Study in Europe | MARIHE Erasmus Mundus MS Scholarships 2027
Universities are no longer ivory towers. They are battlefields for innovation, policy, and global influence. The Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education, better known as MARIHE, recognizes this reality. This programme does not produce passive graduates. It creates change makers who will redesign how education systems operate, how research gets funded, and how institutions evolve.
The 2027 intake applications close on 21 September 2026. That deadline arrives faster than most applicants realise. Those who miss it will wait another two years for the next scholarship cohort.
About The Scholarship
Standard international degrees often feel like extended tourism with lectures attached. MARIHE takes the opposite approach. This programme positions itself as the only Erasmus Mundus Joint Master specifically targeting future leaders in higher education transformation. Students do not study higher education from a distance. They immerse themselves in its complexities across multiple continents.
The two year, 120 ECTS curriculum moves through seven partner institutions across Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, China, and India. That means every semester brings a new academic culture, a different policy environment, and fresh perspectives on how education systems function.
Scholarship Benefits
Financial barriers stop many talented applicants from pursuing international education. MARIHE removes those obstacles decisively.
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship takes this further. Winners receive:
- Full tuition and participation cost coverage
- Worldwide health and accident insurance
- €1,400 monthly allowance for living expenses, travel, visa costs, and installation
Additionally, the consortium reserves two scholarship slots per intake specifically for students from deprived backgrounds or those who are first in their family to pursue higher education.
This funding structure transforms MARIHE from a distant dream into a tangible opportunity for international applicants who would otherwise struggle with European tuition rates and living costs.
Available Courses of Study
MARIHE sits at the intersection of education policy, research management, innovation strategy, and institutional leadership. The curriculum covers critical areas including:
- Higher education systems and governance structures
- Research and innovation policy frameworks
- University management and institutional transformation
- Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems
- Internationalisation strategies and global partnerships
- Education consultancy and policy analysis
- Academic leadership and administration
- Cross cultural cooperation in higher education
These subjects prepare graduates for careers in universities, government ministries, quality assurance bodies, international organisations, research agencies, think tanks, consulting firms, and PhD programmes.
Eligibility Requirements
Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- A first university degree of at least three years duration
- Genuine interest in higher education systems and innovation
- Sufficient English proficiency for full time international study
- Willingness to study across multiple countries and academic environments
- Clear motivation for careers in education policy, research management, consultancy, or doctoral research
The selection committee looks beyond grades. They want applicants who can articulate why higher education matters and how they plan to contribute to its evolution.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027 intake close on 21 September 2026. The programme begins in September 2027 with available Erasmus Mundus scholarships for successful candidates.
