MARIHE — Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education — is the only Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme built specifically around understanding and reshaping higher education systems: how universities are governed, funded, researched, and reformed globally. Delivered by a seven-institution consortium spanning Europe and Asia, and funded through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, MARIHE combines full tuition coverage for every selected student with the possibility of a substantial monthly living allowance for top-ranked applicants.
If you’re researching fully funded Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes, here’s what you need to know about eligibility, funding, required documents, and how to apply before the deadline.
Quick Overview
Degree Master’s (120 ECTS), 2 years / 4 semesters
Consortium 7 institutions across Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, China, India
Coordinating institution University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria
Language of instruction English
Round 1 deadline 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST
Round 2 (video) deadline for shortlisted candidates 11 December 2026, 10:00 a.m. CET
Programme start September 2027, in Krems, Austria
How MARIHE Works
MARIHE is a mobility-based programme — you don’t stay in one country for the full two years. The first year begins at the coordinating institution in Krems, Austria, and the programme structure moves students across different partner universities depending on their chosen specialisation track. Every student also completes a mandatory internship of at least eight weeks, and depending on your track, you’ll graduate with a joint, double, or multiple degree issued by Krems together with your specialisation university.
The seven consortium partners are:
- University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria (coordinating institution)
- Tampere University, Finland
- Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Germany
- Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Hungary
- University of Aveiro, Portugal
- Beijing Normal University, China
- Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India
What the Funding Actually Covers (Two Levels — Read Carefully)
This is the detail most scholarship content gets muddled: not every selected student receives the same funding package. There are two tiers:
1. Tuition Fee Scholarship — awarded to every selected student:
- Full coverage of participation/tuition fees (valued at €18,000)
- Worldwide health and accident insurance, compliant with Austrian visa requirements
- Possible additional Erasmus+ student mobility funding once the programme starts
2. Full Erasmus Mundus Scholarship — awarded to a limited number of top-ranked students:
- Everything in the Tuition Fee Scholarship, plus
- A monthly allowance of €1,400 to help with travel, visa, settling-in, and living costs (up to €33,600 total over the programme)
In addition, the consortium awards up to two extra scholarships per cohort specifically for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are first in their family to attend university.
Important financial planning note: your first scholarship payment only arrives after you land in Krems. Pre-arrival costs — document legalisation, visa fees, travel, and initial housing — are not reimbursed and must be self-funded. You’ll also need a SEPA-compatible bank account to receive payments once the programme begins.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to applicants of any nationality
- You must hold a first university degree of at least three years full-time study (180 ECTS), in any field — MARIHE doesn’t require a background specifically in education or higher education studies
- Strong, genuine motivation for the field of higher education research, policy, and innovation
- Sufficient English language proficiency, typically demonstrated via TOEFL or IELTS
- You cannot apply if you have already received a previous Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) scholarship — a second award isn’t permitted
Required Documents (Round 1)
Applications are submitted exclusively online via the MARIHE application portal — applications by email are not accepted. Round 1 generally requires:
- Signed and dated MARIHE application form
- Scanned copy of a valid passport or national ID
- CV in English, in Europass format, without a photograph
- Motivation letter following the official template, including a signed declaration on AI use
- University degree certificate(s) and academic transcripts from all completed studies
- English language proficiency certificate
Any document not already in English must include a certified translation by a sworn translator.
Late submission exception: if your degree certificate or English certificate isn’t ready by the deadline, you can attach an official declaration to that effect before 21 September 2026, then submit the final document to the secretariat no later than 11 December 2026 — miss that follow-up date and your application is rejected on formal grounds.
Application Process
- Prepare your Round 1 documents — application form, passport copy, CV, motivation letter, degree certificates/transcripts, and English certificate.
- Submit everything through the MARIHE online application portal before 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST.
- Formal eligibility check. Applications are reviewed for completeness and formal eligibility before moving to full review.
- Shortlisting. If shortlisted, you’ll be asked to submit a mandatory video as part of Round 2, due 11 December 2026, 10:00 a.m. CET.
- Ranking and selection. The Admission Board ranks all eligible applicants and places them on one of: the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship main list, Erasmus Mundus Scholarship reserve list, Tuition Fee Scholarship main list, Tuition Fee Scholarship reserve list, or not placed.
- Accept your place. If placed on a main list, you must formally accept and begin the admission process with the coordinating institution in Krems.
- Enrolment. Final admission depends on submitting all required documents on time, including legalisation of your degree certificate where applicable.
Note: being selected/ranked does not automatically guarantee enrolment — final admission still depends on timely submission of all required documents and university approval.
Key Dates
- Round 1 application deadline: 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST
- Round 2 video submission (shortlisted candidates only): 11 December 2026, 10:00 a.m. CET
- Programme start: September 2027, in Krems, Austria
There is a single annual intake — if you miss this cycle, the next opportunity is a full year away.
Official Resources
- Official MARIHE website: https://www.marihe.eu
- How to apply: https://www.marihe.eu/how-to-apply/
- Application process and timetable: https://www.marihe.eu/how-to-apply/application-process-and-timetable/
- Programme secretariat contact: available via the official site’s contact page (correspondence conducted in English)
Always confirm the current application status and exact document checklist on the official MARIHE site before submitting, since Erasmus Mundus programmes review and refine requirements each cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all selected students get the €1,400 monthly stipend? No. Every selected student receives the tuition fee waiver, but only top-ranked applicants receive the full Erasmus Mundus Scholarship with the monthly living allowance.
Do I need a background in education to apply? No — MARIHE accepts a first university degree in any discipline, not just education-related fields.
Can I apply if I’ve already had an Erasmus Mundus scholarship before? No — a second EMJM scholarship award is not permitted.
Is there really only one intake per year? Yes — MARIHE runs a single annual application cycle, so missing the deadline means waiting a full year for the next round.
What happens if my degree certificate isn’t ready by the deadline? You can submit a formal declaration before the deadline and provide the final document by 11 December 2026 — but missing that follow-up date results in formal rejection.
Will the scholarship cover my costs before I arrive in Austria? No — visa fees, travel, document legalisation, and initial housing before arrival are not covered and must be self-funded; payments begin only after arrival in Krems.
Don’t Wait on This One
With a single annual intake and a firm 21 September 2026 deadline, and documents like a properly formatted motivation letter, CV, and certified translations that take real time to prepare, this isn’t one to leave until the final week.
Want expert guidance through the process? Our experienced student counsellors can help you build a competitive MARIHE application — from your motivation letter to document preparation — reach out today.
Follow @stepbystepscholarshipguide for more fully funded scholarship breakdowns, deadlines, and step-by-step application guidance.
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