Commonwealth Scholarships, United Kingdom

The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.

By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Details:

To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.

Intended beneficiaries:

• High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict-affected states),
• who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before,
• who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK, and
• who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Award duration:

Normally 12 months

Application process:

UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with development impact and must agree to fund the living cost of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC.

Financial assistance:

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.

Benefits:

Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award

• Approved tuition fees

• Stipend (living allowance) .

• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.

• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable

• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK.

How to apply:

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are now open. The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 GMT on Thursday 14 December 2023. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2024.

• Apply to the CSC by using the CSC’s online application system.

• The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system.

• submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

• must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.

• Applicants can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, however they may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship. Note these scholarships are only for Master’s courses and not for undergraduate or PhD study.

• Applicants must also apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements and rules for applying.

Applications will be shared with the universities who will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2024.

For more detailed information about the application process, click here

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