Commonwealth Scholarships 2019 – 2020

About Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission or CSC in the UK is one of the largest and most reputable international scholarship institution in the world. CSC grants over 800 scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate and professional studies to Commonwealth citizens every year. Since its establishment in 1959, it has supported 35000 individuals through scholarships and fellowships funded by the UK government.

Commonwealth Scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship are open for PhD, Split-site PhD and Master’s candidates from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study at a UK university. The scholarship is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) which helps qualified individuals acquire the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development. This is aimed at those who don’t have the financial capacity to study in the UK. The 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

Scholarship Requirements and Eligibility

General requirements:

Citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
Permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country
Applicants who are able to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2018
A holder of the first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification
Proven financial need

PhD Scholarship Applicants:

NOT registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university before September/October 2018

Split-site PhD Scholarship Applicants:

PhD registered at a university in the home country
An institutional or departmental link between the home university and proposed UK university

CSC aims to support talented individuals with potential for change and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates including people with disability. Visit the CSC disability support statement, for more information.

You should apply to study at a UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC. To know more about these universities, check the full list of UK universities with part funding agreements.

How to Apply and Application Details

Apply to one of the following nominating bodies, otherwise, direct applications will be rejected:

National nominating agencies (For PhD and Master’s applications only)
Selected universities/university bodies (For PhD applications only)
Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies (For PhD and Master’s applications only)

In addition to the application from the nominating bodies mentioned above (for PhD and Master’s applications), make an application to the CSC using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS). Application endorsement and submission by the nominating bodies are required, except for Split-site PhD scholarship. Applications should be submitted through EAS for all Commonwealth Scholarships. Include full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English).

The following supporting documentation should accompany the application:

PhD Scholarship

Supporting statement from proposed supervisor at a UK university listed on your application form
Reference from at least two other individuals

Split-site PhD Scholarship

Supporting statement from the supervisor at University of the applicant’s home country with highlights on current institutional links
Supporting statement from proposed supervisor at a UK university with highlights on current institutional links
Reference from at least one other individual
Copy of valid passport

Master’s Scholarship

Reference from at least two other individuals

Applications will be reviewed based on the academic merit of the candidate, quality of the research proposal and potential contribution of the work on the development of the applicant’s home country.

Read the reminders on submitting applications through EAS.

Selection criteria for each Commonwealth Scholarship:

Full Terms and Conditions for each Commonwealth Scholarship:

Complete step-by-step guide on how to use the EAS for each Commonwealth Scholarship:

Read the FAQ for applicants.

Closing Date

PhD and Master’s Scholarship: 04 January 2019 PhD Split-site Scholarship: 18 February 2019

Contact Details

Post:

Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock Square,
London.
WC1H 9HF
UK

Tel: +44 (0)207 380 6700