Admission requirements
Language requirements
Applicants need to be proficient in English, the language of instruction for all our
programmes
If English is not your language of instruction at university level; a language test certificate is
required.
If English is your language of instruction at university level but you are originating from Rwanda,
the French-speaking part of Cameroon or from an Asian country except for India and the
Philippines; a language test certificate is required. In case of unavailability of this test or in case
of inability to take the test, you can be admitted to the Master programme provided you attend
the intensive English language course (see below).
Admission requirements
You are eligible to apply if you:
hold a Master degree or five years bachelor degree in development studies or a related
discipline* and obtained good study results. Applicants with a 4-year Bachelor are not
automatically excluded but need t o demonstrate equivalence to a Master degree on the basis of
the Bachelor’s curriculum that includes several research-oriented courses and assignments;
successful attendance of relevant academic courses/trainings and/or highly relevant professional
experience. Holders of a University degree under the European Bologna system must hold a
Master degree;
have a good command of English, certified by an official language test;
show a proven interest in development issues (e.g. relevant professional experience, internship,
field research, volunteering experience);
submit a complete and timely application: see application procedure on the website.
VLIR-UOS scholarship applicants need to meet additional requirements: see VLIR-UOS
scholarship on our website.
Our approach to social science methods
At IOB we want to cultivate mixed-methods approaches to research. Incoming students are
expected to have active knowledge of (the basics of) quantitative and qualitative research
methods or are willing to refresh this knowledge before starting the Master program.
You are exempted from submitting a language test certificate if you are originating from one of
the following countries: Australia, Botswana, Canada, Cameroon (English-speaking region),
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New
Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Official language test: TOEFL (minimum score of 79 for the internet-based test) or IELTS
(minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 on each component). Certain applicants
are exempted from submitting an official language test – see language requirements. Applicants
from other language backgrounds who do not meet the English language admission criteria for
direct admission, i.e. students with internet-based TOEFL scores between 61 and 79 or IELTS
scores between 5.5 and 6.0, can be admitted provided they attend the intensive English language
course prior to the start of the programme (see below);
Intensive language course
An intensive two-week English language course is organised prior to the start of the Master
programme. In addition to bringing the student’s English competency up to the required level,
this course also offers an introduction to international development literature and practice.
This language course is accessible for students from other language backgrounds who do not
meet the English language admission criteria for direct admission, i.e. students with paper-based
TOEFL scores between 500 and 550 (or internet-based TOEFL scores between 61 and 79) or IELTS
scores between 5.5 and 6.0. The course can be attended on a voluntarily basis if permission is
granted by the IOB.
Although the course is offered free of charge by the Institute, students should note that only
VLIR-UOS scholars will receive an allowance during this period.
* For more detailed information: www.uantwerpen.be/development-studies
6 · master programmes
iob · 7