The University for Peace (UPEACE) Scholarships are not a single award you win in a competition. They are a set of tuition waivers, usually 30% or 50%, that UPEACE applies to students it has already admitted to its master's and doctoral programs. If you are a Pakistani student interested in peace and conflict studies, human rights or international law, this is a real option, but it is partial funding, and you need to plan your budget with that in mind from day one. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing, and this guide explains how the waivers actually work.
UPEACE was established directly by the United Nations General Assembly in 1980. Its campus sits on a nature reserve near San Jose, Costa Rica, and its programs focus on peace and conflict studies, international law, human rights, environmental security and related fields. The student body is small and very international. For someone aiming at a career with international organizations, NGOs or human rights work, that specialization is the main reason to look here.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding type | Partial funding (tuition waivers of 30% or 50%) |
| Study level | Master's and PhD |
| Fields | Peace and Conflict Studies, International Law, Human Rights, Environmental Security, International Relations |
| Deadline | Tied to UPEACE's rolling admissions cycles; scholarship consideration follows program acceptance |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Fee not covered | Administrative fee of approximately USD 2,500 |
| Official site | upeace.org |
Who this suits, and who should look elsewhere
Be honest with yourself about money before you go further. UPEACE waivers reduce tuition only. They do not cover living costs, and they never reduce the administrative fee. If you need a fully funded scholarship with a stipend to study abroad at all, this is not that, and you will be better served by fully funded programs listed in our scholarships guide for Pakistani students.
UPEACE makes more sense for students who have some family support or savings, who are committed to the peace, conflict or human rights field specifically, and who would value studying alongside practitioners from many countries. It also suits people already working with the UN, refugees or asylum seekers, and graduates of UPEACE's partner universities, because these groups can qualify for automatic waivers.
The 30% and 50% waiver categories explained
UPEACE runs several categories rather than one blanket award. Where you fall decides how much tuition you save.
Automatic 30% waiver
This applies to:
- citizens of countries that are signatories to the UN Agreement establishing the university, or that have co-sponsored relevant UN resolutions
- graduates of UPEACE's partner universities
- Peace Corps veterans
For a Pakistani applicant, the key question is whether Pakistan is a signatory to the UN Agreement establishing UPEACE or a co-sponsor of the relevant resolutions. The available information does not confirm this either way, so check it directly with UPEACE before you count on the automatic 30%.
Automatic 50% waiver
This applies to professors at partner universities, Costa Rican citizens and residents, current UN staff or volunteers, and documented refugees or asylum seekers. If you work or volunteer with a UN agency in Pakistan, this category is worth a close look.
Merit-based 30% or 50% waivers
UPEACE also offers a limited number of merit-based waivers to master's applicants who do not fit the automatic categories but show exceptional academic or professional promise. The word "limited" matters here. These are competitive, and your admission file is what gets judged, so a strong statement of purpose and solid recommendation letters carry real weight.
Special-purpose scholarships
From time to time UPEACE opens scholarships aimed at particular groups, such as returned Peace Corps volunteers, LGBTQI+ activists, human rights defenders and women pursuing leadership roles. These open periodically and can fall outside the standard cycle, so the only way to catch them is to keep checking the UPEACE scholarship opportunities page.
Why you can only use one category
Only one scholarship or waiver category can be applied per student per admission cycle. Waivers do not stack. If you are, say, a partner-university graduate and also a UN volunteer, you cannot combine 30% and 50%. Pick the strongest category you can document, which in that example would be the 50% route, and build your paperwork around it.
The USD 2,500 fee nobody waives
UPEACE charges a fixed administrative fee of approximately USD 2,500. No scholarship or waiver reduces it, and it is payable regardless of the discount you receive. Treat it as a separate line in your budget, alongside the remaining tuition, flights, accommodation and daily living costs in Costa Rica. Many applicants read "50% waiver" and forget this fee entirely. Confirm the current amount on the official website, since the figure given is approximate.
If you will need to show funds for a visa, our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how Pakistani students usually prepare this.
Admission comes first, the waiver comes after
There is no separate standalone scholarship application for the main waiver categories. Admission to a UPEACE master's or doctoral program is a prerequisite, and waivers are applied after acceptance. In practice the process looks like this:
- Choose a UPEACE master's or doctoral program and submit the standard admission application.
- Once admitted, review the current scholarship and waiver categories on the UPEACE scholarships page.
- Work out which automatic category, if any, you qualify for based on citizenship, professional status or affiliation.
- If you are not automatically eligible, submit supporting materials for merit-based consideration alongside your admission file.
- Keep an eye on UPEACE announcements for special-purpose scholarships that match your profile.
- Pay the administrative fee and finalize enrollment once the waiver decision is communicated.
Notice step 4. Even though merit waivers are assessed after acceptance, the materials that support them go in with your admission file. So write your application as if it is also your scholarship application, because it effectively is.
Paperwork for the admission and waiver file
You will need:
- the completed UPEACE program admission application
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- a statement of purpose
- letters of recommendation
- proof of citizenship, residency, professional affiliation or refugee/asylum status, matching the waiver category you claim
- a CV or resume
The proof item is where waiver claims succeed or fail. A UN volunteer should have a clear letter or contract showing current status. A partner-university graduate needs the degree and transcript from that institution. If your degrees and transcripts need attestation, start early with our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide.
Timing with rolling intakes
UPEACE admits across multiple intakes through the year, so there is no single fixed deadline for the scholarship itself. The general sequence is:
- program applications are submitted on a rolling basis
- an admission decision follows some weeks after application
- scholarship and waiver review happens after admission, covering both automatic and merit-based categories
- enrollment and payment of the administrative fee come before the program starts
Because of the rolling cycle, confirm the exact dates for your intended intake on the official portal. Applying early in a cycle gives you more time to sort out the waiver decision, your funding and a visa before the program begins.
Mistakes Pakistani applicants should avoid
The most common one is assuming UPEACE is fully funded. It is not. A 50% waiver still leaves half the tuition, the administrative fee and all living costs for you to cover.
The second is waiting for a scholarship result before applying for admission. That order does not exist here. Apply for the program first.
Third, do not assume the automatic 30% applies to you as a Pakistani citizen. Verify whether Pakistan is on the signatory or co-sponsor list before you plan around it.
Fourth, do not try to combine categories. One per applicant per cycle.
Finally, if you belong to a group that special-purpose scholarships target, such as human rights defenders or women in leadership, gather your evidence before a window opens. These scholarships appear periodically, and you may not have much notice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UPEACE scholarship fully funded?
No. UPEACE offers tuition waivers of 30% or 50% depending on the category. It does not provide full funding that covers living costs.
Do I apply for the scholarship separately from admission?
No. Admission to a UPEACE program comes first, and scholarship and waiver eligibility is assessed afterward. If you want merit-based consideration, submit the supporting materials with your admission file.
Can Pakistani students get the automatic 30% waiver?
The automatic 30% depends on whether your country signed the UN Agreement establishing UPEACE or co-sponsored related UN resolutions. Check with UPEACE whether Pakistan is included. If it is not, you may still qualify through another category, such as partner-university graduate status or the merit-based route.
Does the waiver cover the administrative fee?
No. The administrative fee of approximately USD 2,500 is payable regardless of any scholarship or waiver.
Are merit-based waivers available for PhD students?
The merit-based 30% or 50% waivers are described as being for master's applicants. Doctoral applicants should check with UPEACE which categories apply to their program.
Can I combine two waivers?
No. Only one scholarship or waiver category can be applied per student per admission cycle, so choose the strongest one you qualify for.
For current categories and intake dates, check the official UPEACE website, and see the full UPEACE scholarship page for a quick summary.