The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024/25 is now accepting applications from qualified candidates from Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is fully funded and aims to support talented individuals who have the potential to make a positive contribution to their communities and the world at large.
Scholarship Sponsor(s): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Scholarship Type: Full Funding
Host Institution(s): Universities in the United Kingdom
Scholarship Worth: Not specified
Number of Awards: Several
Study Level: Postgraduate (Masters)
Nationality: Commonwealth countries
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for Masters Studies in the UK, applicants must 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 their 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 (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.
- I am unable to afford to study at a UK university without this Scholarship.
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.
Successful applicants will receive the following benefits:
- 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 an agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
- 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).
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied).
- If Scholars have children and are widowed, divorced, or single parents, 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 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.
Interested candidates are required to 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. The application deadline is 14 December 2023 at 16:00 GMT. For more information, visit the official website.