international Development Studies Scholarship

The SCG Foundation is pleased to grant up to 6 full scholarships for individuals wishing to study at the Master of Arts Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS) at Chulalongkorn University for the upcoming academic year.

Please note that in previous years the scholarship was limited to full-time government employees or civil servants, but it is now open to non-governmental workers, students, and other individuals with a background in development, as well as government employees.

Eligibility ( Scholarships)

Scholarships are open to government workers, non-profit sector employees, students and other individuals with a background in development from each of the following Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia , Laos, Indonesia, Philippines.

Scholarship Conditions:

1. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for MAIDS admission AND be admitted to the MAIDS program.
2. SCG Foundation Scholars are expected to graduate within the prescribed 12 month period (excluding the pre-session course). Students who are required to enroll in additional semester(s) will have to bear the additional cost of living and tuition fees.
3. SCG Foundation Scholars must not be employed - either part-time or full-time - during their studies/scholarship tenure.
4. Following graduation, SCG Foundation Scholars are expected to return to work for their home governments for a period of two years.

MAIDS Program Admission Requirements:

I) Entry Requirements

• Applicants should possess a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in the social sciences with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
• Applicants should also have 2 years work experience in a related field. Mature students, junior to mid-level government officials with experience in development are encouraged to apply.

II) English Language Requirements

Candidates will be required to demonstrate an acceptable level of language proficiency. Applicants should have achieved an English language score of at least 6.0 on the British Council IELTS, 550 in the paper-based TOEFL, 213 in the computer-based TOEFL, or 550 in CU-TEP (Chulalongkorn University Test of English Proficiency). These three above-mentioned tests are the only ones excepted by Chulalongkorn University. Please also note English tests scores must be less than two years old at the time of application.

Please note that these scores, although a minimum requirement for admission, do not guarantee successful admission or completion of the program. The candidate should feel comfortable writing graduate-level academic essays and participating in class discussions in English.

Required Materials

Students applying for the Master of Arts in International Development Studies must submit the following materials:

• Application Forms: The application form can be downloaded here. Please complete the form, either by typing or writing clearly in block letters.
• Transcripts: Applicants must submit an original or certified copy of their transcript from the college or university previously attended. Transcripts that are not in Thai or English must be translated and certified in the English language. If you are currently enrolled in an academic programme, please submit an official report of your current mid-term grades. You can send your final grades at a later date when they become available.
• Photocopy of previous degree(s)
• English language test scores (if applicable): The programme accepts photocopies of English test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, CU-TEP) for the application process. Please note, however, that the admitted students will have to present the original score record to Chulalongkorn University at the beginning of the academic year.

• Alternatively, the student can have ETS, the company that administers TOEFL, send the score directly to the programme. Chulalongkorn University 's TOEFL institutional code is 0227. The MAIDS programme does not have a departmental code registered with ETS, so make sure to write clearly “M.A. in International Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science” on the score report request form.
• Letters of recommendation: Applicants are required to ask two instructors or employers familiar with their work to send sealed letters of recommendation with letterhead and original signatures. Please also provide the following reference form to your referees and ask them to fill it out: Click here to dowload Student Reference Form.doc

• Please provide your referees with the above form and ask for a confidential reference to be returned to you in a signed and sealed envelope. Please return the unopened envelope to the MAIDS Office with the application form. The referee also has the option of sending the reference directly to the MAIDS Office.
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume: The resume must provide information on current and past employment, academic awards and scholarships, international travel, publications, and extracurricular activities, including volunteer work.
• Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose should be between 600 and 1000 words, and include the following elements:

• - Describe your most valued experience or accomplishment.- Describe your research interests, and outline a tentative topic for your M.A. thesis. - Describe your career expectations (personal and professional objectives), and explain how the M.A. in International Development Studies at Chulalongkorn will help you achieve these goals.
• Writing Sample: The MAIDS programme requires all applicants to submit a sample of their critical or analytical writing. This may be a paper written for an undergraduate course, a published academic or journalistic article, or another appropriate writing sample. Applicants should briefly explain - using a separate document - the context in which the sample was originally written, including information on the nature of the publication in which it appeared, and the date of publication.

• The objective of the sample writing is to assess the applicants' analytical and writing skills. The ability to write clearly in English – both for native and non-native speakers - is essential to fulfill the written requirements for this M.A. programme in International Development Studies.
• Photocopy of ID Card (for Thai applicants) or passport (for non-Thai applicant).
• Two photographs: Applicants must submit two recent one inch photographs.
• Application fee: There is a non-refundable application fee of 800 Thai baht . The fees can be paid in cash at the MAIDS office, or deposited directly in the programme's bank account (see details below). If the money is transferred to the programme's account the applicant must submit a photocopy of the bank transfer receipt with the application. Applicants who are not in Thailand must pay the fee by sending us a $30 US “Bank Draft” only (US$26 plus US$4 for bank charge).