Deadline: 18 December 2019
Open to: permanent residents in an eligible Commonwealth country
Benefits: fully funded

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:

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.

Eligibility

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 2020;
By September 2020, 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 typically does not 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.

Benefits

Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating in 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 dependents, 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 1,110 per month, or GBP 1,362 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2019-2020 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.