GEM Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded

The GEM programme is an international master's degree focusing on the use of geographic information systems, remote sensing and Earth observation technologies to understand and address environmental challenges.

The programme aims to equip graduates with the skills to analyse complex human–environment interactions and support sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.

GEM is delivered through a consortium of four universities:

• University of Twente, Faculty of ITC, the Netherlands

• Lund University, Sweden

• UCLouvain, Belgium

• University of Tartu, Estonia

Students study at two partner universities depending on their selected academic track.

The programme combines theoretical foundations, technical training, applied environmental analysis and research.

GEM Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 Overview

• Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarship

• Programme: GEM MSc in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management

• Study level: Master's degree

• Study countries: Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Estonia

Related: Discover more fully funded Erasmus Mundus scholarships on OHUB.

1. Monthly Allowance of €1,400

Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients receive €1,400 per month for up to 24 months.

This funding is intended to support living and study-related expenses throughout the programme.

For the full two-year period, the maximum monthly allowance totals:

€1,400 × 24 months = €33,600

The actual scholarship payments remain subject to programme rules and the scholar's eligible study periods.

2. Full Tuition-Fee Waiver

Scholarship recipients do not pay the tuition fees covered by the Erasmus Mundus award.

3. Insurance Coverage

The programme provides insurance for scholarship recipients.

4. International Study Mobility

Students complete their master's studies at two partner universities, depending on the selected track.

This allows them to experience different academic environments and approaches to geospatial and environmental research.

5. Research and Technical Training

The programme provides training in geographic information systems, remote sensing, geospatial data analysis and environmental modelling.

6. Professional Development

Graduates develop skills relevant to research institutions, environmental organisations, government agencies, consulting firms and geospatial technology companies.

Are Flights, Visas and Accommodation Separately Covered?

The scholarship's monthly allowance is intended to help recipients manage:

• Living expenses

• Travel expenses

• Visa and immigration costs

• Laptop expenses

• Other personal costs

The programme does not describe these as separate guaranteed payments in addition to the €1,400 monthly allowance.

Accommodation is not guaranteed. Students must arrange housing and budget accordingly.

Related: Browse more fully funded master's scholarships in Europe on OHUB.

Applicants should prepare the following materials:

• First Class or Upper Second Class bachelor's degree certificate, or recognised equivalent

• Official academic transcript

• Certified English translations of academic documents, if applicable

• Additional degree certificates and transcripts, where relevant

• Valid accepted English-language certificate, unless officially exempt

• Copy of a valid passport

• Completed official GEM CV template, maximum two pages

• Information about how the applicant intends to finance the two-year programme

• Other documents specifically requested in the application portal

Official GEM CV Template

Applicants must use the programme's official CV template.

The CV must not exceed two pages.

The CV should include:

• Academic background

• Professional experience

• International experience

• Language skills

• Relevant strengths and achievements

Applications that do not use the required template or exceed the page limit may be declared inadmissible.

The GEM consortium has strengthened its admission criteria for the September 2027 intake.

Applicants should check all requirements carefully before applying.

1. Recognised Bachelor's Degree

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle higher education qualification.

The qualification must represent at least:

• 180 ECTS credits; or

• Three years of full-time university study

The degree must qualify the holder for master's-level study in the country where it was awarded.

2. University Ranking Requirement

The degree-awarding university must appear among the top 10,000 institutions worldwide in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities at the time of application.

Degrees awarded by institutions outside this threshold are not eligible under the published rules.

3. Strong Academic Performance

Applicants must have achieved:

• First Class; or

• Upper Second Class (2:1); or

• An internationally recognised equivalent

Applicants must also meet the applicable country-specific minimum GPA or CGPA requirement.

Important: The programme explicitly states that a Lower Second Class (2:2), or equivalent, does not meet the minimum requirement.

Country-specific GPA thresholds are mandatory and cannot be waived because of work experience, motivation or other achievements.

4. Relevant Academic Background

Applicants should have studied a field related to the GEM programme.

Relevant disciplines may include:

• Geography

• Geoinformatics

• Geomatics

• Geographic Information Systems

• Earth Observation

• Remote Sensing

• Environmental Science

• Earth Science

• Ecology

• Natural Resource Management

• Agriculture

• Forestry

• Land-Use Planning

• Urban and Regional Planning

• Civil Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Computer Science

• Data Science

Applicants from other academic backgrounds may be considered if they can demonstrate adequate preparation through relevant studies or experience.

5. Relevant GIS or Remote Sensing Preparation

Previous GIS and remote sensing courses are advantageous.

For Track 3 and Track 4, the consortium highly recommends at least 15 ECTS credits of relevant GIS or remote sensing preparation.

This is described as a recommendation rather than a universal formal minimum.

6. English Language Proficiency

Applicants must provide an accepted English-language test result unless they qualify for an official exemption.

A degree taught in English does not automatically provide an exemption.

7. Complete Application

Applicants must submit all required documents before the deadline.

Incomplete applications and applications failing to follow the official document rules may be rejected.

Can African Students Apply for GEM Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027?

Yes. The GEM programme welcomes qualified applicants from both EU and non-EU countries.

Eligible graduates from African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and others, may apply.

However, applicants must satisfy the strict academic and language requirements.

African applicants should pay particular attention to:

• The top-10,000 Webometrics university ranking requirement

• Country-specific minimum GPA or CGPA requirements

• The First Class or Upper Second Class academic requirement

• English-language testing or formal exemption eligibility

• The relevance of their bachelor's degree to their selected GEM track

For applicants from Ethiopia, a bachelor's degree taught in English does not by itself establish an exemption from the language-test requirement.

Applicants should verify the official exemption rules and plan for an accepted test if necessary.

Related: Discover more Erasmus Mundus scholarships for African students on OHUB.

Step 1: Visit the Official Application Website

Open the GEM MSc application page.

Review the current admission requirements, scholarship conditions and selection procedure.

Step 2: Confirm Your Academic Eligibility

Check that your bachelor's degree meets the minimum academic requirements.

Verify your university's Webometrics ranking and the applicable country-specific GPA threshold.

Step 3: Select One Study Track

Choose one of the following:

• Geospatial Planner

• Geospatial Analyst

• Geospatial Developer

• Geospatial Modeller

You may apply to only one track.

Changing tracks after admission is not permitted.

Step 4: Check Your English Language Eligibility

Review the accepted tests and formal exemption categories.

If you need an English test, ensure that the result will be available before the deadline.

Step 5: Prepare Your Academic Documents

Collect your degree certificate, academic transcript and any required translations.

Final-year students should obtain an official statement confirming their enrolment status and expected graduation date.

Step 6: Prepare Your Passport Copy

Upload a clear copy of your valid passport.

Step 7: Download and Complete the GEM CV Template

Use the official programme template.

Keep your CV within the two-page limit.

Step 8: Prepare Your Financial Information

The application asks how you intend to finance your studies.

Answer the required questions using euros.

A separate financial-plan document is not required.

Step 9: Open the GEM Application Portal

Access the online application system through the official GEM application webpage.

Step 10: Complete the Application Form

Enter your personal, academic and programme information.

Select your preferred study track and provide the required details.

Step 11: Upload the Required Documents

Upload the academic records, CV, passport and English-language evidence required for your application.

Step 12: Submit by 15 January 2027

The official deadline is 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.

Submit a complete application before the deadline.

Step 13: Receive Automatic Scholarship Consideration

Every applicant who submits a complete application on time is automatically considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

No separate scholarship application is required.

Step 14: Attend a Recorded Online Interview if Invited

The highest-ranked candidates may be invited to a recorded online scholarship interview.

Approximately the top 25 applicants in each study track may be invited.

Only applicants who receive an invitation and complete the interview remain eligible for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Step 15: Await the Admission and Scholarship Decision

The programme expects to announce admission and scholarship results by 31 March 2027.

Step 16: Confirm Your Place

Successful applicants must complete the relevant enrolment confirmation requirements.

These may involve:

• Official Erasmus Mundus scholarship confirmation

• Tuition-fee payment for self-funded applicants

• Official proof of other scholarship or sponsorship funding

Step 17: Submit Final Certified Documents

Where required, certified graduation documents must be received by 31 July 2027.

Step 18: Prepare for Travel and Housing

After receiving official admission documents, follow your first-year host university's guidance on immigration and accommodation.

Housing is not guaranteed.

Do not sign housing contracts or book flights before receiving an official admission letter.

Related: Find more fully funded master's degrees and international study opportunities on OHUB.