Professional Diploma in Urban Development: Now Accepting Applications for 2025–2026 Cohort

Introduction

The Africa Urban Lab (AUL) invites early-career professionals throughout the African continent and past to apply for the 2025–2026 cohort of the Professional Diploma in Urban Development. This intensive and immersive educational program equips individuals with technical information and sensible abilities throughout key city improvement areas together with economics, planning, finance, and governance.

With a powerful emphasis on Africa-centric challenges and options, this program is hosted on the African School of Economics’ Zanzibar campus in Fumba Town. It is designed to empower city professionals to steer transformative initiatives inside each private and non-private establishments. The course additionally gives a variety of beneficiant scholarships to make sure inclusivity and accessibility for high-achieving candidates from numerous socio-economic backgrounds.

About the Program

• Program Name: Professional Diploma in Urban Development
• Organizer: Africa Urban Lab (AUL), African School of Economics
• Location: In-person periods held on the Zanzibar campus in Fumba Town, Zanzibar
• Start Date: November 2025
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2025

Course Structure and Duration

The program consists of:

• 4 modules delivered in two intensive 2-week blocks
• 1 Capstone Project for full diploma candidates
• Course Duration: Participants have as much as three years to finish the total diploma, however may end sooner.
• Certificates: A certificates is awarded for every accomplished module.
• Capstone Project: Real-world placement with ongoing month-to-month workshops for abilities improvement (solely obtainable for full diploma candidates).

Course Schedule

Block One (November 2025):

• Module 1: Urban Economics
• Module 2: Urban Planning
• Capstone Project: Placement in a real-world organisation and month-to-month workshops

Block Two (April 2026):

• Module 3: Urban Finance
• Module 4: Urban Governance

Who Should Apply

•  Early-career professionals with 2 to 10 years of expertise
• Professionals working in public or non-public establishments targeted on city planning, governance, or improvement
• Applicants from Africa and past, with a powerful curiosity in African city challenges and options

Scholarship Opportunities

To guarantee broad entry and entice prime expertise, the Africa Urban Lab gives a wide range of **merit- and need-based scholarships:

1. Maarifa Scholarships (African Scholars)

•  For African professionals in public/non-public sectors
• Covers tuition, airfare, and lodging

2. Mashariki Scholarships (East African Scholars)

•  For East African professionals in public/non-public sectors
• Covers tuition, airfare, and lodging

3. Zanzibar Scholarships

• For residents of Zanzibar nominated by native establishments
• Covers tuition charges

4. Mafunzo Scholarships

•  For African professionals in African or non-African establishments
• Covers tuition charges solely

5. Maisha Scholarships

•  For African professionals with demonstrated want and benefit
• Covers 30% to 70% of tuition and residing bills

There is not any separate application for scholarships. All candidates are routinely thought-about in the course of the diploma application course of.

Key Benefits

•  Intensive coaching in real-world city challenges
• Hands-on Capstone Project expertise
• Opportunity to study at a number one educational establishment in Africa
• Access to a rising community of city improvement professionals
• Scholarship help for certified candidates
•  Certificates for every accomplished module

Tuition and Fees

• Full Professional Diploma: $4,500 USD
• Individual Module: $1,500 USD

FAQs

• Mode of Delivery: All courses are held in-person in Zanzibar.
• Capstone Project Location: Can be accomplished remotely after the in-person pairing in November.
• Scholarship Process: No separate kind wanted; candidates are assessed routinely.
• Reference Obligations: References are for admissions solely and carry no obligations.
• Applicability Beyond Africa: While Africa-focused, the content material consists of classes relevant to international city contexts.

How to Apply

• Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
• Application Link: Apply Now

For scholarship or application-related inquiries, contact Heba Elhanafy at heba.elhanafy@aul.metropolis

Conclusion

The Professional Diploma in Urban Development gives a uncommon alternative for early-career professionals to reinforce their abilities and contribute meaningfully to city transformation throughout Africa. With a curriculum grounded in real-world observe and entry to full and partial scholarships, this program is designed to develop the subsequent era of city leaders. If you’re captivated with city improvement and able to make a difference, apply earlier than August 1, 2025.

For extra alternatives, go to 

Related