Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS University 2026/27

Applications are now open for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship 2026/27 at SOAS University of London in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed to support outstanding students who are passionate about leadership, governance, and development in Africa.

Funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, this prestigious award provides financial support for international students enrolling in a full-time one-year master’s degree program at SOAS beginning in September 2026.

Two scholarships will be awarded for the 2026/27 academic session, with each award valued at £45,479. Tuition fees will be deducted from the total amount, while the remaining balance will be paid to the student as a maintenance stipend.

Scholarship Overview

Host Country: United Kingdom
University: SOAS University of London
Sponsor: Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Study Level: Master’s Degree
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Number of Awards: 2
Application Deadline: 17 June 2026

Scholarship Benefits

Selected candidates will receive:

Full tuition fee coverage
Maintenance stipend for living expenses

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship, applicants must:

Apply for a full-time one-year taught master’s program at SOAS for 2026/27
Be a new student starting in September 2026
Be classified as an overseas fee-paying student
Hold at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or international equivalent
Receive an unconditional admission offer before the scholarship panel meeting

Preference will be given to applicants who:

Are ordinarily resident in Africa
Show strong interest in governance and development in Africa

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed based on:

Academic excellence
Personal statement
Commitment to Africa’s development and governance

Applicants are advised not to use generative AI tools to write their scholarship statements, although AI tools may be used for grammar checks or organizing ideas.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for Admission

Applicants must first apply for an eligible master’s degree program at SOAS University of London.

Step 2: Submit Scholarship Application

After applying for admission, candidates can apply for the scholarship through the SOAS admissions portal using their login credentials.