Master of Public Policy (MPP) Programme at the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG)

Application Deadline:

2019/2020 Scholarships: September 14th 2018

The AIG Scholarships Programme is targeted at graduates between the ages of 25 and 35, some of whom may have work experience. The scholars will be exceptionally intelligent graduates who have excelled academically as well as in other areas of their lives.

Every year, Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) will fund five scholarships for outstanding individuals from Nigeria and Ghana to pursue the Master of Public Policy degree at the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG), University of Oxford. AIG Scholars will be expected, upon graduation, to return to their home country and apply their learning experience as change agents in their country’s public sector.

The AIG Scholarships are postgraduate scholarships awarded to outstanding individuals from Nigeria or Ghana to undertake the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Programme at the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG), University of Oxford. Upon graduation, AIG Scholars will be expected to return to their home country and apply their learning experience as change agents in their country’s public sector.

Benefits:

• The AIG Scholarships are full scholarships covering fees, accommodation and living expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Citizen of Nigeria or Ghana
• Age between 25 and 35 years
• Achieved an academic standing sufficiently advanced to ensure admission to Oxford and the MPP programme. This means a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any discipline. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0
• Strong commitment to public service and a willingness to commit to working for a fixed number of years in your country’s public sector
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and resultant impact
• Impeccable moral character

Selection Criteria:

• Academic and analytical excellence
• Strong commitment to public service
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and resultant impact
• Impeccable moral character

Note that:

Applicants who reach the second stage of selection will be required to furnish the following additional information.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Full Academic Transcripts
• Academic and/or Professional References (four in total). Please note that at least two of the references must be from individuals whom you studied under at university. The references should be sent directly to AIG, and should attest to the character and intellect of the applicant, including academic, personal, extra-curricular and leadership achievements. (References should not be given by people who are related to the applicant.)
• Personal Essay (no more than 1500 words) covering the following:
  1. Why you are interested in public service and public policy; describe the specific issue(s) or problem(s) you care about, your thoughts on how this issue can be resolved and how the resolution of this issue could impact the economy as a whole.
  2. Why the AIG Scholarship and the MPP Programme at BSG-Oxford are important to you and how you would utilise this opportunity.
  3. The description of a personal challenge you have overcome or an achievement that you believe demonstrates your leadership potential, and the impact of that achievement.
• Two passport photographs

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) 2018/19 Scholarships