This post may be a general guide to answer How much money I should prepare for Erasmus Mundus scholarship? By general I mean don’t expect it to apply for all cases. Don’t forget to always check with the official sources.
Money for Application
Several Erasmus Mundus programmes/courses still ask for a mail application rather than only electronically. It means that you have to send your application (completed forms, copies of transcripts, diplomas, and any other documents) to the consortium of the course directly. Some programmes also request confirmation by mail (you sign a form) when you are offered a scholarship. Finally, follow-up registration form such as accommodation application may also have to be sent via mail.
The fee for sending documents to Europe varies to what service you would like to use. Several options including (I’m not promoting anything, price listed according to my or other experiences 1 year ago):
- DHL and the like: around IDR 350,000 per mail (below 0.5 kg), contact DHL for exact fee since I can’t find fee information on their website.
- EMS from our beloved Pos Indonesia: around USD 20.
- Regular post mail: around IDR 50,000 (ever wondered what 50 IDR 1,000 stamps glued to an envelope look like?)
The service reliability for DHL and EMS are pretty good, meaning you can track your mail. It is publicly known that you can’t track regular post mail, so if you’re going to use it, pray hard that your mail reaches its intended destination.
Money for English language test
Get a real English proficiency test. By real I mean official and valid internationally. By that I mean the one that in order to take it, you have to pay quite a large amount of money. In Indonesia, IELTS test costs USD 180 (click on more information) and TOEFL test costs USD 150 (find TOEFL test locations on the available PDF document).
My suggestion is that practice your English and practice specifically for the test you’re going to take (get mock-ups or samples) and then take the test. Probably they also have mechanism to send the result directly to the course consortium directly. I’ll leave the IELTS vs TOEFL choice to you (or probably another post?).
Money for Passport and Visa application
It is implied that you’ve already have your own passport when you’re going to apply for a foreign scholarship. The cost of getting an Indonesian passport is IDR 200,000. Go to the nearest Immigration office.
Meanwhile if you are going to another country, you have to apply for a visa. Getting a scholarship offer may or may not make you entitled for a visa fee waiver. UK visa fee for student is GBP 99 and there is no visa fee waiver for non-Chevening/Fullbright scholarship holders. Some embassies or consulates will waive the visa fee if you can prove that you are awarded a scholarship.
Money for Departure
A one way flight to Europe will set you back around USD 550. As soon as you can set the date of departure go search for a cheap ticket and book. I have a good experience with Emirates and I searched the flight using STAtravel (they have a branch in Jakarta: PT Pacto Holiday Tours).
For the fiscal tax (IDR 1,000,000), there is a procedure for a foreign scholarship holder that can be done. Don’t worry, if you get the scholarship, the procedure will be informed to you. You can read the official information about fiscal tax (in Indonesian only), the information about scholarship holder may be entitled for fiscal tax waiver is on page three (letter p).
Money for Living Expenses
For the first few weeks (may be up to two months!) you will probably have to live on your own. Because the living expense in Europe varies, my best recommendation is to bring as much as you can.
My experience on my expenses (as far as I remember them):
- I used DHL for sending the application and EMS for confirmation: IDR 550,000
- I took IELTS, it used to cost AUD 150
- I got my passport in Bandung: IDR 220,000
- UK student visa: GBP 99
- Flight ticket: USD 550
- For emergency and living expenses for the first month in UK: around GBP 300, living the frugal life!
I need to remind you that other fees exist, not limited to:
- Transportation from airport (in Europe) to your accommodation.
- Accommodation fee (agency fee, deposit).
- Transportation fee for moving around (passport application, visa application, etc)l
- Things to bring to Europe (decent suitcase, some winter preparation won’t hurt, etc), but keep in mind to bring only essentials.