Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 - Dates, Application, Eligibility, Selection Process

Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 - Dates, Application, Eligibility, Selection Process

Edited By M Anusha | Updated on Jun 29, 2024 09:45 AM IST

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers the Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 to candidates from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The scholarship is offered to undertake full-time taught Master’s courses at universities in UK. The Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 deadline for the year 2024 are closed now. A total of 39 nominations will be made by the Ministry of Education, India to the Scholarship Commission for Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2024.

Most of these scholarships of British Commonwealth are fully funded and a few are partially funded, covering the university fees, travel, and accommodation fees, etc. Students who are willing to study in the UK can apply for these Commonwealth scholarships UK 2024. With these scholarships, every year 800 students afford their studies in the UK. Read the Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 article to know more details regarding eligibility, selection, deadlines, etc.

Commonwealth Scholarship Highlights:

ParticularsDetails

Eligible courses

Postgraduate courses

Scholarship type

Need-based

Duration

1 year for masters

3 years for PhD

Number of scholarships

800 per year

Open for

Commonwealth countries


Commonwealth Scholarship Dates 2024

The important dates related to the Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 are listed below. Including the original dates, the tentative dates for application based on the previous year are also given. Hence, Indian students can refer to the below-mentioned Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 deadlines for reference.

Commonwealth Scholarship India Dates 2024 -25

Scholarship Name

Dates

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships Application Deadline (through CSC Common application system)

September 5, 2023 to October 17, 2023

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship deadline (through SASHAKT Portal)

September 25, 2023 to November 25, 2023

Interview of the shortlisted candidatesNovember - December, 2023

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships result

July 2024

Types of Commonwealth Scholarship 2024

Considering the type of course, course duration, mode of education, etc. and a few other things, the Commonwealth fellowships are classified into different categories, mentioned below. Candidates can select and apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship based on their requirements.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships -

  • For full-time study of PhD at a UK university.

  • Provides partial funding for their research programs up to 36 months tenure.

  • The scholarship will not be extended for complete course completion.

Study in Ireland

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Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships -

  • For PhD research programs which are around 12 months of tenure.

  • The main aspect of the scholarship is to support the candidate in providing the expertise or equipment which are not available in their home country's university.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2024 -

  • For full-time study master's at a UK university,

  • Partial funding for one-year taught Master’s programs.

  • Stipend ranges from £1,236 per month to £1,516 per month, depending on the location of the university.

  • To get eligible for the master's scholarship the candidate has to select the local nominating body from their home country.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2024 -

  • Funds the masters in UK university.

  • Fully-funded scholarship that covers the entire master's program

  • Candidates can directly apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) online website to undergo the application process.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship -

  • Funds the master's for distance education.

  • For candidates who choose to study from their home country and enroll in a UK university.

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships -

  • For mid-career professionals of courses duration of around six weeks to 3 months

  • Candidates should already have 5 years of work experience in the relevant course can apply for the scholarship to upgrade their skills professionally in the UK.

Eligibility for Commonwealth Scholarship 2024

To apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship the candidate must meet the following Commonwealth scholarship eligibility requirements.

For Masters scholarships -

  • Citizen of or have been granted refugee or permanent residency in an eligible Commonwealth country.

  • Able to start academic study in the UK by September 2024/October 2024 of the academic year.

  • Hold an undergraduate degree of relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2023 .

  • A minimum of 50 to 60% marks in graduation.

  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.

  • Candidates who were abroad for study/training or specialization purposes for more than are eligible only if they have been in India for at least two consecutive years after returning from abroad (i.e., 2 consecutive years before November 23, 2023).

  • Admission acceptance letter from a UK university for Sep/Oct 2024 intake.

For PhD scholarships -

  • Citizen of or have been granted refugee or permanent residency in an eligible Commonwealth country.

  • Able to start academic study in the UK by September 2024 of the academic year.

  • A master's degree holder.

  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship

  • For split-site scholarships- Candidates must be already registered for a PhD at a university in their commonwealth country by the time of scholarship registration.

The commonwealth scholarship 2024 is funded under these six development themes. However, there is no restriction on the candidate's course of study but the scholarship committee gives priority to students with studies under the below-mentioned development 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

Application Process for Commonwealth Scholarship

Candidates who wish to study postgraduate courses in the UK with the Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 can apply through CSC’s online application system/nominating agencies/directly from the university portal, depending on the type of scholarship.

How to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship through CSC’s application system?

Step 1 - Visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/ and register a new account.

Step 2 - Choose the CSC theme and university and course

Step 2 - Fill the personal and academic details

Step 3 - Answer the question related to the development impact on the chosen course, achievement, awards, etc.

Step 4 - Attach the necessary documents and finally submit the scholarship application

Documents required for all the Commonwealth scholarship- CSC’s mode

Below are the common documents that must also be submitted along with the application. The list can be varied depending on the type of scholarship.

  • Proof of Citizenship/refugee - Passport or any National ID card

  • To date higher education qualification transcripts

  • References on letterheads or email (if required)

  • Degree Certificate

  • Admission letter from the UK University

List of Commonwealth Countries

Antigua and Barbuda

Nigeria

Australia

Nauru

Bangladesh

New Zealand

Bahamas

Pakistan

Barbados

Papua New Guinea

Belize

Rwanda

Botswana

Singapore

Brunei Darussalam

Sri Lanka

Cameroon

Seychelles

Canada

Sierra Leone

Cyprus

South Africa

Dominica

Swaziland

Fiji Islands

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Guyana

Saint Lucia

Gambia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

India

Samoa

Jamaica

Solomon Islands

Kenya

Trinidad and Tobago

Kiribati

Tonga

Lesotho

Tuvalu

Malaysia

Uganda

Malta

United Republic of Tanzania

Malawi

United Kingdom

Mauritius

Vanuatu

Mozambique

Zambia

Namibia

-

Selection Process for Commonwealth Scholarship 2024

The selection process for the scholarship depends on the type of Commonwealth scholarship you apply the selection criteria can be varied.

The common selection criteria for the common wealth scholar is based on the following -

  • Merit in academics

  • Quality study plan (if applicable)

  • Potential to develop their home country

  • Holding any disadvantaged backgrounds or ability to promote diversity

Commonwealth Scholarship India

Here is the list of Commonwealth scholarships for Indian students who want to study in UK universities.

  • Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships

  • Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

  • Commonwealth Masters Scholarships

  • Commonwealth Split-site Phd Scholarships

  • Commonwealth Professional Fellowships – For prospective Fellows

  • Commonwealth Gender and Sexuality Fellowships – For prospective Fellows

Benefits of the Commonwealth Scholarship

Depending on the type of scholarship, the funding facilities for a commonwealth scholar will be varied. The basic facilities covered are

  • Tuition Fee

  • Stipend - £1,236 per month, £1,516 per month for (London metropolitan area Universities)

  • Travel allowances - study related

  • Airfare allowances - For the to and fro trip from home country to United Kingdom.

  • Family Allowances - For spouse and children

  • Additional financial support- For disabled

Universities Accepting Commonwealth Scholarship 2024

The students who achieve the Commonwealth Scholarship UK can choose the below universities to pursue their master's or PhD in the UK country.

The list of UK host universities:

Aberystwyth University

University of Bath

Aston University

University of Birmingham

Bangor University

University of Bradford

Bath Spa University

University of Brighton

Bishop Grosseteste University

University of Bristol

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Cambridge

Birmingham City University

University of Central Lancashire

Bournemouth University

University of Chester

Brunel University London

University of Dundee

Cardiff University

University of East Anglia

City, University of London

University of East London

Coventry University

University of Edinburgh

Cranfield University

University of Essex

De Montfort University

University of Exeter

Durham University

University of Glasgow

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Greenwich

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Hertfordshire

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Huddersfield

Harper Adams University

University of Hull

Heriot-Watt University

University of Kent

Imperial College London

University of Leeds

Keele University

University of Leicester

King’s College London

University of Lincoln

Kingston University

University of Liverpool

Lancaster University

University of Leeds

Leeds Beckett University

University of Leicester

Liverpool Hope University

University of Lincoln

Liverpool John Moores University

University of Liverpool

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

University of Manchester

London School of Economics and Political Science

University of Northampton

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

University of Nottingham

London South Bank University

University of Oxford

Loughborough University

University of Plymouth

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Portsmouth

Newcastle University

University of Reading

Northumbria University

The University of Roehampton

Nottingham Trent University

University of St Andrews

Open University

University of Salford

Oxford Brookes University

University of Sheffield

Queen Mary, University of London

University of Southampton

Queen’s University Belfas

University of Stirling

Robert Gordon University

University of Strathclyde

Royal Agricultural University

University of Sunderland

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Surrey

Royal Veterinary College

University of Sussex

Sheffield Hallam University

University of the West of England

SOAS, University of London

University of Warwick

St George’s, University of London

University of Westminster

Swansea University

University of West London

Teesside University

University of the West of Scotland

Ulster University

University of Wolverhampton

University College London

University of Worcester

University of Aberdeen

University of York

These scholarships are given to students who are from commonwealth countries to help them to afford their education. Starting from 1960 to today a total of 27, 800 candidates have taken these Commonwealth scholarships. These scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, shortly referred to as FCDO, and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, shortly referred to as CSC, and the British Council. By applying the scholarship, students can join the top courses in the UK and attain the benefits of studying in the UK.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Indian students apply for the Commonwealth scholarship?

Yes, students from India can apply for the Commonwealth scholarship. There are various types of scholarships based on your degree or program. Candidates should check their eligibility and apply accordingly.

2. Can all the scholarships be applied using the CSC’s online application portal?

No, for a few scholarships like Commonwealth master's scholarships, and Commonwealth PhD scholarships, these are to be applied to their local nominating agency itself. The mode of application for these nominating agencies differs for each organization respectively. Here the nominating agencies will forward the candidate's application to CSC.

3. Can we stay in the UK after the completion of the course?

Any student who completes the course through Commonwealth scholarship, in the UK can stay in the UK for pursuing Ph.D., or for employment by applying for the respective visa.

4. Is the Commonwealth scholarship hard to obtain?

The competition for the scholarship is very huge, so it can be hard but not impossible to secure the limited number of scholarships.

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