Commonwealth scholarships for International students seek to make higher education possible for leading scholars in Commonwealth countries who may not be able to attend university. Preference will be given to students from developing countries and small countries. Recipients will be required to return to their home countries and use their well-acquired education and skills.
Each year, students from Commonwealth countries get a unique opportunity to apply for this fully-funded scholarship program. Successful applicants obtain a two-year master’s degree in a low- or middle-income country in the Commonwealth. These Commonwealth Scholarships are all about change; providing a life-changing opportunity for students who are committed to making a difference in their communities.
This opportunity promises more than just academic collaboration across borders. You will broaden your horizons in a new country, experience exciting cultural exchange, and build a global network that will last a lifetime. Choose from selected courses and universities in Bangladesh, eSwatini (Swaziland), Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Barbados, Jamaica, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Besides the fully-funded tuition fees, scholars will also receive a stipend for the duration of the award, in addition to an access allowance. The scholarship also covers economic return trips to the host country. Students who need a Research Support Scholarship can apply for one as well, but it is subject to approval.
Am I Eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships for International Students?
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship is only available to graduate students from Commonwealth countries. You have to apply for an award in a foreign country as this is an international program.
Several different countries participate in facilitating Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships for students coming from other member states of the Union. This article aims to give you a general idea of the various aspects of a commonwealth model scholarship.
The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Program is an international program whereby participating member states offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens coming from other Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth of Nations is basically a group of 53 different countries, most of which were former territories of the British Empire. This group is a huge conglomerate of countries like India, Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, New Zealand, UK, etc. Some of the notable countries offering scholarships under the Commonwealth Scholarship Program are the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Singapore. This article will highlight the details of these scholarship programs.
In the United Kingdom, Commonwealth Scholarships are primarily sponsored by the Department for International Development, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department of Education (DFE), in partnership with UK universities. The Commonwealth Scholarship Community also nominates UK citizens for scholarships offered by other Commonwealth countries.
The main objective of Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK is to provide unique opportunities for high-performing students from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the progress of their country after studying at any of the UK’s educational institutions for a year. This source of funding is provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). Students who have been admitted to one-year Masters courses are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship to study in the UK. The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Program is available to citizens of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations.
How to apply for commonwealth scholarships for International Students
You will be required to fill out an application form covering your eligibility, personal data, academic and employment record, course details at the host university, as well as upload supporting documents. There is also a statement section, where you need to provide data about the study plan, development impact, and outreach after study, as well as networking.
There are two application cycles. First-cycle applicants begin their courses between July and October and will receive the result of their application by July of the award year. Second cycle applicants start their courses in January or February and will receive the results of their application by October prior to the commencement of the award.
Commonwealth scholarships for International Students in 2021
· Commonwealth scholarships in the United Kingdom for developing Commonwealth countries
Commonwealth Scholarships are for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue Masters and PhD studies in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Each scholarship provides airfare to and from the UK, tuition and examination fees, a personal maintenance allowance, a thesis grant (if applicable), and an initial arrival allowance, among others.
· Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program at UK universities
Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters Study in the United Kingdom are offered to citizens of developing Commonwealth countries who would not be able to study in the United Kingdom. Each scholarship offers approved tuition and examination fees, approved travel tickets from your home country to the UK, return at the end of the scholarship, stipend, thesis grant, warm clothing allowance, study travel grant, and excess baggage allowance.
· Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships supports candidates from developing Commonwealth countries to study Master’s degree courses that are either offered in partnership with universities in developing countries or offered directly by UK institutions.
· Commonwealth scholarships in the United Kingdom for developed Commonwealth countries
Commonwealth Scholarships are offered to citizens of developed Commonwealth countries to pursue a PhD degree and study a split-site (PhD) in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Scottish government, in partnership with UK universities. Each scholarship includes tuition fees, exams, maintenance allowance, airfare costs, an initial arrival allowance, etc.
· Commonwealth Scholarships for Low and Middle-Income Countries
Commonwealth Scholarships are available in low and middle-income countries through the creation of the CSFP Endowment Fund in 2009. The scholarships allow citizens of Commonwealth countries to pursue master’s level studies in low and middle-income member countries.
· New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
As part of the CSFP program, New Zealand offers New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships to candidates from developing Commonwealth countries for postgraduate studies (Masters and PhD) at New Zealand universities on a competitive basis. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are highly competitive and for higher level graduates.
· Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarships
The Malaysian government awards the Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Scheme to students nominated from Commonwealth countries to study at the postgraduate level in Malaysia. This is a government-to-government scheme without any bond imposed by Malaysia.
· Nottingham Solutions Development Scholarships
The Solutions Development Scholarships is designed for international students who wish to study at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and make a difference in the development of their home country. The scholarships are aimed at citizens of Africa, India, or a Commonwealth country. Scholarships are full tuition fees or 50% tuition fees. About 105 scholarships are available.
· Professor Arthur Lee scholarship at the University of the West of England
The Professor Arthur Lee Scholarship commemorates progressive thinking and contributing to Professor Arthur Lee’s education. The scholarships are open to all Commonwealth countries and cover the full tuition fee for the Master’s program offered at the University of the West of England.
· Commonwealth of Singapore Scholarships at National University of Singapore (NUS)
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to talented students from any Commonwealth country with the ability to conduct innovative and high-quality PhD research at the NUS Graduate School of Science and Engineering. Scholarship holders receive a monthly stipend, full tuition fees, and allowances of up to 4 years of doctoral studies.