VLIR – UOS ICP Connect Master’s Scholarships

VLIR-UOS supports partnerships between Flemish universities or universities of applied sciences and arts in Flanders and partner countries.
It awards scholarships to students and professionals from Africa, Asia, or Latin America for master’s study in Flanders, Belgium.
Flanders is an ideal study destination, as the universities and university colleges rank among the best in Europe.

Scholarship Overview

The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Study Programmes are accredited (advanced or initial) master’s programs consisting of 2 or 4 semesters (60 or 120 ECTS respectively). The programs covered by this scholarship are all taught in English.
These Master’s programs must focus on a subject that is relevant to or specific to sustainable development.

Host School(s)

Field(s) of Study

One Year Masters Programs

Two Year Master’s Programs

Master of Science in Food Technology (KU Leuven, Ghent University)
Master of Water Resources Engineering (KU Leuven, VUB)
Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (VUB, Ghent University, University of Antwerp)
Master of Statistics and Data Science (University of Hasselt)
Master of Epidemiology (University of Antwerp)
Master in Sustainable Development (KU Leuven)
International Master of Science in Rural Development (Ghent University)
Master of Aquaculture (Ghent University)
Master of Transportation Sciences – Road Safety (University of Hasselt)
International Master of Science in Agro- and Environmental Nematology (Ghent University)

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship benefits below last for the full duration of the master’s program.

Tuition fees
€1400 allowance per month
An economy-class airline ticket at the lowest rates to Belgium and back to the recipient’s home country

How many scholarships are given?

Which countries are targeted?

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you:

Must be a national and resident of one of the 29 eligible countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of the application.
Must be at most 35 years of age for an initial master and 45 years of age for an advanced master. The candidate cannot exceed this age on the first of January of the intake year.
Must be employed in higher education institutions, research institutes, governments, or civil society, or be aiming at a career in one of these sectors. Though relevant work experience is an advantage, master’s candidates employed in the profit sector or newly graduated candidates without any work experience may also be eligible for the scholarship, depending on their motivation and profile.
Should be submitting a scholarship application for the first time in the calendar year. You can only be selected for one scholarship per year.
Should never have received a scholarship from the Belgian Government to attend a master’s program or equivalent, or never been enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution to attend a master’s program or equivalent before the first of January of the intake year.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

Check the eligibility criteria for the scholarship program.
When you are certain you meet the criteria, look at the selected master’s programs on the website.
Once you select a program, visit the website of the university organizing that program and follow the application instructions. Make sure you indicate whether or not you want to apply for a scholarship.
Take note of the application deadline so that you do not apply for more than one master’s program per year. Deadlines are program-specific, so visit the respective university websites to confirm the actual dates.
After submitting your application, wait for the selection results which will be communicated via email by mid-June.

Selection Criteria

Closing Date

How do I get more information?