Master Grants for students from developing countries

Ghent University provides Master Grants to candidates from developing countries who wish to obtain a master’s degree at Ghent University. They are awarded for the duration of the studies with a maximum of 2 years. In case of a two-year-programme the scholarship will only be paid for the full term if the student successfully completes the first year of the programme. The scholarship consists of an insurance, an allowance of 1000 euro per month, an installation fee of 500€ and a refund of the yearly tuition fee with a maximum of 80€.

Deadline and decision

Deadline for new students: 24th of December 2013

Deadline for students who already have admission: 31st of March 2014

Decision will be in June 2014

About the Master Grants

Each year, a maximum of 10 scholarships can be awarded.

The master scholarships are awarded for the duration of the studies, aiming at the delivery of a Ghent University diploma after max. 2 years of study. The scholarship is paid for the total duration of the studies.

In case of a 2-year study programme, the 2nd year will be paid upon successful completion of the first year (minimum 60 credits)

The scholarship fee consists of:
Allowance of €1000 per month.
One-time only installation fee of €500
Insurance (health, civil liability, repatriation)
Yearly reimbursement of the tuition fee with a maximum of €80

Warning: in case of increased tuition fee for the master's programme, Ghent University will only reimburse the refundable part. Fees vary according to the programme and can be up to €1000.

Airline ticket and visa costs are not included in the grant.

Which programmes?

Who can apply?

Applicants who already received a Master Grant in the past, are not eligible.
Degree

You have to have a bachelor degree when you submit your application.
Nationality

Master programme:
Your country is on the Master Grants country list(PDF)?
You can apply for a master program (not an ICP)

International Course Programmes (ICP):

Your country is on the VLIR-UOS country list(external link)?
Please apply for the VLIR-UOS scholarship(external link) instead. You cannot apply for a Master Grant.
Your country is on the Master Grants country list ICP(PDF)(external link) and not on the VLIR-UOS country(external link) list?
You can apply for one of the 7 ICP's.

Student, already in your first year ICP, applying for your second year ICP, check the Master Grants country list(PDF)
to know if you can apply.
Language and proficiency

You should have a very good command of the English language. Check the language requirements.

Selection procedure

Eligibility check

Application files that do not comply with all eligibility criteria or submission requirements, will not be considered for selection.
Selection Committee

The Council for Development Cooperation (COS or Commissie Ontwikkelingssamenwerking) makes a selection of the applications based in part on the recommendations obtained from a working group of this Council.

The Council then proceeds to formulate well-founded recommendations to the Executive Committee of Ghent University.
Selection criteria

The recommendations are based on:
The qualifications of the applicant for the master grant (this also implies that the chances of overly qualified candidates might increase).
Students who successfully follow the first year of a Master Grant programme at Ghent University may have a higher chance of selection.
There is no strict age limit, altough applicants below 40 years are preferred.
The significance of the master's programme for the student's country.
Validation of the knowledge in the student's country.
The student's nationality (see nationality).
The motivation of the applicant.
IMPORTANT selection criterium: Proof of relation with UGent: Demonstrate that the university of your studies, your current or future employer has a relation with Ghent University (former or current). For example: staff exchange, research projects, publications, etc.

For Ghent University it's important that for this type of grants, the student will return to his/her home country upon their study and add to the UGent international network in developing countries. Therefore as a prerequisite we ask that you can demonstrate that the university of your studies, your current or your future employer already has a former or current relation with UGent. It's an asset if this is in the field of your study, but if there's already collaboration in another field, that's also good.

In view of the extremely high number of Master Grant applications we normally receive, your application will not be eligible if there's no relation at all. It's up to the applicant to add documents or letters that support this institutional link.

How to apply?

General rules and guidelines

The application is to be made in English.
Application for new students
Procedure for new students applying for following programmes:
Master of Science in Technology for Integrated Water Management
Master of Advanced Studies in European Law
Master of Science in Plant Biotechnology
Master of Science in Statistical Data Analysis
Master of Science in Photonics Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Textile Engineering
Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering

1. Send an e-mail to admission@UGent.be with the following information:

Title of your e-mail: Admission - Master Grant 2014-2015
Content of your e-mail:
Your first and last name (surname) separately
Your complete postal address
Date and place of birth
The programme you are applying for
A confirmation that you have read, understood and accept the admission requirements

2. We will send you the application form by e-mail.

3. Send your completed application form together with all the required documents before the 24th December 2013 to the International Admission Desk. Postmark date will serve as proof.

If the outcome is successful, the International Admissions Desk will forward the application and letter of admission to the Department of Research Affairs.

Once the Department of Research Affairs gets your application from the International Admissions Desk, you will be informed by e-mail.
Procedure for new students applying for the following programmes:
International Master of Science in Rural Development(external link)
International Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Engineering(external link)(external link)
Erasmus Mundus: Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation(external link)
Erasmus Mundus: European Master of Science in Nematology(external link)
Master of Science in Aquaculture(external link)
Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation
Master of Science in Food Technology(external link)
Master of Science in Nematology(external link)
Master of Science in Physical Land Resources(external link)
Master of Science of Nutrition and Rural Development(external link)
Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management(external link)

Please visit the website of the program and apply before the 24th of December 2013.

How to apply is mentioned on their website.
Application for students already in their first Master at Ghent University

1. Send an e-mail to developmentcooperation@UGent.be with the following information before the 1st of March 2014:
Your full name
The complete postal address
The date and place of birth
The programme you are applying for
A scan of your admission letter

You will receive an e-mail of confirmation and an application form.

Before the 31st of March 2014, send a copy to:

developmentcooperation@UGent.be

AND

University Ghent, DOZA
tav Liesbeth Vandepitte
Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25
9000 Ghent
Application students already having official admission to Ghent University

Send an e-mail to developmentcooperation@UGent.be with the following information before the 1st of March 2014:
Your full name
The complete postal address
The date and place of birth
The programme you are applying for
A scan of your admission letter

You will receive an e-mail of confirmation and an application form.

Before the 31st of March 2014, send a copy to:

developmentcooperation@UGent.be

AND

University Ghent, DOZA
tav Liesbeth Vandepitte
Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25
9000 Ghent

Questions?
send an e-mail to developmentcooperation@UGent.beSource:http://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/devcoop/master-grants/mastergrants.htm