Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)

Overview

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) is a two-year, 120 ECTS programme run by three European universities: the University of Southern Denmark in Kolding, the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, and the University of Girona in Spain. It was the first Erasmus Mundus joint master in the tourism field, and it focuses on sustainable tourism, cultural diversity, destination governance and the management challenges that come with a fast-changing global industry.

You study in a single cohort that moves together across the three countries. The first semester is in Denmark, the second in Slovenia, and the third in Spain, with the final semester given over to your master's thesis. Because the programme is funded as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree by the European Commission, a set number of selected students receive a full scholarship that covers tuition and living costs. Mobility across the partner countries is part of the design, not an option you can skip.

The scholarship is competitive and the cohort is small, so admission is selective. If you have a background in tourism, economics, business, geography or a related social-science field and you want an international master's with built-in mobility, EMTM gives you a structured route through three tourism-strong universities. This guide walks you through who can apply, what the funding covers, how the application works, and how to put together a strong file.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	European Commission (Erasmus Mundus)
Host Country	Denmark, Slovenia and Spain
Degree Levels	Master's (120 ECTS, two years)
Value	Full tuition, a monthly living allowance of about €1,400, plus travel and installation support, for up to 24 months
Deadline	Annual call for the following September intake; English-test results are typically accepted until around 1 February
Eligible Nationalities	Open to applicants worldwide
Official Website	www.emtmmaster.net/Admission

Eligibility Criteria

Academic

You need a completed university bachelor's degree (180 ECTS or more) in tourism, economics, business administration, geography, or another related field in the social sciences or humanities. A master's degree in a relevant area also qualifies. The selection committee looks for strong grades; in past calls the average had to fall in the A or B band, roughly 70% or higher. If you're in your final year, check the call to see whether a preliminary transcript is accepted, with the final certificate due before enrolment.

Nationality

EMTM is open to applicants from any country. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are awarded to both Programme Country and Partner Country students, though the exact number of funded places in each category is set each year in the call.

Language

The programme is taught entirely in English, so you have to show proficiency unless you're exempt. Accepted tests in recent calls have included IELTS at 6.5, TOEFL iBT at 88 (or 230 computer-based / 575 paper-based), and the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English at level C. You're usually exempt if your first degree was taught fully in the USA, Canada (English-speaking part), Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Ireland. A degree only partly taught in English does not exempt you, and a letter from your home university on its own is not enough.

Age & Other Requirements

There's no age limit. Professional experience in tourism or a related sector is not required, but it can strengthen your file. You can only hold one Erasmus Mundus scholarship, and you generally can't have benefited from one for the same study level before.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full participation and tuition costs at all three partner universities for the duration of the programme.
• A monthly individual living allowance of around €1,400, paid for up to 24 months.
• A contribution toward travel costs, which is typically higher for students coming from further away.
• An installation contribution to help with the cost of settling in and relocating between countries.
• Coverage for the mandatory mobility across Denmark, Slovenia and Spain, so the moves between campuses are built into the funded period.

How to Apply

1. Read the open call: Check the EMTM admission pages for the current cycle's dates, scholarship quotas and any updated requirements before you start.
2. Confirm your eligibility: Match your degree, grades and English level against the criteria so you don't spend time on a file that won't pass the first screen.
3. Gather your documents: Prepare each item as a separate PDF. EMTM asks you to name files in a "name_surname" format (for example, CV_Joan_Mendez.pdf).
4. Write your motivation letter: Explain why you want EMTM, what you'd bring, and where you see the degree taking you. Tie it to tourism management rather than generic study-abroad goals.
5. Complete the online application: Register on the EMTM application portal, fill in the form, and upload your documents.
6. Submit your English test: If you owe a language certificate, send it within the window the call allows, since test results are often accepted up to around 1 February even when the main deadline is earlier.
7. Wait for the selection result: The committee ranks applicants and publishes results. Selected scholarship holders confirm their place and start preparing for enrolment in Denmark.

Required Documents

• A completed online application form.
• Your CV.
• Certified copies of your bachelor's (and any master's) diploma.
• Academic transcripts showing your grades.
• A motivation letter covering your reasons for applying, any professional experience and your future plans.
• Proof of English proficiency, unless you qualify for an exemption.
• A copy of your passport or national ID.
• Recommendation letters, if the current call requests them.

Key Dates & Deadlines

EMTM runs one application round per academic cycle for the following September intake. The call typically opens in the last quarter of the year and runs through the winter. The main application deadline usually falls in winter, with English-test results accepted until around 1 February. Because the programme has paused and restarted cohorts in the past, always confirm the live dates on the official admission page before you plan around them.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Show a clear thread between your past studies, your interest in tourism management, and what you want to do after the degree.
• Sort your English certificate early so a slow test result doesn't sink an otherwise strong file.
• Name and format your PDFs exactly as the call asks; sloppy files create avoidable problems at screening.
• Point to anything that shows initiative in tourism, research or international work, even if it's a small project or internship.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic motivation letter that never mentions EMTM, the three host universities or tourism specifically.
• Assuming an English-taught degree exempts you when only part of it was in English.
• Leaving transcripts or diplomas untranslated when translations are required.
• Missing the test-result window because you booked your exam too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) scholarship cover?

It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance of about €1,400, and contributions toward travel and installation, for up to 24 months across the three partner countries.

Who is eligible for the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

Applicants worldwide with a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS or more) in tourism, economics, business, geography or a related social-science field, plus the required English level, can apply.

Which universities run the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

The University of Southern Denmark, the University of Ljubljana and the University of Girona, with the cohort moving between Denmark, Slovenia and Spain.

How long is the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

Two academic years, worth 120 ECTS, with the final semester dedicated to a master's thesis.

What English scores does the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) require?

Recent calls accepted IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, or a Cambridge Advanced certificate at level C, among others. Check the current call for the exact thresholds.

Can I apply to the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) in my final undergraduate year?

Often yes, with a preliminary transcript at application and your final degree certificate before enrolment. Confirm this in the open call.

Is work experience required for the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

No. Professional experience is not mandatory, though relevant experience can make your application more competitive.

Do I have to study in all three countries for the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

Yes. Mobility across Denmark, Slovenia and Spain is mandatory and is part of how the programme is structured and funded.

How many scholarships does the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) offer?

A limited number set each year in the call. The cohort is small and the scholarship is competitive.

When is the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM) deadline?

The annual call is for the following September intake and usually runs through winter, with English-test results accepted until around 1 February. Always verify the live dates on the official site.

How do I apply for the European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM)?

Apply online through the EMTM portal during an open call, uploading your CV, diplomas, transcripts, motivation letter and English certificate as correctly named PDFs.