The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programme in International Humanitarian Action, also known as the NOHA Master's Programme or NOHA+, is a two-year joint master’s offered by the NOHA Network on Humanitarian Action. It involves a consortium of European universities in countries including Germany, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, Malta, France and Spain, with additional partner locations worldwide for regional training.
The programme awards a joint master’s degree of 120 ECTS across four semesters. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for selected students. This guide sets out the verified details on eligibility, coverage, deadlines, required documents and the application process.
Who the Scholarship Is For
The NOHA Master's is open regardless of race, religion, age or geographical origin. Scholarships are distributed as four from Programme Countries, eight from Partner Countries and four from Targeted Regions (Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11). No more than 10% of the total scholarships may go to students of the same nationality. Nigeria is neither named nor excluded in the available information.
Applicants need a first-cycle university degree (Bachelor or equivalent, EQF level 6) with a minimum workload of 180 ECTS in a discipline relevant to humanitarian action. Accepted fields include medical sciences, food sciences, economics and management, engineering, law, social sciences, education sciences and humanities.
English is the main language of instruction at most partner universities. Recognised proof of English at C1 level is required (TOEFL iBT minimum overall 93 with no HOME version, IELTS overall 6.5 with no component under 6.0 and no HOME version, or CAE C1 / CPE C2). Exemptions apply for native speakers from English-speaking countries or those whose entire bachelor’s was taught in English (this must be stated). Spanish B2 is needed for the first semester at Deusto; French C1 is required for Aix-Marseille.
Physical mobility is compulsory: students must complete at least two study periods in two different countries (at least one in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme), each lasting at least one academic semester, and different from the country of residence at enrolment. Virtual mobility cannot replace this requirement.
For the Erasmus Mundus scholarship specifically, the undergraduate degree must have been completed before the scholarship application deadline. Students who previously received an EMJM, Erasmus Mundus Master Course or Joint Doctorate scholarship are not eligible. Holders cannot receive another EU-funded scholarship for the same course.
Some partner universities (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Universidad de Deusto, Uppsala universitet) apply additional national requirements. Selection also considers the type and level of academic qualifications, research and professional experience (especially in humanitarian action), motivation and concern for humanitarian issues, multicultural sensitivity, linguistic abilities, recommendations, possible interviews, and nationality and gender balance.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Erasmus+ / Erasmus Mundus scholarship provides a contribution to the costs incurred by the student and covers travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs. It is calculated as €1,400 per month for a maximum of 24 months and is awarded for full-time enrolment for the entire duration of the Master programme. The amount is fixed regardless of country of origin, residence or nationality.
Programme participation costs are €4,000 per semester (four semesters). These cover tuition fees, library and laboratory costs, other mandatory costs, administrative and organisational support, enrolment, examinations, the final diploma, and an insurance scheme for the duration of the studies.
Participation costs do not cover accommodation, subsistence, travel to and from partner universities, or travel documents (visa, passport). Possible support for individual needs (adaptations) is mentioned but not detailed further in the available information.
An application fee is not stated in the available information.
Key Deadlines for the 2026-2028 Cohort
- 1 October 2026: Opening of the call for all applications to the programme.
- 15 December 2026, 23:59 GMT: Deadline for Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications.
- 1 April 2027: Central application deadline for all ordinary candidates.
- 1 July 2027: Application deadline for those without EU citizenship or valid EU residence permits.
Note that some page wording refers to later cohorts; always confirm the exact dates on the official application system for the intake you intend to join.
Documents You Must Prepare
All applications are submitted online. Compulsory documents include:
- Copy of passport (main pages showing full name, passport number, date and place of issue, and expiry date).
- Scan of the original diploma (and Diploma Supplement if available). Official translation is required if the document is not in English. If the degree is finished but not yet awarded, an official confirmation of successful completion and that the degree will be awarded is needed. If still studying, an official document stating current enrolment in the final year.
- Scan of original academic transcripts (official translation if not in English). Transcripts of courses passed so far if the degree is incomplete.
- Curriculum vitae in English (preferably Europass format).
- Official proof of language abilities where applicable.
- Two reference letters in English, signed and dated, preferably on official letterhead and stamped. Letters must not be older than two years and cannot come from family members. Academic and/or professional referees are accepted.
- Proof of residence issued within 12 months of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship application deadline. Acceptable forms are a residence certificate from the municipality (in specified languages), a certificate from the place of work, study or training (in English or certified translation), or a notary document (in English). National IDs, passports and utility bills are not acceptable.
- Publications (if any).
Scholarship applicants must submit a complete set of documents by the scholarship deadline. No additional documents beyond the standard list are specifically required for the scholarship track.
How to Apply
Every application must be made online through the NOHA Application Form at http://apply.nohanet.org/. Printed documents should not be submitted unless requested or authorised by NOHA.
- Read the online application form thoroughly and prepare all information and documents in advance.
- Complete every section of the online form.
- Attach all compulsory documents.
Erasmus Mundus scholarship applicants must follow the joint application procedure, submit a complete application and meet all eligibility criteria. Only candidates who have graduated before the application deadline may apply for the EM scholarship.
An appeal form is downloadable from the NOHA website and should be sent to nohamasters@deusto.es. Guest scholar applications use the same address with the subject line “Invited Scholars/Guest Lecturers Application”.
Apply on the Official NOHA Portal
Selection Process
Admission is decided by the Joint Admissions Board, which includes one representative from each university and the Joint Programme Coordinator as chairperson, supported by the Secretariat. The Secretariat first checks completeness and minimum eligibility. Each Network university’s selection committee then makes a preliminary selection. The final list is adopted by the Joint Admissions Board a few weeks after the deadline. Applicants are informed in writing and may appeal within seven days. Final results for scholarship applicants are issued by the end of March; selection results are sent by email.
For self-funded applicants, each university evaluates applications for the first-choice home university according to its own national criteria. The Master Secretariat compiles the joint network student list. Candidates not selected by their first choice may be considered by second or third choices or asked about a transfer. Results for self-funded applicants appear in the summer of the relevant cohort year. Ineligible candidates are informed at the beginning of January and have a seven-day appeal window. Non-selected scholarship applicants may switch to the self-funded track.
Conditions and Restrictions
- The scholarship is awarded only in full and only to full-time students.
- A reduction may apply if minimum mobility requirements are not met.
- Previous EMJM scholarship holders are ineligible.
- EMJM scholarship holders cannot receive another EU-funded scholarship for the same course.
- Applications that do not follow the instructions (missing documents or wrong format) are considered ineligible.
- Compulsory physical mobility cannot be replaced by virtual mobility.
- Proof of residence and other documents must meet the stated timing and format rules.
- Nationality and gender balance are taken into account; no more than 10% of scholarships may go to the same nationality.
AlertNaija247 Guidance
This scholarship suits applicants who already hold a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, can demonstrate genuine interest or experience in humanitarian action, and are prepared for compulsory physical mobility across at least two countries. It is less realistic for those still completing their undergraduate studies at the scholarship deadline, those who have previously held an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, or those unable to meet the language and mobility requirements.
Prepare early. Gather a clear scan of your passport, diploma and full transcripts, arrange official translations where needed, and draft a Europass-style CV in English. Request two reference letters well in advance from academic or professional contacts who know your work; the letters must be signed, dated, preferably on letterhead, and no older than two years. See practical advice on how to ask Nigerian lecturers or supervisors for strong scholarship reference letters. Obtain a proper proof of residence that meets the 12-month rule and is not a passport, national ID or utility bill. Language test scores must match the exact versions and scores listed (no HOME versions of TOEFL or IELTS).
Nigerian applicants may need to convert their grading scale or request official statements that clarify the workload in ECTS terms, and should allow extra time for certified translations and for obtaining a municipality or institutional residence certificate that satisfies the format rules.
Common mistakes include submitting an incomplete application, using outdated or family-member references, providing the wrong type of residence proof, missing the graduation-before-deadline rule for the scholarship track, or assuming virtual mobility can substitute for the required physical stays. Another frequent error is confusing the different deadlines for scholarship and self-funded routes.
For clarity on funding terminology such as scholarship versus other forms of support, see the guide on Scholarship vs Fellowship vs Bursary vs Studentship.
Never pay anyone to apply or to “guarantee” selection. An application fee is not stated on the official pages. Always use the official domain apply.nohanet.org and the contact address nohamasters@deusto.es. Check the domain carefully before entering personal data.