Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

For candidates from least developed,
low and lower middle-income
Commonwealth countries

2021 terms and conditions1

About Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is one of the largest and mostprestigious international scholarship schemes in the world. Since it was established in 1959, over
30,000 individuals have held a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship – 28,500 of them were
funded by the UK government, through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in theUnited Kingdom (CSC).
The CSC awards around 700 scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate study andprofessional development to Commonwealth citizens each year.
The CSC’s Secretariat is provided by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, based inLondon: overseas services are provided by the British Council.
For information about the other scholarships and fellowship offered by the CSC, visit the CSC
website. For information about Commonwealth Scholarships offered by other Commonwealthcountries, visit the ACU website.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for candidates from least developed, low, and lower
middle- i n c o m e Commonwealth countries, for full-time master’s study on selected courses,
jointly supported by UK universities.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Shared
Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills
required for sustainable development and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to
study in the UK.
Purpose: To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing
training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics and to contribute to UK higher
education and foreign policy aims by encouraging collaboration and links.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students who have not studied extensively
overseas before, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their homecountries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered under six development themes:
1.

Science and technology for development
The scholarship, which may be in any area of science or technology (including, for example,agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), will develop knowledge and/or skills that aredirectly related to the specific needs of a low or lower middle income country. Where possible,applications should cite expressed national or local priorities.

2.

Strengthening health systems and capacity
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will improve health provision oroutcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle- i n c o m e countries. A range
of approaches could be adopted, such as training staff to fill critical shortage areas;establishing better systems, processes, or management; health promotion and improving
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understanding of non-take up; or developing new treatments.

3.

Promoting global prosperity
The scholarship will support economic prosperity in low and lower middle- i n c o m ecountries. The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for example, enhanced tradecapacity; improved economic understanding or decision-making by business or government;
new products and services; or long-term capacity building, through the development ofentrepreneurial skills, for instance.

4.

Strengthening global peace, security and governance
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will strengthen peace and securityat national, regional, or international levels. Multiple approaches could be used, such as
strengthening open and transparent governance; improving mutual understanding within andbetween societies; or building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its
resolution.

5.

Strengthening resilience and response to crises
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills which will help low and middle countries
adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden shocks, or increase capacity to preserve thecontinuity of operations following such events. This could apply to a broad range of threats,including natural and physical disasters; long-term threats such as climate change;interruptions to the supply of key resources; or sudden economic or technological disruption.

6.

Access, inclusion and opportunity
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will promote opportunity amongst
historically disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle-income countries. This could bethrough, for example, expanding educational opportunities; conducting community outreach;enhancing access to decision- making; or increasing understanding of the barriers faced. Arange of disadvantage can be addressed – including social, economic, gender, ethnic,regional, or political – provided that the need is clearly stated.

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Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, you must:•Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country,
or be a British Protected Person•

Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country•Be available to start your academic studies in the UK, or remotely if required, by the startof the UK academic year in September/October 2021.

•By September 2020, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or asecond class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).

•Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country•Be unable to afford to study at a UK university without this scholarship•

Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

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The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We arecommitted to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications
from a diverse range of candidates. For further information on the support available tocandidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

Eligible Commonwealth countries

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Bangladesh
Cameroon
Eswatini
GhanaIndia
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
MalawiMozambique
Nigeria
PakistanPapua New Guinea
RwandaSierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
The Gambia
TuvaluUgandaVanuatu
ZambiaHow to apply
You should apply to study one of the taught Master’s courses offered in the Commonwealth
Shared Scholarship scheme. These scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses,
PhD study, or any pre-sessional English language teaching, and are usually tenable forone year only. For a full list o f eligible courses, visit the CSC website.
You must take the necessary steps to secure admission to your course at the same time asapplying for a Shared Scholarship. You must check with your chosen university for their
specific advice, admission requirements, and rules for applying. For a full list of contact
details, visit the CSC website.
You must make your Shared Scholarship application using the CSC’s online application
system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your chosen
university. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online
application system. Information on how to use the online application system is available onthe CSC website.
5You can apply for more than one taught Master’s course and/or to more than one
university though the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme, but you may only
accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
All applications must be submitted by 16.00 (GMT) on 9 April 2021 at the latest. You areadvised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online
application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline andthe Commission cannot make allowances for local or personal difficulties which might
affect your ability to submit

Your application must include the following supporting documentation in order to beeligible for consideration:•••

Proof of citizenship or refugee status – uploaded to the online application system
Full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certifiedtranslations if not in English – uploaded to the online application system
References from at least two individuals – you must submit referee details on theonline application system. We will request references from those stated on yourapplication form only if you are nominated or a reserve candidate at the nomination
stage.

Supporting documentation uploaded to the online application system must be uploaded
as files which are no more than 5 MB in size and must be in one of the following formats:
PDF, .doc, .docx, .odt, .jpg, .jpeg. Files submitted in any other format (including Zip files
and PDF Portfolios) will NOT be accepted.
The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application
system, or any applications directly from individuals; such applications will not beacknowledged.

Selection process
Each participating UK University will conduct its own recruitment process to select a
specified number of candidates to be awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC in May 2021. TheCSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme.
Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2021.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:••

Academic merit of the candidate
Potential impact of the study on the development of the candidate’s home country

For further details, see the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2021 selection
criteria on the CSC website.

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ValueShared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.
Each scholarship provides:••

Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end ofyour award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor
the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed) – arranged by theuniversity; funded by the CSC
Approved tuition fees – funded by the CSC

Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,116 per month, or £1,369 per month for
those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area
(rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels) – paid and funded by the university••

Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university•Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable– claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC•

Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas– claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC•

Excess baggage allowance, up to an annual approved limit, when returning home
– claimed from and paid by the university; funded by the CSC•

Reimbursement of the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa
application (receipts must be supplied) – claimed from and paid by the university;
funded by the CSC•

If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £478 per month for the firstchild, and £118 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you areaccompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK(rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels)

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of
maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher,
and you must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members
who come to the UK with you.

General conditions•

A Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers fees, fares, and personal maintenance.
Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held
concurrently.

7•In order for the CSC to administer your application effectively and efficiently after you
have submitted, it will be necessary to create a record in your name. If you arenominated for an award to the CSC, your details will be kept on file. Basic anonymised
demographic data for all applicants will be kept for analytical research. The CSC iscommitted to protecting your personal information and to being transparent about theinformation we are collecting about you and what we do with it. To find out more, see
our privacy notice.

•If your application is successful and the CSC has confirmed that you meet theeligibility requirements of the scheme, your university will notify you that you have been
provisionally selected (selected for an award subject to the CSC agreeing your terms ofadmission to the university)•The CSC does not require any candidates to take an IELTS (English language) test. You
should note, however, that, as a further condition of your scholarship, you may berequired by your university to provide evidence of a particular level of English language
proficiency.

• The CSC will not be able to offer you a scholarship if it would contravene the terms andconditions of another scholarship that you have previously held.

• When terms of admission to the university have been agreed and all documentation
has been completed and returned, the CSC will send you a formal Confirmation ofAward.

• You will be required to submit a well-being and disability form before your Confirmation ofAward can be issued.

• You will be required to sign an undertaking to return to your home country as soon as
possible after the end of your award• You will be required to sign a declaration confirming that you are a national of aneligible Commonwealth country, and not at present living or studying in a highincome country; have not studied or worked for more than one academic year in ahigh income country and are unable, either yourself or through your family, to pay to
study in the UK, as well as an undertaking to return to your home country as soon as
possible after the end of your award. Any false declarations will cause at least theCSC’s share of your award to be terminated, even if your course of study has started.
In such circumstances, you will be required to refund any payments made by the CSC inconnection with your award.

• You are expected to start your award on the date stated in your Confirmation of Award.
• If you require a Tier 4 visa to come to the UK to study, you must meet all relevant immigration
requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration. You should check the GOV.UK website
for updated information.

8• All UK immigration regulations are set by UK Visas and Immigration and are subject tochange. The CSC has no control over these regulations.

• You are expected to reside in the UK throughout your award, and to seek approval fromthe CSC in advance for any overseas travel.

• You must not undertake paid employment during your award without approval from theCSC in advance.
•The CSC will consider a request to extend your leave to remain in the UK after youraward only if you wish to move from Master’s to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

•The CSC cannot provide a letter of support or permission for you to remain in the UK after
your award to enable you to work.

•Your award may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct,
progress, or attendance, or if your registration is suspended or terminated by youruniversity for any reason.

•Scholars will be expected to abide by the Commission’s Code of Conduct for AwardHolders and Disciplinary Policy and Procedure. Your award may be terminated at anytime for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or attendance, or if yourregistration is suspended or terminated by your university for any reason.

•In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned
from reapplying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to fiveyears.

•Applicants are expected to adhere to the CSC’s Code of Conduct for award holders•

The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships
in a fair and transparent manner. For more information, see the CSC anti-fraud policyand procedure at and the FCDO guidance on reporting fraud.

•The CSC does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships
through its online application system, and it does not charge organisations to nominate
candidates. If you should be charged to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship you
should inform the Commission using our Reporting Fraud e-mail address.

•All terms and conditions of award are subject to UK local law and practices, and are
subject to change by the CSC.

For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows.
Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

9Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock SquareLondon WC1H 9HF
United Kingdom
cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

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