Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

Scholarship overview

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is open to nationals of eligible 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.

Applicants should also hold a bachelors degree (or equivalent) for at least 3 years prior to applying.

Subject to available funding, JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships for 41 Participating Master’s Programs in 24 universities in the US, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan in key areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.

Please note that if you are not admitted to one of these 41 Participating Master’s Programs, you are not eligible to apply for a JJ/WBGSP Scholarship in 2026.

We are delighted that our MSc Economics and MSc Development Economics (with Finance as an exit pathway) are on the list of their participating programs.

Eligible programmes

Full-time (1 Year) MSc Development Economics (with Finance as an exit pathway)
Full-time (1 Year) MSc Economics

How to apply

You must apply for this scholarship via the admissions portal. You will need to have applied for a course to get login credentials for this.

If you do not see the scholarship you are hoping to apply for within your admissions portal, please double-check you meet the eligibility criteria. Should you have any queries, please contact scholarships@soas.ac.uk.

The first stage of shortlisting is completed by SOAS University of London. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will then be sent the link to apply via the JJ/WBGSP website.

Please note that the link to the JJ/WBGSP scholarship application form will only be communicated to you by the SOAS Scholarships Office provided you are shortlisted by the university in March.

You can find full guidance on how to apply for this scholarship on the JJ/WBGSP website.

Use of AI

Applicants should not use generative AI tools to write their scholarship application statements. You may, however, use AI tools to check grammar and spelling or to help you plan the structure of your statements. For further guidance on appropriate AI use, please refer to the following SOAS webpage: SOAS issues guidance to students on the use of AI.

Contact

For more information about how to apply to study at SOAS and updates on your applicant, please contact mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk.