Erasmus Mundus MAPP Scholarship 2027-2028 (Fully Funded Master's in Public Policy) | Erasmus+ / Central European University (CEU) Consortium | Brilliant Scholarship
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Erasmus Mundus MAPP Scholarship 2027-2028 (Fully Funded Master's in Public Policy)
Fully funded EU-backed Master's in Public Policy across four European universities, with a monthly stipend and tuition waiver.
Erasmus+ / Central European University (CEU) Consortium
Overview
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Public Policy, known as Mundus MAPP, is one of the flagship scholarship programmes funded through the European Union's Erasmus+ initiative. Applications for the 2027-2028 cohort are now open, giving prospective students from around the world the chance to pursue a fully funded, two-year Master's degree in public policy delivered jointly by a consortium of respected European and international universities. The programme is coordinated centrally by Central European University (CEU), working alongside the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI), the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, and the University of York. For students who want to build a career in government, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, or academia, Mundus MAPP offers not just financial support but the chance to study across two countries and absorb genuinely international perspectives on policy-making.
Scholarship Details
Selected Erasmus Mundus scholars receive one of the more generous EU-funded packages available to master's students anywhere in Europe. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of €1,400 for 24 months, amounting to as much as €33,600 over the full two years of study, alongside a full tuition fee waiver and comprehensive health insurance that covers the duration of study plus some additional time before and after the programme. Students with disabilities can also access special additional support tailored to their needs. Beyond the EU-funded scholarship track, the consortium also offers institutional scholarships, with one available per track, covering 50 percent of tuition fees for both years, although this second tier does not include a stipend. Even scholarship recipients should budget for certain fixed programme costs that are not covered, including study visits of roughly €600 to €1,000 in the first year, a winter school of similar cost in the second year, and travel and visa expenses associated with moving between consortium countries.
Eligibility Requirements
Mundus MAPP is open to both international and EU/EEA students, and selection is made on the basis of academic excellence, motivation, and demonstrated potential rather than nationality. Applicants must hold a strong academic background at the bachelor's level or equivalent, with a preference given to candidates coming from social sciences, economics, law, or closely related disciplines, since the programme builds directly on this kind of foundational training. English language proficiency is required for all applicants who did not complete a prior degree taught in English, and this is typically demonstrated through standardised tests such as TOEFL or IELTS, or an equivalent recognised qualification. Beyond academic credentials, admissions committees are looking for applicants who can clearly articulate their motivation for studying public policy and demonstrate genuine interest in policy research and practice, whether that interest stems from prior work experience, volunteering, research projects, or academic study. Because places on the EU-funded scholarship track are limited and highly competitive, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a complete and polished application well ahead of the relevant deadline, since early and thorough applications tend to be viewed most favourably by the selection committee.
Fields of Study & Programs
Mundus MAPP structures its curriculum around four distinct specialisation tracks, each pairing two universities from the consortium. The Global Public Policy track combines study at CEU and IBEI, while the European Public Policy track pairs CEU with the University of York. Students more interested in international development can choose the Political Economy and Development track, delivered jointly by ISS and IBEI, or the Governance and Development track, delivered by ISS and York. This track-based structure means that, rather than simply choosing a generic public policy degree, students select a specific lens through which to study global governance, European integration, or development-oriented policy issues, while still benefiting from a shared core curriculum and a genuinely multidisciplinary, multinational cohort of classmates and instructors.
Participating Universities
The consortium behind Mundus MAPP brings together four institutions with complementary strengths. Central European University, based in Vienna, has built a strong international reputation in the social sciences and public policy, with a faculty and student body drawn from dozens of countries. The Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals in Barcelona, Spain, is a specialised graduate institute focused on international relations and public policy, closely tied to Barcelona's academic and diplomatic communities. The International Institute of Social Studies, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam and has a long-standing focus on international development and social justice. The University of York, in the north of England, is a well-regarded research university with particular strength in politics and public policy studies. Because students move between two of these institutions during their degree, they gain exposure to different academic cultures, teaching styles, and professional networks, which is one of the programme's most distinctive features compared with a conventional single-institution master's degree.
How to Apply
All applications for Mundus MAPP are managed centrally through Central European University, regardless of which specialisation track an applicant intends to pursue, which simplifies what could otherwise be a complicated multi-institution process. Prospective students should begin by visiting the official Mundus MAPP website to review current programme information and confirm the specific requirements for their intended track. The application itself is submitted through the official CEU application portal, where applicants will need to upload a set of standard supporting documents: academic transcripts covering their prior studies, a current CV, a statement of purpose explaining their motivation and goals, proof of English language proficiency where required, and academic or professional recommendation letters. Importantly, applicants do not need to complete a separate form to be considered for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship; interest in the scholarship is simply indicated as part of the standard application, which streamlines the process considerably. Because the application asks for a substantial set of documents, applicants should start gathering transcripts and requesting recommendation letters well in advance of the deadline, giving referees adequate time to write thoughtful letters. A strong statement of purpose that connects an applicant's prior experience and future goals to the specific track they are applying for tends to stand out, so applicants should take care to research the differences between the four tracks before writing this document.
Deadlines & Important Dates
The Mundus MAPP admissions cycle has a tiered deadline structure depending on funding status. Scholarship applicants and early self-funded applicants must submit their applications by December 1, 2026. Later deadlines exist for self-funded students who are not seeking financial aid: April 15, 2027 for non-EU/EEA self-funded applicants, and July 1, 2027 for EU/EEA self-funded applicants. Anyone hoping to be considered for the EU-funded scholarship or the institutional scholarships must therefore apply by the earliest deadline, since later intake windows are intended only for students who do not require financial support. Results for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships are expected to be released by April 14, 2027, with an appeals window remaining open until April 20, 2027 for applicants who wish to contest a decision.
Life as a Scholar
Studying on Mundus MAPP means experiencing student life in at least two different European countries over the course of the degree, which brings both excitement and practical adjustment. Students typically find themselves part of a small, tightly knit cohort of classmates from dozens of nationalities, all navigating the same relocation challenges together, which tends to foster close friendships and a genuinely international support network. Each partner university offers its own services for international students, including help with visas, housing, and academic orientation, and the consortium's coordination office at CEU provides an additional layer of support for scholarship-specific questions. Because the programme includes structured study visits and a winter school alongside coursework, students get repeated opportunities to engage directly with policymakers and practitioners rather than studying policy purely in the abstract. Living costs vary considerably between Vienna, Barcelona, The Hague, and York, so students should research the cost of living in their specific track's host cities before finalising a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to submit a separate application for the scholarship? No. Indicating interest in the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is built into the main CEU application; there is no separate scholarship-only form.
Which universities will I actually study at? It depends on your chosen track: each of the four tracks pairs two of the four consortium universities, so you will study at exactly two institutions over the two years.
Is the scholarship available to EU citizens as well as international students? Yes, the programme and its scholarships are open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA applicants.
What if I miss the December 1 deadline? Later deadlines exist in April and July 2027, but these are intended for self-funded applicants only and do not carry EU scholarship funding.
Are there any costs the scholarship does not cover? Yes. Students should budget separately for study visits, the winter school, and travel and visa costs between consortium countries.
How competitive is the EU-funded scholarship track? It is highly competitive, since only a limited number of fully funded places are available across the whole consortium each year, so early and well-prepared applications are strongly advised.
Final Thoughts
Mundus MAPP offers a genuinely distinctive path into a career in public policy: fully funded study, a truly international classroom, and structured exposure to at least two different European academic and professional cultures over the course of a single degree. For students who are serious about a future in international organisations, government, or policy research, the combination of EU financial backing and a consortium of respected institutions makes this one of the more compelling opportunities available at the master's level. Prospective applicants should treat the December 1 deadline as their real target if scholarship funding matters to them, and should use the months beforehand to prepare strong transcripts, a considered statement of purpose, and thoughtful recommendation letters that speak to their readiness for graduate-level policy study.
Award Amount
Monthly stipend of €1,400 for 24 months (up to €33,600 total) plus full tuition waiver and health insurance
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2026-12-01
December 1, 2026 for scholarship applicants; April 15, 2027 for non-EU/EEA self-funded applicants; July 1, 2027 for EU/EEA self-funded applicants. Results by April 14, 2027; appeals until April 20, 2027.
Duration
24-month Master's programme split between two consortium universities
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus MAPP programme is a fully funded, two-year Joint Master's Degree in Public Policy delivered by a consortium of Central European University (CEU), Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI), International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, and the University of York, funded through the EU's Erasmus+ initiative. Students choose from four specialisation tracks, each combining study at two consortium universities. Scholars receive a monthly stipend of €1,400 for 24 months, a full tuition waiver, and comprehensive health insurance, with additional institutional scholarships also available. Applications for scholarship consideration are due December 1, 2026, managed centrally through CEU, with results expected by April 14, 2027.
Eligible Study Levels
Master
Fields of Study
Public PolicyGlobal GovernanceEuropean StudiesInternational DevelopmentPolitical Economy
Available Countries
AustriaSpainNetherlandsUnited Kingdom
Eligibility Requirements
Open to all international and EU/EEA students
Bachelor's degree or equivalent, preferably in social sciences, economics, law, or related fields
English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent) required if prior study was not in English
Strong motivation for public policy research and practice
Selection based on academic excellence, motivation, and potential
Academic Requirements
Test Scores:
TOEFL or IELTS or equivalent English proficiency test
Language Requirements:
English proficiency required unless previous degree was taught in English
Application Process
1Review track options and requirements on the official Mundus MAPP website
2Submit application via the official CEU application portal
3Upload academic transcripts, CV, Statement of Purpose, proof of English proficiency, and recommendation letters
4Indicate interest in the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship within the main application (no separate form needed)
5Submit before the relevant deadline based on funding status
Required Documents
Academic Transcripts*Required
Official transcripts from previous institutions
CV*Required
Current curriculum vitae
Statement of Purpose*Required
Explanation of motivation and academic/career goals
Partner Universities
Central European University (CEU)
Vienna, Austria
Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI)
Barcelona, Spain
International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
The Hague, Netherlands
University of York
York, United Kingdom
Additional Benefits
Full tuition fee waiver
Comprehensive health insurance (study duration plus additional pre/post coverage)
Special support for students with disabilities
Institutional 50% tuition waiver scholarships also available (no stipend)
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
