The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat announces for the information of interested and qualified applicants, sponsorship opportunity for the Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance (MEIG Programme) offered by the University of Geneva in cooperation with the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The MEIG Programme has the objective of transferring knowledge about European and International governance as well as provide participants with the essential professional skills to become a leader in this specific field. 

The programme is for the 2026 – 2027 academic year, starting September 2026 with three (3) deadlines for application as follows: 

First Deadline: November 15, 2025

Second Deadline: December 20, 2025

Third Deadline: February 15, 2026

Interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for admission by downloading the application form available at the following website. 
https://www.meig.ch/admissions/application/

Our ambition is to recruit students with diverse education backgrounds (international relations, political sciences, law, economics, etc.) from all over the world. The intercultural and intergenerational exchange is one of the key assets of the MEIG Programme. We also seek to enroll candidates from a variety of ages, backgrounds and career plans. We take into consideration different gender and social conditions.

The MEIG Programme provides a unique learning experience combining European and international affairs. Its interdisciplinary teaching Faculty is composed of renowned academics and practitioners in various sectors of national, regional and International governance. Being a Geneva-based programme it offers opportunities to attend numerous international conferences and awards students who complete the programme with a Master of Advanced Studies degree (MAS) in 10 months.

Academic excellence

The MEIG brings together the interdisciplinary excellence of the University of Geneva and the best practices of the United Nations Office at Geneva. Benefit from the rich tradition of excellence in education and research of the University of Geneva, with world-class academic staff and a vibrant student life. Specialisedcentres such as the Centre d’études juridiques européennes (CEJE, Center for European Legal Studies) and the Global Studies Institute (GSI) are at your disposal.

Excellent networking opportunities

Profit from exceptional opportunities to build strong networks in Geneva and Brussels. Exchange with renowned professors and senior officials from the United Nations, the European Union institutions and from various international organisationsand NGOs based in Geneva and live an incredible intercultural experience meeting participants from all around the world.

Skills for future leaders

Boost your career and open research and professional sector perspectives including the possibility of internship, and the acquisition of skills indispensable for future leaders. Through the MEIG you will gain a deep understanding of the political, economic, social and legal aspects of European and international governance. Furthermore, you willacquire new qualifications and extend your knowledge on the functioning and the structure of the United Nations, the European Union institutions and the specialised organisations based in Geneva. During the whole year you will develop new competencies enabling you to take over executive functions in an international career or in a national career dealing with global governance issues.

Life after the MEIG Programme

Be part of the MEIG Alumni and benefit from the knowledge, expertise and support of the MEIG Community. MEIG alumni work in a great variety of fields and organisations all around the world including national and international organisations, administrations, NGOs as well as in public and private companies.

To apply for the MEIG Programme in one or two years, candidates must submit a complete application file, containing the following documents:

1. Completed and signed application form
2. Letter of motivation/personal statement demonstrating the applicant’s interest in the field of Governance in English (max. 500 words)
3. An up-to date curriculum vitae (in English) with a portrait photograph (headshot)
4. Copy of passport or ID (personal details page)
5. Copies of relevant degrees and diplomas, with an officially certified translation into English, or French, when they are not originally in either English, French, German, Italian or Spanish
6. Copy of official transcripts/records of University (last academic diploma/courses/examinations and grades obtained with the same need for translation as above
7. Official TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge scores, please make sure you don’t upload the original test result as it is a protected pdf and we cannot open it (print it and scan it again);
8. Copy of certificates or other evidence of past and present professional positions

Financing your studies

Applicants may be eligible for scholarships to cover tuition fees and living expenses during the programme

We encourage students to plan the financial aspects of their MEIG Programme carefully and well in advance, and to explore all opportunities for financing their studies. Possible sources of funding include:

• Immediate and extended family members, relatives and friends;
• Private grant foundations in your home country;
• Government-related scholarship providers in your home country;
• Non-government scholarship providers in your home country, including private organizations and NGOs;
• Loan providers, such as banks and specialized student loan companies in your home country;
• Savings from your own work revenue;
• Support from your employer in the form of a loan, salary advance, grant or supported leave of absence;
• Crowdfunding;
• A combination of funding sources.

In some cases it may take significant time to plan and put together all the necessary resources to fund your study programme.

Requirements

The Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance is open to candidates who are willing to participate in the Programme in its entirety (in the one year or the two years options) or to participate only in specific individual modules of the programme.

The MEIG Programme brings together a group of well-educated and highly ambitious participants. To guarantee a low student to speaker ratio and an atmosphere that is conducive for learning as well as for close exchanges with the speakers, candidates have to fulfill a number of requirements.

The following requirements apply to candidates that would like to take part in the entire programme or in the individual modules:

Academic requirements

To be eligible, candidates must have received, or expect to receive by the summer prior to the start of the course, at least a Bachelor or a Master degree in international relations, economics, political sciences or law from a recognised University. There are no minimum requirement for grade point average but please note that the admission process is highly competitive. 

Candidates from other academic areas holding a Bachelor or Master degree or its recognized equivalent might be considered on a case-by-case basis. These candidates must submit an explanation for their interest to undertake the MEIG and provide assurances as to their former background in order to successfully complete the MEIG.

Language requirements

Candidates have to be fluent in written and spoken English. The following tests are recognized with a minimum of:

• TOEFL Test of English as Foreign Language
  Internet-test : 90 | Paper-test : 575 | Computer based test : 225
• IELTS International English Language Testing System: 6.5
• Cambridge English Qualification C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge EnglishProficiency, CPE): 180 – 199
• Cambridge English Qualification C2 (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced, CAE): 200-230

If the participant has English as mother tongue, had secondary or post-secondary qualifications taught in English, or spent a minimum of one year studying full time at university level in English, she/he must not provide a certificate to prove their mastery of English.

Professional Experience is not required but is an asset

The number of places available in the programme is limited to allow an inspiring atmosphere and direct exchanges within the group and with the speakers of the programme.

Candidates to the MEIG will have to submit their application along with all the required documentation via email at meig@unige.ch.

The Executive Committee of the programme may at any time require applicants to provide further information, in addition to the documents submitted as part of the application. An interview or a written test may supplement the admission procedure. 

The application procedure is different for the full programme and for the individual modules. For more detailed information, kindly visit the concerned pages.