The University of Birmingham’s International Development Department is delighted to offer one scholarship for our MSc in Development Policy and Politics (with Mo Ibrahim Foundation Internship).
This scholarship, provided by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, covers a two-year program. The successful candidate will complete the full one-year MSc program, along with an integrated one-year internship. During the internship, the candidate will spend six months with IDD, engaging in research alongside academics and the GSDRC, followed by six months with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in London, contributing to various initiatives aimed at placing governance at the core of Africa’s development. This involves participation in the Now Generation Forum, a platform designed for emerging leaders and young professionals from Africa, as an integral component of the Ibrahim Forum and the Ibrahim Governance Weekend.
Program Overview:
The understanding that “politics matters” has become increasingly essential for development policymakers, practitioners, and scholars alike. There is a growing recognition that development, whether at national, subnational, regional, or global levels, is inherently political. To address the problems and opportunities in development, strong political analysis skills and a deep understanding of the political dynamics of global development challenges are necessary. Our teaching draws on insights from around the world about politics, power, governance, and policy. The multinational student body at IDD enriches discussions by sharing their experiences and expertise.
This MSc program establishes a direct link between academic and practical policy approaches to development, grounded in theory and evidence. IDD’s cutting-edge research on governance, leadership, democracy, and other topics informs our teaching, exposing students to innovation, rigor, complexity, and debate while bridging theory and practice.
The Foundation scholarship pathway includes the following mandatory modules:
- International Development (20 credits)
- Development Policy and Politics (20 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits): A detailed exploration of a topic of interest, with guidance from a supervisor. This may involve conducting research in a country chosen by the candidate.
Select one of the following modules:
- Governance and State-building (20 credits)
- Democracy, Dictatorship, and Development (20 credits)
Optional modules (60 credits):
Choose from any module offered by the School of Government. With the Program Director’s approval, you may also select a module from another school or college.
Eligibility:
The entry requirements are as follows:
- A first-class Honours degree or equivalent from an accredited university is mandatory. Applicants not meeting this requirement will not be considered and should refrain from applying.
- Candidates must be below the age of 30 at the time of submitting their application.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of this proficiency, achieving a minimum score of 6.5 in the IELTS or 580/93 in the TOEFL. For more information on English language requirements, please refer to the University website.
- Applicants must be African nationals residing (or permanent residents) in an African country. Preference will be given to scholarship candidates residing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Round-trip airfare to and from the United Kingdom, including visa expenses
- A monthly stipend of £950 will be provided for a duration of 18 months
- Arrival allowance of £950
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation will directly fund the remaining six months of the internship for the successful candidate.
Application Process:
A first-class Honours degree or equivalent from an accredited university is mandatory. Applicants not meeting this minimum requirement will not be considered and should refrain from applying.
Sufficient applications for the September 2024 intake have already been received. We encourage you to consider applying for entry in 2025, which opens in October 2024. Please explore our other programmes in International Development.
Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application system by April 8, 2024. Along with the standard documents, you must also upload a 500-word statement and CV. The statement should outline why you are the most suitable candidate for the scholarship.
After submitting your application, send your application ID number to Debra Beard, with ‘Mo Ibrahim Scholarship’ in the subject line. Please refrain from attaching any supporting documents to this email.
