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Are you a talented and motivated student who wants to pursue a postgraduate degree at one of the prestigious universities in the UK? Do you have a passion for contributing to the social and economic development of your home country? If yes, then you might be eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities.

This scholarship scheme is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and participating UK universities to support students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK. It is a partial scholarship that covers the tuition fees, living allowance, airfare, and other essential costs for one-year master’s courses in various fields of study.

The scholarship scheme is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK, which is an executive non-departmental public body that operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). The CSC aims to promote international cooperation, understanding, and excellence through scholarships and fellowships for students and academics from the Commonwealth.

Eligible Applicants

The scholarship scheme is open to students from eligible Commonwealth countries with bachelor’s degrees or equivalent in a relevant field of study. The scholarship scheme is not available to students who are already studying or living in the UK or who have previously studied in the UK.

Host Country

The scholarship scheme is hosted by the UK, which is a sovereign state consisting of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK is one of the most diverse and multicultural countries in the world, with a rich history, culture, and economy. The UK is also known for its high-quality education, research, and innovation, as well as its global leadership and influence.

Scholarship Worth

The scholarship scheme is worth up to 12,000 pounds per year, which covers the following expenses:

• Tuition fees: The scholarship scheme covers the full tuition fees for the one-year master’s course, as agreed by the CSC and the participating UK university.
• Living allowance: The scholarship scheme provides a monthly stipend of 1,116 pounds for students studying in London, and 917 pounds for students studying outside London, for accommodation, food, and other personal expenses.
• Airfare: The scholarship scheme covers the economy class return airfare from the home country to the UK, as arranged by the CSC.
• Other costs: The scholarship scheme covers the visa and immigration health surcharge fees, as well as the cost of one standard tuberculosis test, if required. The scholarship scheme also provides a one-off arrival allowance of 500 pounds, a thesis grant of 225 pounds, and a study travel grant of 200 pounds.

Level and Field of Study

The scholarship scheme is available for postgraduate level of study in one-year master’s courses in various fields of study that are aligned with the development priorities of the DFID and the CSC. The fields of study include, but are not limited to, agriculture, climate change, education, health, governance, and gender. The scholarship scheme is not applicable to MBA, MPhil, PhD, or distance learning courses.

How to Apply

To apply for the scholarship scheme, the applicants must first apply for admission to one of the eligible master’s courses at one of the participating UK universities by the respective deadline. The applicants must also submit the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) that highlights the academic and professional achievements, skills, and interests of the applicant.
• A personal statement that explains the reasons for applying to the master’s course and the scholarship scheme, as well as the career goals and aspirations of the applicant.
• A transcript of records that shows the grades and courses completed in the bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• A diploma or certificate that proves the completion of the bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• A proof of English language proficiency, with a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS, 580 in TOEFL, or equivalent.
• Two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or employers who can attest to the academic and personal qualities of the applicant.

After applying for admission, the applicants must complete and submit an online scholarship application form by April 18, 2024. The scholarship application form consists of questions about the financial situation, academic performance, and development impact of the applicant.

The applicants will be evaluated based on their admission application, scholarship application, and documents. The scholarship recipients will be notified by email by July 31, 2024.

Countries that can Apply

The scholarship scheme is open to students from eligible Commonwealth countries, as listed on the CSC website. The scholarship scheme is not available to students from the UK or other high-income countries.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship scheme, the applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, as listed on the CSC website.
• They must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of study, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
• They must have a strong interest and aptitude for the chosen field of study and a desire to contribute to the development of their home country and region.
• They must have a high level of English language proficiency, with a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS, 580 in TOEFL, or equivalent.
• They must have applied for admission to one of the eligible master’s courses at one of the participating UK universities by the respective deadline.
• They must have completed and submitted the online scholarship application form by April 18, 2024.

Scholarship Deadline

The deadline for applying for the scholarship scheme is April 18, 2024. The applicants must submit their online scholarship application form by this date. The applicants must also ensure that their admission application and supporting documents are submitted by the respective deadlines. The scholarship recipients will be announced by July 31, 2024.