Erasmus Mundus Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) 2027 Scholarship

About

The European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master funded under the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme. It is a one-year, full-time LL.M. programme of 60 ECTS, taught in English. Students study the economic analysis of law at two or three partner universities, moving between them over three terms. The directorship is at the Institute of Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg.

Applications for the 2027-28 intake opened on 1 September 2026. There is no separate scholarship form. You tick that you are interested on the application form, and the best-ranked admitted applicants receive Erasmus Mundus scholarships. EMLE expects about 90 scholarships over the six intakes from 2022-23 to 2027-28, which is roughly 15 per year.

Host institution / country

EMLE partner universities are in cities such as Rotterdam, Ghent, Aix-en-Provence, Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg and Warsaw, with further partners in Mumbai and Haifa. Students must study at two or more universities, at least one of them in Europe, and not in their own country of residence. EMLE says students from more than 35 nationalities take part.

Financial benefits

• Erasmus Mundus scholarship: a monthly contribution of up to €1,400 for the time you spend in the programme
• EMLE says this contribution is meant to cover travel, visa, settling in and living costs
• Payments stop if you do not follow the programme’s mobility rules
• EMLE provides insurance for the full academic year
• EMLE Outreach Scholarship: full tuition waivers for up to two applicants linked to a university who plan to teach or research law and economics (separate project plan and endorsement letter needed)
• Tuition fees per year: €12,000 for non-European students and €7,500 for European students. The official page does not say the scholarship pays fees separately, so ask EMLE how fees work for scholarship holders

Eligibility criteria

• At least 240 ECTS credits (or equivalent) of higher education, normally four years of full-time study
• A law and/or economics background is preferred. Other graduates can apply if their motivation letter shows real interest in the economic analysis of law
• Final-year students can apply if they will graduate before July 2027. The diploma must reach EMLE before mid-July
• Open to all nationalities. Non-European applicants apply in the non-European category; dual citizens must choose one category
• About 10 scholarships per year are open to everyone on merit. About 5 per year are reserved for applicants from Erasmus+ target regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa and the Western Balkans named as priorities
• Not eligible for the scholarship: anyone who already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship, and late applicants

Required documents

• Degree certificate and transcript (or degree supplement) for each degree. If you have not graduated yet, a transcript to date
• A one-page motivation letter, titled “Letter of Motivation”
• At least one, preferably two, recommendation letters on the EMLE form, sent by your referees through the system
• Proof of residence showing your name and address, dated within 12 months before the deadline. A passport is not accepted
• After admission: certified copies, proof of English (for example IELTS Academic 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each part, or TOEFL iBT 95), unless you are exempt

How to apply

1. Create an account on the EMLE online application system at apply.emle.org.
2. Upload your degree certificates, transcripts, motivation letter and proof of residence.
3. Enter your referees. They upload their letters directly. Letters sent by you are not accepted.
4. Tick that you want to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
5. Submit by 31 December 2026, 23:59 (Central European time) if you are non-European, or by 15 January 2027 if you are European. Only complete files with at least one reference letter are assessed.

Selection process and timeline

• A committee scores each application: academic record 40%, motivation letter 25%, affinity to law and economics 25%, and recommendation letters 10%.
• A joint selection committee then ranks applicants and offers places and scholarships in rank order.
• March 2027: you receive an email saying you are admitted, on the waiting list or rejected.
• Waiting-list offers may come between late March and late April.
• Admitted students pay a first non-refundable instalment of €800 around mid-April. The rest is due on 31 May.
• May: proof of English and other documents are due. June and July: visa steps.
• No individual feedback is given. Appeals must be sent within four weeks of the decision letter.

Tips for a strong application

• Your academic record carries the most weight. Make sure transcripts are complete and clear.
• Use the motivation letter to show you understand the EMLE approach and why law and economics interests you.
• Ask academic referees early and remind them of the deadline.
• If you do not have a law or economics degree, explain related courses, work or reading.
• Prepare your proof of residence in advance. A passport will not work.