Apply for the 2025 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS University of London. The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London is a leading research institution based in Bloomsbury, London, and part of the University of London.
Established in 1916, SOAS offers specialized programs in Arts, Law, Economics, Politics, Finance and Management, Development Studies, and Languages and Cultures.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation funds the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative (GDAI) scholarship program at SOAS, covering tuition fees for African students pursuing Master’s and PhD programs. These scholarships, valued at £5,000 annually, support African scholars dedicated to governance development in Africa.
Tuition Fees
SOAS University of London tuition fees vary based on program and student nationality, ranging from £22,660 to £28,850 per year for international students. SOAS offers over 350 undergraduate programs and 100 one-year master’s degree and doctoral programs across multiple disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS, applicants must:
- Be domiciled in an African country or have permanent residency there.
- Preference is given to applicants residing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Secure admission to SOAS before applying for the scholarship.
- Undergo evaluation by an academic panel, with selection based on academic merit as demonstrated in the scholarship application.
Eligible PhD Programs include:
- Law
- Economics
- International Relations/Politics
- Development Studies
- Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD)
- Department for Financial and Management Studies (DEFIMS)
- Distance Learning options: CEFIMS, DEFIMS
Scholarship Benefits
The SOAS Centre of African Studies offers two PhD scholarships annually for African nationals. Scholarship benefits include:
- Full tuition fee coverage for three years (PhD candidates).
- Accommodation and living expenses for the first year.
- Two return flights: one in the first year and one for the viva (thesis defense), with one week of accommodation for the viva.
- Annual stipend of £5,000 for the second and third years.
- Additional financial support for visa expenses, with receipts provided to the Centre of African Studies office.
Application Procedure
To apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship, candidates need to submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (include an active email address).
- Unconditional offer letter from SOAS.
- Statement (up to two pages) outlining knowledge and interest in governance issues.
- Research proposal (as submitted to the SOAS Admissions Office).
- Academic reference: The reference should be emailed directly by the referee to ab17@soas.ac.uk.
Application Submission:
- Send the unconditional offer, along with the listed documents, via email to:
Angelica Baschiera
Coordinator, Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance for Development in Africa Initiative
Email: ab17@soas.ac.uk
Important Dates:
- Unconditional offer required by: March 31, 2025.
- Deadline for scholarship application: March 31, 2025.
In their second year, scholarship recipients are expected to conduct fieldwork, and in the third year, they will write their thesis in their country of origin.
This scholarship is a unique opportunity for African students to further their studies in governance while contributing to sustainable development in Africa. Apply early to take full advantage of this comprehensive program at SOAS University of London.
Application link: https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/governance-development-africa-initiative-phd-scholarship
CHECK THESE OUT: