Erasmus Mundus IMSISS Scholarship: Study Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies Across Europe

The Erasmus Mundus IMSISS scholarship covers your tuition fees and insurance and pays a monthly living allowance while you study security, intelligence and strategic studies at three universities in three countries. It funds a two-year joint master led by Glasgow, with Dublin, Trento and Prague as partners, plus a newer Belgrade route. The deadline is strict: an application still waiting on documents will not be considered at all.

IMSISS stands for the International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies. It looks at how states and organisations deal with threats such as terrorism, organised crime, cyber attacks, war and migration, mixing theory with practical intelligence and policy skills. Teaching is in English, and every student starts in Glasgow before moving to a partner university each semester.

What the scholarship actually pays for

The scholarship covers your full tuition fees, including the deposit, plus full insurance throughout. You also receive a monthly living allowance, plus an optional contribution towards travel and installation costs such as visas and temporary accommodation. The monthly amount depends on which payment option you choose.

Under the first option, you receive three €1,000 advances — in August, in May at the end of year one, and in September at the start of year two — then €1,275 every month over the two years. Under the second, you receive a flat €1,400 monthly over the two years, with no separate travel payment. The advances come out of your overall award, so this option just gives you cash earlier, when visa and travel costs hit hardest. Under the flat option, total subsistence over two years comes to €33,600. One cost is not covered either way: students must pay their own airfares between partner universities.

Three study routes, one degree

Everyone begins at Glasgow with core courses in intelligence analysis, policy making and strategy. Then you pick a route. Route A goes to Dublin City University: conflict and peacebuilding, terrorism and regional security. Route B goes to Trento: the deeper causes of conflict. Route C, the newest, goes to Dublin then Belgrade: security in the Balkans. All routes continue to Charles University in Prague, or Belgrade on route C, and the final semester is independent study: a dissertation, plus a possible work placement.

Check yourself before you apply

You are a strong fit with a strict 2:1 UK honours degree or its international equivalent in a humanities or social sciences subject such as politics, international relations, history, law, sociology or economics. A 2:2 degree may still be considered with directly relevant work experience. You also need a conditional or unconditional Glasgow offer before you can be considered.

Do not apply if you have already received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship: the official rules exclude previous recipients outright. Pause too if your English score is below the required level, or if your application will still be holding for documents at the deadline — both mean exclusion without review. Trento applicants face one more rule: B2 proficiency in a second language other than English or Italian, and computer science, engineering and philosophy graduates cannot take that route.

The one document that carries 40% of the score

Applications are ranked on three things: the personal statement counts for 40%, academic merit 30%, and relevant research and experience 30%. Spend your effort accordingly. Pick one security question — disinformation in conflict, say, or organised crime across borders — and build your statement around it, explaining why your route fits it.

Your references matter too. You need two references, at least one academic, on institutional headed paper or with an official stamp, signed and dated within 24 months of submission. References from a personal email address are not accepted, so ask referees early to send from an institutional address.

How to apply, step by step

Start on the official IMSISS Apply page, which links to the scholarship form and the Glasgow portal. Apply online for postgraduate taught study, full time, searching for the Security programme, and complete every section carefully — your name and date of birth must match your passport exactly. You have 42 days to submit once you begin, and you can save and return as often as you need.

With the online form, upload the completed IMSISS scholarship form and state your route preference. Then upload every supporting document: degree certificate and transcript, English translations if needed, two references, English evidence, CV, passport page, and personal statement. Trento applicants must also prove their second language at B2 level. Documents must be uploaded with the application; email submissions are not accepted. Submit well before 7 January at 13:00 UK time, and check your offer status is not still holding for documents.

What happens after you apply

After the deadline, the consortium ranks all applications and offers scholarships to the top applicants. A reserve list is kept in ranking order, and the first eligible reserve is contacted if an original holder withdraws. Results come in April, after roughly three months, so plan other applications around that gap. If you miss the scholarship deadline, you can still apply as a self-funded student at your own expense.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I apply if I have already received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
A: No. The official rules exclude anyone who has previously received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship.

Q: Do I need an offer from Glasgow before applying for the scholarship?
A: Yes. You need a conditional or unconditional offer, and your application must not be holding for documents at the deadline.