The UK Department for International Development (DFID), funds candidates from least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Funding covers full-time Master’s study on selected courses and is jointly supported by UK universities.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered under six themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
Eligible Commonwealth countries:
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
Eligibility:
To apply for these scholarships, candidate must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
- permanently reside in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2020
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2020, (usually a Master’s degree). The Commonwealth Scholarship typically does not fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish 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
All applications must be submitted by 16.00 (GMT) on 18 December 2019 at the latest.
The online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline. Applicants are therefore advised to complete and submit application as soon as possible.
The CSC’s online application system is now open.
For further queries about applications, selection process and Ts and Cs, visit the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship website.
