Application Deadline: 22 February 2018 on 23.59 (GMT)
Applications for the 2018 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship program are now being accepted
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time Master’s study at a UK university.
Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Master’s 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
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 2018
- By October 2018, 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)
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
Eligible Commonwealth countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Bangladesh
Belize
Botswana
Cameroon
Dominica
Fiji
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Rwanda
Samoa
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
St Helena
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Zambia
- 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 usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed)
- Approved tuition fees
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,065 per month, or £1,306 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2017-2018 levels)
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £458 per month for the first child, and £112 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
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
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
All applications must be made through one of these nominating bodies. 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 that you are required to complete by your nominating body.
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.
All applications, including full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications, must be submitted by 23.59 (GMT) on 22 February 2018 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 references from at least two individuals, which must be received by the CSC by 23.59 (GMT) on 22 March 2018 in order for your application to be eligible for consideration.
Download
Application Guideline for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2018/2019
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:
- Study UK – 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
For More Information:
24 comments
How can we apply without applicatiom portal
how do i apply for common wealth scholarship through Electronic Application System? and the process involve
it’s the same issue how do apply through EAS? there is no portal.
Where does special education fall in the six categories?
I’m having issues applying. Please what other method can we use to apply?
How do we apply
please how do i know the approved commonwealth courses and associated universities
i am so eager to get free scholarship in health. please guide me how i can get the way
Comment: am interested in postgraduate study in UK, how will I go about it.
No Portal to apply fro
m,, pliz assist
Pls ,help me.the nominating agencies are not cooperating.i fail to apply this scholarship because of very poor cooperation.
How can i apply for the scholarship, i cant see the portal.
Thanks mate. I did apply following your post above. awesome. Waiting for the results
Is it still open?
I find it difficult to download the commonwealth scholarship application form online..
The corruption level of my nominating agency in Cameroon (Ministry of Higher Education) which tends to favour Francophones and exclude Anglophones is a big problem. Is there a possiblity to Bypass a nominating agency? Many students have had this same experience where the nominating agency in cameroon plays funny tricks infavour of the francophones. How can i apply without this problem. I really need help. I hold a Bachelors Degree -BBA in Accounting and Finance, with a Second class upper Division (3.38GPA) from the University of Bamenda in Cameroon’s english speaking regions that is the North west region.
And also how to apply via the AES portal.
I cant fine the application form online.
And the date line of 11 March, can it be extended further?
How to get the application on line
Does it cover accommodation cost?
Please I wish to apply for the free schorlaship. I want to study environmental science
hi I am zerihun This make as to be iniataitive to develope our education level and background and support our coutry as well as continent
[…] Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time Master’s study at a UK university. […]
IELTS IS MANDATORY FOR COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP OR NOT???
How can I apply am interested