Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS University of London 2026/2027: Fully Funded Master’s Opportunity for African Students

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The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS University of London is now open for applications for the 2026/2027 academic session. This prestigious scholarship is designed to support outstanding students who are passionate about leadership, governance, and Africa’s development.

Founded and funded by Dr. Mo Ibrahim, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is widely recognized for its commitment to strengthening leadership and governance across Africa. Through this scholarship initiative, the Foundation seeks to nurture future African leaders who will contribute meaningfully to the continent’s social, political, and economic transformation.

For students seeking a fully funded master’s opportunity in the United Kingdom, this scholarship offers substantial financial support, access to world-class education, and the chance to study at one of the leading institutions for African, Asian, and Middle Eastern studies.

Overview of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship

The scholarship is available for students enrolling in any full-time one-year taught master’s degree programme at SOAS University of London for the 2026/2027 academic year.

A total of two scholarships will be awarded, with each scholarship valued at £45,479. The funding package covers:

Full tuition fees
Maintenance stipend for living expenses
Financial support paid directly to the student after tuition deductions

The scholarship specifically aims to empower students who demonstrate a strong commitment to governance, leadership, and development issues affecting Africa.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive extensive financial and academic support, including:

1. Full Tuition Coverage

The scholarship covers the complete tuition fees for eligible master’s programmes at SOAS University of London.

2. Maintenance Stipend

After tuition fees are deducted, the remaining amount from the £45,479 scholarship value will be paid directly to the student to support:

Accommodation
Feeding
Transportation
Study materials
Daily living expenses

3. Opportunity to Study in the United Kingdom

Recipients will gain access to a globally respected educational environment in London, United Kingdom.

4. Access to a Global Academic Network

Students will become part of an international network of scholars, researchers, policymakers, and development professionals.

5. Leadership and Development Exposure

The programme strongly aligns with African governance and development priorities, helping scholars build expertise that can contribute to positive change across the continent.

Eligible Programmes

The scholarship applies to:

Any full-time one-year taught master’s degree programme
Programmes beginning in the 2026/2027 academic session

Applicants are encouraged to explore the wide range of postgraduate programmes available at SOAS University of London before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet all the following requirements:

Must be a new admission starting in September 2026
Must have Overseas fee status
Must possess a minimum of a 2:1 bachelor’s degree from:
- A United Kingdom university, or
- An international equivalent institution
Must hold an unconditional offer for an eligible programme before the scholarship panel convenes
Must apply for a full-time one-year taught master’s programme

It is important to note that:

Pre-sessional programmes are not covered under this scholarship
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered

Preference Criteria

Although the scholarship is open to eligible international students, preference will be given to applicants who:

Are ordinarily resident in Africa
Demonstrate a strong interest in governance in Africa
Show commitment to development issues affecting African communities and institutions

Applicants should clearly reflect these interests in their personal statements and application materials.

How to Apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship

Interested applicants should follow the application process carefully to avoid disqualification.

Step 1: Apply for Admission

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

Candidates are advised to apply early because:

Admission processing may take up to four weeks
During busy periods, processing may extend to six weeks

An admission application is required before applicants can access the scholarship application portal.

Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship

After applying for admission, candidates must submit their scholarship application through the admissions portal.

Applicants will need their course application login credentials to access the scholarship application form.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship application is:

17 June 2026 at 12 noon United Kingdom local time

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit both admission and scholarship applications well before the deadline.

Selection Process and Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed by a scholarship selection panel based on:

Academic excellence
Personal statement quality
Demonstrated commitment to African governance and development
Overall strength of application materials

The panel will review information submitted in both the admissions application and scholarship application.

Important Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Use

Applicants are advised not to use generative Artificial Intelligence tools to write their scholarship personal statements.

However, Artificial Intelligence tools may be used for:

Grammar checking
Spelling correction
Structuring ideas and outlines

Applicants should ensure that all submitted statements genuinely reflect their personal experiences, motivations, and aspirations.

Scholarship Notification Timeline

The scholarship selection and award process is expected to conclude by mid-July 2026.

Successful candidates will be contacted first
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified after all awards have been allocated

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship represents more than financial support. It is an investment in Africa’s future leaders, policymakers, and development professionals.

Students selected for this programme will have the opportunity to:

Gain advanced academic training
Develop leadership skills
Build international networks
Contribute innovative solutions to African governance and development challenges

For ambitious students passionate about shaping Africa’s future, this scholarship provides a powerful platform for impact and transformation.

APPLY HERE

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Scholarship Opportunities on OFY here.

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