VLIRUOS, the Belgian (Flemish) university cooperation agency, is offering fully funded scholarships for 12 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Belgium starting in September 2027. The scholarship covers tuition, flights, insurance, accommodation and living costs for the whole programme. The overall deadline is 28 February 2027, but many programmes close earlier.
Check your country first: only nationals and residents of 25 countries can apply. In Africa these are Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali (recently added), Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Nigeria and Ghana are not on the list.
Key Details
- Funder: VLIRUOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Cooperation for Development)
- Programme: ICP Connect scholarships, 2027–2028
- Levels: professional bachelor’s (3 years), initial master’s (2 years), advanced master’s (1 year)
- Funding: full scholarship
- Start: 1 September 2027
- Deadline: 28 February 2027 overall — check each programme’s earlier date
Benefits
- tuition fees
- international travel
- insurance
- living costs, including accommodation and food
- funding for the full length of the programme
The 12 Programmes
Professional bachelor’s: Hotel Management; Applied Computer Science.
Initial master’s: Aquaculture (IMAQUA); Food Technology; Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes); Transportation Sciences – Road Safety; Nutrition and Food Systems; Sustainable Land Management; Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (Mundus tropicalis).
Advanced master’s: Development Evaluation and Management; Globalisation and Development; Governance and Development.
Eligibility
- nationality and residence in one of the 25 eligible countries (you can live in a different eligible country from your nationality)
- age: maximum 35 on 1 January 2027 for bachelor’s and initial master’s; maximum 45 for advanced master’s; at least 19 for bachelor’s
- meet the university’s own admission and English requirements
- apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year — applying to more can get you excluded
Preference goes to people working (or planning to work) in higher education, government or civil society, and to those who have not yet studied in a higher-income country. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Recent graduates can still be considered with strong motivation.
How Candidates Are Selected
- motivation and career goals
- potential to use and share new knowledge back home
- relevant work experience
- commitment to sustainable development
- gender and regional balance, with attention to vulnerable groups
How to Apply
- Read the VLIRUOS study scholarships page and the ICP Connect 2027–2028 call.
- Choose one of the 12 programmes and open its university website.
- Note that programme’s own deadline — it may be well before 28 February 2027.
- Apply for admission through the university’s system and indicate that you are applying for a VLIRUOS scholarship.
- Upload all documents (transcripts, English test, CV, motivation letter, references) before the deadline.
VLIRUOS holds an online information session on 26 November 2026, 14:30–16:30 CET (14:30 WAT / 16:30 EAT). Registration details are on the official website.
Related Opportunities
- Applying to Canadian Universities 2027: 5 Tips for African Students
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarships Open Now (2027 Intake)
- Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program 2027
Deadline: 28 February 2027 (many programmes earlier).
