How to get started with Erasmus Mundus Impact Entrepreneurship application?

Useful tips to prepare a master application.

I began creating this article by reflecting on the moment I decided to start applying for a master’s degree. For me, the decision to start a master’s degree was not just a decision to start a course, but a life project, for which I prepared for academically, professionally, and most importantly: personally. 

By: Carla Dávila and EMMIE Cohort 2

In my opinion, one of the first steps to apply to the Erasmus Mundus Master in Impact Entrepreneurship (EMMIE) is not reading the brochure, nor gathering all your academic papers, but getting to know yourself very well. By understanding what motivates and drives you, you can then visualize where you see yourself and become conscious of what you need to get there. 

Once you have those insights covered, then the application process becomes the next priority. I am now part of the second generation of this master, but I still remember how difficult it was to get started. I understand the fear behind trying to do your best, without any parameters to know if you are on the right track and knowing that even with all the effort, you have unknown chances of being accepted into the program. 

To help you overcome the uncertainty and questions that can trigger that inner fear, our cohort chose some of the frequently asked questions that candidates from all over the world are asking and shared our opinions of what has worked for us. They might apply to your case, they might not, but hopefully, they can be a useful tool that helps you to start this life project. 

1. In your opinion, does EMMIE consider candidates for scholarships with on-paper ideas that are yet to be executed?

Carla: They have accepted people with on-paper ideas before. But keep in mind that you will need to develop an entrepreneurial project during the whole program, so having a clear idea of the problems you would like to explore or having clear pain points of a group of people you would like to help, will be a great guide for you to get on track and feel confident along the application process and hopefully during the master. 

2. Will all the accepted candidates receive scholarships?

Carla: Not all successful candidates receive full or partial scholarships. I would strongly recommend you start a financial plan if you are applying to EMMIE, and take into consideration different financial scenarios, with or without the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. 

If you doubt if it’s a good investment while doing the numbers, believe me, it is worth it. 

3. Is there a guide or method to write the motivation letter?

Asma: First, write down what makes you unique, highlight your background and experience, how you’re impacting your environment and community, and how EMMIE will help you expand your impact, in addition to your contribution to the program. 

Second: Use storytelling to make a seamless essay. 

Third: proofreading is key. Share your essay with experienced, trustworthy people who can give you honest feedback, or can help you add some information about you that you forgot to mention. 

Last tip: be authentic. This essay is about you. Make it specific, highlight your achievements and always tell the truth. 

Sahar & Carla: We would encourage you to write it yourself and only use Chat GPT to get inspiration.  

Sahar: In my case, in my motivation letter I showed my life journey: who am I, why am I here and what I wanted to do. 

Thanita: You should write about your passion, values, what drives you, your future goals and how EMMIE would help you to achieve them. Also, talk about your past achievements and why you are qualified to get the scholarship.

Fatoumatta: Align your goals and business idea to the goal the program is trying to achieve. Clarity in your write-up is paramount. The people reading your letter do not know you, so make sure they never forget your language skills. 

Share your achievements and extracurricular activities. READ THE BROCHURE! It has everything you need to know about the EMMIE program.

Extra Tip: Create an outline before you start writing your motivation letter and take as much time to create a good piece. Do not be shy to ask for help from others in reviewing your motivational letter.

Mihaela: Tell your story, why you want this opportunity and how EMMIE can help you with it. Avoid unnecessary details; an honest and simple approach will make your letter personal and striking. Remember that your unique perspective and individuality are your greatest assets. 

Irendra: Be authentic, focus on your project, align it with sustainable goals, and read the website well. Be confident when writing the letter.  Don’t use hard vocabulary, align your skills with the project, and write it optimistically. 

4. Could you review my motivation letter and business concept?

Asma: Yes, I’d love to proofread your essays. 

5. Do I need to have an established business to apply for the course?

Asma: I think it’s better to have a project/business idea that you have already tested, so you’ll benefit from the master’s learnings and you’d be able to apply them effectively. 

Effie: Not really, but having a project you are curious about and which you’d be willing to work on, that is aligned to the SDGs is a great start. This is not fixed in stone and could change in the course of your studies and that is okay, but it helps to have an area of interest where you want to have an impact.

Stephen: I’d also add that it helps to discuss your area of interest as part of your motivation letter. 

6. Do you need to have a business or entrepreneurial background to apply to EMMIE and be successful? 

Stephen: No! A diverse background is great because it will help you bring a unique and valuable perspective to the program. Speak about why you are pivoting / interested in entrepreneurship in addition to your current expertise.

Luka: Absolutely not. For someone coming from a medical background, having no past business or entrepreneurial experience was a challenge in the beginning. Being surrounded by wonderful colleagues from my cohort made things much easier as everyone is eager to help you with whatever problems you encounter on your path. The lectures are adapted in such a way that they are comprehensible to everyone regardless of their background.

7. What has inspired you more during the master’s? 

Asma: My EMMIES! The diversity of our cohort is an incredible source of inspiration and learning. 

Luka: Working on various projects together with like-minded people from all over the world gives you a wide range of different perspectives and experiences which helps fulfill your entrepreneurial dream.

8. How do I tailor my CV to match my application?

Carla: The only accepted format is Europass CV. 

Lawrencia: Be concise and limit everything to 2 pages. Show your expertise and experiences as well as your achievements over the past few years. If you do not have an entrepreneurial project you are working on yet, you can also show in your achievements section, how you have been interested in the Entrepreneurship space. 

For example, attending startup pitch events, conferences around entrepreneurship and innovation, hackathons etc… On the other hand, if you have quite a number of expertise and experiences which you believe are relevant to your application but there is not enough space to put them on your CV,  you can split them among the various letters you would be writing. 

You can put the very concise and relevant ones in your CV and then write about the other experiences in your motivation letter as well as your scholarship application letter. In that way, you could cover everything if you cannot do that with just the CV.

Lastly, read the application guidelines for specific instructions on what to include in your CV. 

9. How do I know if I have the Admission criteria of ECTS covered?

Mihaela: On the EMMIE page related to ECTS credits it says: ¨Candidates must have completed at minimum an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 240 ECTS¨.

In my case, I had completed my undergraduate studies with 180 ECTS, but I also had a master’s degree with 120 ECTS, which made me an acceptable candidate for applying to the program.

Carla: Your bachelor’s degree needs to be internationally recognized to begin with.

You need to know that 240 ECTS is the equivalent of a 4 year bachelor, or Bachelor + master. You can prove that your bachelor was at least four years long with an official letter from the university where you studied. 

10. If I get accepted for the interview… How do I prepare for it?

Carla: I would strongly recommend that you read your motivation letter and that you have your CV in mind, before the interview. 

I would also recommend you to think about your international experience, your greater achievements and challenges… Think of what you have learned from them and what you want to learn in EMMIE to achieve your dreams.

I would also recommend that you practice with someone you trust, in a mock interview to feel more confident in the real one.

Finally, I would suggest that you rest as much as you can and find something that makes you happy and relaxed before you get into the interview.

11. How has been your overall experience?

Carla: Every experience is very unique…  From my experience, as a Mexican marketer, who has a social entrepreneurial background, I can share with you the whole process has been an exciting challenge.

It has been exciting, because few programs around the world let you experience life with people from over 14 different nationalities, in three different and beautiful countries, with the objective of showing you how to find solutions for the great problems humanity is facing.

It has also been challenging because you are constantly challenged to go out of your comfort zone in all aspects. For example, if your beliefs are challenged by the beliefs of different cultures, your way of working will be influenced by diverse ways of thinking and approaching problems. Additionally, your daily routine will change, and your habits and even your body will also do. So you will need to adapt and evolve to make the most of a completely different lifestyle you are not probably used to.

If you have specific questions, please write to emmie@uliege.be or write to us through our social media platforms: 

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