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Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

VLIR – UOS Scholarships for Master’s Programs

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VLIR – UOS supports partnerships between universities and university colleges in Flanders and the South of Belgium. It awards scholarships to students and professionals from several countries for master’s study in Flanders, Belgium. Flanders is an ideal study destination, as the universities and university colleges rank among the best in Europe.

Scholarship Overview

  • The VLIR-UOS International Master Programmes (ICPs) are accredited (advanced or initial) master programmes consisting of 2 or 4 semesters (60 or 120 ECTS respectively).
  • The Master’s programmes must focus on a subject that is relevant to or specific to sustainable development. 

Host School(s)

  • KU Leuven
  • University of Antwerp
  • Ghent University
  • University of Hasselt
  • VUB – Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Field(s) of Study

One Year Masters Programs

  • Master of Human Settlements (KU Leuven)
  • Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (KU Leuven)
  • Master of Development Evaluation and Management (University of Antwerp)
  • Master of Governance and Development (University of Antwerp)
  • Master of Globalization and Development (University of Antwerp)

Two Year Masters Programs

  • Master of Science in Food Technology (KU Leuven, Ghent University)
  • Master of Water Resources Engineering (KU Leuven, VUB)
  • Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (VUB, Ghent University, University of Antwerp)
  • Master of Statistics (University of Hasselt)
  • Master of Epidemiology (University of Antwerp)
  • Master in Sustainable Development (KU Leuven)
  • Master of Agro- and Environmental Nematology (Ghent University)
  • Master of Rural Development (Ghent University)
  • Master of Aquaculture (Ghent University)
  • Master of Transportation Sciences (University of Hasselt)

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship benefits below last for the full duration of the master programme.

  • Tuition fees
  • €1150 allowance per month
  • A one-time logistical allowance of €700 for the one-year program and €850 for the two-year program
  • A one-time disbursement of  €150 for indirect travel costs
  • An economy class airline ticket at the lowest rates to Belgium and back to the recipient’s home country

How many scholarships are given?

  • 12 scholarships for each International Master’s Program (ICP)

Which countries are targeted?

  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DRC Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya;
  • Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal;
  • South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe;
  • Cambodia, Indonesia, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Vietnam;
  • Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you:

  • Must be a national and resident of one of the 31 eligible countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of the application.
  • Must be at most 35 years of age for an initial master and 45 years of age for an advanced master. The candidate cannot exceed this age on the first of January of the intake year.
  • Must be employed in academic institutions, research institutes, governments, the social economy, or NGOs, or be aiming at a career in one of these sectors. Though relevant work experience is an advantage, master’s candidates employed in the profit sector or newly graduated candidates without any work experience may also be eligible for the scholarship as well, depending on their motivation and profile.
  • Should be submitting a scholarship application for the first time in the calendar year. You can only be selected for one scholarship per year.
  • Should never have received a scholarship from the Belgian Government to attend a master programme or equivalent or never been enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution to attend a master programme or equivalent before the first of January of the intake year.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

  1. Check the eligibility criteria for the scholarship program.
  2. When you are certain you meet the criteria, look at the selected master’s programmes on the website.
  3. Once you select a programme, visit the website of the university organizing that programme and follow the application instructions. Make sure you indicate whether or not you want to apply for a scholarship.
  4. Take note of the application deadline so that you do not apply for more than one master programme per year. Deadlines are programme specific, so visit the respective university websites to confirm the actual dates.
  5. After submitting your application, wait for the selection results that will be out by mid-June.

Selection Criteria

  • Motivation
  • Professional experience
  • Gender
  • Regional balance
  • Social background
  • Previously awarded scholarship

Closing Date

  • March 1, 2021, for most of the programs.

How do I get more information?

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