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How to apply to Euroculture

Ready to begin your Euroculture journey? This page guides you through the application process for the 2027–2029 intake.

Explore the five sections below to learn about admission requirements, Erasmus Mundus scholarships, required documents, application deadlines, and our step-by-step application guide.

Read each section carefully to prepare your application and take the first step towards joining our international, interdisciplinary community.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Got questions not covered by this page? Consider checking out our FAQ or contacting our Secretariat at euroculture@rug.nl.

1. Admission requirements

Before applying to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Euroculture, make sure you meet the programme's admission requirements (outlined below in sections 1.1-1.3). In addition to our compulsory admission requirements, there are additional selection criteria that may further strengthen your application dossier (described under 1.4). All applicants must meet the same compulsory admission requirements, regardless of whether they are applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or as self-funded students.

The Euroculture Board of Admissions is responsible for reviewing your application. The board, made up of representatives from all degree-awarding institutions in the Euroculture programme, will decide whether you are eligible for admission to the programme and whether you will be awarded an Erasmus Mundus scholarship (if you applied before the deadline). Decisions are based on jointly approved selection criteria, which are described below.

1.1 Academic background

The Euroculture programme is an interdisciplinary Master’s designed for students with a background in the Humanities and Social Sciences. To be admitted, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized and accredited higher education institution in a field relevant to the programme. Your degree will be assessed during the application stage by the Euroculture Board of Admissions to ensure it is equivalent in duration, level, and quality to a European Bachelor’s degree.

Relevant academic fields include, but are not limited to: International Relations, European Studies, History, Cultural Studies, Literary Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Philosophy, Communication and Media Studies, International or European Law, and Theology. Applicants from other disciplines may also be eligible if their prior studies provide a sufficient basis in arts- or social-sciences-related subjects. If you are unsure whether your Bachelor’s degree meets the admission requirements, contact the Consortium Secretariat at euroculture@rug.nl.

    • Erasmus Mundus scholarship applicants must have completed their Bachelor's degree by the scholarship application deadline (15 January 2027).

    • Self-funded applicants may apply before completing their Bachelor's degree, provided they complete their studies before starting the Euroculture programme.

  • Generally, this is not possible. While professional experiences will strengthen your overall selection result (see section 1.4 for details), these may not compensate for a deficit in the compulsory admission requirements in sections 1.1-1.3. Are you unsure if your degree is sufficiently relevant? Contact the Consortium Secretariat at: euroculture@rug.nl.

  • If you have completed a Master’s degree (equivalent to a European Master’s degree in duration, level, and quality) that covers academic fields relevant to the Euroculture programme, this may provide a valid basis for admission to the programme. This may even be the case if your Bachelor’s degree is not directly relevant to the academic fields covered by Euroculture. If you are unsure whether your Bachelor’s degree meets the admission requirements, contact the Consortium Secretariat at euroculture@rug.nl. If you are enrolled in a Master’s degree, this degree may not be considered a valid basis for admission until you have completed this degree.

  • There is no fixed minimum GPA requirement. However, academic performance, grades and the quality of your academic writing are considered during the selection process.

1.2 English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency through an accepted language test or qualify for an exemption from the test. The programme accepts the following test results:

  • IELTS Academic - Overall 6.5. No section below 6.5.

  • TOEFL iBT - Overall 93. Internet-based test. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition is also accepted.

  • Cambridge CAE/CPE - CAE (C1 Advanced) or CPE (C2 Proficiency). Test results may be no older than 5 years. Only CAE and CPE are accepted.

  • Pearson PTE Academic - Minimum overall score of 71 with no less than 61 for writing. Test result may be no older than two years.

  • LanguageCert Academic - Minimum overall score of 75. Test result may be no older than two years. This test is not recognized at Uppsala Universitet.

  • You may be exempt from our test requirement if you completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree taught entirely in English or if you completed one full year of continuous university-level study (60 ECTS or equivalent) in a country where English is the primary official language. You must upload documentary proof of your exemption, such as a statement on the medium of instruction (MOI), or a transcript, diploma or other statement from a faculty official explicitly stating the language of instruction. Additional requirements may apply depending on your first-choice university and the country where your degree was awarded.

  • No. We only accept test results from the above-mentioned providers. If you do not have a valid test result, your application dossier is considered incomplete and will be disregarded.

  • In principle, yes. Exemptions are granted only on the basis of prior academic study. Nationality alone does not qualify you for an exemption. Of course, studying in an English-language academic context can be accepted as grounds for an exemption from the language test, provided you can provide a statement on the language of instruction of your previous degree.

1.3 Academic writing readiness

As part of the admission process, you must demonstrate your readiness for academic writing at Master's level. We assess your ability to develop a scholarly argument, engage with sources, and present ideas in a clear and structured academic way. You must have completed an individual academic writing assignment during your previous studies. You may submit an existing piece of work, such as a Bachelor's thesis, seminar paper or research essay (minimum 2,000 words).

  • We assess your ability to develop a scholarly argument, engage with sources, and present your ideas in a structured, academic format. Appropriate academic formats may vary, but key elements include a research question or central claim, a clearly structured argument, an explanation of sources and methods, and a conclusion summarizing findings. A bibliography is also required.

  • Submit the work exactly as it was at the time of assessment; do not include any revisions made after assessment. Submissions in any language are accepted, preferably the language used for your Bachelor's instruction. For group projects, clearly identify which sections you personally wrote. If the submission is not in English, also include:

    • a structured English summary,

    • the original table of contents,

    • the original bibliography.

    Declare any AI tools you used when preparing the original work.

  • The admissions board must be able to verify your ability to write academically. Without a document in this category, your application may not be considered. Please contact the Euroculture Secretariat in case you are not able to submit your application with a writing sample (euroculture@rug.nl)

1.4 How can I strengthen my application further?

In addition to the minimum admission requirements (1.1-1.3), there are other activities you can undertake to further strengthen your application dossier. These are additional selection criteria, not compulsory admission requirements.

  • International study, work or mobility experience.

  • Relevant professional experience or internships.

  • Knowledge of languages other than English.

  • Extracurricular activities and engagement.

  • Proof of your ability to work in international, interdisciplinary and intercultural environments.

  • Yes. Online activities, such as summer or winter schools and conferences, are also accepted, provided that you can provide proof of participation.

  • There are no fixed definitions or criteria for qualifying internships or experiences. The board is particularly interested in how these experiences relate to your motivation for studying Euroculture.

  • Yes. As long as you meet our minimum admissions criteria and there are spaces available in the programme, you may be admitted to the programme. However, your overall ranking compared with other applicants may be affected.

2. Erasmus Mundus scholarships

Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for the 2027–2029 intake of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Euroculture! These prestigious EU-funded scholarships enable selected students from around the world to participate in the two-year Euroculture programme with financial support for their studies and living expenses. More information can be found here.

  • The Erasmus Mundus scholarship provides:

    • €1,400 per month for living expenses throughout the 24-month programme.

    • Full tuition fee waiver, covering the programme's participation costs.

    • Health insurance during the programme.

    • The monthly allowance amounts to €33,600 over the full two-year period.

  • Applicants must:

    • Meet the admission requirements for the Euroculture programme.

    • Have obtained a first higher education degree, or a recognised equivalent qualification, by the scholarship application deadline.

    • Submit a complete application within the scholarship application period.

    • Applicants of most nationalities are eligible.

    • You cannot receive an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship if you have previously received certain Erasmus Mundus or Erasmus+ scholarships at Joint Master or PhD level.

    • Previous Erasmus+ mobility grants for Bachelor's or Master's studies do not prevent you from applying.

    • Scholarship recipients cannot receive another EU grant while undertaking their Erasmus Mundus studies.

    • Applicants must be able to enter the European Union and acquire a study visa with their chosen universities.

  • There is one application procedure for Euroculture, whether you are applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or as a self-funded candidate. You must submit your application through the Euroculture Online Application Tool by the Erasmus Mundus scholarship deadline. Eligible applications are assessed through the Euroculture selection process, which includes evaluation of your academic background, application materials, references and an interview for shortlisted candidates.

  • Yes. In fact, you are very welcome to! Applicants who do not receive Erasmus Mundus funding may pursue the programme as self-funded students, subject to admission and the applicable deadlines. Further information on participation fees and alternative funding opportunities is available on the Tuition Fees and Funding page.

3. Required documents

Before starting your application, make sure you have prepared all the required documents. All applicants, whether applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or as self-funded students, follow the same application procedure.

3.1 Required documents checklist

  • A copy of your Bachelor's degree certificate (and any additional degree certificates, if applicable). If you have not yet completed your Bachelor's degree, please check the conditions for scholarship and self-funded applicants in the Admission requirements section. Your document must be uploaded as a .pdf.

  • Official records of your academic results, including courses taken and grades obtained. Your transcript should be as complete as possible by the time of your application (if you have not yet completed your degree), and should be submitted as a .pdf.

  • Results from an accepted English language test or documentary evidence that you qualify for an exemption. The certificate or exemption document must be uploaded as a .pdf.

  • Evidence of your academic writing readiness (see above). The document should be uploaded as a .pdf.

  • An overview of your educational background, professional experience, and related activities and achievements. This can follow the Europass format if you prefer, but alternative clear and concise formats are also acceptable. The document should be uploaded as a .pdf. We recommend keeping the CV as concise as possible, focussing on experiences relevant to the programme.

  • A copy of your valid identification document. This file should be uploaded as a .png or .jpeg. Please note this image will not be used for promotional purposes or shared with third parties.

  • A recent digital photograph. This file should be uploaded as a .png or .jpeg. Please note this image will not be used for promotional purposes or shared with third parties.

  • You must provide the contact details of two referees in your online application. You do not need to upload reference letters. Make sure to verify the email addresses you refer to in our Online Application Tool, as these will be used to contact your referees. The burden is on you as the applicant to ensure we receive two references for your file.

3.2 References

You must provide the contact details of two referees when submitting your application:

  • First referee: An academic referee, such as a professor or lecturer who supervised your university-level work.

  • Second referee: Another academic referee or a professional referee, such as an employer or supervisor.

After you submit your application, the Euroculture Secretariat will contact your referees and invite them to complete a short online questionnaire about your academic, professional and personal competencies. Your referees must respond within two working weeks of your application submission. You do not need to upload signed recommendation letters. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that both referees respond on time. Your application will remain incomplete until both responses have been received. Once you have prepared your documents and contacted your referees, check the application deadlines section before submitting your application through the Euroculture Online Application Tool.

  • Yes, you may submit two academic references. At minimum, you must submit one academic referee, and the other one may either be a professional referee or another academic referee.

  • We recommend informing your referees before submitting your application, so they know to expect an invitation to complete the questionnaire.

  • The admissions board expects you to ensure your application dossier, including references, is complete by the deadline. Inform your referees promptly and follow up with reminders if they have not submitted their recommendation. Your application will remain incomplete until both referees have responded.

4. Application deadlines

Applications for the 2027–2029 Euroculture Erasmus Mundus Joint Master open on 15 October 2026. Different deadlines apply depending on whether you wish to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or are applying as a self-funded student.

To be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, you must submit your complete application by 15 January 2027. If you are applying without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, you may submit your application by the later deadlines applicable to self-funded students. All applicants must meet the same admission requirements and follow the same application procedure.

We recommend applying as early as possible to allow sufficient time for application processing and, where applicable, visa and residence permit arrangements. Applying before 1 May 2027 will give you sufficient time to enrol at any university in the Euroculture Consortium. If you apply after this date, keep the following in mind:

  • EU/EEA passport holders should apply at least two months in advance of the semester start to ensure sufficient time to register.

  • Non-EU/EEA passport holders should apply at least five months in advance of the semester start to ensure sufficient time to register and arrange for a study visa. Your chosen university will assist you in this process. 

Key deadlines for the 2027-2029 intake:

  1. Applications open - 15 October 2026

  2. Erasmus Mundus scholarship application deadline - 15 January 2027

  3. Erasmus Mundus scholarship results communicated - End of March 2027

  4. Self-funded application evaluations begin - End of March 2027

  5. Recommended application deadline for self-funded non-EU/EEA passport holders - 1 May 2027 (assessment continues on a rolling basis for later submissions)

  6. Recommended application deadline for self-funded EU/EEA passport holders - 1 June 2027 (assessment continues on a rolling basis for later submissions)

  • Yes, but after this date, it can no longer be guaranteed that your chosen university will be able to register you in time. We recommend applying before 1 June to ensure you have enough time to get registered.

  • If you are not applying for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, then you may indeed apply without having graduated from your Bachelor’s degree, provided that you will be able to graduate before the starting date of your studies. You will be asked to upload a provisional statement instead of your diploma during the application stage.

  • The exact starting dates vary between our partners. If you apply before 1 June (or 1 May if you are a non-EU national), you will be in time to start at any university. After that, we recommend reaching out to the Consortium Secretariat to see which universities are still available. The approximate starting dates (different from year to year) per partner are as follows:

    • Groningen: 1 September

    • Strasbourg: 1 September

    • Olomouc: 1 September

    • Uppsala: 1 September

    • Udine: 15 September

    • Kraków: 1 October

    • Göttingen: 15 October

  • Yes. In fact, you are very welcome to! Applicants who do not receive Erasmus Mundus funding may pursue the programme as self-funded students, subject to admission and the applicable deadlines. Further information on participation fees and alternative funding opportunities is available on the Tuition Fees and Funding page.

5. Prepare your application step-by-step

Ready to apply to Euroculture? Follow the steps below to prepare and submit your application for the 2027–2029 intake.

Step 1: Check your deadline

  • Applications open on 15 October 2026.

  • Erasmus Mundus scholarship applicants should apply before 15 January 2027.

  • Self-funded applicants with a non-EU/EEA passport holders should apply before 1 May 2027.

  • Self-funded applicants with an EU/EEA passport should apply before 1 June 2027.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Before starting your online application, prepare the following materials:

  • Degree certificate(s): Official evidence of your Bachelor's degree and any additional degrees. Documents not in English require certified English translations (.pdf).

  • Academic transcript(s): Official records of courses and grades, including information about the duration of your studies (.pdf).

  • English language qualification: Valid results from an accepted English language test, or documentary evidence that you qualify for an exemption (.pdf).

  • Academic writing sample: All applicants must demonstrate their academic writing readiness (.pdf).

  • Curriculum vitae (CV): An English-language overview of your education, work experience and relevant extracurricular activities (.pdf).

  • Passport or identity card: A clear scan of a valid identification document (.png or .jpg).

  • Digital passport-sized photograph: A recent photograph suitable for identification purposes (.png or .jpg).

Step 3: Identify your references

You must provide contact details for two referees when submitting your application.

  • Your first referee must be an academic referee, such as a professor or lecturer who supervised your university-level work.

  • Your second referee may be another academic referee or a professional referee, such as an employer, supervisor or placement coordinator.

After you submit your application, the Euroculture Secretariat will contact your referees and invite them to complete a short questionnaire assessing your academic, professional and personal competencies. Your referees must respond within two working weeks of your application submission. You do not need to upload signed recommendation letters under the updated 2027–2029 procedure. Your application cannot be completed successfully without responses from both referees. This is considered your responsibility!

Step 4: Submit your online application

All candidates, including Erasmus Mundus scholarship applicants and self-funded applicants, use the same application procedure. Submit your application through the Euroculture Online Application Tool (OAT). Make sure that:

  • You submit your application before the deadline applicable to you;

  • You provide all required documents and information;

  • Your referees are prepared to respond within the required timeframe.

Step 5: Complete your interview (if shortlisted)

After your application has been reviewed, you may be shortlisted for an interview with a representative of the Euroculture Board of Admissions. The interview lasts approximately 10 minutes. It provides an opportunity to discuss your motivation, academic work, and personal and professional competencies. Successful completion of the interview is required before admission to the programme or selection for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Step 6: Receive your application results

Erasmus Mundus scholarship application results are expected to be communicated by the end of March 2027.

Self-funded applications will be considered on a rolling basis from the end of March 2027.

Questions about your application? Contact the Euroculture Consortium Secretariat at euroculture@rug.nl. Please also be sure to consult our FAQ for any other questions you might have.