Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in International Humanitarian Action 2027–2029: Scholarships, Eligibility, Study Structure and How to Apply

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programme in International Humanitarian Action (NOHA) is a prestigious international postgraduate programme designed for graduates and professionals who want to build advanced academic knowledge and practical competencies for careers in humanitarian action, international cooperation, relief operations, policy, research and related fields.

The programme is delivered through an international network of universities and combines multidisciplinary academic training, professional development, international mobility, research and practical exposure. The programme has a long history, having been established in 1993 with support from the European Commission, and has trained more than 3,500 graduates working in humanitarian relief and international cooperation around the world.

The NOHA programme has also been selected again as an Erasmus Mundus programme, allowing it to continue offering Erasmus Mundus scholarships. The programme’s official information indicates that the 2027–2029 cohort is open for applications.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in International Humanitarian Action 2027–2029

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programme in International Humanitarian Action is an inter-university and multidisciplinary postgraduate programme focused specifically on humanitarian action.

It is intended for people who are already working in humanitarian action as well as graduates and professionals who intend to develop careers in the humanitarian sector.

Rather than limiting students to one institution or one national academic environment, the programme incorporates international mobility and enables students to study at different universities within the NOHA network.

According to the programme description, the master’s degree combines:

• Theoretical knowledge
• Analytical skills
• Professional competencies
• Practical and hands-on learning
• Interdisciplinary education
• International and multicultural exposure
• Research training
• Humanitarian specialisation
• International mobility

This combination makes the programme particularly relevant to people interested in humanitarian relief, international development, humanitarian policy, forced migration, conflict, protection, resilience, humanitarian analysis and related areas.

Why the NOHA Master’s Programme Stands Out

The NOHA Master’s programme has several characteristics that distinguish it from a conventional master’s degree.

1. A long-established humanitarian studies programme

The programme was established in 1993 with support from the European Commission and is described by NOHA as the first master’s programme in the area of humanitarian studies.

Its approach combines academic and analytical training with practical learning, making it relevant to students who want to connect humanitarian theory with real-world humanitarian challenges.

2. International and multicultural learning environment

NOHA brings together students and lecturers from different countries and academic backgrounds.

The programme involves more than 150 in-house experts and field-experienced guest lecturers, while its alumni community includes more than 3,500 graduates working in humanitarian relief and international cooperation globally.

This international environment can expose students to different perspectives on humanitarian crises, development challenges, conflict, displacement, disaster response and humanitarian governance.

3. Erasmus Mundus recognition and scholarship opportunities

The programme was selected again as an Erasmus Mundus programme in 2025 and continues to offer Erasmus Mundus scholarships.

For the 2027–2029 intake, NOHA states that the Erasmus Mundus scholarship allocation includes:

• 4 scholarships for candidates from Programme Countries
• 8 scholarships targeted at students from Partner Countries
• 4 scholarships for candidates from specified targeted regions

The targeted regions identified by NOHA include Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 under the Erasmus+ country classification. NOHA also states that no more than 10% of the total scholarships can be awarded to students of the same nationality, making the scholarship selection highly competitive.

Programme Duration and Academic Structure

The NOHA Joint Master’s programme lasts two years, consisting of four semesters and 120 ECTS credits.

The programme provides specialised education in humanitarian action while incorporating both academic and professional specialisations. Depending on the home and host university, students may study in English, French or Spanish.

The programme is structured around four major stages.

First Semester: Foundation Period

The first semester is the Foundation Period, undertaken at the student’s home university.

Students receive broad interdisciplinary training designed to establish a common academic foundation for further specialisation.

The official programme information places this period approximately from mid-to-late September through late January.

Depending on the university, teaching may be conducted in English, French or Spanish. The English-language universities include:

• Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
• University College Dublin, Ireland
• Uppsala University, Sweden
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Netherlands
• University of Warsaw, Poland
• University of Malta, Malta

French-language study is available at Aix-Marseille Université in France, while Spanish-language study is available at Universidad de Deusto in Spain.

Second Semester: Specialisation Period

During the second semester, students undertake a Specialisation Period at another NOHA university.

This mobility component is one of the distinctive features of the programme.

Students are expected to select their preferred universities and consider the specialisation offered by each institution when making their choices.

The current NOHA programme identifies specialisations including:

• Resilience: Localising the Aid Effort – University College Dublin
• Forced Migration and Human Security – University of Malta
• Humanitarian Analysis and Intervention Design – Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
• Humanitarian Policy and Practice: From Delivering Aid to Ending Needs – Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Armed Conflicts and Humanitarian Action – University of Warsaw
• Protection in Humanitarian Action – Universidad de Deusto
• Conflict, Peace-building and Religion – Uppsala University

This allows students to develop expertise in an area that aligns with their professional interests and intended humanitarian career pathway.

Third Semester: Contextualisation Period

The third semester is the Contextualisation Period.

Students can choose between different pathways, including regional training and a work-placement track.

The regional training component allows students to explore humanitarian action within particular regional contexts, cooperate in different cultural settings and adapt their research interests to specific regional circumstances.

NOHA identifies regional training opportunities involving partner institutions in locations including:

• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Qatar

The programme also provides a Work Placement Track, allowing students to gain practical experience within a humanitarian organisation.

Fourth Semester: Research Period

The fourth semester is dedicated to the Research Period, during which students undertake their research and master’s thesis.

This provides an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the preceding semesters into a substantial research project.

The four-semester structure therefore provides a progression from broad humanitarian foundations to specialisation, contextualisation and independent research.

The application for the 2027-2029 cohort is now open! Click here to apply

International Mobility Is a Core Part of the Programme

International mobility is not simply an optional feature of the NOHA programme.

Students undertake compulsory physical mobility and must complete study periods in at least two countries, subject to the programme’s mobility rules. The mandatory study periods must correspond to at least one academic semester each, and the required mobility cannot simply be replaced by virtual participation.

This means applicants should be prepared for an academically and geographically mobile master’s experience.

Students should therefore consider:

• International travel
• Relocation between universities
• Visa requirements where applicable
• Different academic environments
• Cross-cultural learning
• Language requirements
• Accommodation and living arrangements

The mobility structure is particularly valuable for applicants who want an international career in humanitarian affairs.

Universities Delivering the NOHA Master’s Programme

The programme is delivered by a consortium of universities across Europe.

The universities listed by NOHA include:

1. Aix-Marseille Université, France
2. University of Malta, Malta
3. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Netherlands
4. Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
5. Universidad de Deusto, Spain
6. University College Dublin, Ireland
7. University of Warsaw, Poland
8. Uppsala University, Sweden

The programme also works with partner universities outside the core consortium, including institutions in Thailand, Australia, the United States, Jordan, India, Colombia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Guatemala, Sierra Leone and Qatar.

This extensive institutional network reinforces the programme’s international and interdisciplinary character.

Humanitarian Organisations Connected to the NOHA Network

The NOHA network also has links with humanitarian and development organisations.

The organisations listed on the programme page include:

• Action Against Hunger
• Restless Development Nepal
• Comhlámh
• Handicap International
• RedR UK
• Medici con l’Africa – CUAMM
• Trust Consultancy & Development
• Polish Humanitarian Action
• Croix-Rouge de Belgique
• IMPACT Initiatives
• METAdrasi
• INTERSOS

Such connections are particularly relevant for students seeking to understand humanitarian action beyond the classroom and build professional networks within the sector.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The NOHA Master’s programme is particularly suited to applicants who want to build or advance careers in humanitarian action.

The programme explicitly targets people working or intending to work in the field of humanitarian action. Selection takes into account the applicant’s education and professional background, experience and concern for humanitarian issues, multicultural sensitivity and linguistic abilities.

Potential applicants may include graduates and professionals interested in areas such as:

• Humanitarian affairs
• International development
• International cooperation
• Disaster response
• Humanitarian policy
• Refugee and migration studies
• Conflict and peacebuilding
• Protection
• Humanitarian programme management
• Humanitarian research
• International relations
• Social sciences
• Public policy
• Development studies
• Emergency response
• Humanitarian logistics
• Community resilience

Academic Background Required

Applicants must generally hold a university first-cycle degree or bachelor’s degree equivalent to at least 180 ECTS in a discipline relevant to humanitarian action.

The programme identifies relevant academic areas including:

• Medical sciences
• Food sciences
• Economics and management
• Engineering
• Law
• Social sciences
• Education sciences
• Humanities

The programme also states that candidates are assessed holistically, rather than solely on the basis of their academic qualification. Academic quality, professional experience, humanitarian interests, multicultural sensitivity and language abilities are among the factors considered during selection.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate not only that they meet the formal academic requirements but also that their academic, professional and personal trajectory connects meaningfully with humanitarian action.

Click here for more information on Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for 2027-2029 

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for 2027–2029

One of the major attractions of the programme is the availability of Erasmus Mundus scholarships.

For the 2027–2029 intake, NOHA indicates the availability of 16 Erasmus Mundus scholarships, distributed across Programme Countries, Partner Countries and specified targeted regions. The scholarship allocation is competitive, and the programme states that no more than 10% of the total scholarships can be awarded to candidates of the same nationality.

Applicants should distinguish between:

• Admission to the master’s programme, and
• Selection for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship

Meeting the academic admission requirements does not automatically guarantee an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

The scholarship application has its own deadline and documentation requirements.

Application Deadlines

For the 2027–2029 cohort, the official NOHA information identifies the following key deadlines:

Erasmus Mundus scholarship deadline

15 December 2026

This is the key deadline for applicants seeking consideration for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

General application deadline

1 April 2027

This is the central application deadline for ordinary/self-funded applicants according to the current NOHA programme information.

Applicants without EU citizenship or a valid EU residence permit

1 July 2027

The current NOHA timeline identifies a further deadline for applicants without EU citizenship or a valid EU residence permit. Applicants should nevertheless carefully review the programme’s current instructions because university-specific requirements can affect the application process.

The supplied programme page states the application is open for the 2027–2029 cohort and provides the Erasmus Mundus grant deadline as 15 December.

What Students Gain From the Programme

The NOHA programme offers more than a conventional classroom-based master’s degree.

Students can gain:

• Advanced knowledge of international humanitarian action
• Interdisciplinary academic training
• Professional competencies for humanitarian work
• Exposure to multiple universities and countries
• Experience working across cultures
• Opportunities for specialisation
• Research and analytical skills
• Potential practical experience through work placement
• Access to an international alumni network
• Exposure to humanitarian practitioners and experts
• Preparation for careers in humanitarian relief and international cooperation

The programme’s alumni have gone on to work in humanitarian organisations, international institutions, research organisations, development agencies and other professional settings. NOHA highlights an alumni community of more than 3,500 graduates working internationally.

Career Opportunities After the NOHA Master’s

Graduates of a specialised master’s degree in humanitarian action can potentially pursue professional pathways in areas such as:

• Humanitarian programme management
• Emergency response
• Humanitarian policy
• International development
• Refugee and migration programming
• Protection
• Conflict and peacebuilding
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Humanitarian research
• Programme coordination
• Disaster risk reduction
• International cooperation
• Humanitarian advocacy
• Development and relief operations
• Research and academia

The programme is specifically designed to develop personnel capable of working across different levels of humanitarian relief operations and contributing to professional humanitarian assistance and sustainable action.

A Truly International Academic Experience

A major strength of the NOHA programme is its international character.

Students do not simply study humanitarian action as an abstract academic discipline. The programme places humanitarian questions within different geographical, political, social and institutional contexts.

The combination of home-university study, specialisation at another university, contextualisation and research enables students to examine humanitarian issues from multiple perspectives.

This is particularly important because humanitarian crises are rarely confined to one discipline.

A contemporary humanitarian response may involve:

• Public administration
• International relations
• Law
• Economics
• Public health
• Engineering
• Social sciences
• Education
• Conflict studies
• Migration studies
• Disaster management
• Environmental considerations
• Community development

The interdisciplinary design of NOHA reflects this complexity.

International Network and Alumni Community

NOHA is supported by a broad international academic and professional network.

The network currently describes itself as an international association of universities focused on enhancing professionalism in the humanitarian sector through education and training, research and publications, and projects. It includes universities and partner institutions from Europe and other parts of the world.

The alumni network is another important component of the programme.

Testimonials from former students describe the value of NOHA in developing:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Interdisciplinary thinking
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Practical understanding
• Professional networks
• Research capabilities
• Understanding of different humanitarian perspectives

The programme’s international alumni community can therefore provide an important professional network for graduates pursuing careers across borders.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Prospective applicants should carefully consider several issues before submitting an application.

1. The scholarship is highly competitive

The number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships is limited relative to the international applicant pool.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application clearly demonstrates academic strength, relevant experience, humanitarian motivation and international or multicultural awareness.

2. Mobility is compulsory

Applicants should be comfortable studying in multiple countries and adapting to different academic and cultural environments.

3. Language requirements matter

Applicants should identify the language requirements associated with their preferred universities before submitting their choices.

4. University-specific requirements may apply

Some NOHA universities have additional national requirements. These can affect admission and must be checked carefully before application.

5. Admission and scholarship selection are different

An applicant can potentially be academically suitable for the master’s programme without being selected for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

This distinction is important when planning applications and finances.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is designed for graduates and professionals from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds who are interested in humanitarian action.

There is no race-based restriction stated in the programme’s eligibility requirements. NOHA describes an international student body and assesses candidates partly through factors such as nationality and gender balance.

For the master’s programme, applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-cycle university qualification of at least 180 ECTS in a field relevant to humanitarian action. Relevant backgrounds include social sciences, humanities, law, economics and management, engineering, medical sciences, food sciences and education sciences.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship component uses Erasmus+ classifications of Programme Countries, Partner Countries and specified targeted regions. Under the current Erasmus+ classification, Ghana is included in Region 9: Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside numerous other African countries.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to qualified applicants from Ghana and other eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, subject to the specific Erasmus Mundus scholarship rules and the programme’s competitive selection process.

Conclusion

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programme in International Humanitarian Action represents a major opportunity for graduates and professionals seeking advanced international training in humanitarian affairs.

Its combination of 120 ECTS of postgraduate study, multidisciplinary teaching, international mobility, specialised learning, contextual training, research, professional exposure and access to an international humanitarian network makes it particularly relevant to individuals seeking careers in humanitarian action, international development, relief operations, policy, research and international cooperation.

For applicants interested in the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, the most important date is 15 December 2026. Those seeking admission as ordinary or self-funded applicants should also pay attention to the 1 April 2027 central application deadline and the 1 July 2027 deadline identified for applicants without EU citizenship or a valid EU residence permit.

Because the scholarship is highly competitive, prospective applicants should begin preparing their academic documents, language evidence, professional documentation, motivation materials and other supporting evidence well before the deadline.

The opportunity is especially significant for applicants from regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, who meet the academic and programme requirements and want to develop an internationally oriented career in humanitarian action.

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