Scholarship details
Are you a student from a developing country who wants to pursue a master’s degree in Belgium? Do you want to study in a program focusing on subjects aligned with the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Do you want to benefit from a scholarship covering your tuition, living expenses, travel, insurance, and visa fees? If yes, you should consider applying for the VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP Connect) in Belgium.
The VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP Connect) are offered by VLIR-UOS, a Flemish organization that supports partnerships between higher education institutions in Flanders and the Global South. VLIR-UOS aims to enhance the capacity, knowledge, and skills of individuals and institutions in developing countries through academic cooperation and scholarships. VLIR-UOS supports 15 International Course Programmes (ICPs) at various Flemish universities and provides ten new scholarships for each ICP. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and potential and are renewable for the second year of study if the student meets the educational requirements.
Scholarship Provider
The scholarship provider is VLIR-UOS, a Flemish organization supporting partnerships between Flanders and the Global South higher education institutions. The Belgian Development Cooperation and the Flemish Government fund VLIR-UOS. VLIR-UOS has four main intervention areas: 1) scholarships for students and professionals, 2) institutional cooperation projects between Flemish and partner universities, 3) joint research for development projects, and 4) global citizenship education.
Eligible Applicants
The eligible applicants are students from 29 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and a high level of English proficiency. The applicants must also be nationals and residents of one of the eligible countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of application. They must not have previously received a scholarship from the Belgian government or enrolled in a study program at a Belgian higher education institution. The applicants must apply for one of the 15 ICPs supported by VLIR-UOS and have a clear and realistic study plan and career goals.
Host Country
The host country is Belgium, a federal constitutional monarchy in Western Europe with a population of about 11.5 million. Belgium is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, diverse and multilingual society, high-quality education and research, and its central location in Europe. Belgium has three official languages, Dutch, French, and German, and is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, and NATO.
Scholarship Worth
The scholarship worth is the total tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, insurance, and visa fees for the duration of the master’s program. The scholarship also includes a relocation grant of 5,000 euros. The tuition fees range from 10,000 to 13,000 euros annually for master’s programs. The scholarships are renewable for the second year of study if the student meets the educational requirements.
Level and Field of Study
The level of study is a master’s degree, and the field of study is one of the 15 ICPs supported by VLIR-UOS. The ICPs cover various disciplines, such as cultural anthropology, human settlements, food technology, sustainable development, water resources engineering, and more. The ICPs are taught in English and have a duration of two years. The ICPs aim to integrate global perspectives and strengthen partner countries and network dimensions into the existing master’s programs.
How to Apply
The application process consists of two steps: first, the applicants have to fill out an online application form and upload the required documents, such as a motivation letter, a CV, a portfolio of work, academic transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. Second, the applicants must pay an application fee of 100 euros and submit their application by the deadline. The application period for the VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP Connect) is January 3 – January 17, 2024 (15:00/3 pm, GMT +2).
Countries that can Apply
The countries that can apply are the 29 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which are classified by the Belgian Development Cooperation as “difficult,” “very serious,” or “critical” situations for development. These countries include, but are not limited to, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Niger, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Palestinian Territories, Vietnam, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Peru.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The applicants must be students from 29 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, and who have a high level of English proficiency.
- The applicants must be nationals and residents of one of the eligible countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of application, and must not have previously received a scholarship from the Belgian government or enrolled in a study programme at a Belgian higher education institution.
- The applicants must apply for one of the 15 ICPs supported by VLIR-UOS and must have a clear and realistic study plan and career goals.
- The applicants must have a solid academic record and potential, as shown by their transcripts and other supporting documents.
Scholarship Deadline
The scholarship deadline is January 17, 2024. The applicants are advised to start their application process as early as possible, as the online application form and the required documents may take some time to prepare and submit. The applicants are also encouraged to check the admission requirements and deadlines of the ICPs they are interested in, as they may vary from one ICP to another.
The VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP Connect) in Belgium is a fantastic opportunity for students from developing countries who want to study in a program that focuses on subjects aligned with the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. If you are one of them, do not miss this chance and apply now! You might be the next scholar to join the VLIR-UOS community and make a difference in your field of study.
