Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you are looking to shape your future in global higher education research, innovation and policy — the applications are now open for the Erasmus Mundus MARIHE – Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education 2026 intake — a high-profile joint Master programme under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJM) initiative of the European Union. This two-year programme brings together European and Asian partner institutions to prepare you for leadership in evolving higher education systems, research & innovation across borders. Here's everything you need to know
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Multiple countries (Europe + Asia) — initial semesters in Austria, Finland, then specialisation in Asia (China or India) and Europe (other partner countries).
Host institution: See Below
Study level: Master’s (120 ECTS credits, full-time, 4 semesters / 2 years)
Areas of focus: Research and Innovation in Higher Education; higher education governance, management, digital transformation, institutional research, strategic foresight, learning & teaching innovation.
Awarded Degree: Joint / multiple degree (awarded by participating institutions) upon completion of the programme.
Target group: Applicants holding a first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent, at least 3 years / 180 ECTS) from any country, looking to specialise in higher education research & innovation globally.
Value / Funding: For scholarship holders (Erasmus Mundus Full Scholarships) the monthly unit cost is EUR 1,400 per month for the full duration of the Master (up to 24 months) → maximum of ~ EUR 33,600 for the full programme.
Programme duration: 2 years (4 semesters) starting October of the intake year.
Application deadline: For the intake 2026, the first step application deadline is 23 November 2025, 11:00 p.m. CET.
🎁 Scholarship Benefits
Full tuition fees are covered (for scholarship recipients) and the EMJM scholarship covers travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs for the full duration of the programme.
Monthly stipend of EUR 1,400 for up to 24 months (in the case of this programme) for scholarship holders.
Insurance: All scholarship holders (and even non-scholarship enrolled students) receive health & accident insurance as required under EMJM rules.
Physical mobility: Mandatory study periods in at least two different countries (beyond your country of residence) and at least one must be an EU-Member (or Erasmus+ associated) country. For MARIHE, this means the first two semesters in Austria and Finland.
Internship (between semesters) and exposure to global higher education contexts in Europe and Asia, expanding your network and employability in international higher education research/innovation.
🏛️ Participating Universities
Austria: University for Continuing Education Krems (Danube University Krems) – coordinating institution.
Finland: Tampere University.
China: Beijing Normal University.
India: Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Germany: Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.
Hungary: Eötvös Loránd University.
Portugal: University of Aveiro.
📚 Curriculum, Programme Structure and Tracks
Structure: The programme is full-time, 120 ECTS credits, to be completed over 4 semesters (2 years).
Semester 1 (Fall, Austria – Krems) – foundational modules in higher education governance, management, theories of higher education, learning & teaching in higher education, research methods.
Semester 2 (Spring, Finland – Tampere) – Focus on higher education institutions as innovation players, entrepreneurial universities, higher education funding, digital transformation.
Between Semester 2 & 3 – Internship (worth ~10 ECTS) at a higher education institution globally, enabling hands-on experience.
Semester 3 – Specialisation begins: in Asia (either China – Beijing or India – Patiala/Thapar) for the first part; in Europe specialisation track for the second part.
Semester 4 – Master’s thesis (25 ECTS) under supervision of participating institutions, typically in the European partner university chosen for specialisation.
Mobility Tracks & Specialisations:
Asia specialisation options: Beijing Normal University (China) or Thapar Institute (India).
Europe specialisation options: Krems (Austria), Tampere (Finland), Osnabrück (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Aveiro (Portugal).
Key Modules include: Systems in Transition; Higher Education Governance and Management; Theories of Higher Education, Research & Innovation; Innovation in Learning and Teaching; Institutional Research & Strategic Foresight.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
First university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with at least 3 years of full-time study (i.e., 180 ECTS or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
Demonstrated strong interest/motivation to work in higher education research and innovation.
English language proficiency for academic purposes: one of the accepted certificates (TOEFL iBT ≥ 92; IELTS Academic ≥ 6.5 with no band <5.5; PTE Academic ≥ 62; Cambridge C1 Advanced grade C; Cambridge C2 Proficiency grade C1).
Applicants who already held an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for a prior EMJM cannot apply for another.
Note the physical mobility requirement: Applicants must be willing and able to study in at least two different countries (one must be EU/associated) beyond their country of residence. For example, applicants whose country of residence is Austria or Finland cannot choose Asia specialisation at UWK and TAU due to mobility rules.
📝 Application Procedure & Timeline
Application start date: The online application portal is open for the 2026 intake; the first step deadline is 23 November 2025, 11:00 p.m. CET.
Application Process: Two-step process:
Submit first set of documents via the online portal (Evalato) by the deadline.
Eligible applicants are shortlisted and then invited to submit additional documents (second step) including a video submission. Deadline for second step (for intake 2026) is 25 January 2026, 11:00 p.m. CET.
Selection & Notification: After the second round review, the Admission Board selects students for scholarship main list, reserve list, self-funded list etc. Students will be notified of their placement.
Start date of programme: October of intake year (October 2026) for newly admitted cohort.
Documents required (first step include): Copy of passport/ID, Europass CV (English), Letter of Motivation, university diploma(s)/certificates (or statement on expected first degree if not yet conferred by 25 Jan 2026), transcripts of records, proof of English proficiency (or exemption), two letters of recommendation, application form.
Documents required (second step for shortlisted candidates): Video submission (topic and length per guidelines).
🚀 Conclusion
This programme offers a unique chance to become part of an international cohort tackling the pressing challenges of higher education systems worldwide — if you are ambitious, globally minded, and ready to engage across Europe and Asia, the MARIHE 2026 intake could be your gateway.
