2025 University of London Scholarship (GDA) Apply Now
University of London has give out over 50,000 scholarships to African students for over ten years now. They’re offering the 2025 Governance for Development in Africa (GDA) Scholarship. The GDA Scholarship shows the University of London’s dedication to helping African students grow.
The scholarship is part of the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative for a doctoral degree at the SOAS University of London.
More details about this scholarship, its requirements, benefits, and application guide will be outlined in this post.
University of London GDA Scholarship Program Details:
The Centre of African Studies offers one PhD scholarship to African nationals as part of the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
Applications are invited for PhD studentships focused on the area of state capacities, governance and bureaucracy for development.
This may include projects designed to understand public sector governance capabilities, political settlements, state business relations, the governance of state owned enterprises, the governance of development policy design and implementation, and so on. But applications must focus on the public sector/state/civil service, on governance, and on development.
Eligibility Requirements and Academic Prerequisites
To apply for the 2025 University of London Governance for Development in Africa (GDA) Scholarship, you must:
- must have an unconditional offer for a PhD by 31 March 2025 to be considered for funding. Note that it takes 8 weeks to receive an offer of admission for PhD, therefore to apply for the PhD at least or before January 2025.
The eligible PhD are only those within the following departments:
- Development Studies
- Law
- Economics
- International Relations/Politics
- CISD (Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy)
- DEFIMS (Department for Financial and Management Studies)
- Distance Learning: Centre for Financial and Management Studies (CEFIMS), DEFIMS
Professional Experience Criteria
- Applicants need at least 2 years of experience in governance, development, or public policy.
- Internships, volunteer work, or research can also count.
- Leadership skills and a commitment to community service are a plus.
Once the place is secured, the applicants can apply for the scholarship. Candidates will be assessed on academic merit by a panel consisting of SOAS academic members.
The assessment of your application will be based on the information in your scholarship application.
Required Documents for University of London Scholarship 2025
To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;
- A copy of the unconditional offer received from SOAS admissions office.
- CV (please include your email address).
- Two pages max statement outlining knowledge and interest in governance-related issues.
- Your research proposal (as sent to the SOAS Admissions Office).
- One academic reference (to be sent directly by referee to ab17@soas.ac.uk).
How to Apply for University of London Scholarship 2025 (Step by Step)
To apply for the University of London Scholarship (Governance for Development in Africa Initiative), interested and qualified candidates should send their unconditional offer of admission, research proposal, CV, and one reference to:
Angelica Baschiera
Coordinator,
Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance for Development in Africa Initiative
Email: ab17@soas.ac.uk
