Commonwealth Master’s Study Shared Scholarships

Deadline: 14 March 2019
Open to: citizens of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, who hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate  qualification
Benefits: Approved tuition fees, living and travel allowance + other benefits

Description

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for candidates from least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time Master’s study on selected courses, jointly supported by UK universities.

Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

These scholarships are offered under six themes:

  1. Science and technology for development
  2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
  3. Promoting global prosperity
  4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
  5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
  6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person;
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2019;
• By October 2019, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally 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.

For full terms and conditions – including further details of the scholarship themes, a value of the scholarship, and general conditions – see the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships terms and conditions 2019.

Benefits

Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities. Each scholarship provides:

  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed) – arranged by the university; funded by the CSC;
  • Approved tuition fees – funded by the CSC;
  • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of GBP 1,084 per month, or GBP1,330 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2018-2019 levels) – paid and funded by the university;
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university;
  • Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC;
  • Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC;
  • Excess baggage allowance, up to an annual approved limit, when returning home – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC.

Reimbursement of the cost of mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC

If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of GBP 465 per month for the first child, and GBP 114 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at 2018-2019 levels).

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.

How to apply?

You can apply to study one of the taught Master’s courses offered in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme. These scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, Ph.D. study, or any pre-sessional English language teaching, and are usually tenable for one year only. View a full list of eligible courses.

You must also secure admission to your course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. You must check with your chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying. View a full list of university contact details.

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your chosen university. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

You can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one university, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.

The CSC’s online application form is now open.

For more information, please visit the official web page