Master of Human Settlementsm, an ICP Connect Scholarship by VLIRUOS

Unfortunately this programme is not available for scholarship

Do you want to understand the challenges and opportunities of worldwide settlements in relation to current rapid urban changes? The Master of Human Settlements (MaHS), situated within the International Center for Urbanism (ICfU), is just what you are looking for.

Stemming from the recognition that space is an increasingly limited resource and, thus, needs to be utilized effectively, the MaHS provides insights into human settlement design in an era of rising social inequalities, global warming, and rapid change. This one-year intensive programme tackles the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of contemporary urbanisation patterns, from multidisciplinary and multiscalar perspectives. Architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture, and spatial planning are the core disciplines underpinning the programme. Contributions from fields such as economics, geography, and anthropology complement the core disciplines to better understand the interplay between human and natural ecosystems.

Furthermore, the MaHS thrives from its truly international body of students and alumni, as well as the faculty’s long-standing research expertise in contexts worldwide. Its development as an ICP Connect programme is supported by a trans-local network of partners and alumni that has continued to grow for over three decades. Partners from around the world, primarily those in Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Palestine, Vietnam, and Ecuador, act as regional hubs (composed of interconnected, multi-stakeholder alliances) that collaborate with the MaHS to promote inclusive territorial transformations by means of a design-driven and context-based approach to spatial change (intertwining social and ecological dimensions). It does this with the aim of delocalizing and decolonizing its learning and teaching components and environments. Through design studios where fundamental and applied knowledge within a research-based approach is used, real-world problems are tackled, and students develop critical and interpretative approaches towards developing their own position within the field.

General Info

Can I apply for this scholarship?

Candidates that meet the following criteria* may apply for an ICP Connect scholarship:

Nationality and country of residence: Candidates must hold nationality from one of the 25 eligible countries and reside in any of these countries at the time of application (though not necessarily in their country of nationality).
Age: Candidates for a bachelor or initial master programme cannot be older than 35 as of 1 January of the intake year, while candidates for an advanced master cannot be older than 45. Additionally, candidates for a bachelor programme must be at least 19 years old by 1 January of the intake year.
Professional background and experience: Preference will be given to candidates employed in higher education, government, or civil society, or those targeting a career in one of these sectors. Newly graduated candidates or those employed in the private sector with no work experience may also be considered if they provide strong motivation and a compelling profile.
Scholarship applications: Candidates may apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year. Candidates cannot receive any other scholarship or grant to participate in this study programme or another programme simultaneously.
Previously awarded scholarships: Candidates may not have previously received a scholarship from the Belgian government to attend a study programme, nor may they have enrolled in a study programme at a Belgian higher education institution before 1 January of the year of intake.

*Please note that additional criteria may be imposed by individual institutions. These can be found under the drop-down menu 'more detailed information & application' on this page.

What are the scholarship selection criteria?

Within the ICP Connect framework, scholars are seen as potential agents of change that may contribute to societal change in their home country (or region) after completing their studies. Scholars are selected following an objective evaluation of their scholarship applications based on the following criteria:

Motivation: Candidates' motivation and professional goals must reflect their competence in transferring knowledge/skills or setting up extension activities, highlighting themes relevant to sustainable development and pertinent to the study programme. Not only are academic results important, but so are —especially— the potential and commitment of the candidates to become 'agents of change' after completing their studies.
Professional experience: Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a greater chance of implementing and/or transferring newly gained knowledge/skills upon completion in a sustainable development context, such as in the higher education sector, government, civil society, or the private sector, thereby contributing to positive societal change.
Gender balance: A balance between male and female candidates awarded ICP Connect scholarships is the target. VLIRUOS strongly encourages female candidates to apply. Read more about our gender policy here.
Regional balance: A reasonable cross-section of scholars from different countries and regions is targeted, provided there are sufficient qualified candidates.
Leave No One Behind (LNOB): In case of equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to candidates from vulnerable groups.
Previously awarded scholarship: Preference will be given to candidates who have never received a scholarship to study in a high-income country (bachelor or master).