Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024-25

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024-25 is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and UK universities to support students from developing Commonwealth countries who are willing to pursue PG courses in an institution in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the CSSS is to assist students from developing Commonwealth countries who are of excellent academic calibre but for financial reasons unable to afford to study in the United Kingdom. Under this scholarship, selected students will receive approved tuition fees, a monthly stipend of up to £1,652, and other benefits.

Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK is offering this scholarship and the scholarship is being jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country
• be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country
• be available to start academic studies in the UK academic year in September/October 2024
• have obtained a bachelor's degree with a grade point average of at least 60% marks
• not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
• be unable to afford to study in a UK university without this scholarship

Note:- 

• There is no age limit for CSC applications. However, it is recommended that applicants check with their employers to ensure they meet any age-related requirements for leave entitlements.
• For the list of eligible Commonwealth countries, kindly refer to the 'Scholarship Guidelines' document.

Selected students will receive the following benefits:

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) will cover the cost of economy-class airfare from the scholar's home country to the UK and back at the end of their studies. The CSC will not reimburse the cost of airfare for dependents or for travel undertaken before the scholarship is confirmed.
• Full tuition fees will be covered by an agreement between the CSC and the UK university. Scholars will not be responsible for paying any portion of their tuition fees.
• Scholars will receive a living allowance (stipend) of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month if they are attending a university in the London metropolitan area. This stipend will be paid directly to scholars by their university.
• Warm Clothing Allowance: Scholars may be eligible for a warm clothing allowance if they are studying in a cold climate. This allowance will be paid by the scholar's university.
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• If a scholar requires a mandatory TB test for their visa application, the CSC will contribute towards the cost of the test. Scholars will need to provide receipts for any TB (Tuberculosis) test expenses they incur.
• If a scholar is widowed, divorced, or a single parent and has children under the age of 16, they may be eligible for a child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child and £143 per month for each additional child up to the third child. This allowance will only be paid if the scholar's children are living with them in the UK.

Note:-

• If a scholar discloses a disability, the CSC will conduct a thorough evaluation of their needs and determine their eligibility for additional financial support.
• The CSC's family allowances are designed to partially cover the expenses of a scholar's family in the UK. However, the actual costs are likely to be significantly higher. Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.

Eligible candidates can apply for the opportunity by following the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required details to 'Register'. (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID.)
Step 3: Navigate to the 'How to Apply' section on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
Step 4: Click on the given link for the online application system.
Step 5: Select the nationality and continue to 'Register' using a valid email. 
Step 6: Fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents, and submit.

• Copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing the below details:
  • Photograph
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Country of citizenship as proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Full transcripts detailing all the higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications the applicant is currently studying (with certified translations if not in English)

Note:- 

• Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date.
• The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.

Each participating university in the United Kingdom will follow its own process to choose a certain number of candidates for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. These shortlisted applications will then be submitted to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for review. The CSC will verify that these candidates meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit
• Quality of research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country

Application Deadline: 14th December 2023

• Scholars cannot use their scholarship to work or pursue postdoctoral studies in the UK after the award ends.
• A Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently.
• Applicants must agree to allow the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) to use their personal data for due diligence purposes. If an applicant does not agree to this, the CSC will not be able to process their application.
• Applicants do not need to take an IELTS test to apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. However, some universities may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency before awarding the scholarship.
• Applicants should ensure that accepting the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship would not conflict with the terms and conditions of any other scholarships they may have already received.
• Candidates will be required to sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the end of the award.
• Candidates must outline their study plan on the application form to receive the scholarship. This plan should not change significantly during the scholarship period. If any changes are necessary, the candidate must obtain approval from the CSC.
• Scholars must live in the UK for the entire duration of their scholarship. They must get permission from the CSC before traveling outside of the UK.
• Scholars cannot work for pay while they are receiving the scholarship without prior approval from the CSC.
• The terms and conditions of this scholarship are subject to UK law and practices, and the CSC reserves the right to modify them at any time.

Note:- For detailed information, kindly refer to the 'Scholarship Guidelines'.