The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program, integral to the United Kingdom’s commitment to international development, plays a crucial role in advancing education and fostering collaboration. Tailored for postgraduate students hailing from low- and middle-income countries, this initiative exemplifies the UK’s dedication to addressing global development challenges.
By offering Master’s degrees, the program equips individuals with specialized knowledge and skills, preparing them to become essential contributors to their home countries’ growth. The focus on low- and middle-income nations underscores a commitment to inclusivity, targeting regions where educational opportunities might be limited.
Beyond individual empowerment, the program strategically aligns with broader developmental goals. It cultivates a cadre of skilled professionals and academics, strategically addressing specific needs within participating countries. This emphasis on skill development translates into tangible, sustainable contributions to local economies and societies.
Moreover, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program promotes long-term development by investing in human capital. The acquired expertise enables scholars to effect positive change, creating a ripple effect that extends well beyond their immediate academic pursuits. Furthermore, the emphasis on fostering international collaboration enhances cross-cultural understanding, laying the groundwork for future partnerships that transcend geographical boundaries. In essence, this initiative embodies a holistic approach to global development, recognizing the interconnectedness of education, skills, and international cooperation.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and UK universities, cover approved airfare, full tuition fees, and a monthly stipend.
SEE ALSO: Commonwealth Professional Fellowship for International Student 2022 (Fully Funded)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Summary
- Host: Commonwealth | UK Universities
- Study Abroad: Study in UK
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £2,000 per month Stipends | Accommodation | Airfare Tickets
- Deadline: December 24, 2023
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Details:
- A Commonwealth Shared Scholarship pays for tuition, approved fares, and personal expenses. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries covering the same costs are not permitted to be held concurrently.
- The CSC will need to create a record in the applicant’s name in order to administer the application effectively and efficiently after submission
- If they apply for a CSC award, their information will be kept on file. All applicants’ basic anonymized demographic data will be kept for analytical purposes.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen of, or have received refugee status from, a Commonwealth country.
- Be a permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.
- Be ready to begin academic studies in the UK by the beginning of the UK academic year in September 2024.
- Hold a first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by September 2024.
- Not having studied or worked in a high-income country for more than one (academic) year.
- Without this scholarship, you would be unable to study in the UK.
- I have submitted all required supporting documentation.
Benefits of 2024 Shared Scholarship
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.
- Flights from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and back at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants or journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
- Full tuition fees are covered by an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not required to pay any portion of the tuition fee.
- Stipend (living allowance) of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those attending universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
- Warm clothing allowance, if applicable – paid and funded by the university.
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university and funded by the CSC.
- Study travel grant – paid by the university and funded by the CSC – towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or abroad.
- Contribution to the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, if required for a visa application (receipts required) – paid by the university and funded by the CSC.
- If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, they will receive a child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third children under the age of 16, if they live at the same address in the UK.
Selection process:
Each participating UK university will conduct its own recruitment process to select a set number of candidates for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and forward these to the CSC. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Applications will be considered based on the following selection criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Quality of research proposal Potential impact on the candidate’s home country’s development
See the Commonwealth Scholarships selection criteria for more information.
Applicants should carefully read the criteria and link their answers on the application form to each one.