarships, providing up to €1,400 per month for up to 24 months. These awards not only make international study financially accessible but also provide British students with invaluable opportunities to gain global experience, build international networks, and develop skills that enhance their future careers.
Looking ahead: opportunities in and beyond the current Erasmus+ programme
With the 2026 EMJM call now open, the immediate priority for universities and consortia is clear. Under the Work Programme 2026 (Call ID: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PEX-EMJM-MOB), applications can be prepared and submitted ahead of the 12 February 2026 deadline (17:00 Brussels time). Support for interested applicants has included an EMJM webinar delivered by the EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency) on 11 December 2025, for which a recording and slides are available online.
As Erasmus+ moves towards its next programme cycle (2028-2034), the increased focused on strategic joint study programmes and Erasmus+ scholarships offers opportunities for UK universities to further strengthen their involvement in EMJM partnerships.
In case of any questions, please do get in touch with Franziska Enichlmayr, Policy Officer (Europe) at Universities UK International.
Useful links
- EU Funding and Tenders Portal
- Erasmus Munders Joint Masters (organisations) — Erasmus +
- Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council: establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888 — European Commission