Mundus MAPP is a two-year joint master’s program in public policy run by four European institutions: Central European University (CEU PU) in Vienna, Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI) in Barcelona, the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS) in The Hague, and the University of York.
Applicants pick one of four mobility tracks and spend a year at each of its two universities: CEU–IBEI for Global Public Policy, CEU–York for European Public Policy, ISS–IBEI for Political Economy and Development, and ISS–York for Governance and Development. Around 60% of the curriculum is shared across tracks and 40% is track-specific, and the program carries a practice component built on an internship, a spring study trip and classroom case work.
Graduates receive a Master of Arts in Public Policy jointly awarded by the two institutions they attended, plus a diploma supplement. The degree is recognised in Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, and the CEU tracks also meet the requirements for CEU’s US-registered MA in Public Policy. Since 2007 the program has taught 408 students from 85 countries, and it reports that 94% of its graduates were employed within six months.
Benefits & funding
- A limited number of Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarships go to the highest-ranked applicants and run the full 24 months of the program.
- EMJM holders receive €1,400 a month, up to €33,600 over 24 months, covering travel, visa, installation and living costs.
- The EMJM scholarship also waives the tuition fee in full.
- Additional financial support is available for students with individual needs, scaled to the level of disability or support required.
- One Institutional Scholarship per study track waives 50% of tuition at both the Year 1 and the Year 2 institution; it carries no stipend.
- Self-funded students pay €13,000 per academic year, €26,000 for the whole program.
- Three costs sit outside every scholarship: the study visit (€600–1,000), the winter school (€600–1,000), and travel and visa expenses between countries.
Eligibility
- A bachelor’s degree comprising at least three years of study at an accredited institution; a degree in the social sciences or equivalent is preferred.
- Candidates whose bachelor’s degree is in Natural Sciences or Engineering are not eligible to apply.
- A GPA of at least 3.17/4.0 or equivalent, and class 2.1 / Upper Second where that classification applies; applicants who already hold a master’s must meet the same standard on both degrees.
- Fluent English, shown by TOEFL iBT 95+, IELTS 7+, Cambridge C2 or C1, Pearson PTE 76+, or Duolingo 130+, taken within the last two years (five years for Cambridge).
- Citizens of 22 listed countries who earned an English-taught degree are exempt from the test; others may request a waiver for a degree taught entirely in English at an approved institution.
- Work experience is not required, but candidates with relevant work experience are given preference.
- Physical mobility is compulsory: two study periods in two different countries, each worth at least 30 ECTS, and both countries must differ from the applicant’s country of residence at the time of applying.
- Open to European and third-country nationals alike, with no stated age limit.
- Anyone who has already held an EMJM scholarship cannot receive another, and an EMJM holder may not combine it with another EU-funded scholarship scheme.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor · Master
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Choose one of the four mobility tracks — each has its own online application form, and only one track may be selected.
- 2Complete that form on the CEU application portal at sits.ceu.edu; there is no separate scholarship application, only a funding section inside the form.
- 3Upload scanned bachelor’s transcript and diploma in official English translation, plus master’s transcript and diploma if you hold one or are enrolled.
- 4Upload a full CV listing any publications, and a statement of purpose of no more than 500 words covering motivation, research interests, relevant experience, career plans and the track you chose.
- 5Name two referees, preferably at least one academic; they submit their letters through the portal within seven days, and email, fax or post is not accepted.
- 6Add an English test result or a waiver request unless you are exempt.
- 7Submit before the round deadline; anyone who wants funding must use the first round.
- 8If admitted, send official hard copies of academic records with notary stamps and signatures by 31 July 2027.
Program timeline
Round 1 closes at 23:59 CET — the only round considered for financial aid
Dec 1, 2026
Round 1 decisions
Apr 14, 2027
Round 2 closes at 23:59 CET — self-funded applicants resident outside the EU/EEA
Apr 15, 2027
Round 1 appeal deadline
Apr 20, 2027
Round 2 decisions
Jun 30, 2027
Round 3 closes at 23:59 CET — self-funded applicants resident in the EU/EEA
Jul 1, 2027
Round 2 appeal deadline
Jul 6, 2027
Round 3 decisions
Jul 15, 2027
Round 3 appeal deadline
Jul 21, 2027
Official academic records due from admitted students
Jul 31, 2027