Studying for a master’s degree abroad can be expensive, but some scholarship programs cover tuition, living expenses, and travel. For international students planning to begin postgraduate studies in 2027, two opportunities worth exploring are the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarships and the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.
Both provide substantial financial support, but they target different applicants. Erasmus Mundus welcomes students worldwide who meet the requirements of their chosen program, while the World Bank scholarship has stricter nationality, employment, and admission conditions.
If you intend to apply, check the eligibility rules first, then work backwards from the relevant application deadline.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships 2027
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program allows students to complete an integrated master’s degree delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions. Students typically study at more than one university, sometimes in different European countries.
Full scholarships are available to the highest-ranked applicants worldwide, but funding is competitive and not every programme applicant receives an award.
What does the scholarship cover?
According to the European Commission, Erasmus Mundus scholarships cover programme participation costs and contribute towards:
- Travel expenses.
- Visa-related costs.
- Living expenses through a scholarship allowance.
The exact award arrangements should be confirmed on the official page of the programme you choose.
Who is eligible?
The general academic requirement is a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent recognised qualification. Students in the final year of their bachelor’s programme may also apply, provided they graduate before the master’s programme begins.
Other requirements depend on the individual course. These may include minimum academic grades, English-language proficiency, references, a motivation letter or other supporting documents.
Applicants should also check whether their chosen programme offers Erasmus Mundus scholarship funding for the 2027 intake.
When is the deadline?
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes accept applications between October and January for courses starting in the following academic year. However, there is no single deadline covering every programme.
For example, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Euroculture has announced a scholarship application deadline of 15 January 2027 for its 2027–2029 intake. That date applies to Euroculture, not every Erasmus Mundus course.
How to apply
- Visit the official Erasmus Mundus page and search the program catalogue.
- Select a master’s program that matches your academic background and career plans.
- Open the program’s official website and check its admission requirements, funding availability, and deadline.
- Prepare the required academic records, CV, motivation letter, references, and language evidence, where applicable.
- Submit your application directly to the institution or consortium running the program.
- Monitor your email and application portal for interview invitations, requests for further information and results.
Official links:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – European Commission
- Euroculture 2027–2029 application procedure and deadlines
2. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2027
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) supports eligible professionals from participating developing countries who want to pursue selected master’s degrees in development-related fields.
Unlike Erasmus Mundus, this programme does not fund any master’s course a student chooses. Applicants must gain admission to one of the programme’s participating master’s degrees and meet the scholarship’s specific eligibility conditions.
What does the scholarship cover?
The World Bank lists the following benefits:
- Tuition fees for the eligible graduate programme.
- A monthly living allowance, with the amount depending on the host country.
- Economy-class return air travel between the scholar’s home country and the host university.
- A US$600 travel allowance for each eligible trip.
- Basic medical insurance obtained through the university.
The scholarship does not cover every possible expense. Exclusions include visa application costs, expenses for family members, additional personal travel, and certain extra courses or research-related expenses.
Funding generally covers the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter, subject to the scholarship’s terms.
Who can apply?
The principal eligibility conditions for applicants from developing countries include:
- Citizenship of an eligible World Bank member developing country.
- No dual citizenship with a developed country.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent earned at least three years before the scholarship application deadline.
- At least three years of paid, development-related employment acquired after earning the bachelor’s degree and within the six years preceding the application deadline.
- Current employment in a paid, full-time development-related position when applying, subject to the programme’s detailed rules.
- Unconditional admission, except for financing, to an eligible participating master’s programme outside the applicant’s country of citizenship and residence.
- A commitment to return to the home country after graduation and contribute to its social and economic development.
The World Bank provides a limited exception to the employment criterion for eligible nationals of countries on its specified fragile and conflict-affected states list. Applicants should read the current application guidelines rather than assume they qualify for an exception.
For Nigerian applicants: Nigeria appears on the World Bank’s published list of countries eligible for the 2027 programme. This does not guarantee eligibility; all other conditions must still be met.
2027 application deadlines
The World Bank has announced two application windows for developing-country nationals.
| Application window | Opening date | Closing date |
|---|---|---|
| Window 1 | 18 January 2027 | 26 February 2027 |
| Window 2 | 29 March 2027 | 21 May 2027 |
The participating university and programme determine which window applies. Applicants should not assume they can choose either window independently.
How to apply
- Read the official JJ/WBGSP scholarship page and check the eligibility criteria.
- Review the official list of participating master’s programmes for the relevant application window.
- Choose an eligible course and apply for university admission early enough to meet the scholarship timetable.
- Contact the participating university to confirm whether you meet its admission and scholarship-shortlisting conditions.
- Secure admission that meets the World Bank’s requirements. The scholarship application link is communicated to candidates admitted unconditionally, except for financing, and shortlisted by the participating university.
- Submit the scholarship application within the applicable window and follow the current official guidelines.
Official links:
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- Participating programmes – Application Window 1
- Participating programmes – Application Window 2
- Countries eligible for the 2027 scholarship
Which Scholarship Is Right for You?
The best choice depends on your qualifications, work experience and intended field of study.
Consider Erasmus Mundus if:
- You have a bachelor’s degree or will complete one before the course starts.
- You want an international master’s programme delivered by a university consortium.
- You meet the requirements of a programme offering scholarship funding.
- You can submit a competitive application before its deadline.
Consider JJ/WBGSP if:
- You are a citizen of an eligible developing country.
- You have the required degree and paid development-related work experience.
- You are employed in qualifying development-related work.
- You can secure admission to an eligible participating master’s programme and meet the scholarship conditions.
Do not apply to the World Bank programme simply because your chosen course concerns development. The university and degree must appear on the official participating-programme list for the applicable year.
Documents to Prepare
There is no universal document checklist for every scholarship. Your university and scholarship provider will specify what is required. Commonly requested documents include:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or evidence of expected graduation.
- Academic transcripts.
- CV or résumé.
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose.
- References or referee details.
- English-language test results, where required.
- Passport or other accepted proof of identity and nationality.
- Employment records or reference letters, where relevant.
For JJ/WBGSP, employment evidence is particularly important because the programme has specific paid-work experience requirements. For Erasmus Mundus, the required documents depend on the individual master’s programme.
Prepare documents early, but do not pay for a language test or other service until you have confirmed that your chosen programme requires it.
How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
Full scholarships are competitive, so meeting the minimum requirements is not the same as being selected.
- Choose carefully: Apply to programmes that genuinely match your academic background and future plans.
- Explain your motivation: Connect your previous studies, the proposed master’s degree and your intended career.
- Use evidence: Describe relevant academic achievements, professional responsibilities, and measurable contributions.
- Follow the instructions: Use the correct application portal and submit every required document in the specified format.
- Allow time for references: Contact referees well before the deadline and make sure they understand the programme requirements.
- Check the funding terms: Confirm which costs are covered and which you must pay yourself.
- Submit on time: Do not rely on extensions unless the provider officially announces one.
For JJ/WBGSP, professional experience, recommendations, commitment to the home country and academic background are important selection considerations. Erasmus Mundus selection criteria depend on the programme and its admissions process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerian students apply for fully funded master’s scholarships in 2027?
Yes. Nigerian students can apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes and, if they meet all the requirements, JJ/WBGSP. Erasmus Mundus accepts applicants worldwide, while JJ/WBGSP requires applicants to meet its country, work experience, admission, and other eligibility conditions.
Do I need work experience for a fully funded master’s scholarship?
Not for every scholarship. Erasmus Mundus generally focuses on the chosen programme’s academic and admission requirements. JJ/WBGSP requires qualifying paid development-related work experience and current employment, subject to its detailed rules.
Can I apply before completing my bachelor’s degree?
Erasmus Mundus allows final-year bachelor’s students to apply if they graduate before the master’s programme begins. JJ/WBGSP has a different rule: applicants must have earned their bachelor’s degree at least three years before the scholarship application deadline.
Are applications for 2027 still open?
Deadlines differ by programme. Euroculture’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship deadline is 15 January 2027, while JJ/WBGSP has announced its two application windows for January–February and March–May 2027. Check each programme’s official page for changes and additional requirements.
Do fully funded scholarships cover visa fees?
Not necessarily. Erasmus Mundus scholarships contribute towards travel and visa-related costs under their award terms. JJ/WBGSP explicitly excludes visa application costs. Read the official benefit details before budgeting for your studies.
Is IELTS compulsory for every scholarship?
No. English-language requirements vary by university and course. Some programmes require IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test, while others may allow exemptions or alternative evidence.
Read Also
- Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2027
- Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany for African Students in 2027
- Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply
Conclusion
Start with the official program pages, confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements, and identify the correct deadline before preparing your application. For Erasmus Mundus, apply directly to the institution running your selected course. For JJ/WBGSP, secure admission to an eligible participating programme and follow the university’s scholarship-shortlisting process.
A scholarship advertisement is only a starting point. The official programme rules determine whether you qualify and what financial support you will receive.
Disclaimer: Scholarship requirements, funding and deadlines can change. Confirm the latest details on the official provider’s website before applying.
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