The people who are in charge of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships believe that every student should have the same opportunities at following their dreams of getting higher degree studies, no matter their background. This is why the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are aiming to help students from less developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries with financial help to get their full-time Master’s studies on selected countries that are supported by UK universities.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are accepting applications from talented individuals who can prove that they have the potential to make a change in the world and more importantly in their less developed countries. Furthermore, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships commit to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. This is why the scholarship positions are offered to students who have great academic results and need financial help to afford to study in the UK.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships in 2019: Supported Themes
- Science and technology for development – Develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs of a low or lower middle-income country
- Strengthening health systems and capacity – Develop knowledge to improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle income countries
- Promoting global prosperity – Support economic prosperity in low and lower middle income countries.
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance – Develop knowledge to promote peace and security at national, regional, or international levels
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises – Develop skills to help low and middle countries adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden shocks, or increase capacity to preserve the continuity of operations following such events.
- Access, inclusion and opportunity – Develop knowledge and/or skills to promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle income countries
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships in 2019: Benefits
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed) –
arranged by the university; funded by the CSC - Approved tuition fees – funded by the CSC
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,084 per month, or £1,330 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2019-20 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 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
- Reimbursement of 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 you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £465 per month for the first child, and £114 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at 2019-20 levels)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships in 2019: Criteria
Applicants are required to meet the following eligibility requirements.
- 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 his/her academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2020
- By September 2020, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC typically does not fund a second UK Master’s degree. If applying for a second UK Master’s degree, one will need to provide justification as to why he/she wishes to undertake this study.
- 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 without this scholarship
- Eligible Regions: Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
Official Letter and Deadline
We are advising all interested students to access the official website where they can find additional information and submit their online applications. In addition, the deadline is December 18, 2019.