Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This comprehensive FAQ can hopefully provide the answers you’re looking for! Any questions not answered here can be directed to euroculture@rug.nl at any time.

Eligibility

  • Being selected is less likely if your educational background lies outside of the field of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, relevant work or volunteer experience, as well as a strong motivation can add some points to your application. Specific courses followed during the Bachelor studies are also taken into account.

  • If you would like to apply for a scholarship, you have to graduate by the scholarship application deadline (10 January 2026), and provide respective proof (degree or statement of graduation). See below for further in formation on graduation proof. If you are applying as a self-financing candidate, it is fine to apply even if you are still a Bachelor student (but you need to graduate before the beginning of the Master programme to start Euroculture).

  • Generally, yes. Applicants whose first language is not English need to provide a language test. Only a full year of studies - in English- in an English-speaking country (a country where English is (one of) the official languages) or a ful l cycle of higher education (i.e. a degree) taught fully in English in any other country can exempt you from the test.

Mobility

  • Mobility between the different universities is a crucial and mandatory element in the Euroculture programme. Students start the programme at one university and are required to move to their second university for the second semester.

  • Not necessarily. For scholarship students, the first and the second universities are set by the consortium during the selection process (usually but not always based on the indicated preferences). Self-financing students choose their second semester university during the first semester. They submit two motivated choices to the consortium and will spend their second semester in either of the two.

  • In the third semester, you can choose between following: the professional track – entailing finding a work placement – or the research track. For the research track, you can go to any of the eight consortium universities within Europe. Selected EU/EEA students can also follow their research track at one of the overseas partner universities in Japan, India, Canada or Mexico.

Documents

  • Yes. You can submit an official statement of graduation from your university instead of the degree. The statement must mention your name, the name of the programme you followed, and confirm that you have passed all the necessary modules to graduate. The date of graduation should appear, and that date may not be after 10 January 2026.

  • You can submit a statement of expected graduation / current progress from your university. It should state what kind of degree you are pursuing and when you are expected to graduate, along with the number of credits still to be fulfilled (if applicable). In case your university does not provide such certification, you can upload your current transcript of records instead.

  • Please follow the instructions outlined in the Online Application Tool on this matter. Once you submit your application, your reference will be notified if you requested that they send the letter to us directly.

  • It is best to choose a paper or thesis on a topic relevant to issues and themes covered by the Euroculture programme. However: you can upload a paper or thesis on another topic. The main rationale behind uploading a paper is to demonstrate the candidate’s experience with conducting research in an academic context and academic writing. So any paper or thesis written during your previous studies that you deem good can be uploaded.

  • No. You can submit it in its origin al language. A summary in English must be provided. In this summary, the topic as well as the result of the academic writing need to be considered. In ALL cases an abstract of about 200 words needs to be provided with the writing. For non- English documents, an additional 1000-word summary will be required.

  • It is preferable to submit complete applications. For self-financing candidates, it is also possible to submit the test results after the application deadline – notify the consortium secretariat (euroculture@rug.nl) about the potential date of the results to see if it is still possible to apply.

  • Instead of the English language t est results, upload a brief statement mentioning when you expect to receive the results. Note that if you are applying for a scholarship and your test results are not in by 10 January, you will not be considered for the scholarship.

  • It is always better to submit complete applications. If you are applying, early applications are advised. You can submit your application with some documents missing. The Online Application Tool will guide you through this process, but you may always request more details through euroculture@rug.nl.

Scholarship

  • The Euroculture Master will accept new applications from October 15, 2024 onwards for students starting in September 2025 (Cohort 2025-2027). For the academic year 2025-2026, no Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available. We are actively working to secure funding for the 2026-2027 cohort (starting in September 2026), and we remain optimistic that Erasmus Mundus scholarships will be available again from 2026 onward. Prospective students are encouraged to check back for updates as new information becomes available.

    Erasmus+ grants remain available as normal.

  • Generally, yes, unless you have previously received this scholarship for participating in another joint degree course. To be eligible for the scholarship for Euroculture, you also have to fulfil the requirements of this particular programme. There is no restriction on age of applicants. Nationals of countries listed here are eligible. (continued below)

    You are also eligible for the scholarship even if you have previously received an Erasmus scholarship – for example, for a semester abroad (unless it was for participating in another joint degree programme). If you come from one of the countries where Euroculture universities are located, you will not be able to attend this university as a scholarship holder. With more specific eligibility questions, email euroculture@rug.nl

  • It covers participation fees for the Euroculture programme, health insurance, living costs (€1.400 per month).

    It does not cover books or other study materials, these have to be purchased relying on the monthly living allowance.

  • No. To apply for a scholarship, you need to submit the application via the online application system within the application deadlines. You need to indicate that you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

  • Yes. You can also indicate that preference when submitting your application. If your application gets a passing score for the programme but is not ranked high enough to get a scholarship, you will be offered a study place as a self-financing student – if available, in your first preferred university.

  • You can check the alternative funding page for general information on what other grants can be available to you. If you have been notified that you are selected as a self-financing student by a particular university, you are encouraged to approach the Euroculture coordinator in that university for country-specific tips on grants, etc. During your Euroculture studies, you will have a chance to apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship for your second and (sometimes) third semester - if you choose the professional track.

  • You are still eligible for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Universities

  • If you’re applying for the scholarship, your application will be assigned to a random selection of European partner universities, who will each assess your application independently based on the Euroculture assessment criteria. Your final score is the average of these independent assessments. If you’re applying as a self-financing candidate, the first preferred university will assess your application as long as there are still places available there. If not, it will pass it on to your second preferred university, and so on. In difficult cases or in doubt, assessors from the university assessing your application will consult with their colleagues in other universities indicated by you.

  • While the Euroculture Consortium strives to meet the selected candidate’s wishes, it is not guaranteed. For selected Erasmus Mundus candidates, the consortium will set the first and the second university (where the student will spend the first and the second semester), usually, but not always, based on the three indicated preferences.

    As for self-financing candidates, their first university is usually their first indicated choice, although this depends on the availability of places. To make sure you can start the programme at the university of your choice, submit your application as early as possible.

  • No. If selected as a self-financing candidate, you will have an opportunity to choose the second university during the first semester and you will decide on your third semester track (internship or research track at any of the EU consortium universities) during your first year .

    If selected as an Erasmus Mundus scholarship candidate, your first and second universities will be set at the start of the programme (usually this is determined by the choices you provide). You will decide on your third semester track (internship or research track at any of the EU consortium universities) during your first year. Note: Euroculture consortium tries to respect your preference for first and second university as much as possible, but sometimes needs to place bursary students at a different university due to balance of bursary students across the consortium.

About Us

  • The Euroculture Consortium is a network of seven European universities and four overseas universities that work closely together to offer a unique, interdisciplinary Euroculture curriculum. The coordinating university of the consortium is the University of Groningen.

  • The programme is harmonized across all the partner universities in terms of the general course modules. Nevertheless, each of the partner universities has a specific thematic focus and own approach to delivering the expected learning outcomes. You can find an overview of the partner universities and their respective foci on their respective partner pages.

  • The Intensive Programme is a 7-day conference or summer school in which all the Euroculture students come together to follow lectures, workshops, discuss and present their research papers to their fellow students. Its aim is to deepen the knowledge and understanding obtained during the two semesters by joint discussion and reflection. A ‘career day’ with alumni and a variety of professionals, highlighting career possibilities for Euroculture graduates, is part of the programme, as well as lectures by important scholars, hands-on, teamwork-based projects, and workshops with relevant experts. Each year the IP has a unique topic and the organization of the IP is done by a different partner university in the consortium, and a special, dedicated website is launched for each IP.

  • It offers a unique combination of in-depth knowledge of European politics and society, and practical skills within its multidisciplinary curriculum. Flexibility to choose between research-oriented and professional tracks, and an opportunity to do an internship during your studies, are among the advantages of Euroculture.

    An essential element of the programme is the mandatory mobility – Euroculture students study at minimum two European universities of the Consortium, and receive a joint Master's degree upon graduation.

    Small-scale teaching by experts in varied, challenging fields and project-based work in intercultural teams is what prepares our graduates for successful careers.

    Euroculture has been recognized by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Programme of Excellence. In 2020, it has been awarded Erasmus Mundus grant for the fourth time – allowing selected students to fund their studies with a scholarship.

Application

  • No. Only the applications submitted via the online application system are considered.

  • The Online Application Tool will inform you of the possibilities for saving documents once you open it.

  • Most likely your issues are connected to a large number of applications being submitted or your browser settings. Try the following: 1) check if all your files are in the required format and do not exceed the maximum size. Try submitting the application once again; 2) upload the application via a different browser or with a computer with a better internetconnection; 3) wait for a few hours and try submitting the application again.

  • Send a screenshot and a detailed description of your problem to euroculture@rug.nl. Include the type and version of your browser. Please note: we cannot process incomplete error reports. If you do not include this information, we cannot address your issue.

  • For Erasmus Mundus scholarship candidates, it does not play a role whether the application is submitted long before the deadline or just before 10 January. All the applications will be evaluated and ranked after 15 January (2026 intake) to determine which candidates are selected for a scholarship. Early submission does not give you any advantage over the deadline than to be a month early. It is better to submit a complete application closer to the deadline.This being said, it is recommended to submit a few days before the actual deadline as on 9-10 January the application system might have trouble coping with a large number of applicants. other candidates.For self-financing candidates, it is best to submit the application as early as possible to ensure that the first preferred university still has study places available. If you would like to apply as a self-financing candidate only, and are not interested in competing for a scholarship, please submit your application after the 10 January deadline (2026 intake).

  • Check out our How to Apply page for more detailed information on the most current deadlines! If you have a question, please email us at euroculture@rug.nl

  • Early application (between 10 January and 1 March) is recommended to ensure a study place is available at your first preferred university. It is strongly recommended that applicants with a non-EU/EEA nationality apply by 1 May at the latest (but preferably March 1) to make sure there is sufficient time to apply for a visa in case they are selected.

  • If you applied as a scholarship candidate, you will be informed about the outcome of the selection in early March 2026 (for the 2026 intake): whether you have been selected for a scholarship, whether you are on the reserve list and/or whether you are accepted to the programme as a self-financing candidate (if you have chosen that option). If you applied as a self-financing candidate, you will generally hear back from your first preferred university within 8 weeks (or sooner) after your application.

  • No. If you applied in the last intake, you should apply again to participate in the current application round. Your previous application was deleted, and is not taken into consideration for any future application. Deferred enrolment is not possible for Euroculture.

Fees

  • Yes, it is. Up-to-date information on fees can be found here. Fees can be paid all at once at the beginning of the programme, or in four instalments before the beginning of each semester. Erasmus Mundus scholarship that is available for the programme cover these participation fees in full.

  • The consortium fee waiver is a “discount” on participation fees offered by the Euroculture consortium to eligible EU/EEA students.

  • You are eligible if you hold an EU/EEA citizenship, and will not receive a scholarship fully covering both the tuition fees (before waiver is applied) and your living costs during your Master studies.

  • Instructions on how to apply for the waiver are communicated by the consortium to all selected self-financing candidates who are eligible to receive a waiver.

  • It is included for all scholarship students and self-financing students holding a non-EU/EEA citizenship. The insurance covers medical and other costs, and covers the student for 2 years in all the Euroculture locations. Self-financing students with an EU/EEA citizenship can opt to take out this insurance or stay with their domestic insurance provider.

Placements

  • No, the student is in charge of finding a relevant work placement. However, Euroculture has a large network of associated partners where our students have previously done placements. Besides, guidance on finding a placement is given throughout the first year.

  • No, in fact there are no restrictions in terms of the location of the placement (except for unsafe regions – in that case the university might not approve your placement).

  • No, the Euroculture programme is designed in a way that only allows to follow its modules in a specific, predetermined order. All other semesters feature coursework requiring students’ presence in class, therefore it is not possible to take on a work placement in any semester but the third one.

    After the final (fourth) semester it is possible to undertake a traineeship or an internship, but no study credits can be allocated for it.

Online Application Tool

  • This FAQ answers technical questions related to the Online Application Tool. If you are curious about application matters, we urge you to open the Online Application Tool and use its guiding questions to determine which application type is most suitable for you. Alternatively, navigate to our How to Apply section, which can be found at the top of this page.

  • No. If you did not receive a confirmation email, your application was not succesfully received. Most likely, you tried to submit without having answered all mandatory questions. Please reload the tool, go over your application again, and check if any questions remain unanswererd. If this does not resolve the issue, contact: euroculture@rug.nl.

  • Yes. Currently, you do not receive a confirmation message regarding your account creation for the OAT. You can tell if your account was succesfully created if you were redirected automatically to the first page of the tool.

    You will receive a confirmation once your application is succesfully submitted.

  • No, all applications have to be submitted through this form. Other applications will not be considered.

  • Yes, your application process is saved when you end the session. You can log in again using your previous details to pick up where you left off.

  • See our Privacy Statement for more details. The Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, as current chair of the Euroculture Consortium, is responsible for managing all application data through the use of the third-party software FormDesk. Your application data is stored on its servers, and may be distributed and viewed by the Euroculture Board of Admissions as well as the Euroculture Consortium management for the purposes of processing your application to the Euroculture programme. This information is not shared with other third parties.

  • No, data may not be changed after submission, and only one application may be submitted per email address. If you made a mistake, and the relevant deadline has not yet passed, you may request that your application be deleted from the application system at euroculture@rug.nl

  • You can request to remove any and all personal data from our application system by contacting euroculture@rug.nl

  • Please try refreshing the page or changing browsers if the tool is not working properly.

  • The page is not actually stuck, but simply does not redirect you anywhere after it’s finished. You can close the page after a few moments, reload the tool, and you will find that your responses were stored.