Educate Africa

Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

By

Scholarship Overview

  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships target candidates from least developed, low and lower middle income Commonwealth countries who are interested in full-time Master’s study on selected courses.
  • Through these scholarships, talented and motivated individuals who would not normally be able to afford to study in the UK gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development.
  • These scholarships are jointly supported by UK universities to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics.

Host School(s)

  • UK Universities

Fields of Study

  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships apply to one-year taught courses at postgraduate level, in the following six Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) development themes:

1.  Science and technology for development
2.  Strengthening health systems and capacity
3.  Promoting global prosperity
4.  Strengthening global peace, security, and governance
5.  Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6.  Access, inclusion, and opportunity

What does the scholarship cover?

  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities. They cover:
    • Approved tuition fees
    • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,116 per month, or £1,369 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels)
    • Approved airfare from the recipient’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed)
    • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
    • Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
    • Excess baggage allowance, up to an annual approved limit, when returning home
    • Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
    • Reimbursement of the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied)
    • If the recipient is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £478 per month for the first child, and £118 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if he/she is accompanied by children and living at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels)

NOTE: The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining one’s family in the UK.

How many scholarships are given?

  • Around 220 will be given out in 2021

Which countries are targeted?

  • Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana
  • India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique
  • Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda
  • Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania
  • Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be unable to afford the cost of studying at a UK university without this scholarship
  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • Be ready to start your studies in the UK (remotely if required), by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2021
  • Hold an upper second class (2:1) first degree, or a second class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (a Master’s degree) by September 2021
  • Not have worked or studied for one academic year or more in a high-income country
  • Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

  • First, secure admission to your preferred course. You can apply for more than one taught Master’s course and/or to more than one university through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
  • Check with your university of choice for advice on application deadlines, admission requirements, and application rules.
  • Note that you must secure admission to your course before you can apply for a Shared Scholarship.
  • Apply for the scholarship using the CSC’s online application system. This is in addition to the application you will make for your preferred course.

Selection Criteria

  • Candidate’s academic merit
  • The potential impact of the candidate’s course of study on the development of the candidate’s home country.

Required Documents

  • Proof of citizenship or refugee status – uploaded to the online application system
  • Full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications you are currently studying (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system
  • References from at least two individuals – you must submit referee details on the online application system. References are requested from those stated on your application form only if you are nominated or are a reserve candidate at the nomination stage.

NOTE:

  • Supporting documentation uploaded to the online application system must be uploaded as files that are no more than 5 MB in size in one of the following formats: PDF, .doc, .docx, .odt, .jpg, .jpeg. Files submitted in any other format (including Zip files and PDF Portfolios) will NOT be accepted.
  • The CSC will not accept and acknowledge any applications that are not submitted via the online application system, or any applications directly from individuals.

Closing Date

  • 9 April 2021

How Do I Get More Information?

We advise against ever posting personal information (email or phone number) in a public place on the internet - Scammers can obtain your information and use it to send you false solicitations.