Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) in partnership with UK universities offers Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries. Shared Scholarships are usually tenable for one-year Master's courses only. Candidates are recruited and selected by UK host universities in the first instance. Selection criteria include: the academic merit of the candidate, as well as the likely impact of their work on the development of their home country. The EAS will close to applicants on 16 April 2016 and no further applications can be submitted after that date.
Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded to study subjects related to the development of their home country at participating UK universities only
Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing masters degree program at UK Institutions.
Scholarship Provider: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) in partnership with UK universities.
Scholarship can be taken at: UK
Eligibility: To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, candidate must:
- Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person
- Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2016
- By August 2016, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a developed country
- Be unable, either yourself or through your family, to pay to study in the UK
The CSC promotes equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural exchange. Applications are encouraged from a diverse range of candidates. The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner.
Scholarship Open for International Students: Students of developing Commonwealth countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Virgin Islands (British), Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Rwanda, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Seychelles, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe) can apply for these Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
Scholarship Description: Commonwealth Scholarships for Master's and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK's international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth. Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for Master's study, jointly supported by UK universities.
Number of award(s): Not Known
Duration of award(s): Shared Scholarships are usually tenable for one-year Master's courses only.
What does it cover? Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities. Each Scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (arranged by the university; funded by the CSC)
- Approved tuition and examination fees (funded by the CSC)
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,034 per month, or £1,268 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2015-2016 levels) (paid and funded by the university)
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a dissertation, where applicable (claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC)
- Warm clothing allowance and visa reimbursement, where applicable (paid and funded by the university)
- Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas (claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC)
- Excess baggage allowance, up to an annual approved limit, when returning home (claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC)
No additional allowances are available for spouses or other dependants.
Selection Process: Each participating UK university will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates for Shared Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC by 29 April 2016. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme. Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2016.
Selection Criteria: Candidates are recruited and selected by UK host universities in the first instance. Selection criteria include: the academic merit of the candidate, as well as the likely impact of their work on the development of their home country.
Notification: Host UK universities must forward details of their selected candidates to the CSC by 30 April 2016. Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2016.
How to apply: Applicant should apply to study an eligible Master's course at a UK university that is participating in the Shared Scholarship scheme. Applicant must make your application using the CSC's Electronic Application System (EAS). Applicant can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one university, but they may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS to their UK university or applications directly from individuals.
List of participating universities and eligible courses
Scholarship Application Deadline: The EAS will close to applicants on 16 April 2016 and no further applications can be submitted after that date. Candidates should note that most university closing dates fall before 16 April and you must submit your application by the date advised by the university to which you are applying.
