The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers three master’s degree programs, one of which is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program.

The UK government’s scholarship program is run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), focusing on goals for international development. It functions within the parameters of the CSFP (Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan) and provides a striking illustration of the UK’s ongoing dedication to the Commonwealth.

Purpose

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), are aimed at those who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK and allow gifted and motivated people to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development.

Intended beneficiaries:

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university.

Requirements

To apply for these scholarships, candidates 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 their 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 lower second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
• Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK university without this Scholarship
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Benefits

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

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of their Scholarship (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 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 £1,236 per month, or £1,516 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 – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – claimed from and 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) – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC
• If Scholars have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £529 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if Scholars are accompanied by their children and they are living with them at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at current levels)
• If Scholars share that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

Selection Process

Each participating UK University will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates to be awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC in March 2023. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this programme. Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2023.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Quality of the plan of study
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country

Tenure and Placements

• Scholarships are tenable for any approved course offered by a participating UK university. Scholars are to obtain one degree; funding will not be extended to enable candidates to complete a qualification in addition to or higher than the one for which the selection was made.
• Shared Scholarships are for full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time.

How to apply

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.

The closing date for applications is 13 December 2022 at 16:00 GMT.

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships must be made using the CSC’s online application system.

Candidates must apply and secure admission to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university in addition to applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship via the CSC’s online application system.

• View full list of approved courses
• View details of all participating UK universities

Click here to apply