€1,400/Month Erasmus Mundus MARIHE Fully Funded Scholarship 2027 is Open
Applications are now open for the 2027 intake of MARIHE – Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education, but this Erasmus Mundus programme deserves attention for a reason that is easy to miss: even students who do not win the €1,400-per-month Erasmus Mundus Scholarship can still receive a tuition-fee scholarship if selected for the programme.
For foreign applicants worried that Erasmus Mundus admission without the main scholarship could leave them facing a huge tuition bill, that makes MARIHE particularly interesting.
The two-year, 120 ECTS master’s degree prepares graduates for careers in university management, higher-education policy, research administration, innovation and institutional leadership. Students also study internationally rather than remaining at one university throughout the degree.
You Don’t Need an Education Degree to Apply
Applicants can come from virtually any academic discipline as long as they hold a qualifying first university degree of at least three years.
That means graduates of engineering, business, economics, technology, social sciences, humanities, public policy and other subjects can potentially apply alongside education graduates.
The bigger question is whether you can demonstrate a genuine interest in how universities, research systems and higher-education institutions work and change.
MARIHE could therefore be especially relevant if you see yourself working in university administration, international education, research management, government education policy, institutional strategy or higher-education consulting.
Fresh graduates are not automatically excluded either. Where professional experience is limited, internships, research projects, student leadership or university activities can help explain your interest in the field.
How Much Funding Can You Actually Receive?
Every selected MARIHE student receives a tuition-fee scholarship covering programme participation costs, while only a limited number receive the additional Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
Recipients of the full Erasmus Mundus award receive €1,400 per month, intended to contribute toward living expenses, travel, visa costs and installation expenses.
Worldwide health and accident insurance is also included, while additional Erasmus+ mobility assistance may be available.
MARIHE additionally offers a scholarship opportunity for two students per intake from deprived backgrounds and/or first-generation university families.
So applicants should remember one important distinction:
MARIHE admission = tuition scholarship.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship = tuition coverage plus €1,400 monthly support.
One Degree, Several Countries
MARIHE is built around international mobility.
Students study within a consortium extending across Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, China and India, with institutions located in places including Krems, Tampere, Osnabrück, Budapest, Aveiro, Beijing and Patiala.
Students can later select from five European and two Asian specialisation options.
There is also a compulsory internship lasting at least eight weeks, giving students an opportunity to gain experience with universities, research organisations, public institutions or other relevant organisations.
For applicants who want one campus and one city for two years, this structure may actually be a disadvantage. For candidates seeking genuine international exposure, it is arguably one of MARIHE’s strongest features.
What Could Make Your Application Competitive?
Do not make your motivation letter primarily about wanting an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
A stronger application explains what problem within higher education interests you and why MARIHE fits your future plans.
That could involve university internationalisation, digital transformation, research policy, innovation systems, student mobility, inequality in higher education or institutional reform.
Try connecting your previous experience + the problem you want to work on + your intended career.
That creates a much stronger case than simply saying you want to study in Europe.
MARIHE 2027 Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the MARIHE 2027 intake is September 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CEST.
Applications are submitted through the official MARIHE application system, and candidates should also verify the programme’s English-language requirements before submitting.
Is MARIHE Worth Applying For?
Yes—particularly if your career interests genuinely involve universities, research, education policy or innovation rather than simply obtaining any available Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
The combination of tuition coverage for every selected student, possible €1,400 monthly funding, study across several countries and a mandatory international internship makes MARIHE a distinctive option for foreign students planning careers behind the systems that shape universities and research worldwide.