Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS University of London 2026/27: Fully Funded Master’s Opportunity for African Scholars
If you are an African graduate passionate about improving governance, public policy or development on the continent, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS University of London is one of the strongest fully funded options available.
For the 2026/27 academic year, the Foundation is offering two awards, each worth £45,479. The funding covers full tuition fees at SOAS and provides a maintenance stipend for living costs in London. Preference is given to applicants who are ordinarily resident in Africa and who can show a clear commitment to African governance and development.
Although the application deadline of 17 June 2026 has now passed, this guide remains useful for future cycles and for understanding how competitive, high-value scholarships of this type work.
Scholarship Overview
- Host institution: SOAS University of London
- Funding body: Mo Ibrahim Foundation
- Number of awards: Two
- Total value per award: £45,479
- Level of study: Full-time one-year taught Master’s degree
- Start date: September 2026
- Study location: London, United Kingdom
SOAS is one of the world’s leading institutions for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The partnership with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation focuses on nurturing future leaders who will strengthen governance and development across the continent.
What the £45,479 Award Covers
The scholarship is structured as a single package:
- Full tuition fees for your chosen one-year taught Master’s programme are deducted from the £45,479.
- The remaining balance is paid to you as a maintenance stipend to cover accommodation, food, study materials and living expenses in London.
This makes it a genuine full-cost award for the duration of the degree.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
To be considered you must meet all of the following:
- Be a new admission starting a full-time one-year taught Master’s at SOAS in September 2026.
- Be classified as an Overseas (international) fee-status student.
- Hold a minimum of a UK Upper Second-Class (2:1) bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent.
- Secure an unconditional offer from SOAS before the scholarship selection panel meets.
- Preference is given to candidates ordinarily resident in an African country (for example Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and others) and to those demonstrating a strong interest in governance or development issues in Africa.
The scholarship does not cover pre-sessional English programmes.
Eligible Programmes
Any full-time one-year taught Master’s degree at SOAS beginning in the 2026/27 academic year is eligible. Programmes related to African studies, development studies, public policy, governance, international relations or similar fields tend to align particularly
well with the Foundation’s priorities.
How to Apply (Process Overview)
The application involves two stages:
- Apply for a Master’s programme at SOAS
Submit a complete application for your chosen course through the SOAS admissions portal as early as possible. Admissions can take several weeks, so early submission is essential. - Apply for the scholarship
Once you have applied for a course and received login credentials for the SOAS portal, complete the separate Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship application by the deadline (12 noon UK time on 17 June 2026). You will need to provide a strong personal statement explaining your commitment to African development and governance, along with academic documents.
Personal statements must be your own original work. Generative AI tools may only be used for basic spelling or structure checks.
Official links:
- Scholarship page (full details and how to apply): https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/mo-ibrahim-foundation-scholarship
- SOAS taught Master’s applications: https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/
- Mo Ibrahim Foundation announcement: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation
Key Dates for the 2026/27 Cycle
- Scholarship application deadline: 17 June 2026 at 12 noon UK local time
- Selection review: Mid-July 2026
- Programme start: September 2026
Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Clearly show how your past experience (work, research, community initiatives or policy engagement) relates to improving governance or development in Africa.
- Choose a Master’s programme that aligns closely with the Foundation’s focus on leadership and institutional reform.
- Write a personal, specific statement rather than a generic one.
- Ensure your academic references are strong and submitted on time.
- Apply for the course early so you can meet the unconditional offer requirement.
Final Note
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at SOAS is highly competitive — only two awards are available each year — but it remains one of the most valuable fully funded opportunities for African scholars focused on governance and development. Even though the 2026/27 deadline has passed, the structure and requirements provide a useful model for future cycles and similar scholarships.
If you are planning ahead for the next round or exploring related opportunities at SOAS and other UK institutions, keep checking the official SOAS scholarships page and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation website for updates.
Are you preparing an application for a future cycle, or exploring similar governance-focused scholarships? Share your target programme or country in the comments.
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