University of Glasgow Connect

Making a success of Erasmus Mundus

With Erasmus Mundus set to continue at the University of Glasgow, Bart Cosyns, Project Officer for the European Education and Culture Executive Agency discusses what it takes to make a success of the programme following his visit to the University of Glasgow.

As part of its mandate to manage education projects funded by the European Union (EU), the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) visited the University of Glasgow in January to monitor the implementation of Erasmus Mundus projects.

The Erasmus Mundus action is part of the overarching Erasmus+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Following Brexit, most Erasmus+ actions are no longer accessible to UK institutions. However, universities from non-EU countries can continue to fully participate and obtain funding in Erasmus Mundus. The University of Glasgow is actually one of the most active institutions in the entire Erasmus Mundus action, currently coordinating 10 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) programmes.

"The story of Erasmus Mundus at the University of Glasgow will definitively continue."

The visit was an occasion to discuss the progress of these projects, and to clarify some of the implementation rules. At the same time, it was an opportunity for EACEA to learn more about the University’s international relations strategy and how the different Erasmus Mundus programmes contribute to it.

EMJM are delivered by multiple higher education institutions and run for six years, across various countries. Projects are selected based on their academic excellence and on the level of integration between the project partners.

Students at master's level from all over the world can apply to these master programmes and scholarships are available to the best students. Implementing Erasmus Mundus master programmes boosts the number and quality of international students, which in turn can attract more national students.

Interestingly, the University of Glasgow supports academic staff to prepare Erasmus Mundus bids with working time-release and central expertise. This allows to compare in depth the international partners’ curricula and practice. Differences in supervision, examination practices, learning methodology, recognition and education context need to be aligned to come to a balanced, joint, new programme.

Once selected, project partners need to review hundreds of scholarship applications. The selected students are invited, enrolled, insured, assisted in their visa application, informed on practical aspects like housing and registration, before being welcomed into the programme. At the University of Glasgow, each project is assigned one or more administrators, taking care of the more practical/logistical aspects of the project. Their role is crucial, as some EMJMs welcome more than 100 international students per year. The administrators gather monthly to discuss common issues, exchange experiences and best practices.

"EMJM brings additional work, but the University of Glasgow confirmed that this is worth it."

The tasks of the convenors are not less difficult. They too need to demonstrate remarkable resilience in managing an international partnership in different circumstances, often beyond their control. For instance, in the bilateral meetings with CEERES (Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies Erasmus Mundus International Master), we discussed the impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the project, and of the war in Ukraine on their partnership.

For EACEA staff, it is important and interesting to meet the different people who are making things happen in person. It is worth repeating that their commitment and hard work is not taken for granted.

At the same time, the institutional support is equally important for a successful project implementation. EMJM brings additional work, but the University of Glasgow confirmed that this is worth it.

The University’s long-term commitment to invest in the quality of the Erasmus Mundus projects was confirmed. Its recently selected EMJM projects will continue to receive funding until early 2029. The story of Erasmus Mundus at the University of Glasgow will definitively continue.