Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2018

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships is offered by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with UK Universities undertake Master Level Studies in the UK. This Scholarship is a part of The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) which was launched in 1959 and has granted scholarships to 30,000 students. Students of all communities, class should apply for the scholarship as CSC believes in promote gender equity, equal opportunity and cultural exchange. 

• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is only for pursuing Masters course (usually for the 1-year course) in the UK and not for undergraduate or PhD course and is for students from developing Commonwealth countries who lack the financial ability to study in the UK. Around 55 UK universities are jointly funding Shared Scholarships with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom. (The list of participating universities is given below).

• The candidates selected for the Scholarship will be given a monthly allowance of 1,065 pounds in addition to airfare, dissertation expenses, arrival allowance and study travel expenses.

• Type of Scholarship: Full Paid/ Partially Paid Scholarship
• Course level: Masters level.
• Duration of Scholarship: 1 year.
• Country for Study: United Kingdom.
• Course Commence: September/October 2018.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Important Dates 2018

There are a total 215 scholarships that would be given under this scholarship programme, Scholars are expected to take up the scholarship award from the date stated by the CSC when the award is confirmed.

­­Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2018 covers the following expenses:

• Tuition and Examination fee: Tuition and examination fees will be completed funded by the CSC.
• Travel Expenses: Student concessionary or other approved airfare to the United Kingdom and return on expiry of the Scholarship (arranged by the host university and paid by CSC)
• Personal maintenance allowance: Students will get personal maintenance allowance of 1,065 pounds per month (1,306 pounds for studying in institutions in the London Metropolitan Area) (paid and funded by host university)
• Dissertation Expenses: Candidates will be paid to cover the Dissertation costs (if any, funded by CSC).
• Arrival allowance: An initial arrival allowance, including visa reimbursement where applicable (funded by the host university).
• Study travel expenses: Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas (funded by the CSC).
• Excess baggage allowance: Students will be paid allowance for excessive baggage as per the annual approved limit only while returning home (funded by the CSC).

Note: No other additional expense will be borne by the Host University or CSC.

Paid Employment during the tenure of Scholarship: Students will have to take prior approval if they wish to take up paid employment during the scholarship period.

Candidates can apply to more than one university, but the candidate will be given only one scholarship under Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2018.

There are 55 participating universities in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Some of the universities require direct application to the university whereas for others students can directly apply online on CSC Electronic Application System.

Interested students are suggested to contact the UK university for their specific advice and rules for applying, and for their own closing date for applications.

Applying through Electronic Application System (EAS): 
In order to apply via EAS, students can register for a new account using their email id and begin the application process once the basic registration process is complete, visit the official website and click on the EAS Application Portal.

The following information is to be entered in order to complete the application process:

• Application Details: Applicants should enter the details related to their Nominating Agency (University) and select the courses for which applications are to be made.
• Personal Information: Personal Details of the candidates such as name, nationality, contact details etc. are to be mentioned.
• Career to Date: Candidates should update the information related to their education, career and answer some questions.
• References: Applicant should provide contact details of his/her referee so that the referee can be contacted to complete the reference submission.

• Home Country Benefit: Applicant should provide information related to the potential contribution which they will make for the development of their home country.
• Future Career: Details of future career plans of the applicant are to be entered in this section.
• Attachments: The student should upload the following documents in order to complete the application process:
  • Page of Passport showing Photograph, DOB & Citizenship.
  • Transcripts of Educational certificates, certified by awarding body.
  • Offer letter from Host University in the UK.
  • Certificate of English Language Proficiency.

Commonwealth Scholarship Application Form Submission

Once the documents have been attached candidates can check the steps in the checklist and proceed for submission of the application form. Take a print out of the application form for future reference. The last date for submission of application varies from institution to institution.

Candidates can apply to more than one university, but the candidate will be given only one scholarship under Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2018.

Host UK universities will have to forward the list of selected candidates to the CSC by 30 April 2018.

Selection Criteria: Candidates will be selected by the host university on the basis of merit and the likely impact of their work on the development of their home country.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Result

Universities will inform the candidates about their results latest by July 2018. CSC holds the right to publish the names of the selected candidates on the CSC website. Selected candidates will be informed after CSC confirms that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Conditions for Grant of Commonwealth Scholarship to the Selected Candidates

• In case of any plans to visit abroad (outside the UK) within the scholarship period, students are required to take prior approval. They are expected to reside in the UK during the Scholarship period.
• Medical Report: Selected candidates will also have to submit a medical report before their scholarship is confirmed.
• Declarations of the Citizenship: Candidates are required to sign a declaration confirming that they are nationals of a Commonwealth country and fulfil the requisite eligibility criteria.

VISA Requirements for the Selected Candidates

• Tier 4 Visa Applicants: Tier 4 Visa to the UK is required by candidates who do not belong to EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. Theyarerequiredtofulfill the criteria in order to obtain the visa:
  • They may be required to take an approved English languages test AWARDED BY Cambridge English languages test, City and Guilds International Speaking and Listening IESOL Diploma (like IELTS). 
  • They are also required to take a tuberculosis test.
• ATAS Certificate: Some students also need to apply for Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before applying for a visa. 

List of Host Universities and Application Dates for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
in the UK
Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HF, UK

Ph: +44 (0)207 380 6700