Development Studies Scholarships and Funding

IDS and Sussex scholarships

We want to ensure that the most able students have the opportunity to study at IDS and go on to effect global change.

We are delighted to offer a number of full-time scholarship places on our international development masters degrees. These include:

IDS Graduate Scholarship 2023

***APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 HAVE NOW CLOSED***

At least one IDS Graduate Scholarship is available to encourage high achieving scholars from the Global South to study for a master’s degree commencing in 2023. IDS Graduate Scholarships are supported by a number of generous funders including IDS Alumni, the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, the Dr Purna Chander Kotagiri Fund and the Albertina Fund. The scholarships are available to international students from low or lower-middle-income countries who have accepted a full-time place on an IDS master’s degree. Preference for one scholarship will be given to female students from Africa or Asia. Priority for all scholarships will be given to those who have the greatest potential to make a difference in their home countries after completing the degree. Find out more

World Bank Scholarships

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is open to citizens of certain developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master degree program in a development-related topic.  Eligible IDS masters programmes include MA Food and Development, and MSc Climate Change, Development and Policy. Find out more

South-East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) Scholarship

You may be eligible for a SeNSS scholarship (funded by the Economic Social Research Council) if you’re taking one of 12 pathways in Social Sciences. Studentships are available in these pathways either for a 1+3 PhD (one year Masters and three year PhD degree) or +3 PhD (three year PhD degree), and can be held on a full-time or part-time basis. Find out more

For more details of IDS and Sussex scholarships see the University of Sussex website for funding advice where you can also search the University of Sussex’s database of scolarships.

National postgraduate loans

Loans are available from the Student Loans Company if you’re from the UK or are an EU national studying for a Masters course. If you are a UK national considering a PhD, you may be eligible for a loan of up to £25,700. Find out more

Alternative funding sources

Many philanthropic foundations, charities and trusts provide alternative funding for postgraduate study. The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online provides a wealth of information about alternative sources of funding – especially charities – which can make awards to any student regardless of subject or nationality.

The Guide includes an extensive database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance written by successful applicants, and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application.

The Guide is password protected. If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has applied to IDS via the University of Sussex, use the following authentication PIN to register for the Guide: 6789. Register for the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online.

Many IDS students have successfully secured alternative funding from alternative sources including some of the following: