UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCED STUDY OF SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME (2021)

admin January 20, 2021

11 minutes read

Apply to the United Nations University

Deadline: 12 March 2021 for Masters / 09 April 2021 for PhD

Location: Japan

Scholarship Level: Masters & Ph.D

About the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability Degree Programmes

UNU-IAS offers master’s and doctoral degree programmes focused on sustainability. The programmes aim to produce the policymakers and researchers of tomorrow, who will be at the forefront of global efforts towards a more sustainable future.

Studying at UNU-IAS brings the unique benefits of:
• Collaborative research & practical experience,
• A global university within the UN system, and
• An international and interactive learning environment in central Tokyo.

To find out more, click the links below. You can also find comments from our current students, as well as learn about research by our previous students.

MSc in Sustainability (2021)

The Master of Science in Sustainability programme is a two-year programme, which provides students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to contribute to solving challenges of sustainability. Drawing on an innovative, interdisciplinary approach, the programme integrates methods and resources from the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities. The programme is intended for recent graduates, professionals and practitioners who seek to meaningfully contribute to the work of governments, civil society, the private sector, and/or the UN and other international organizations in the area of sustainability.

The programme builds on UNU’s strong record in research and capacity development, as well as the extensive network of scholars and academic institutions participating in UNU research. The programme is practice-oriented, user-focused, and of the highest academic quality. It provides students with unique opportunities to interact with leading scholars and policymakers through lectures, international conferences, and workshops.

The programme starts in September, and by July of the second year students must complete the course requirements, obtaining at least 30 credits. Students can select courses from those offered by UNU-IAS, while also enjoying the opportunity to take courses at other leading universities in Japan such as the University of Tokyo, Sophia University, International Christian University, and Yokohama National University.

Application deadline: 26 February 2021

This information can also be downloaded as a Programme Brochure.

PhD in Sustainability Science (2021)

The PhD programme in Sustainability Science is a three-year programme that aims to produce scholars who will become key researchers in the field of sustainability science. The programme takes an innovative approach to sustainability, seeking to promote a better understanding of the issues by incorporating global change perspectives, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity.

The programme will equip graduates with comprehensive, multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainability problems, and deepen their understanding of the role of environmental sustainability in addressing current issues related to global change. The programme provides students with unique opportunities to interact with leading scholars and policymakers through lectures, international conferences, and workshops. Students undertake problem-oriented research by playing an active role in UNU-IAS research projects, and acquire the quantitative and qualitative analytical skills necessary to understand the underlying principles of various systems involved in sustainability issues and debates. Through coursework and research, PhD students gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the technical literacy required to address sustainability problems.

The programme starts in September, and by July of their third year students are expected to complete all of the course requirements, obtaining at least 14 credits. Students can select courses from those offered by UNU-IAS, while also enjoying the opportunity to take courses at other leading universities in Japan such as the University of Tokyo, Sophia University, and International Christian University.

Application deadline: 9 April 2021

This information can also be downloaded as a Programme Brochure.

About the Scholarship

The award of the scholarships listed below is based on application selection results. Only applicants that are accepted for enrolment in the UNU-IAS Master of Science in Sustainability programme can be considered as candidates for the scholarships. There is no separate application form for the scholarships as it is a part of the online application for admission. Interested applicants must provide necessary information and documents for the scholarship together with the required documents for admission to the master’s degree programme.

Scholarships provided through Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU)

I. Coverage

The JFUNU scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 120,000 JPY* for living expenses for a maximum of 24 months. However, travel costs to and from Japan, visa handling fees, and health/accident insurance costs must be covered by the student. The tuition fees are fully waived for the scholarship recipients.
*The amount of monthly allowance has been changed to 120,000 JPY effective 2017.

II. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be persons from developing countries* who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance
Applicants who are currently living in Japan under a working visa are NOT eligible for the scholarship
Applicants who want to pursue a second master’s degree at UNU-IAS are not eligible for the scholarship

*Developing countries included in the latest OECD DAC list.

UNU Rector’s Scholarship

I. Coverage

The UNU Rector’s scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 130,000 JPY (subject to change) for living expenses for a maximum of 24 months. Travel costs to and from Japan, will be covered by the scholarship. The tuition fees are covered by the donor for the scholarship recipients.

II. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be persons from developing countries* who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance
Applicants who are currently living in Japan under a working visa are NOT eligible for the scholarship
Applicants who want to pursue a second master’s degree at UNU-IAS are not eligible for the scholarship
Not a recipient of other concurrent scholarships
Applicants who demonstrated interest in the broader work of the United Nations

*Developing countries included in the latest OECD DAC list.

Similar Opportunity: Global Young Leaders Access Program 2021

Similar Opportunity: United Nations Graduate Study Programme 2021

III. Additional Requirements

Recipients of the Rector’s Scholarship are required to write a short reflection on their learnings and experiences of their time at UNU. One written paper, totaling 400 words, is requested once a year. For the final paper, recipients are also encouraged to reflect on their future plans.
Recipients will agree to foster good collaboration with United Nations University such as through participating in activities, events and other opportunities offered at United Nations University and promoting United Nations University activities amongst the student body.
Recipients will agree to uphold the core values of the United Nations, such as integrity and respect for diversity.

Resona Bank Scholarship

I. Coverage

The Resona Bank scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 130,000 JPY (subject to change) for living expenses for a maximum of 24 months. Travel costs to and from Japan, will be covered by the scholarship (up to JPY 260,000). The tuition fees are covered by the donor for the scholarship recipients.

II. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be persons from developing countries* who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance
Applicants who are currently living in Japan under a working visa are NOT eligible for the scholarship
Applicants who want to pursue a second master’s degree at UNU-IAS are not eligible for the scholarship
Not a recipient of other concurrent scholarships
Applicants who demonstrated interest in the broader work of the United Nations

*Developing countries included in the latest OECD DAC list.

Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP)

A limited number of scholarships are offered for the United Nations University -IAS Master of Science in Sustainability programme under the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP). The award of the scholarship is based on application selection results. Only applicants that are accepted for enrolment in the UNU-IAS Master of Science in Sustainability programme can be considered as candidates for the ADB scholarship.

I. Coverage

Full tuition, subsistence allowance including housing allowance, medical and accident insurance, books, and instrumental allowance will be covered by the scholarship. The monthly subsistence allowance including housing allowance for one person for the academic year 2020 is JPY 147,000 (subject to change for the academic year 2021). An economy class airfare will also be provided for the most direct route between the scholar’s home country and Tokyo Narita International Airport.

Further information is available on the ADB website.

II. Eligibility requirements to be a candidate of ADB-JSP scholarship

Citizenship in a developing country that is a borrowing member of the Asian Development Bank. (Applicants from countries that are no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible for the ADB–JSP Scholarship: Hong Kong; the Republic of Korea; Singapore and Taiwan (Republic of China). Please see Appendix 1 for a complete list of eligible countries.)
A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with superior academic record. For applicants from Nepal, Bangladesh or Pakistan who have earned their Master’s degree in their home country and have completed only 16 years of education, their master’s level education will only be equivalent to a Japanese bachelor’s degree.
At least two years of full-time professional working experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application.
Oral and written English communication skills sufficient to be able to pursue studies.
Not more than 35 years old at the time of application.
In good health.
Should agree to return to his/her home country after completion of studies under the Program.
Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management and staff of ADB, consultants, and relatives of the aforementioned are not eligible for the Scholarship.
Applicants living or working in a country other than their own home country are not eligible for the ADB-JSP scholarship, with the exception of those who are working in ADB developing member countries.
Applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs are not eligible. This includes those who have already obtained a Master’s Degree at an institution other than UNU-IAS.
Applicants who have never studied abroad.

III. Application Documents

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in addition to the application documents required by UNU-IAS. Please upload the following documents under section 7c of the online application form.

ADB-JSP Information Sheet
Certificates of annual income of the applicant
Certificate of family income (parents’ income if single or income of the spouse if married)
Employment certificate that demonstrates two years of full-time work experience

Note: Each income certificate must show annual income in your local currency and US dollars, and be written in English with a signature or a stamp. Please only submit authorized certificates issued by public agencies. For parents who are retired, unemployed or deceased, kindly submit a certificate issued by a local agency, company or government, with a signature or a stamp as applicable.

The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services Scholarship (JEES scholarship)

I. Coverage

The United Nations University scholarships will provide 50,000 JPY for living expenses for a maximum of 24 months. However, travel costs to and from Japan, visa handling fees, and health/accident insurance costs must be covered by the student.
The tuition fees (10,000 USD per year) will not be waived.

II. Eligibility requirements

Applicants must be from developing countries listed in Appendix 2.
Applicants who will receive more than 60,000 JPY from other funding agencies are not eligible for the scholarship.
Applicant’s residential status in Japan must be “student”.
Applicants are preferred who have been involved in volunteer activities or international-understanding-related activities. Applicants who are willing to engage such activities are also eligible to apply.
Applicants should be willing to continue to update the organization on their status following graduation.

Requirements for PhD

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the United Nations University ‘s PhD in Sustainability Science are required to have met ALL of the following requirements by the application deadline in order to be considered:

1. A strong interest in sustainability studies;

2. A demonstrated commitment to study and understand global issues;

3. A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university or institution of higher education and demonstrated ability to link course work and activities to principles of sustainability;

4. A minimum of 2 years of practical field experience related to UNU-IAS research themes which was acquired after obtaining a university degree (full time equivalent)

Two completed Master’s degrees, at least one of which must be in a discipline related to sustainability studies;

*Those who expect to receive a second Master’s degree before the entrance period – September 2020 – may also apply.

5. A GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 70% on a 100 % scale) for at least one of the Master’s degrees earned; and

6. English language proficiency

The minimum score requirements for English language qualifications required by UNU-IAS are:

600 on TOEFL – Paper-Based Testing (PBT) OR
100 on TOEFL – Internet-Based Testing (IBT) OR
7.0 on IELTS – Academic format

Applicants, except for the cases below, must submit original TOEFL or IELTS score reports (from a test taken within the last two years) to the Admissions Office at the time of application:

Applicants whose native language is English.
Applicants who graduated from a university or a postgraduate school located in an English speaking country.
Applicants who completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme where the language of instruction and examination was English. In this case, an official statement from the academic institution will be required, confirming the use of English as the language of instruction and examination.

UNU-IAS requires original TOEFL/IELTS score reports (no photocopies accepted).

TOEFL: Please order an official score report using an institution code 6991.For more information on TOEFL, please visit http://www.ets.org/toefl/
IELTS: Please request that an official report be sent directly to UNU-IAS.For more information on IELTS, please visit http://www.ielts.org/

Fees

Application Processing Fee: None

Requirements for Masters

UNU-IAS welcomes applicants with:

a keen interest in the pressing global issues on the UN agenda and in particular those of sustainability;
an aspiration to pursue careers in international fields in public service or private organizations, including the United Nations, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations as well as research and academic institutions;
the intention to proactively apply academic research findings to policymaking; and
a strong desire to contribute to the solving of problems concerning global environment, through an interdisciplinary approach.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Science in Sustainability are required to have met the following requirements by the application deadline in order to be considered. Those who wish to participate a double degree programme between UNU-IAS and the Department of Urban Engineering in the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo must be shortlisted by the University of Tokyo before submitting application to UNU-IAS.

A strong interest in sustainability studies;
Demonstrated commitment to study and understand global issues;
A completed bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university or institution of higher education in a field related to sustainability (Those who expect to graduate and have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent conferred before September 2021 may also apply.);
A GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 70% on a 100 % scale) for the bachelor’s degree earned;
English language proficiency.
Please see the section below for more details.

English Language Requirements

The minimum score requirements for English language qualifications required by UNU-IAS are:

600 on TOEFL – Paper-Based Testing (PBT) OR
100 on TOEFL – Internet-Based Testing (IBT) OR
7.0 on IELTS – Academic format

Applicants, except for the cases below, must submit original TOEFL or IELTS score reports (from a test taken within the last two years) to Admissions Office at the time of application:

Applicants whose first language is English.
Applicants who graduated from a university or a postgraduate school located in an English speaking country.
Applicants who completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme where the language of instruction and examination was English. In this case, an official statement from the academic institution will be required, confirming the use of English as the language of instruction and examination.

UNU-IAS requires original TOEFL/IELTS score reports (no photocopies accepted).

TOEFL: Please order an official score report using an institution code 6991. For more information on TOEFL, please visit http://www.ets.org/toefl/
IELTS: Please request that an official report be sent directly to UNU-IAS. For more information on IELTS, please visit http://www.ielts.org/

Fees

Application Processing Fee: None

If you want to make an application, please Click here

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