The International Development Department, University of Birmingham, is pleased to announce that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is providing scholarships for MSc in Governance and State-building.

The scholarship will be for a two-year programme, with the successful candidate undertaking the full MSc programme and then six months within the Foundation as an intern, based in London.

The programme

The Governance and Statebuilding programme is one of the specialised streams within international development, and takes an interdisciplinary standpoint, combining the theoretical rigour of political economy and the practical experience of development.

The good governance agenda occurs now increasingly alongside debate on state-building, which encompasses issues such as accountability and transparency, corruption, conflict, political settlement, human rights, participation, access to justice and democratisation.

Governance and state-building are of particular interest to governments, non-governmental organisations and development agencies, as well as to a growing and vibrant academic community.

The pathway for the Foundation scholarship comprises the following modules:

·  Critical Approaches to Development (20 credits)

·  Governance and State Building in Developing Countries (20 credits)

·  Econometrics and Development Applications (30 credits)

·  One of the following four modules (20 credits):

– Development Politics – Development Management – Conflict in Developing Countries – Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development

·  Choice of optional modules (40 credits) – choose from over 25 IDD modules plus others from across the University

·  Dissertation (60 credits) – in depth focus on a topic of particular interest, with support from a supervisor. This may involve overseas fieldwork in a country chosen by the candidate.

Scholarship Eligibility

The entry requirements consist of:

·  At least an upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent from an approved university.

·  Adequate capacity in written and spoken English. For those whose first language is not English, evidence of this capacity is required. Applicants should reach at least level 6.5 in the IELTS or 580 /93 for TOEFL. Please check the University website for more information on English language requirements.

·  Experience in economics and statistics, demonstrated through a good mark received for at least one course at undergraduate level.

·  Applicants must be African nationals domiciled (or permanent residents) in an African country. Preference will be given to scholarship candidates living in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Application process

Applications must be received through the University online application system, with a 500 word statement and CV sent by email to Mrs Debra Beard (d.l.beard(at)bham.ac.uk).

This statement should set out why the applicant is the best candidate for the scholarship. Please include ‘Mo Ibrahim Scholarship’ in the subject line of the email.

The scholarship

The scholarship includes:

·  Full tuition fee

·  Air fare to and from the United Kingdom and visa

·  Monthly stipend of £920 for 18 months

·  Arrival allowance of £920

The remaining six months for the internship will be funded directly to the successful candidate by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

For more information, kindly see: MSc International Development Scholarships