The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024-25 is a golden opportunity for the students to complete their higher studies absolutely free of cost in the UK. It is open solely to the most talented, extraordinary, and promising students who can otherwise not come to the UK for study. These Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for highly credited candidates who belong to under-developed, lower-income, and lower-middle-income commonwealth countries. The scholarships are provided in respect of ensuring surety for the promotion of equity and inclusion as a reward for merit approaches to disadvantage groups.
This Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Programme is classified within the realm of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, which manages and allocates the core UK Government Scholarships. However, the CSC is an executive and non-departmental public body that is directly funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
The CSC will largely achieve the mission and to enlighten the vision of the UK Government in order to endure the commitment to development towards the Commonwealth Nations. The fully-funded scholarship is also a hallmark for fellow candidates, entering into a pool of learning and cooperation. It provides fellows with the opportunity of exploring the networks existing and erstwhile Commonwealth fellows. From such networks, fellows are faced with other people’s ideas, research discusses various issues of the academics and try to work together with others on different projects. These are Knowledge Hubs and Regional Networks for Commonwealth fellows to interact with each other. The Commonwealth Scholarships gave out six major themes.
These themes are to support sustainable development and to have an effective role in the social well-being of the participating nations. Talking about well-being, the Commonwealth Commission is very keen on the well-being of the candidates as well; for they are the assets who are going to transform their nations into better versions. For this, UKCISA extends every possible support to the students in adapting to a new atmosphere and the prevention of cultural shock.
Application Guidelines of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Host Country: United Kingdom
Host Universities: Universities of the UK (should be selected by the candidate before applying)
Degree Level: Master’s Degree Program
Purpose of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
It will benefit developing Commonwealth country students with no further opportunity to study at the United Kingdom if not for this scholarship. The scheme is sponsored by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and allows talented students the chance of pursuing master’s degrees from UK universities in fields that will help in sustainable development and social advancement in their home countries. For this reason, the general aims to be incorporated will include intellectual and professional development, access improvements, and capacity building in the fields of health, environment, technology, and social sciences.
This scholarship is thus an instrument through which students can enrich themselves with experience, gain valuable experience overseas, and bring back home skills and knowledge to address key issues and challenges in their own countries while furthering the development goals of both the Commonwealth and individual nations.
Eligibility Criteria Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- The candidate, a citizen of the eligible Commonwealth countries or granted refugee status by any of the given Commonwealth countries, must be.
- Only British Protected Persons’s name shall feature on the list and be considered to apply.
- This applicant should be a citizen and permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.
- The candidate should have a graduation in honors degree in first-class or at least an upper second class or lower second class grade.
- The candidate should be qualified to postgraduate degree level, normally having a master’s degree.
- From September 2025, the candidate should be able to start studying in the UK.
- The candidate should not have spent or worked for one academic year in the UK or any other high-income country.
- This means, therefore, that the candidate could not study in a UK university unless he had a Commonwealth grant.
Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- The tuition fee would be fully covered by the grant being given by the CSC.
- Reimbursement of return air fare will be given.
- This will amount to £1,378 for their monthly allowance.
- In the event that the students are studying at universities in the London Metropolitan area, they will be given a monthly allowance of ££1,690.
- A clothing allowance for warm will be offered.
- The University will cover the cost of thesis when applicable. CSC Funded
- All costs in relation to the study will be covered with a travel grant. The trip can be within the UK or worldwide.
- Their cost for the mandatory TB test shall also be paid.
- Visa fee will be recovered.
- You will be given the first child allowance of £590 per month if you are a single parent or widowed or divorced.
- Furthermore, you will be provided with £146 every month if you have a second or third child. The children should be below 16 years of age.
- If you suffer from disability, you would be granted disability special allowance based on an appropriate examination and assessment.
Eligible Countries for CSC Scholarship 2025:
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Saint Helena
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Application Process
The overall process of application for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships generally consists of:
- Check if you are eligible: Basically, you are a citizen of a Commonwealth country. This is after attaining the minimum qualification, which is a bachelor’s degree. However, you have not spent one or more years studying or working in a high-income country.
- Choose a Course and University: Choose an eligible master’s course from one of the participating UK universities. Each university offers specific courses within this scholarship, often with a focus on development fields like health, technology, or sustainability.
- Apply to the University: Submit an application for admission directly to the university offering your chosen course. Each university’s deadlines and application requirements vary, so research well before filling up their forms.
- Apply: Submit an application for the Scholarship using the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme application form on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) online application portal. This involves full personal details, academic background, your work experience, and a development impact statement explaining how doing your studies will directly benefit your country of origin.
- Submit Required Documents: Please include in your application all the required documentation: academic transcripts; diploma or degree certificates; reference letters; and passport or national ID. Upload all the documents before the application deadline.
- Interview (if necessary): In some institutes, there is an interview to consider their credentials and motivation for the award.
- Selection and Notification: The candidates must be selected on academic merit, impact potential for the home country, and relevance of the course they want to study to CSC’s themes for development. Both the respective university and CSC then notify the chosen applicant.
- Accept the Offer: Upon receiving a scholarship offer, confirm your acceptance by the deadline specified by the CSC and university.
Applications usually come in during October while deadlines close around December for programmes that will commence the following year; the planning’s and remembrances are quite crucial about such deadlines.
Application Deadline
- The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application deadline is Thursday 12 December at 16:00 GMT.
Application Tips
Begin Early: Search for eligible courses, universities, and application requirements several months before the deadline. This will give you enough time to obtain documents, write stronger statements, and meet all requirements.
Align with Development Goals: Select a course closely enough aligned with the themes of the development of the CSC’s, so it is aligned to health, science, or sustainability. Clearly demonstrated how your chosen course would help in the relief of specific challenges in your home country.
Strong Development Impact Statement: Explain, as much detail as you can, why your studies will make a difference in your country. Be specific-provide examples of specific issues or challenges you hope to address and outline how your expertise will come to be applied.
Relevant Experience: Highlight the professional and academic background that is most relevant to your field of study. Strive to consider any skills, achievements, and experiences that have proven or demonstrate potential in your development.
Get Good References: Select referees who are well-acquainted with your work and can communicate about your academic potential, character, and commitment. Give them ample time to write thoughtful, informative recommendations that reflect your potential.
Specific University Requirements: Different UK universities have different requirements and deadlines for the course application process. Do your research to ensure that you meet individual university standards and your application will align with their requirement for scholarship candidates.
Carefully proofread and edit: your application has to be well-written to impress the reader and free from error. Use your application-proofread every word contained in the statements and CV-presentation to avoid making a bad impression.
Meet All Deadlines: This means that scholarship and university application should be made well in advance of the deadlines. Generally speaking, universities do not accept late applications, so it is important to keep on track.
Be Genuine and Passionate: Show your true motivation and passion for the scholarship’s purpose. Scholarship committees value authenticity, so avoid exaggerated claims and focus on your real goals and aspirations.
Be prepared for an interview: Some universities will give an interview. Be prepared to talk about your academic background, your career goals, and how the scholarship will enable you to contribute to your country’s growth.
How to Apply
- All applications must be submitted online on the CW Shared Portal for Commonwealth Scholarship.
- Make sure to apply separately to the university and for the scholarship.
- Identify the courses most relevant and desired from the ones below:.
- Choose one of the following universities:.
- Each university has its eligibility and requirements. Ensure all UK university requirements and follow the deadline of the respective university.
- If the certificate of English proficiency is not required by any university, you then write to request the university to nominate you for the scholarship without English language test via an email.
- It is the responsibility of the UK universities to provide scholarship recommendations.
- You can apply to more than one university in more than one discipline-but if you win the scholarship, you will have nominated only one university and one discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
- The applicants are expected to be either from or have been granted refuge in an eligible Commonwealth country. This includes persons holding permanent resident status of any of these countries, having at least a first degree of an upper second-class (2:1) standard, and having never studied or worked in one year or more in a high-income country.
Can I make a UCAS application without being made an offer by a UK university?
- I can apply for the scholarship before receiving an offer. In any case, I would need to submit a joint application to the university and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. My award of the scholarship actually depends on my gaining admission to an eligible course.
What does a scholarship fund cover?
- Tuition fees, return economy airfare from home country to the UK, a monthly stipend for living costs as well as for study-related travel, and in some cases, additional grants for thesis-related expenses, clothing, and family allowances.
Is my English proficiency required to be demonstrated?
- Some UK universities require IELTS or TOEFL scores as an essential requirement to join certain programs and courses. Contact the university concerned and specific course you are applying for for more details on requirements.
How does one choose a course qualified to receive the scholarship?
- Available on the CSC website is a list of courses eligible for courses that are, in general, related to fields of sustainable development-including public health and environmental studies, technology, and social sciences.
Am I allowed to apply while I work?
- Yes, but let me clearly say that if I were to take this award, I would not have been able to fund my studies in the UK. And also, indicate how this scholarship would help me to contribute toward development in my country.
Is there an age limit for application for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
- No age limit. However, the candidate should be an early- to mid-career professional and can demonstrate how this award would affect their professional and academic growth.
How competitive is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
- Because of the breadth of skills applicants from all walks of the Commonwealth bring, scholarship competition is steep; traditionally, successful candidates have an excellent record of academic performance, relevant experience, and a clear development commitment.
How long will the scholarship last?
- The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship can support only a one-year full-time master’s programme. In general, this cannot be extended beyond that period.
May my family come with me during my study?
- So, particular conditions may provide a family allowance in the scholarship; however, not necessarily covering all family-related expenses so always check the CSC guidelines first before planning.
When are application deadlines?
- The application forms of Commonwealth Shared Scholarship are released mainly from the month of October to December, for study in the following year. Universities in the UK also have a deadline of theirs.
Am I able to apply for multiple scholarships?
- You may apply for some scholarships, such as Commonwealth Shared Scholarship or other scholarship programs. However, you must inform the CSC of any such award because it may possibly affect eligibility or funding status.
How will I know that I have been accepted?
- Successful applicants will be notified by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the respective university. Notifications typically occur a few months after the application deadline.
