United States · Various partner universities
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 6 / R 6 / W 6 / S 6
- Level
- PG
- 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.
IELTS Required
| 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?
The JJ/WBGSP requires IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. The programme also accepts TOEFL iBT (79+) as an alternative.
Who is eligible for the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to nationals of World Bank member developing countries with relevant professional experience in development-related fields. Applicants must be currently employed in a development capacity and plan to return to their home country after completing their studies.
What fields of study does the JJ/WBGSP cover?
The programme supports master's degrees in development-related fields such as economics, public health, education, public administration, infrastructure management, and environmental policy at selected partner universities.
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