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Study in the UK – Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

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  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Scholarship Overview

  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the skills and knowledge they require for sustainable development.
  • The scholarships target individuals who have the potential to make a change in their home countries but cannot afford studies in the UK.
  • Candidates from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries are encouraged to apply for these scholarships, which cover full-time Master’s study in selected courses, as supported by UK universities.

Host School(s)

  • Universities in the UK

Field(s) of Study

  • Any of the taught Master’s courses offered under this scholarship scheme, under the following six themes:
  1. Strengthening health systems and capacity
  2. Science and technology for development
  3. Promoting global prosperity
  4. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
  5. Strengthening global peace, security, and governance
  6. Access, inclusion, and opportunity

What does the scholarship cover?

This scholarship covers:

  • Approved airfare from one’s home country to the UK and back on completion of the award
  • Approved tuition and examination fees
  • A stipend (living allowance) of £1065 per month, or £1306 per month for individuals studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
  • A warm clothing allowance
  • A study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
  • An excess baggage allowance, up to an annual approved limit when returning home.
  • A cost reimbursement for a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (where receipts are supplied).

Note: Spouses and other dependants are not given allowances

How many scholarships are given?

  • 800 scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate and professional studies were given out in 2017

Which countries are targeted?

  • Bangladesh     Cameroon         The Gambia                 Ghana                          Guyana
  • India                Kenya                Kiribati                         Lesotho                        Malawi
  • Mozambique   Nigeria              Pakistan                       Papua New Guinea      Rwanda
  • Samoa             Sierra Leone      Solomon Islands          Sri Lanka                      Swaziland
  • Tanzania          Tuvalu               Uganda                        Vanuatu                       Zambia

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British protected person
  • Be prepared to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2018
  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by October 2018.
  • Be unable to study in the UK without this scholarship
  • Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country

How do I Apply – Next Steps

  • To apply for this scholarship, you should first apply to study one of the taught Master’s courses offered in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme. Note that these scholarships do not cover undergraduate, PhD, and pre-sessional English teaching courses.
  • All applications should be made through your chosen university. Check with the university for specific application advice, admission requirements and application rules. You must then take the necessary steps to secure admission to your chosen course at the university as you apply for the scholarship.
  • Make your scholarship application using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS), in addition to any other application that you must complete for the university.
  • You can apply for more than on course and/or more than one university, but you can only accept one offer for a shared scholarship.

Note: CSC (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission) will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS to your chosen UK university, or any applications directly from individuals.

Selection Criteria include:

  • The academic merit of the candidate
  • The potential impact of the candidate’s work on the development of his/her home country

Closing Date

  • 17 April 2018

How do I Get More Information?

The information listed here is provided for informational reasons only. Please verify all information with the scholarship host.