Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes increase the capacity of Finnish higher education institutions to participate in international joint degree programmes
In the 2023 Erasmus Mundus call, applications were sought for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) as well as for the preparation of Master's programmes through the Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM).
Applications came from all over the world and their number increased from last year. The number of applications for Master's programmes is now at the same level as at the end of the previous programme period. Erasmus Mundus Master's programme consortia must include at least three higher education institutions, two of which must be from programme countries or associated countries. The Master's programme preparation project is applied for by a single higher education institution.
A total of 91 EMJM applications were submitted, 19 of which involved Finnish actors. From the 145 EMDM applications submitted, four involved a Finnish higher education institution as coordinator. The number of applications shows that interest in Erasmus Mundus activities is at a robust level in Finland.
The application results for 2023 are announced
In the 2023 call results, funding was granted to 32 Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes, eight of which involve a Finnish higher education institution either as a coordinator or a partner. In addition to these Master's programmes, Finnish actors are involved in two projects as associated partners. This can be regarded a commendable outcome for Finns.
Among the higher education institutions that received funding are those with long experience in Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes and institutions that received funding to establish an Erasmus Mundus Master's programme for the first time.
One of the key objectives of the new Erasmus+ programme period is to enable new actors to participate in Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes. Funding for the preparation of Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes is intended to increase the capabilities of new participants. In the 2023 application round, funding was granted to 58 EMDM projects. Of the Finnish applications, one received funding. EMDM projects are short, approximately one-year-long projects with a total budget of 55,000 euros. There is one beneficiary in the project, who, however, can distribute funding with the partners involved in the project. Interest in EMDM projects in Finland has so far been concentrated in universities of applied sciences.
In the ongoing programme period, coordinators of Erasmus Mundus projects can also be from third countries not associated with the programme. In the awarded projects, this is still unusual, although the programmes do involve university partners from third countries not associated with the programme. So far, this has been unusual in funded projects, even though the programmes include higher education partners from third countries not associated with the programme.
Finnish universities participate in Erasmus Mundus programmes spanning multiple disciplines
Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes are flagship programmes in their respective fields. Through these programmes, the quality, innovation, and internationalization of European higher education are developed. Finnish universities participate in Erasmus Mundus Master's programmes that address many current issues and various educational fields. The consortia of the Master's programmes vary in size, and in the 2023 application round, the consortium with a Finnish influence has members ranging from three to eight universities. Many programmes also include a wide range of associated partners who provide expertise to the programmes, for example, through internships and guest lectures, and promote the programmes' relevance to working life.
The now granted programmes emphasize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, data science, and artificial intelligence, as well as urban and sustainable development. For example, the University of Oulu's Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Redesigning the Post-Industrial City programme is based on cooperation within the European Universities network (UNIC), which aims to create research-based solutions to promote urban change. Aalto University, on the other hand, acts as a coordinator in the programme named Communications Engineering and Data Science (CoDaS), attracting engineering students from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This education programme aims to enhance future engineers' knowledge in artificial intelligence and information technology, offering studies and expertise also for students of network technology, computer science, and telecommunications. While some master's programmes have already begun to incorporate these concepts into their curriculum, few programmes deal with both areas in an integrated way as the new programme will do.
The Erasmus Mundus programme will turn 20 next year. The programme's impact has been central to the development of European international joint programmes. Finnish universities have been involved in the programme from the beginning. In Finland, the possibilities for universities of applied sciences and universities to participate in the programme have been developed by, among other things, amending the national legislation regarding the length of international joint degrees. Participating higher education institutions have also actively raised to a national-level discussion issues related to international joint programmes, such as joint degree certificates or tuition fee practices.
Granted funding
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters projects funded in the 2023 application round, which include a Finnish higher education institution:
- Sustainable Information Technologies for Societies Joint Masters, with University of Tampere as a partner
- EUROPHOTONICS, with University of Tampere as a partner
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Redesigning the Post-Industrial City, with University of Oulu as a partner
- RE_PLAY: EUROPEAN JOINT MASTERS IN GAMES, with Aalto University as a partner
- MSc in Smart Cities and Communities, with University of Vaasa as a partner
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme in Imaging, coordinated by University of Tampere
- Communications Engineering and Data Science, coordinated by Aalto University
- And one programme whose details are not yet published on the Commission's Funding and Tenders portal
The Erasmus Mundus Design Measures projects funded in the 2023 application round, which include a Finnish higher education institution:
- Towards International Master in B2B Sales, coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences
Applications for EMJM in 2020–2023 and the participation of Finns.
| Year | Granted funding | Number of applications | Funded programmes | Finnish HEIs in applications | Finnish HEIs in approved programmes (coordinator/partner + associate partner) | Application acceptance rate in Europe |
| 2023 | c. 154 M € | 91 | 32 | 19 | 2/6 + 2 | 35 % |
| 2022 | c. 137 M € | 58 | 30 | 6 | 0/3 | 52% |
| 2021 | 122 M € | 68 | 27 | 8 | 1/1 | 39% |
| 2020 | 161 M € | 97 | 40 | 12 | 3/5 | 41% |
Applications for EMDM in 2021–2023 and the participation of Finns.
| Year | Granted funding | Number of applications | Funded programmes | Finnish HEIs in applications | Finnish HEIs in approved programmes (coordinator) | Application acceptance rate in Europe |
| 2023 | c. 3,2 M € | 145 | 58 | 4 | 1 | 48% |
| 2022 | c. 3,4 M € | 122 | 62 | 2 | 1 | 51% |
| 2021 | 2 M € | 148 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 28% |
The forth application round of Erasmus Mundus Actions opens in late autumn 2023 and is estimated to end in February 2024.
What are Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) are high-quality, international Master's degree programmes organised by several universities. The Master's programme includes studies in at least two different countries. Students are offered substantial scholarships, and upon graduation, they receive a degree from at least two European HEI.