The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC) funds the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. This is an excellent opportunity for students from Commonwealth countries pursuing a postgraduate degree in the UK. You must apply for full-time courses commencing from September/ October. The scholarship typically covers tuition fees, airfare, and living allowances. Let’s explore more details in this blog.
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Overview of Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
The Commonwealth Masters Scholarships are secure types of financial assistance that offer a fantastic opportunity to pursue higher education in the UK. These scholarships enable talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to undertake full-time, one-year master’s programs at universities in the UK. Here are some benefits of choosing these scholarships-
- Provides required financial support by funding to cover your tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses.
- Offers you an opportunity to study at renowned UK universities with world-class faculty.
- Enables you to connect with other talented students from Commonwealth countries.
- Prepares you to contribute to development and innovation in your field.
The scholarship covers tuition at approved UK universities for a one-year Master’s program (excluding MBA) and cannot be used for additional qualifications or part-time study. The scholarship doesn’t support fossil fuel-related programs and the CSC has the final say on your chosen university and course. Make sure you apply to your preferred universities beforehand to avoid issues.
| Offered By | Commonwealth Scholarships Commission |
| Scholarship Amount | -GBP 1,347 to GBP 1,652 per month as a stipend -GBP 576.61 to GBP 143 per month for child allowance (for widowed, divorced or single parents) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Students from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries pursuing full-time master’s degrees in the UK |
| Expenses Covered | Airfare, tuition fees, warm clothing allowance, etc. |
| Important Dates | Application Start Date: 10 September 2024 Application Deadline: 17 October 2024 |
Also Read: Check all the details about non-collateral loans for the UK. The blog includes details of loan amounts and interest rates for collateral free from public banks, private banks, and NBFCs.
Expenses Covered
The Commonwealth Master’s scholarship offers financial support to talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. The amount covers tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses. Following are the details-
- Airfare: Round-trip flights between your home country and the UK.
- Tuition Fees: Full coverage of tuition fees.
- Stipend: Monthly living allowance of GBP 1,347 per month and GBP 1,652 for London.
- Warm Clothing: Allowance for warm clothing (if applicable).
- Study Travel: Grant for study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Family Allowance: Additional support for widowed, divorced, or single parents with children living in the UK. An amount of GBP 576.61 per month for the first child and GBP 143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16 is covered.
- Disability Support: Assessment and potential additional funding for scholars with disabilities.
Note: Family allowances are meant to contribute to living costs, but you may need to supplement them for your family’s full support.
Alternatively, you can apply for an education loan for Master’s in the UK to cover the study-abroad expenses.
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country. Besides, you must have a strong academic record and meet the entry requirements of your chosen university. Check out the other details to apply if you’re an Indian citizen:
- You must be either a citizen or a permanent resident of India.
- You must pursue a full-time one-year master’s degree course and MBA courses are not eligible.
- You’ll need a strong bachelor’s degree with more than 60%. If your scores are 50-59%, you can still apply, but you’ll need a relevant Master’s degree already completed.
- You must be available to start your studies in the UK by September/October 2024.
- You should demonstrate financial need and prove that you genuinely need the scholarship to afford to study in the UK. (A signed declaration will be required).
- If you’ve been abroad for studies/training for over 6 months, you’re still eligible as long as you’ve been back in India for at least 2 consecutive years.
- You must have an offer of admission from a UK university partnered with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for the September/October 2024 intake.
Eligible Countries
The following are the countries listed as commonwealth countries. Students from these countries can apply for the master’s scholarship in the UK-
| Bangladesh | India | Namibia | Solomon Islands |
| Belize | Jamaica | Nauru | South Africa |
| Botswana | Kenya | Nigeria | Sri Lanka |
| Cameroon | Kiribati | Pakistan | Tanzania |
| Dimonica | Lesotho | Papua New Guinea | The Gambia |
| Eswatini | Malawi | Rwanda | Togo |
| Fiji | Malaysia | Saint Helena | Tonga |
| Gabon | Maldives | Saint Lucia | Tuvalu |
| Ghana | Mauritius | Saint Vincent and The Grenadines | Uganda |
| Grenada | Montserrat | Samoa | Vanuatu |
| Guyana | Mozambique | Sierra Leone | Zambia |
Also Read: Know all about LLB education loans to study abroad and the best public banks, private banks, and NBFCs providing education loans for LLB students.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship?
To apply for this Commonwealth or top scholarship to study in the UK, you must submit your applications via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system. Indian students can simultaneously apply on the Ministry of Education’s SAKSHAT Portal.
The application window for the 2025 academic year is expected to open around September 10, 2024, with specific deadlines set by nominating agencies. To apply for the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship, you’ll need to:
- Provide Academic Details: List your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, publications, and prizes.
- Share Work Experience: Explain how your work experience relates to your chosen UK program.
- Get References: Obtain letters of recommendation from three qualified individuals, including a current employer (if applicable).
- Write a Development Impact Statement: The scholarship is offered under six development themes. You can address these key areas:
– Global, national, and local development issues.
– How your new skills will contribute to development.
– Expected outcomes and beneficiaries of your work.
– Methods to measure and evidence your impact.
- Outline Your Goals: Explain your award objectives, career plans (5 years post-scholarship), and long-term career goals.
- Submit a Personal Statement: Summarize your background, motivations, and contributions to your community.
- Prepare a Detailed Study Plan: Outline your academic plans for the program. Prepare all the responses to the questions asked carefully and follow the steps to secure international scholarships successfully.
Selection Criteria
The applications must be submitted carefully. You are assessed on the following basis-
- Academic merit
- Quality of research proposal
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
This was all about the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. Other scholarships that you can consider in the UK are the University of Manchester Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships.
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FAQs
Yes, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is specifically designed for postgraduate students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study in the UK.
Yes, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is a fully funded program covering tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses.
Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1), and demonstrate financial need.
The stipend is approximately GBP 1,347 per month, or GBP 1,652 per month for those studying in London, covering living costs.
Eligibility includes being a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country, having a relevant undergraduate degree, and being unable to afford UK study without a scholarship.
