Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
Use this listing to plan your research, not as confirmation of eligibility. Requirements, funding and deadlines can change. Confirm your course and current application cycle with the official provider. An unknown requirement is not a waiver.
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 6 / R 6 / W 6 / S 6
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Deadline
- February–April
Last verified: 2026-03
About Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) provides full funding for nationals of World Bank member developing countries to pursue development-related master's programmes at partner universities worldwide. The programme is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank. It focuses on fields that support economic and social development.
Listed IELTS requirement
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 79
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1JJ/WBGSP requires IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band. Since the programme focuses on development studies, practice reading and discussing international development topics in English.
- 2The programme has a strong professional experience requirement — applicants typically need 3+ years in a development-related field. Ensure your IELTS preparation runs parallel to your application preparation.
- 3Writing skills are particularly important as the programme involves academic coursework and a thesis or capstone project. Aim for Writing 6.5+ even though the minimum is 6.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score is required for the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship?
Who is eligible for the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship?
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Prepare for your English requirement
A practice Writing estimate can help identify what to work on. It does not establish scholarship eligibility.
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