International students can apply for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships to study for master’s and doctoral degrees at any highly regarded university, with the exception of those in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Ireland.
In order to foster the development of effective scholars and leaders and to prepare them for employment, primarily within the AKDN, the Aga Khan Foundation offers a small number of scholarships for postgraduate studies each year to deserving students from a select group of developing nations who have no other means of financing their studies. Once a year in June or July, scholarships are given out through a competitive application process on a grant:loan ratio (50 percent grant).
The Foundation prioritizes requests for Master’s level courses, but it will only consider applications for PhD programs from exceptional students who have strong recommendations from their professors for doctoral studies and who require a PhD to achieve their career goals (academic or research oriented).
Courses Offered
Health
Education
Culture
Rural development
Institution building
Economic development
Agriculture and food security
Civil society
Enterprise development
Financial inclusion
Habitat
Historic cities
Humanitarian assistance
Industrial development
Infrastructure development
Media
Music
Tourism promotion
Scholarship Benefits
- Benefits of the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships include the following for the recipient:
- The Foundation exclusively provides financial aid for living expenses and tuition.
- Only the first two years of a PhD program’s research are funded; after that, students are expected to find other sources of support.
- Financial aid is given based on the needs of the students.
- In order to minimize the amount required from the Foundation, applicants are asked to try their hardest to secure funding from other sources as well.
- Those who have managed to obtain some support from other sources are given preference.
Qualifications Criteria for Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships
Required Language: As per chosen institute requirement.
Eligible Countries: The Foundation accepts applications from nationals of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar and Mozambique. In France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the above developing countries, are interested in development-related studies and who have no other means of financing their education.
Consistently excellent academic records.
Genuine financial need.
Admission to a highly reputable university or program of study.
Relevance of the field of study to AKDN’s focus areas.
Demonstrating thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans,
Their extra-curricular interests and achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed in a foreign academic environment.
Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest.
Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
How Do I Apply for International Scholarships from the Aga Khan Foundation?
An offer to study at the selected university ought to be in your hand.
Get an application form from the Aga Khan Education Services / Boards or AKF offices in the nation where you now reside.
Return the completed application to the organization that provided it. There is no reason to send them to Geneva.
