Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme - Commonwealth Scholarship schemes

What the Commonwealth Scholarships give you

You will receive a full scholarship to study for a Master’s or PhD in the UK. It covers your tuition fees, return flights to the UK and a monthly living allowance. A PhD is funded for 36 months. The programme is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and funded by the UK Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Since 1960, over 30,000 people have already received funding. ‘Commonwealth Scholarship Programmes’ is a collective term for several separate scholarships, including Master’s scholarships, PhD scholarships, joint scholarships and distance learning scholarships. You can study at many UK universities, such as the University of Glasgow.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a national of an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country, or a refugee living there, and you have your usual place of residence there. The exact list depends on the type of funding you are applying for.
• Level: You would like to undertake a full-time Master’s degree programme with lectures or a full-time PhD programme at a British university.
• Field of study: The range of postgraduate programmes on offer is very wide, spanning engineering, medicine and law through to social sciences, humanities and computer science.
• Grades: You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in the upper second class (2:1) or a degree in the lower second class (2:2), as well as a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Financial need: Without this scholarship, you wouldn’t have been able to afford to study in the UK.
• Return home: You are ready to return to your home country once you have completed your studies.
• Age: No age limit.

How to apply

You must apply online via the CSC central portal by 16:00 BST on 20 October. At the same time, you must be nominated by an authorised body in your country, usually a national nominating body or a selected non-governmental organisation. You cannot apply directly to the CSC without a nomination. Each nominating body sets its own additional rules and earlier deadlines. The final decision is then made by the CSC, so a nomination does not guarantee funding.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a well-known, highly sought-after scholarship programme attracting applicants from across the Commonwealth. The two-stage process means that you must first secure a nomination in your own country before the CSC will even consider your application. Good grades, a clear plan for how you intend to use your studies to contribute to the development of your home country, and applying early via your nominating body will improve your chances. If you meet the specific eligibility criteria for your country’s scholarship and can demonstrate a genuine financial need, it is worth the effort, but bear in mind that the selection process is highly competitive and an offer is by no means guaranteed.