Erasmus-Mundus Nigeria

Have you read our Erasmus Mundus scholarship application guide? It explains the unique nature of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, teaches you how to structure your application, and answers most of the questions you are likely to have. Put together by scholars, the effectiveness of the handbook has been attested to by scholars in Nigeria and around the world. This is a one-of-a-kind resource that would be very useful to prospective applicants. Read. Learn. Apply. https://lnkd.in/d-3qR-Qp #erasmusmundus

Part III: Got an Erasmus admission without funding? What next? To conclude this series, a first-hand experience of a student's attempt at self-funding is shared below. *Case Reference: In 2022, I advised a student against trying to self-fund an EMJMD study, but he felt confident in raising funds because he had a partial tuition waiver. The balance was to be paid instalmentally, and he estimated that it would be feasible to raise the required 50% deposit and, after travelling, save and pay the balance within the first year as required. The calculations he made seemed simple but did not really entail a full picture of the nature of Erasmus programmes, which I already explained above. After an intensive discussion, he decided to apply to one of the universities in the programme’s consortium. Today, he still expresses how he is glad he did not take up the Erasmus offer. Why? a. All the money he raised from family and friends was not enough for the 50% deposit; talk more about covering proof of funds, visas, or flight fees. b. Some countries within the programme had restrictions on work hours that would have prevented him from working to save. c. The university he got into had a partial tuition waiver and a longer installment plan. Also, it was just one year. d. It took him several weeks to get a job as a student. Imagine this happening in three countries. e. He could get support with accommodations upon his arrival, but he wouldn’t have had that chance within the mobility programme. He completed his programme a few months ago and now works in the same country where he studied. He may have also struggled during his 1-year study but he was able to manage and successfully attain his degree. In summary, if you have no scholarship or funding from organisations but some personal funds, it is more advisable to apply for admission in a programme at one university instead of pursuing a mobility programme like EMJMDs. If mobility is very important to you, note that some universities have exchange programmes that allow you to apply for scholarships to spend some time at a partner university. This is very popular in Europe. More importantly, many European countries offer tuition-free education with minimal or no registration fees. With such an arrangement, it may be more feasible to work and study to support yourself. These options are more financially prudent than undertaking an Erasmus programme. To conclude this series, I would like to encourage anyone and everyone who is in such a situation. Do not give up! Several scholars submitted multiple applications for scholarships before securing the first one. Instead, take this admission as a springboard, propelling you to push more, apply more, search for more opportunities, apply for more effort, and very soon, you will get your golden email. Congratulations in advance! Author, Seunnla Adelusi

Part II: Got an Erasmus admission without funding? What next? In the first part of this series, I explained the possible circumstances faced by applicants who have been admitted but did not receive the full Erasmus scholarship. In the Part II, we will delve into the practicalities or feasibility of using personal funds to support yourself in an EMJMD. *What to do with partial funding? Evaluate your finances! Some students receive a full tuition waiver or are required to pay just 2500 € out of the total fees. While this may seem like a great offer, it is important to evaluate the other factors. Even after covering the initial fees, you still need to pay for visas, flights, international relocation, and living expenses. These fees significantly exceed any tuition waivers you may have received. In that case, you must ask yourself, “Can I really afford this?”? *Should I try to self-fund? My sincere answer is “No!” International studies are expensive. Considering the rates of Euros to Naira, an EMJMD of 45,000–50,000 € will cost over 70 million naira. Tuition alone is about ₦ 30 million; so, even if you think you will live frugally to reduce your living expenses, you still have this tuition mountain to face. Moreover, Erasmus programmes are more expensive than regular Master programmes because of their mobility. Mobility is a great aspect of the EMJMDs, but it also means that it requires lots of travelling, moving, visa/permits, and settling into new places. These imply that 1. You will apply for multiple visas and permits, which require fees and are not typically a walk in the park. 2. You will need to show proof of funds for each visa/permit, so you must have the funds accessible and in the required format (duration, statements, etc.). 3. You will have to move multiple times and pay flight fees. 4. Visa restrictions may limit you to working 20 hours per week or prevent you from working. 5. You may have to pay large deposits for accommodations in certain cities. 6. You may not be settled enough to work for a long time before having to move again. All of the reasons above are examples of why self-funding is not a feasible route. The intense nature of Erasmus programs, coupled with high expectations for your studies and research, makes it challenging to balance work and study. It is not impossible, though, as I personally worked a bit during my second year. However, it would have been impossible to work enough to cover living expenses and tuition. Hence, if you do not have the required funds [SITTING] in an account ready for use, DO NOT TRY TO SELF-FUND. The same advice goes to those with partial funding; remember that you can always get tuition-free admission at many universities. Even if one has the funds for self-funding, I would not recommend pursuing an EMJMD self-funding student. In the final part of this series, I will be sharing the experience of a student who was on the verge of self-funding an EMJMD admission. Author, Seunnla Adelusi

Part I: Got an Erasmus admission without funding? What next? As we get messages from applicants saying, “I got in!” and “I was awarded an Erasmus Scholarship!” We also get less cheery messages from applicants who did not receive that golden email. So, if you are one of those who got admitted into an Erasmus programme but did not get the full scholarship, this is FOR YOU! There are three main categories you could fall into: 1. Self-funded admission; 2.Tuition-funding only; 3. Partial-funding (eg., % of tuition is paid). Irrespective of which category you belong to, I want you to remember that Erasmus Joint Master's Degree (EMJMD) programmes are highly prestigious, so getting admitted is a sign that you have a great profile and made a strong application. The question of what to do next can be tricky, and some have asked questions including: how to appeal and the chances of a successful appeal; how self-funding can be managed; how to find other sorts of funding; and lots more. All of these will be addressed below: Please note that the opinion here is that of the author and is not meant to be taken as Erasmus rules. Appeals: Every program has its own rules regarding the possibility of appealing the selection results. The feasibility of appealing depends on your ranking and several other factors. Please note that appeals may be successful, but the chances are slim. If you are interested in appealing, make sure to read the instructions carefully and follow the steps within the appeal deadline. Alternative Funding Sources: While some programmes only provide the full scholarship or nothing, others have other types of funding in the programme or the universities in the consortium. Most times, these scholarships are listed during applications, and students can select if they would like to be considered for those other scholarships. Unfortunately, most of these ‘extra available’ scholarships are hardly fully funded. It could be a fee waiver at one university, which means you’ll have to pay fees at the other mobilities. If you have these types of funding, the sections below will address that. External Funding: Is it possible to fund your EMJMD with external funding? Yes! Is it feasible or realistic to have this plan? I think not! Some students have tried to raise funding from local or national organisations, while others have even tried crowdfunding! On a personal note, I do not subscribe to the idea of crowdfunding when you have zero scholarships. It’s more feasible to try again. Remember, if you get admitted to an EMJMD programme, your profile must have been great in the first place, so you can improve your application and apply again (for Erasmus or many other opportunities). However, if you have a good chance of getting full funding from an external organisation, try to apply, but beware of scams. In the next part of this series, I would be giving my personal recommendations on self-funding for an Erasmus programme. -Author, Seunnla Adelusi

European Union Youth Sounding Board - Nigeria is hosting information session. Details in the original post.

If you’re interested in having your Erasmus Mundus application documents reviewed, kindly go to our Facebook page and register with your details. PS: For Nigerian Applicants only.

We are organizing a webinar for the applicants to DENSYS, and also for those who are still hesitating. This webinar will be a good opportunity to learn more about the program and how to prepare a successful application. So mark your agenda on the 8th Dec at 3 PM Paris time. Here is the link: https://u2l.fr/densysweb Meanwhile, you can join the Discord server to ask your questions and chat with other applicants (https://lnkd.in/eiPbWgXv). Heathcliff DEMAIE for the DENSYS team, Fabrice Lemoine, Samira Menouar, Justin NW Chiu, Marta Gandiglio, Joaquim Rigola

🌟 Exciting News: EMA-Nigeria Tour is Here! 🇳🇬 The EMA-Nigeria Tour is all set to kick off at The Federal University of Technology Akure this coming Wednesday, September 27th. This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by Oluwaseunnla {Seunnla} Adelusi, the EMA Country Representative for Nigeria is the very first of its kind in Nigeria, aimed at empowering students from all corners of the country. 🎓🌍 What to Expect: 🌟 Targeting Students Nationwide The EMA-Nigeria Tour is on a mission to reach students across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, offering them an unparalleled opportunity for growth and development. 📚💡 🌐 Workshops Galore The tour promises a series of engaging workshops meticulously designed to expose students to both local and international scholarships and fully funded opportunities, including the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programmes. 🌟 🎓 Scholarship Insights Participants will receive invaluable guidance on how to prepare for and apply for Erasmus scholarships, along with strategies to enhance their academic profiles for successful applications. 📝🌠 🎤Distinguished Speakers: The distinguished speakers, who are proud alumni of Nigeria institutions, will be joining from different countries to share their expertise and experiences. 🌍✨ In a testament to the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge among Nigerian students, a record-breaking 450 students have already registered for the inaugural edition of this program. 🚀🎉 Is your institution eager to join the EMA-Nigeria Tour? Connect with us at nigeria@em-a.eu and secure your spot on the tour's upcoming stops. Let's together open doors to a world of opportunities for students across Nigeria! 🌐🏫 #EMANigeriaTour #EducationRevolution #Scholarships #ErasmusMundus #NigerianEducation Federal University of Technology Akure Erasmus Mundus Association

2023 Pre-departure orientation organised by @European Union in Nigeria for 135 Nigerian students heading to Europe for their postgraduate studies https://lnkd.in/eW5TjRG5