EMA Scholarship
Do you have a passion for human rights and democracy? Do you want to learn from the best experts and practitioners in the field? Do you want to travel and study in different European countries and universities?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in applying for the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA), which is a fully funded scholarship that covers all your expenses for a two-year master’s degree in human rights and democracy.
What is the EMA Programme and Scholarship?
The EMA programme and scholarship is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programme that is coordinated by the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) and involves 41 participating universities from all EU member states and beyond.
The programme aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to promote and protect human rights and democracy in different contexts and regions.
The programme consists of a first semester in Venice, where students attend common courses and workshops, and a second semester in one of the participating universities, where students follow a specific curriculum according to their chosen specialisation.
The programme also includes a third semester dedicated to the preparation and defence of a master’s thesis, as well as optional internships, field trips, and summer schools.
The scholarship covers the tuition fees, monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel costs for the students, and does not require any application fee, IELTS, or GRE. The scholarship is open to students from all over the world, but there are different deadlines and criteria depending on your nationality and status.
How to Apply for the EMA Programme and Scholarship?
The application process for the EMA programme and scholarship is quite straightforward, but it requires some preparation and attention to detail. Here are the steps that I followed to apply for the programme and scholarship:
1. Read the Call for Applications carefully and check the eligibility and selection criteria, the application documents, and the deadlines. You can find the Call for Applications on the official website of the programme: http://globallocal-erasmusmundus.eu.
2. Choose your preferred pathway and specialisation. There are four different pathways that you can choose from, depending on your interests and goals. Each pathway has a different combination of countries and universities that you will study in. You can find more information about the pathways and the specialisations on the website of the programme.
3. Enter your application online at the following link: You will need to create an account and fill in some personal and academic information, as well as upload the following documents:
- Transcript of records and degree diploma: These documents show your academic achievements and qualifications, as well as the courses and subjects that you have studied in your previous education.
- Curriculum vitae: This document provides an overview of your personal information, education, work experience, skills, and interests.
- Two reference letters (preferably one academic and one professional): These letters attest to your suitability and potential for the programme, as well as to your academic and professional achievements and skills.
- Copy of passport picture page: This document confirms your identity and nationality, as well as your eligibility for the scholarship.
- Proof of English language proficiency: This document demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively in English, which is the language of instruction and communication of the programme.
4. Submit your application before the deadline that applies to you.
5. Wait for the results of the selection process. The EMA Executive Committee will approve the final list of admitted students, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by mid-July 2024 at the latest.
6. If you are selected, you will receive an official letter of admission and a scholarship offer, as well as further instructions on how to enrol and prepare for the programme.
7. Receipt of payment of the application fee of 50 Euro: This document shows that you have paid the non-refundable application fee, which is required for all applicants, regardless of their nationality or scholarship status.
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Application Deadlines
Deadline for non-EU and all scholarship applicants:
12 February 2024
Deadline for EU and self-funded applicants:
16 April 2024
My Tips and Advice for Future Applicants
If you are thinking of applying for the EMA programme and scholarship, I have some tips and advice for you that might help you prepare a successful application:
- Start your application early and don’t leave it until the last minute. The application process can take some time and effort, and you don’t want to rush it or miss the deadline.
- Do your research and choose your pathway and specialisation carefully. Make sure that you are interested and motivated by the topics and themes of the programme, and that you are aware of the requirements and expectations of each university and country that you will study in.
- Prepare your documents and letters carefully and professionally. Make sure that your documents are clear, complete, and up-to-date, and that they reflect your academic and professional achievements and skills. Ask someone to proofread your documents and letters for spelling, grammar, and clarity. Use the templates and guidelines provided by the programme website to format your documents and letters.
- Write a compelling and convincing motivation letter. This is your chance to show your personality, passion, and potential for the programme, and to explain why you are a suitable and deserving candidate for the scholarship. Be honest, specific, and relevant, and use examples and evidence to support your claims. Avoid clichés, generalisations, and repetitions, and be original and creative.
- Ask for strong and relevant reference letters. Choose your referees wisely, and make sure that they know you well and can speak positively and confidently about your academic and professional performance and potential. Provide them with some information and guidance on what to write and how to write it, and remind them of the deadline and the format of the letter.
- Check your application and documents before submitting them. Make sure that you have filled in all the required fields and uploaded all the required documents, and that everything is correct and consistent. Double-check the deadline and the link of the online application, and make sure that you receive a confirmation email after submitting your application.
I hope that this blog post has been helpful and informative for you, and that it has inspired you to apply for the EMA programme and scholarship. Good luck with your application and I hope to see you soon in Venice!
