Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Talha Israr from Pakistan, Shares His Journey of Pursuing the European Master’s in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS) Across Germany and the United Kingdom

My name is Talha Israr, and I am from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. I have always been curious about engineering and how systems work at a deeper level. I am currently enrolled in the European Master's in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS) under the Erasmus Mundus programme. I completed my first year at RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau in Germany and my second year at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

Educational Background

Before joining Erasmus Mundus, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST University, Islamabad, graduating with a CGPA of 3.96/4.00.

During my undergraduate studies, I took courses such as Embedded Systems, Microprocessor Systems, and other hardware-related courses, all of which aligned well with the EMECS programme. My final-year project was also directly related to embedded systems.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to complete a DAAD-funded research internship in Germany during my bachelor’s. This early exposure to European academics and culture helped prepare me for studying in multiple countries during my master’s.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institution? How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Scholarship? How Competitive Was It, and What Made Your Application Stand Out?

In my experience, the application process isn’t something you prepare for overnight. It’s the result of everything you have done up to that point, your projects, internships, academic record, and clarity of goals.

The most important thing is to apply with a clear purpose. Your chosen programme should genuinely align with your long-term goals, and your past experiences should support your narrative.

Among the scholarships I applied for, the most competitive were Erasmus Mundus and Fulbright, and I was fortunate to be selected for both. I chose Erasmus Mundus because of its international mobility, exposure to multiple academic systems, and its strong alignment with my career ambitions in embedded systems and hardware design.

I believe what made my application stand out was:

• A strong academic background
• Relevant projects and research experience
• A clear, goal-driven motivation statement
• Prior international experience through DAAD

Were You Offered Other Scholarships?

Yes, I was offered two additional scholarships, which I ultimately did not accept:

1. Fulbright Scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of State, fully funded for a programme beginning in September 2025.
2. Bestway Scholarship at the University of Kent, UK, worth £26,000.

Could You Briefly Discuss the Erasmus Mundus Program You Pursued and Its Area of Focus?

I pursued the European Master's in Embedded Computing Systems (EMECS). It is a specialised programme within Electrical and Computer Engineering, focusing on:

• Hardware design
• System-on-chip architecture
• Hardware security
• Operating systems and embedded software

It is an ideal programme for students interested in embedded systems, digital design, and hardware-oriented fields.

How Did the Cost of Living Vary Across the Countries You Studied In? Which Country Was the Most Affordable or Expensive, and How Did You Manage Financially?

My programme offered mobility tracks across Germany, the UK, Norway, and Italy, and I chose Germany and the UK.

• Germany: My city, Kaiserslautern, was relatively affordable. Rent was reasonable, and I could comfortably manage everything within the scholarship amount.
• United Kingdom: In Southampton, accommodation costs were significantly higher and consumed a major portion of the scholarship.

Friends who studied in Trondheim, Norway, also reported similarly high accommodation costs.

In all cases, rent is the biggest expense and varies greatly from city to city.

Did You Face Any Language Barriers? How Did You Overcome Them? Did the Language of Instruction Change?

Yes, in Germany, the primary challenge was that German is widely spoken, especially outside academic circles. To manage daily life, I took A1 German classes, which helped a lot. At the university, however, English is commonly used due to the large international community.

In the UK, there was no language barrier at all.

The language of instruction remained English in both countries.

Would You Recommend the Erasmus Mundus Program? What Advice Would You Give to Prospective Applicants?

Absolutely. Erasmus Mundus is a unique blend of high-quality education, international exposure, and cross-cultural collaboration. It also offers the incredible opportunity to travel across Europe and experience diverse cultures firsthand.

For prospective applicants, my advice would be:

• Apply to programmes genuinely aligned with your interests.
• Be authentic in your application.
• Clearly articulate what you hope to achieve through the programme.
• Keep trying; no one makes it on the first try.

Your goals should connect naturally with the programme’s objectives.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Looking back, I would have focused even more on hands-on projects throughout the programme to make the most of the academic and practical opportunities available. I would also have done more detailed research on my mobility track choices to better plan my academic journey.