Are you thinking of pursuing a Masters degree in International Development?
Degrees in International Development aren’t cheap. The best schools can charge upwards of $40,000 for a degree certificate that’s before you start adding up living and other expenses. The money it takes to study abroad and to gain real opportunity to learn policies and strategies that can help develop your community shouldn’t give you sleepless nights.
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The good news is that there are some very juicy scholarships for international development degrees. In a field this important, both private institutions and governments have seen the wisdom of investing in students especially students from developing countries, of whom these scholarships will directly benefit. If you can show them you’re worth it, you’ll have no problem finding scholarships.
Watch Video: Top 10 International Development Scholarships
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Meanwhile, let’s countdown to number 1 on the top 10 scholarships in International Development.
Table of Contents
10. Law Economics and Governance (LEG) International Talent Scholarship
This 2-year English programme at Utrecht University provides scholarships to 15 international students every year to study in the Netherlands. With the scholarship, students will be able to cover the costs of the tuition fee and part of the living expenses.
9. Global Human Development Scholarship at Georgetown University, USA
The curriculum of this programme covers core courses including the economics of development, international political economy, program design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, finance and budgeting, and management. The scholarship award includes a full tuition scholarship for a GHD student from sub-Saharan Africa.
8. Wellcome Award Masters in Health and International Development
Undertaken in the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), this Masters in Health and International Development programme will award a full scholarship to one student every year, for 3 years starting from 2019/2020 academic year. So if you want to study in the UK, keep your eyes on this one.
7. Sustainability and Energy Policy Scholarship at Hertie School of Governance
Every year, two full scholarships are available, each worth 32,500 EUR to international students interested in sustainability or energy policy, either academically or professionally, who wish to pursue a degree in public policy or international affairs.
6. Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA)
The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) provide fully funded master’s degree study to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities. Check if you are eligible and apply early.
5. Mundus MAPP Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy also called Mundus MAPP, is fully-funded and offered by four top-ranked European institutions: the Central European University, Budapest in Hungary, the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands; Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals in Spain and the University of York in the UK. If you love adventure and travel, you’ll love this scholarship.
Honourable mention to
Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Masters Scholarships
This would make the list in a top 11 list of scholarships. So allow me give recognition in an honourable mention. This scholarship funds five outstanding individuals from Nigeria and Ghana to pursue the Master of Public Policy degree at the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG), University of Oxford. AIG Scholars after graduation, are expected to return to their home country and apply their learning experience in their country’s public sector.
4. International Masters in Rural Development (IMRD) Scholarship
Check this out. IMRD Scholarships are offered by both the European Commission (as it is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree EMJMD course) and the Belgian Government VLIR-UOS. Two official bodies. Hmmm… So if you are an undergraduate student looking for a master’s program in international development or a masters student looking to do a second masters, then apply for this scholarship.
3. OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarships
The Scholarship is open to those students who wish to pursue studies in a relevant field of Development or Energy Studies such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields. Winners will receive a full tuition scholarship of up to US$50,000 covering one year of study.
2. The Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarship Programme
On our number 2 spot is the Joint Scholarship Program by Japan Government and the World Bank. This Masters scholarship is given to students from developing countries who wish to undertake International Development and related studies in Japanese Universities as well as some other universities in Europe. The scholarship has so many benefits including return air tickets, a US $500 travel allowance for each trip; Tuition for your graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance; A monthly allowance of JPY 152,000 to cover living expenses, including books.
1. VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships by Belgium Government
VLIR-UOS offers full Masters Scholarships in Belgium for students from Developing countries – half of this scholarship will be offered to African students and preference will be given for Women. The scholarships are for one-year and two-year programs. Courses in International Development are central to this scholarship.
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