Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024/2025 | How to Apply

The application details for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships have been disclosed here. Interested and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply online for this opportunity before the closing date of the application deadline in 2023. International students aspiring to pursue their Bachelor’s Degree in the UK are invited to apply for this scholarship, available for the academic session of 2023.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Application Details:

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program is one of three Master’s programs offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Administered by the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, this scholarship scheme aligns with international development objectives within the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). The program reflects the UK’s steadfast commitment to the Commonwealth by attracting individuals with exceptional talent and potential from diverse backgrounds. By supporting these individuals to become leaders and innovators upon their return to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK’s national interest and fosters opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Purpose: To address the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who may not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries, including fragile and conflict-affected states. Applicants should not have studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, and they should possess the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills acquired.

Award duration: Normally 12 months

Applicant Eligibility:

To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to commence academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024.
• By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
• Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

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

Each scholarship includes:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, a child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.

How to Apply For Commonwealth Shared Scholarships:

Interested candidates can visit the official website of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the application form.

Selection Process: Applications will be considered based on the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit.
• Quality of research proposal.
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s country.

How to Apply:

• Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are currently 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.
• Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
• The CSC cannot accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system.
• Applicants are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
• Applicants must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.
• View the full list of approved courses
• View details of all participating UK universities

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024/2025