Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme 2011

Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme

The Scholarship Scheme is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from DFID), and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

Information for UK Universities

UK Universities were invited to bid to joint-fund Shared Scholarships with the Commission in 2011/12. Invitations were sent to all Vice Chancellors and existing CSS contacts. The closing date for applications was the 11 June 2010. Information on future bidding rounds will be posted when available.



Information for Prospective Scholars for 2011

How does the Scheme work?

Awards are for taught postgraduate courses only. All courses undertaken must be demonstrably relevant to the economic, social or technological development of the candidate's home country.

Awards are only available at participating institutions in the UK. The booklet giving details of the UK institutions offering Scholarships joint-funded with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in 2011 is available below for download or can be obtained in print copy from the Scheme Administrators (see below).

* Booklet for 2011 Shared Scholarship Scheme (pdf)

Please note that participating universities are required to support the student stipend for the award holder (at the rate set by the UK Government). The Commission funds the cost of tuition fees (at overseas rate), return airfares and other allowances.

Who is eligible?

Applicants should:

a. be nationals of (or permanently domiciled in) a Commonwealth developing country, and not currently be living or studying in a developed country (please see the booklet for a list of eligible countries)
b. hold a first degree at either first or upper second class level;
c . be sufficiently fluent in English to pursue the course
d. have not previously studied for one year or more in a developed country
e. not be employed by a government department (at national level) or a parastatal organisation (employees of universities are normally acceptable, however)
f. be able to confirm in writing that neither they or their families would otherwise be able to pay for the proposed course of study
g. be willing to confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete

How can I apply?

All enquiries should be addressed to the University at which you wish to study and through which you should therefore apply for a Scholarship, and not to the Commission. They will advise you on eligibility issues and on how to make an application direct to them. There are two options for this:

Option 1

Most universities will handle advertising and recruitment directly using their own application form and applications should therefore be made to the participating university direct. Following the university's closing date, the university will ask the candidates it selects to complete the CSC's application form using our Electronic Application System (EAS). Candidates should note that they must complete the EAS by the 17 May 2011 at the latest in order to be nominated to the Commission by their host university.

Option 2

Some universities want all candidates for their Shared Scholarship courses to apply via the Commission's Electronic Application System (EAS). You will be advised by the institution if this is the case and should then access the EAS once it is available for Shared Scholarships from the 19 November 2010 - applications must be submitted in time to meet the institution's own deadline which will be made clear in the EAS and is listed in the Booklet (where institutions have not specified a closing date candidates should contact the institution so as to ascertain the latest date that the institution is willing to accept applications).

All institutions are asked to forward their nominations to the CSC no later than 31 May 2011 using the EAS.



Where can I get further information?

Although applications for specific courses should be addressed to the individual university concerned, general inquiries regarding the scheme should be sent to the scheme administrators at the address below. Please note that applications sent to this office will be disregarded and will not be passed on to the institutions.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
c/o Association of Commonwealth Universities
Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HF

Telephone : 44 (0) 207 380 6700

Fax : 44 (0) 207 387 2655
E-Mail : info@acu.ac.uk

CLICK HERE TO APPLY