The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), it helps talented and motivated individuals gain the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development. The scholarships are aimed at those who cannot afford to study in the UK.
As part of a partnership agreement between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and King’s College London, scholars funded by this scholarship receive support towards their tuition fees from King’s.
Eligible Countries
Antigua and Barbuda. Bangladesh. Belize. Botswana. Cameroon. Dominica. Eswatini. Fiji. Ghana. Grenada. Guyana. India. Jamaica. Kenya. Kiribati. Lesotho. Malawi. Maldives. Mauritius. Montserrat. Mozambique. Namibia. Nauru. Nigeria. Pakistan. Papua New Guinea. Rwanda. Samoa.
Sierra Leone. Solomon Islands. South Africa. Sri Lanka. St. Helena. St. Lucia. St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Tanzania. The Gambia. Tonga. Tuvalu. Uganda. Vanuatu. Zambia.
Scholarship Summary
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): King’s College London, UK
- Scholarship Worth: Fully-funded
- Study Level: Masters
- Host Institution(s): King’s College London, UK
- Number of Awards: Several
- Gender Eligibility: All
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
Eligibility Requirements for 2024 Commonwealth Scholarships
To be considered for the Commonwealth Scholarships, students must:
- Not have commenced or are currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in their home country or elsewhere.
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
- In PDF format, provide references from at least 2 individuals signed and on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
- Candidates must have been living in an eligible Commonwealth country for two years before the date they submit their application, which must be clear within the application. Show evidence that they are currently permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Not be registered for or have started a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK University before the start of the Scholarship and be available to start the Scholarship and academic studies in the UK in September/October 2024 (exact date to be agreed by the CSC). The Scholarship will not be offered to anyone who has already started their PhD in the UK before September 2024.
- Hold an unconditional offer or a conditional offer conditional only on finance for the 2024 UK academic year from all of the UK universities listed on their application, to be submitted as part of the application.
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the time they apply for the Scholarship, with evidence of the degree to be submitted within the application.
- Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor from at least one of the UK universities listed in the application, in PDF format, signed and on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
Scholarship Benefits Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- Approved tuition fees: Full fees are covered by an agreement between the CSC and the UK University, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
- 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)
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels)
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- If you share that you have a disability, a full assessment of your needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC
- If you have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, a child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16 if your children accompany you and they are living with you at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at current levels).
Application Process for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
To apply, Candidates must apply to one of the below nominating agencies as well as to the CSC. Nominating agencies will then put forward candidates to the CSC. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.
Candidates must check with the nominating agency for their specific advice and rules for applying, and their eligibility criteria. Nominating agencies may set their closing date for applications.
National nominating agencies – this is the main route for applications
Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies
Candidates must complete an application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application required to be completed by the nominating agency. The CSC is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.
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