Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is an international program available to the students who are from the commonwealth countries like India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Belgium, etc. Students from India can avail this scholarship to pursue studies in three countries, namely New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. However, the scholarship program is most popular in the UK.

Commonwealth Scholarship can be availed for masters or doctorate programs in a university of UK, Singapore, etc.
Financial support through the Commonwealth Scholarship will only be provided until the duration of the degree program.
- It will not indulge in financial aid for the additional semesters.
Scholarship covers the travel expenses, tuition fees, and other allowances related to the participating universities abroad.

Commonwealth Scholarship is majorly offered to those students who require financial support and have a good academic record. This can be a great opportunity for students who are willing to pursue a degree in higher educational courses at renowned universities abroad.

Highlights

Scholarship Type	Merit-Based
Offered by	Corporate
Organization	British Council
Application Deadline	N/A
Number of Scholarships	200
Amount	Variable Amount
Renewability	One Time Payment
International Student Eligible	Yes
Scholarship Website Link	http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for international applicants applying for the Commonwealth Scholarship program vary according to the level of degree and the top-ranking UK university they choose. The requirements for applicants opting for master’s and Ph.D. level of study are mentioned below:

Eligibility Criteria for Master's Degree Programs

To be considered for the Commonwealth Scholarship, an eligible applicant master’s students must

be a citizen of any commonwealth country/permanent resident in a developing Commonwealth country.
be below 40 years.
NOT have already registered for the Master’s course at any other university.
have been abroad for training, studies or for their own purpose can also apply.
have the minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree.
a minimum score of 60% in Social science and 65% in Science subjects are required.

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. Programs

To obtain the Commonwealth Scholarship, an eligible candidate must

have a master’s degree or is in the final year of the program.
NOT have already applied for a Ph.D. level program or MPhil at any other university.
have a minimum score of 60% or above in Social science and 65% in Science.
be a citizen of any commonwealth country.
be able to afford to study at a university in the United Kingdom.
have been offered admission to a university in any commonwealth country.
NOT exceed 40 years.

The candidate must also be able to afford to study at a university in the United Kingdom. The students who have received the offer for admission from any university that is listed among the commonwealth countries can apply.

Application Process

To apply for Commonwealth Scholarships, candidates are required to submit their applications through a National Nominating agency. Every participating commonwealth country has its own specific nominating bodies, with its own rules, eligibility, and deadlines.

Supporting Documents for Commonwealth Scholarships Application

To begin their applications for the Commonwealth scholarships, you must submit the following documents:

Copy of passport
Academic transcripts
admission letter of a UK university
Proof of exams to study in the UK

Selection Process

The preliminary selection of Commonwealth Scholarship recipients will be done in India. The process will be carried out by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The preliminary selections will be done through a process of application shortlisting, followed by personal interviews in New Delhi.

Note: Applicants and recipients of the Commonwealth Scholarship must note that they should not be the recipient(s) of other British Council scholarships like Chevening Scholarship, GREAT Scholarship, etc.

Grant Details

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship has benefitted over 26,000 students across the world. The awards provided by the program are funded by the Department for Business, Department for International Development, Department for Education and the Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Many talented students have been given the opportunity to complete their education at international universities through this scholarship. It aims to provide sufficient financial support to scholars.

Benefits of Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship covers specific courses. This means that the applicants who wish to study one of these courses are offered a scholarship. The benefits offered may vary slightly. however, some of the common benefits are as follows:

Common Benefits

Approved airfare from home country to the UK and a return ticket after the completion of the course.
If the applicant is a single parent, he or she will receive child allowance GBP 465 per month for the first child and GBP 114 for the second and third child below the age of 16 years.
Financial aid for tuition fees and accommodation expenses.
An allowance for warm clothes when needed.

Specific Benefits

Some specific benefits are:

Scholarship	Eligible courses	Benefit duration	Benefits
Commonwealth scholarship - UK	Master’s degree program	2 years (the duration of the program)	Thesis grant; Travel grant for the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
Commonwealth scholarship - UK*	Ph.D. level program	4 years (the duration of the program)	Study-travel grants; Fieldwork grants when the work is done overseas; Travel expenses (airfare) for a mid-term visit to the home

*For 18 months long scholarships, spouse allowance of about 233 GBP per month, and the family expense of 233 GBP per month for the first child and 114 GBP for the second child and third child below the age of 16 years will be provided.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

John Foster House
36 Gordon Square
London, WC1H OPF
Tel: +44-207-387 8572

Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD)

Department of Higher Education
External Scholarship Division
ES.4 Section, West Block-1
Wing-6, 2nd Floor, R. K. Puram, New Delhi-110066
Tel: and 26172492