Bachelors / MastersFully Funded

VLIR-UOS Scholarships

VLIR-UOS offers fully funded scholarships for individuals from eligible developing countries to pursue a Bachelor or Master's degree in Flanders, Belgium, focusing on development-relevant topics.

Provider: VLIR-UOS
Host country: Belgium
Region: Europe

Visit official site

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

VLIR-UOS Scholarships is open to African students applying to study in Belgium at the Bachelors / Masters level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Bachelors / Masters · applicants for Belgium
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Bachelors / Masters
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

To be eligible, candidates must be nationals and residents of one of the 29 eligible developing countries and meet specific academic and professional requirements outlined for each study program.

What the fully funded award covers

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

About the VLIR-UOS Scholarships (2026)

## Overview The VLIR-UOS Scholarship Programme provides opportunities for students from 29 eligible developing countries to pursue a Bachelor or Master's degree at a Flemish university or university college in Belgium. These scholarships are fully funded and are specifically designed to support individuals who wish to contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries. The program aims to foster knowledge and capacity building in various fields critical to addressing global challenges. ## Benefits VLIR-UOS scholarships are comprehensive, covering all major expenses associated with studying and living in Belgium. The exact benefits may vary slightly depending on the program, but generally include: * **Tuition fees:** Full coverage of academic tuition. * **Monthly allowance:** A generous stipend to cover living expenses, accommodation, and personal costs. * **Travel costs:** Round-trip international airfare from the home country to Belgium. * **Insurance:** Health, accident, and third-party liability insurance. * **Other expenses:** Allowances for books, course materials, and a one-time settlement allowance. ## Eligibility To be considered for a VLIR-UOS scholarship, applicants must meet the following general criteria, with specific program requirements potentially adding further conditions: * **Nationality and Residency:** Applicants must be citizens and residents of one of the 29 eligible developing countries. These countries span Africa, Asia, and Latin America. A detailed list of eligible countries can be found on the official VLIR-UOS website. * **Academic Background:** Candidates must hold an academic degree at least equivalent to a Belgian university Bachelor's degree for Master's programs, or meet the requirements for Bachelor's programs. Relevant academic performance and a strong academic record are crucial. * **Professional Experience:** While not always strictly mandatory for all programs, relevant professional experience and a commitment to applying acquired knowledge in the home country are highly valued. * **Age Limit:** For master programs, candidates should generally not be older than 35 years for initial Master's degrees and 45 years for advanced Master's degrees. There may be exceptions and specific age requirements for different programs. * **Language Proficiency:** Proficiency in English is typically required, as most programs are taught in English. This usually needs to be demonstrated through recognized language tests like TOEFL or IELTS. * **Motivation:** Applicants must demonstrate a strong motivation to contribute to the development of their home country and align with the program's objectives. ## Required Documents The application process generally requires a comprehensive set of documents, which may include but are not limited to: * Completed application form. * Curriculum Vitae (CV). * Transcripts and diplomas of previous academic degrees. * Motivation letter explaining the applicant's academic and professional goals, and how they relate to development in their home country. * Two letters of recommendation, preferably one academic and one professional. * Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS). * Copy of passport or national ID card. * Medical certificate. Applicants should carefully review the specific requirements for their chosen study program, as additional documents or specific formats may be requested. ## How to Apply The application process involves two main steps: 1. **Choose a program:** Select a VLIR-UOS funded study program (Master or Bachelor) that aligns with your academic background and career goals. Information on available programs can be found on the VLIR-UOS website. 2. **Apply to the university/university college:** Submit your application directly to the Flemish university or university college offering the chosen program. Indicate your interest in applying for a VLIR-UOS scholarship during this application. The university will pre-select eligible candidates. 3. **VLIR-UOS selection:** Pre-selected candidates will then be evaluated by VLIR-UOS based on their academic merit, motivation, and relevance to development cooperation. The final decision rests with VLIR-UOS. It is crucial to follow the application guidelines of both the university and VLIR-UOS precisely. ## Key Dates Specific deadlines for application vary depending on the chosen study program and the academic institution. Applicants are advised to check the individual program pages on the VLIR-UOS website and the respective university websites for precise dates. Generally, applications open several months before the academic year begins. ## Selection Criteria VLIR-UOS scholarships are highly competitive. The selection criteria typically include: * **Academic excellence:** A strong academic record and relevant prior education. * **Relevance:** The alignment of the applicant's chosen program with development challenges in their home country. * **Motivation:** A clear and compelling motivation letter demonstrating commitment to contributing to development. * **Professional experience:** Relevant work experience is often a significant advantage. * **Geographical balance:** VLIR-UOS aims to achieve a balanced representation of scholarship recipients from different eligible countries. ## Tips * **Start early:** The application process can be lengthy, so begin well in advance of the deadlines. * **Research programs thoroughly:** Choose a program that genuinely fits your interests and career aspirations. * **Tailor your application:** Customize your motivation letter and CV to highlight your relevant skills and experience. * **Proofread everything:** Ensure all application materials are free of errors. * **Contact the university:** If you have questions about specific program requirements, reach out to the international admissions office of the relevant university. * **Be aware of the eligible countries:** Double-check if your country is on the official list of eligible countries. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official VLIR-UOS website: [https://www.vliruos.be/en/scholarships/22](https://www.vliruos.be/en/scholarships/22)

What the Fully Funded VLIR-UOS Scholarships covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

VLIR-UOS Scholarships eligibility for Belgium applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

To be eligible, candidates must be nationals and residents of one of the 29 eligible developing countries and meet specific academic and professional requirements outlined for each study program.

Documents required for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.vliruos.be/en/scholarships/22 and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.vliruos.be/en/scholarships/22, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, VLIR-UOS will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

VLIR-UOS Scholarships deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Bachelors / Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by VLIR-UOS, and be able to relocate to Belgium for the duration of the programme.

Is the VLIR-UOS Scholarships fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.

By destination

Study in USA