Commonwealth Masters Scholarships for PhD and Masters

The Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who want to pursue Master’s Studies in the UK but cannot do so without external funding. It is awarded to talented students with excellent academic records and a high potential of making a positive change in the world, especially in their home country. 

The programme by funding postgraduate studies in a range of different study formats helps to support future innovators and leaders. The scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and provide airfare to and from the United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees, personal maintaining allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), and initial arrival allowance, among others.

 

Types of Awards are Available

The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission offers:

·        Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least-developed countries and fragile states)

·        Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low and middle-income countries)

·        Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

·        Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

·        Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

·        Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for high-income countries)

·        Commonwealth Medical Fellowships

·        Commonwealth Professional Fellowships

 

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

·    Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person

·        Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country

·        Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2023

·     By September 2023, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study

·        Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

·        Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

 

Supporting Documentation

Candidates must upload the following documents with the application:

1. Proof that the applicant is a citizen or has refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport or a national ID card showing a photograph, date of Birth, and country of citizenship.
2. Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with a certified translation if not in English.
3. References from at least two individuals on institutional letterhead

 

Application Process

Depending on which scholarship you are applying for, you may need to apply through a National Nominating Agency, a university, or a Non-Governmental Organisation. To find out how to apply for each of the scholarships, please visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission application page.

 

Selection Process

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

1. Academic merit of the candidate

2. Quality of the plan of study

3. Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country

 

Value of Commonwealth Scholarships

The scholarships are fully funded which means that, aside from covering your tuition fees, you will also receive your airfare to and from the UK and a living allowance to support you while you are in the UK for your studies.

 

Tenure and Placement

The scholarships are made in respect of full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time. The commonwealth scholarship funds one-year taught Master programmes only and do not fund MBAs.

 

Deadline for Applications

Annual deadlines for applications are usually in December. Check the page of the scholarship you are interested in at the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website to see the dates when they are announced for 2023-24. For 2023/24, the application has ended but you can look up other application process schedules.

 

Application instructions

The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. All applications must be made through one of these nominating bodies: national nominating agencies (this is the main route of application) or selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies.

Each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, their own eligibility criteria, and their own closing date for applications.

You must make your application using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS), in addition to any other application form that you are required to complete by your nominating body. For the 2023/24 academic year, the application deadline is 18 October 2022.

 

General Conditions/Instructions

1.   A Commonwealth Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently.

2. For the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) to administer your application effectively and efficiently after you have submitted it, it will be necessary to create a record in your name. If you are nominated for an award to the CSC, your details will be kept on file. Basic demographic data for all applicants will be kept for analytical research.

3.    If your application is successful, the CSC will notify you through email that you have been provisionally selected.

4.  The CSC does not require any candidates to take an IELTS (English language) test. You should note, however, that, as a further condition of your scholarship, you may be required by your university to provide evidence of a particular level of English language proficiency.

5.   The CSC will not be able to offer you a scholarship if it would contravene the terms and conditions of another scholarship that you have previously held.

6.    When terms of admission to the university have been agreed upon, the CSC will send you a Notification of Award, which is a formal offer of a scholarship.

7.  When all conditions of the Notification of the Award have been met, the CSC will send you a formal Confirmation of the Award.

8.  You will be required to submit a Health and Disability Form before your Confirmation of Award can be issued.

9.   You will be required to sign an undertaking to return to your home country as soon as possible after the end of your award.

10.  You are expected to start your award on the date stated in your Notification of Award.

11.   If you require a Student visa to come to the UK to study, you must meet all relevant immigration requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration.

12.  All UK immigration regulations are set by UK Visas and Immigration and are subject to change. The CSC has no control over these regulations.

13. You will be selected for an award based on the plan of study outlined on your application form, which is expected to stay the same during your award. Any such changes must be agreed upon by the CSC.

14. You are expected to reside in the UK throughout your award, and to seek approval from the CSC in advance for any overseas travel.

15. You must not undertake paid employment during your award without approval from the CSC in advance.

16.  The CSC will consider a request to extend your leave to remain in the UK after your award only if you wish to move from Master's to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

17. The CSC cannot provide a letter of support or permission for you to remain in or return to the UK after your award to enable you to work.

18. You are not eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship if you; are an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee of the Government of the United Kingdom; or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council; or a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner or a relative of a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner. Former employees of the organisations listed above are eligible to apply three years after ceasing their employment.

19. In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to five years.

20. Applicants are expected to adhere to the CSC’s Code of Conduct for award holders and the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

21. The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner. For more information, see the CSC anti-fraud policy and procedure at and the FCDO guidance on reporting fraud.

22. All conditions of the award are subject to UK local law and practices and are subject to change by the CSC.

Please note that these conditions are subject to change.

 

Visit the official page of Commonwealth Scholarship https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/ for more information.