A Guide to Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Who am I as a Commonwealth Scholar?
Hi! This is Zoha Javed, a Commonwealth Shared Scholar 2023, for the program of MA Public Policy at the University of Nottingham. In this blog, I will share some briefs about the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and attach vlogs if you want to skip the reading part! Here’s one way to make your dream of studying in the UK a reality!
What is Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
Want to unlock opportunities with the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program? Here’s your guide!
An Overall Snapshot
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program stands as one of the prominent Masterβs initiatives offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Under this program, individuals from various corners of the globe are given the chance to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.
Mission and Impact
Led by international development objectives, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) operates within the broader framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). This initiative reflects the UKβs enduring commitment to the Commonwealth by attracting individuals with exceptional talent from diverse backgrounds. The aim is to nurture them into future leaders and innovators who will contribute to sustainable development upon returning to their home countries.
Who Can Benefit
The program primarily targets high-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries, including those in fragile and conflict-affected states. Eligible candidates must not have previously studied in a high-income country for a year or more. Additionally, they should demonstrate the potential to drive development in their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills acquired through the scholarship.
Program Details
Typically, the scholarship lasts for about 12 months. To apply, interested candidates need to identify UK universities offering scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact. These universities are required to commit to funding the living costs of the selected candidates. The application process is facilitated through the chosen universities, which conduct the initial selection of candidates. Subsequently, the selected candidates are approved by the CSC, ensuring alignment with the program’s objectives and standards.
Eligibility Checklist
Here’s a checklist for eligibility:
- You must be a citizen of or have refugee status in a country that’s part of the Commonwealth.
- You need to live permanently in a Commonwealth country that’s eligible for this scholarship.
- You should be ready to start your studies in the UK by September 2024, when the academic year begins.
- By September 2024, you should have completed your first degree with at least a good grade (2:1), or have a lower grade but also a relevant postgraduate qualification, like a Masterβs degree.
- You shouldn’t have studied or worked in a rich country for more than one year.
- You need this scholarship because you can’t afford to study in the UK without it.
- You have to provide all the necessary documents in the right format to support your application.
Financial Assistance
The scholarship covers:
- Airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and back, funded by the CSC.
- Full tuition fees, with no payment required from scholars.
- Monthly living allowance: Β£1,347 or Β£1,652 for those in London, paid by the university.
- Warm clothing allowance (if applicable), paid by the university.
- Thesis or dissertation grant (if applicable), paid by the university.
- Study travel grant (if applicable), paid by the university.
- Contribution towards mandatory tuberculosis test (if required for visa), paid by the university.
- Child allowance for eligible scholars with children: Β£576.61 per month for the first child, and Β£143 per month for the second and third child under 16 living with the Scholar in the UK.
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