Admission requirements

Each year, we receive up to 700 applications from around the world but can only offer places to approximately 80–90 students. This means that admission is highly competitive. In addition to meeting the formal requirements, all applications are carefully assessed according to specific selection criteria to ensure that candidates are a strong fit for the programme’s academic profile and international learning environment.

To be admitted to the Erasmus Mundus Journalism programme, you must meet the formal admission requirements outlined below.

Requirements for admission to the Mundus Journalism programme:

A 3 year bachelor's degree within a relevant field of study

When commencing the Mundus Journalism programme by the 1st of September, students must have completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject. The bachelor's degree must be a degree approved by both Aarhus University and by the university chosen for the second-year studies*. Applicants who have not yet graduated from their bachelor's degree at the time of application, can, however, still apply. 

All applicants need to include a transcript of records of all the courses completed within the application package. Applicants who have received their bachelor's certificate must include this as well. Applicants who are yet to graduate, must forward documentation of a bachelor's degree to Aarhus University no later than the 1st of August to complete the enrolment process prior to course start.

Subjects within bachelor's programmes in Arts/Humanities and Social Sciences are by default considered to be relevant. Applicants who have completed other programmes, but whose qualifications are deemed by the Consortium to be relevant and adequate, may also be offered admission.

To ensure that the best candidates are admitted, the Consortium has decided to give priority to academic merit; candidates will only be admitted if they have an above-average bachelor’s degree (a minimum of an above-average class mark/GPA is expected).

*Students holding a Bachelor degree from China, India and Vietnam need to present an APS Certificate for admission to LMU Munich. APS Certificates are issued by the Cultural Departments of the German Embassy in Beijing and Shanghai and the Academic Evaluation Centers in Hanoi and New Delhi.

Documentation of English language proficiency (to be included in your application if you are not a native English speaker)

The Erasmus Mundus Journalism programme is taught entirely in English. Students are therefore expected to be able to read and understand academic texts, participate actively in lectures and classroom discussions, and complete written assignments and examinations in English. Hence, all applicants must demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency, corresponding to CEFR level C1 or above, regardless of their chosen specialisation track, unless they are considered native English speakers.

The consortium is currently reviewing both the contents of the application package and the language requirements for the upcoming application cycle. The review is being undertaken in response to several recent developments, including the increasing use of AI-assisted application materials and revised language documentation requirements introduced by immigration authorities in some of our partner countries. As the review process is still ongoing, we are unfortunately not yet able to confirm the final requirements for the next application round. 

The English language requirements are expected to vary depending on the specialisation and second-year mobility track chosen by the applicant, as the requirements are influenced by the immigration regulations of the respective host country. 

Once the review has been completed, all updates will be published under both the Admission Requirements and Application Process sections. We expect the relevant webpages to be updated within approximately one month, although applicants should note that the review process may take longer than anticipated. In any case, the final requirements will be published before the application portal opens on 1 November 2026.

At least 3 months of journalistic experience

Because the Mundus Journalism programme is grounded in the field of media and journalism studies rather than basic skills training, applicants must already possess foundational journalistic experience before joining the programme. We therefore require documentation of at least three months of full-time journalism work—ensuring that all students enter with a practical understanding of the profession, which they can then build on through the programme’s academic and analytical focus. 

There is no formal restriction on the type of journalistic experience that can be accepted. However, as the admission process is highly competitive, applicants with more (conventional) journalistic experience may have an advantage. At the same time, we recognise that journalistic experience can take many forms. “Traditional” experience – such as writing or producing content for a published media outlet – is not the only accepted path.

Since the consortium evaluates each application as a whole, we are unable to assess the sufficiency of individual applicants’ experience in advance. We recommend that you apply and clearly describe how your experience has equipped you with the equivalent of at least three months of journalistic practice, giving you the background needed to engage fully with the programme.

Experience gained through an internship, or through unpaid work, can also be considered, provided that it involved journalistic work. However, as noted above, applicants with more extensive or conventional experience may be prioritised.

You must include documentation of your journalism experience. This can take many forms, such as a contract, payslips, a reference letter from a former or current editor, or any other formal confirmation that verifies that your experience corresponds to at least three months of full-time journalistic work.

Photo credits: Abhushan Gautam