Applying for scholarships is one hell of a task given the limited number of scholarship opportunities and the buzzing number of applicants. In this article, we’re going to explore the IDS scholarship extensively and the reasons why you should consider giving it a shot. You could be a step away from winning this offer!
What’s the IDS Graduate Scholarship?
Dudley Seers, an economist who served as a director from 1967 to 1972, founded the Institute Of Development Studies (IDS) in 1966. From 1972 to 1981, Sir Richard Jolly was the director of IDS, and he later wrote a short history of IDS: a personal reflection.
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), based at the University of Sussex, is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications. It is a fully-funded scholarship for people from low and lower-middle-income countries who want to get their Master’s degree.
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is pleased to announce the availability of at least one graduate scholarship to encourage high-achieving scholars from the Global South to pursue a master’s degree beginning in 2022. IDS Scholarships are funded by IDS Alumni, the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, the Dr. Purna Chander Kotagiri Fund, and the Albertina Fund, among others.
These scholarships are available to international students from low or lower-middle-income countries who have accepted a full-time place on an IDS master’s degree. Preference for one scholarship will be given to female students from Africa or Asia. Priority for all scholarships will be given to those who have the greatest potential to make a difference in their home countries after completing the degree.
IDS Graduate Scholarship Details
Why choose IDS
In an extraordinary time of challenge and change, IDS has used more than 50 years of expertise to transform development approaches that create more equitable and sustainable futures. The work you do with them will help make a progressive change towards universal development; to build and connect solidarities for collective action, locally and globally. The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past five years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).
Type of award
Taught full-time master’s degree plus essential living costs
Award amount
Up to £18,500 for fees and up to £11,000 for essential living costs
Eligibility
The scholarship is only open to applicants who are nationals of and currently living in a low or lower-middle-income country.
Eligible countries include
Countries in:
East Asia and the Pacific
Europe and Central Asia
Latin America & the Caribbean
The Middle East and North Africa
North America
South Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Applicants should ensure that the following criteria are met. As such, they;
-Must have proven academic skills and an established career with a track record of excellence and achievement in the field of development
-Must be able to demonstrate, through your previous experience and future plans, that you are committed to working for development – be it educational, economic, social, or cultural – in your home country.
-Must not have studied or worked in a high-income (developed) country.
-Must meet all of the IDS and the University of Sussex’s general entrance requirements.
-Must have received an unconditional offer on a full-time taught IDS master’s degree by 30 April 2021 (it is possible to apply for the scholarship before receiving an offer of a place).
NB: It is not possible to defer an award made in one academic year to a later academic year if a student is unable to take up the original place
English Language Requirement: If English is not your first language, then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
How to apply for IDS Graduate Scholarship
To be considered for the IDS Graduate Scholarship, you must have accepted an offer of a place on an eligible IDS master’s degree. Applications for the scholarship award should be submitted via our online IDS Scholarship Application Form.
Application deadline
June 29, 2022
Course Level
This scholarship opportunity is available for students who wish to pursue a master’s degree program.
List of programs offered by IDS
-MSc Climate change, Development, and policy
-MA Development Studies
-MA Food and Development
-MA Gender and Development
-MA Globalisation, Business, and Development
-MA Governance, Development and Public Policy
-MA Poverty and Development
-MA Power, Participation, and Social Change
-MSc Sustainable Development (online)
-Ph.D. in Development Studies by Published Works
-Ph.D. in Development Studies by Research
Number of Scholarships
There are six scholarships available.
For more information
Visit IDS Graduate Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Can a full-time student work full-time in the UK?
As an international student, you’re allowed to work up to 20 hours at a maximum per week. You can work during term-time and full-time during holiday breaks.
2) Do universities offer full scholarships?
Several universities offer varying forms of scholarships. You would need to check their various websites to get more information.
3) Is there any other Scholarship apart from the IDS scholarship?
The British Government and UK Universities provide many scholarships for international students who want to study in the United Kingdom like Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Masters Scholarships, and many more.
