Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships at University of London for Africans 2025 | Fully Funded

Mo Ibrahim Foundation University SOAS Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity at the University of London in the United Kingdom.

The Centre of African Studies at SOAS, University of London, is pleased to announce the extension of the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative, funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, for another three years.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has generously provided SOAS with scholarships covering full tuition and £5,000 every year for African students undertaking a full-time PhD and Masters programme in the field of Governance for Development in Africa.

Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarship Summary

  • Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
  • Study Abroad: Study in UK
  • Category: Postgraduate Scholarship | PhD Scholarships
  • Eligible Countries: All African Countries
  • Reward: Full Scholarship | £5,000 Annual Stipend | Travel Costs
  • Deadline: March 31, 2025

Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarship Details:

The Centre of African Studies, School of African Studies (SOAS) University of London offers 2 PhDs to African nationals as part of the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The focus of the project remains the same in terms of creating a dedicated environment to support the study of the socio-economic, political, and legal links between governance and development.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) is an African foundation, established in 2006 with one focus: the critical importance of governance and leadership in Africa. It is our belief that governance and leadership lie at the heart of any tangible and shared improvement in the quality of life of African citizens.

LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA Leadership is about making choices, defining priorities, and taking risks. Governance is about properly documenting and effectively implementing these choices.

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship Requirements:

To be considered for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship, you must:

  • Candidates must be domiciled (or permanent residents) in an African country.
  • Preference will be given to scholarship candidates living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The eligible PhD are only those within the following departments:
    • Development Studies
    • Law
    • Economics
    • International Relations/Politics
    • CISD (Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy)
    • DEFIMS (Department for Financial and Management Studies
    • Distance Learning: Centre for Financial and Management Studies (CEFIMS) DEFIMS

    Once the place is secured, the applicants can apply for the scholarship.

Selection Criteria:

Candidates will be assessed on academic merit by a panel consisting of SOAS academic members. The assessment of your application will be based on the information in your scholarship application.

Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarship Duration and Reward

  • PhD: The scholarship is on a part?present form and it provides for fees for three years. However, accommodation and living cost are covered for the first year only.
  • The scholarship will also cover in total 2 return flights : one during the first year, and one for the viva (plus one week’s accommodation around the viva).
  • In year 2 and year 3, the successful candidate will also receive an annual stipend of £5,000.
  • We also cover visa cost, provided receipts are submitted to the Centre of African Studies office.
  • We expect students to be on fieldwork during the second year, and to write the thesis in the third year in their country of origin.

Deadline: March 31, 2025