Commonwealth Shared Scholarship: Fully-Funded Opportunity in the UK

If you are looking to get a fully funded scholarship opportunity to study in the UK, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program might be your best bet. The Scholarship is a fully-funded Master’s scholarship for individuals from eligible countries to study in the UK for 12 months.

In this article, you will learn more about this scholarship, its eligibility requirements and how you can apply.

An Overview of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program

This is a one-year scholarship program for individuals in 44 selected countries all over the world to study in participating universities in the UK.

It is one of the three Master’s program scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

The purpose is to build and support talented students from poor/middle-income countries so they can go back and make a difference in their home country. It is also a part of UK’s international development goals.

The courses offered include Economics, Gender and Development, Education, Theater Arts, English and American Literature, Mathematics, City Planning and Design, Disability studies, Public Health, Human Rights Law, Business Administration, etc.

To learn more about the courses offered under the Commonwealth Scholarship, check out the list of courses page here

Eligibility Requirements for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

1. You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.

Only 44 countries are Commonwealth eligible including Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Pakistan, India, Jamaica, etc. You can check out their website to see a list of eligible Commonwealth countries.

2. You must be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.

3. You must have a first undergraduate degree of at least 2nd class upper (2:1) or a 2nd class lower (2:2) plus a related master’s degree.

4. You must not have studied or worked in a high-income or rich country for more than one year.

5. You must really need the scholarship because you cannot afford to study in the UK without it.

6. You must have submitted all required documents in the correct format.

Also Read: Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship – Fully Funded

How to Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

To apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program, here are the steps to take:

Step 1

Visit the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship website for the list of courses offered and the participating universities i.e the universities that the scholarship applies. Then, note down the course you want to study and the universities that offer them.

Step 2

Go to the website of your chosen universities and apply to the master’s course/program that you noted down. Do this for all the universities you have chosen.

Take your time and be very careful while applying especially in submitting your documents, essays, SOPs, etc.

Step 3

Go back to the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship website and click on the ‘how to apply’ icon. On that page, you will see a link for you to apply. This link will be absent if the application is closed.

In your application form, you will need to fill answers to details like:

• Your undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications,
• The names and positions of your referees,
• A list of 10 publications prices you have won,
• Your employment history and how it relates to the program you want to study in the UK
• Your career plans, etc.

You can visit their website to learn more about the application form details.

Step 4

After applying, it is now up to the universities you have applied for. All participating university will now conduct its own recruitment process and select or nominate a number of candidates for the scholarship.

Step 5

If you are nominated, your name along with other selected candidates will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Commission for approval.

Step 6

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Commission (CSC) will then confirm if you meet the eligibility requirements of the program. In considering the application, your academic merit, quality of your research proposal and potential impact on the development of your home country will also be considered.

And if you are selected, you will be notified.

Required Documents for the Scholarship Application

To apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, here are some documents that must be uploaded:

1. A valid passport or National ID card to serve as proof that you are a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country. If not, at least a refugee in an eligible Commonwealth country.

The passport or National ID should clearly state your date of birth, country of citizenship and your picture.

2. Full and up-to-date transcripts of all your university courses including current transcripts for any ongoing courses. If the transcripts are not in English, you must include certified translations of them.

If the transcripts are not complete or missing, your application will be rejected.

 What does the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Cover?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees,
• Travel costs to the UK and back to your home country after the program,
• Living allowances,
• Clothing allowances
• Thesis/Dissertation grant,
• Travel grant for study-related trips in the UK or abroad.
• Costs of Tuberculosis tests for Visa, etc.

Note:

1. If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, and your children live with you in the UK, you can get a child allowance: £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third child (under 16 years old).

These family allowances are just a small help with the cost of bringing your family to the UK. Living costs may be much higher, so you may need to look for ways to get extra money to support your family.

Ii. If you have a disability and tell the Commonwealth Scholarship Program Commission, you will be offered a full assessment to see if you qualify for extra financial support.

Also Read: ERP Study Scholarship: Fully Funded Master’s in Germany

Who is Not Eligible to Apply for The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

You cannot apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship if you are:

1. An employee, former employee (within the last 3 years), or relative of someone who works for the UK government, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the British Council, or the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
2. A current or former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, or their relative.
3. Also, if you are found guilty of bribery, you will be banned from applying again for up to 5 years, as stated by the UK Bribery Act 2010.

What Universities Are Eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Not all universities in the UK are participating universities for this scholarship. Some of the universities eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship include:

• Liverpool Hope University,
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• Queen’s University Belfast,
• University College London,
•  University of Cambridge,
• University of Edinburgh,
• University of Kent,
• University of Nottingham, etc.

Note: there could be changes in the schools that participate in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Kindly visit the application website to confirm the available courses and universities.