Commonwealth
Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study – developing Commonwealth country
citizens
Commonwealth
Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries.
These scholarships are funded by the UK Department forInternational Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s
international development
aims and wider overseas interests, supporting
excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the
Commonwealth. For information on other scholarships offered by the CSC, visit
our Apply page.
You can apply for a
Commonwealth Scholarship for the following levels of study:
- Master’s
(one-year courses only) - PhD
All subject areas
are eligible, although the CSC’s selection criteria give priority to
applications that demonstrate the strongest relevance to development.
You should apply to
study at a UK university with which the CSC has a part funding agreement. Click
here for a list of UK
universities which have part funding agreements with the CSC
Eligibility
To apply for these
scholarships, you must:
- Be a
Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person - Be
permanently resident in a developing
Commonwealth country - Be
available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK
academic year in September/October 2017 - By
October 2017, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1)
honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate
qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
The CSC promotes
equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural exchange. Applications are encouraged
from a diverse range of candidates. The CSC is committed to administering and
managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner –
for more information, see the CSC anti-fraud policy.
Terms
and conditions
For full terms and
conditions, see the Commonwealth Scholarships 2017 terms and conditions
If you are applying
for PhD study, you may, if you wish, propose to study at one university for a
four-year PhD, but this must be based in a recognised Doctoral Training Centre.
You must research this option thoroughly (further details can be found on the
websites of the individual Research Councils in the UK) and justify the added value of
this above a three-year PhD. As the CSC will fund only a limited number of
four-year PhDs, if you do choose this option, you are strongly advised to also
propose at least one three-year PhD choice.
Selection
process
Each year, the CSC
invites selected nominating bodies to submit a specific number of nominations.
The deadline for nominating bodies to submit nominations to the CSC is 13
December 2016.
The CSC invites
around three times more nominations than scholarships available – therefore,
nominated candidates are not guaranteed to be awarded a scholarship. There are
no quotas for scholarships for any individual country. Candidates nominated by
national nominating agencies are in competition with those nominated by other
nominating bodies, and the same standards will be applied to applications made
through either channel.
Each nominated
candidate’s application is first considered by a member of the CSC’s panel of
advisers with expertise in the subject area concerned, and then by the CSC’s
selection committee in competition with other candidates.
Applications are
considered according to the following selection criteria:
- Academic
merit of the candidate - Quality
of the plan of study - Potential
impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country
For further details,
see the Selection criteria for 2017 Commonwealth Scholarships for
Master’s and PhD study
You may also find
the Feedback for
unsuccessful candidates useful.
How
to apply
You must apply to
one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not
accept direct applications for these scholarships:
- National
nominating agencies – this is the main route of application. Click here
for a list
of national nominating agencies, with contact details - Selected
universities/university bodies, which can nominate their own academic
staff. Click here for a list
of nominating universities/university bodies - Selected
non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
All applications must be made
through your nominating body in your home country. Each nominating body is
responsible for its own selection process. You must check with your nominating
body for their specific advice and rules for applying, their own eligibility
criteria, and their own closing date for applications. The CSC does not impose
any age limit on applicants, but nominating bodies may do so in line with their
own priorities.
You must make an
application using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS), in addition to
any other application form that you are required to complete by your nominating
body. Click here for full
information on how to use the EAS, including detailed guides.
Your application
must be submitted to and endorsed by one of the approved nominating bodies
listed above. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted
via the EAS to a nominating body in your home country.
All applications
must be submitted by 23.59
(GMT) on 15
November 2016 at the latest.
You are advised to
complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the EAS will be
very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
You must provide the
following supporting documentation to be received by the CSC by 6 January 2017
in order for your application to be eligible for consideration:
- References
from at least two individuals - Transcripts
- For PhD
candidates only, supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK
from at least one of the institutions named on your application form
Please note that the
CSC does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships or
fellowships through its Electronic Application System (EAS), and it does not
charge organisations to nominate candidates.
Choosing
a university/course
You may find the
following resources useful when researching your choices of institution and
course of study in the UK:
- Education UK
(British Council) – British Council website, with guidance for
international students and a course and institution search - Postgrad.com –
information for postgraduate students, with a course search - Prospects
– information on postgraduate study in the UK - Research Excellent
Framework 2014 results – results of a system for assessing the quality
of research in UK higher education institutions - Steps to
Postgraduate Study – a guide to asking the right questions about
taught postgraduate study in the UK - UCAS
Postgraduate – guidance on how to find and apply for a postgraduate
course - Unistats – the
official website for comparing UK higher education course data - UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs)
– advice for international students on choosing a course of study
The CSC is not
responsible for the content of external sites.
Enquiries?
All enquiries about these
scholarships should be directed to your nominating body in your home country.
