Studying in Europe

EU scholarships for Western Balkan students

Visa Application Procedures

Once students receive official confirmation of their admission in the course of the Erasmus Mundus Masters, they must obtain a visa to study in Europe. For more information about the visa requirements procedure once they receive official confirmation that they have been selected they are strongly advised to maintain contacts with the consulates or embassies of the countries in which they are selected to study.

The Masters Programme of Erasmus Mundus provides students with advice and additional supporting documents which often facilitate the process of issuing visas. However, students are encouraged to begin the visa application procedures as soon as possible.

The agreement on Visa Facilitation between the EU and Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia entered into force on 1 January 2008. This agreement facilitates the issuance of short-term visas for students from these countries by reducing the visa application fee to 35 euros for each application. As for Kosovo, visa fees for short-term students are in general 35 euros, depending on the Embassy, however, pricing may vary.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

European Union member states and associated European countries have their own bilateral scholarship programmes. If you are interested in more detailed information regarding the conditions of application, and anything else please do not hesitate to ask directly the states which you are interested in. Depending on the selected partner, you can study at one of the states of the European Union but also Croatia, Turkey, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein. A partnership must consist of five European universities, the founding signatories of the Erasmus Act. These universities must be from at least three EU states plus one or more universities that must be different countries in the Western Balkans region.

The deadline for submission of individual applications may apply directly to the partnership of individual grants selected for the study from May 2011 and onwards. Information on the selected partnerships can be downloaded from: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/call/index.htm

Hundreds of scholarships are available for students of the Western Balkan countries for the academic year 2010/2011. Erasmus Mundus program is a program that offers support to over 150 students from the Western Balkan countries to carry out postgraduate studies (Master courses) at universities in European Union countries. Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses study programs are of high quality master's level for nearly all academic disciplines. Moreover, External Cooperation Window program of Erasmus Mundus offers financial support in the form of 600 study grants that are available to students, researchers and academic staff.

In which countries can one study in the framework of Erasmus Mundus?

Consortium of higher education institutions from EU member states, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the countries that enjoy the status as candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) participate in the program of the Erasmus Mundus Masters. Students should follow a period of study in at least two states which are represented by this consortium.

How to apply for a scholarship?

Students must apply directly to the consortium of Erasmus Mundus master courses on whichever offer they prefer. (Check the list of courses Erasmus Mundus Masters in Europe on the links below). Although students can apply to any course offered by the Erasmus Mundus, program application is limited to no more than three Masters Courses.

The consortium informs interested students about the specific conditions of admission (study results, language skills, etc.) and the deadline for applications.

Each course has specific conditions of application, acceptance, certain forms of application, as well as a term and final set up when applications can be accepted. Consortium decides on which courses are accepted and which students will earn scholarship based on merit and in a transparent process.

The deadline for the submission of individual applications

Students must submit their applications within the deadline set by the Consortium Erasmus Mundus. Usually the deadline for submitting applications is December or January of each year.

For further information on programs that are available you can visit the website of Erasmus Mundus:

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/programme/documents/em_programmeguide_1612_final.pdf (download ERASMUS MUNDUS 2009-2013 Programme Guide for the attention and information of future applicants and beneficiaries)

For examples of best practice in the Erasmus Mundus Master Courses, visit Erasmus Mundus Excellence website.

http://ec.europa.eu/education/external-relation-programmes/doc72_en.htm

For information and experiences on Erasmus Mundus by former students, visit Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA) website.

http://www.em-a.eu/

For information on the possibility of studying, scholarships and lifestyle in the 32 countries of Europe, visit Study in Europe website. http://www.studyineurope.eu/