Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Schemes : Introduction

Pin It

Category :
Master's Program
Subject Areas :
Economic, social and technological development
Scholarships Provided by :
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and United Kingdom ( UK) Universities
Scholarships Provided to :
Students from developing Commonwealth countries to study in the United Kingdom Universities

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Schemes (CSSS) are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and United Kingdom ( UK) Universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries. Awards made under this scheme are funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), as part of the United Kingdom International Development programme to developing countries, and participating institutions in the UK. Around 50 UK universities have offered to support the scholarships by contributing the stipend for the students from their own resources, or those which the university has been able to generate from elsewhere.

The aim of Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Schemes is to assist students from developing Commonwealth countries who are of excellent academic calibre but for financial reasons would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the United Kingdom. The Scheme allows them to benefit from postgraduate study at a University in the United Kingdom which will help them to contribute toward the development of their home countries.

Shared Scholarship Scheme (SSS) awards are offered on an annual basis for Master's study only at the participating institutions in the UK. The awards tenable for one-year are given to subjects relating to the economic, social and technological development of a candidate's country. Around 170 scholarships will be distributed to the participating institutions.

The participating institutes/ 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.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship the candidates must hold a first degree at either first class or upper second-class level. Sponsoring institution of the candidate must confirm that they are sufficiently fluent in written and oral English to pursue their proposed studies immediately, as no pre-course English Language Teaching is available under these awards.

Besides, the applicants must certify in writing that they :

• are national of a commonwealth developing country and not currently be living or studying in a developed country
• have not undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country
• are not at present employed by a national Government department or parastatal organisation
• are themselves, or through their families, unable to pay to study in the United Kingdom
• will return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete

The commission will only consider requests to extend leave to remain in the UK post-award for those wishing to move from masters to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

Scholarship Value

DFID and participating United Kingdom institutions will jointly meet the full costs of an award holder’s study in the United Kingdom including air fares to and from the United Kingdom.

Maintenance allowance is paid by the scholar’s host institution, at the level set by the UK Government : £1,043 per month for scholars based in London and £1,279 per month for the rest of the UK.

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).

No additional allowances are paid for spouses or other dependants.

Application & Selection Procedure

Usually, the commonwealth shared scholarship scholars are recruited directly by the institutions. But in certain cases, the availability of these awards will be advertised through British High Commissions if the institutions have indicated their wish to avail themselves of this service.

Applications should be made directly to the institutions at which candidates wish to study. The sponsoring institutions will be the judges of academic calibre and will forward their nominations to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for its agreement. Institutions will normally advise candidates of the result not later than July.

If the candidates have apply to more than one institution, only one offer of award will be accepted. All applications to the scholarship should be made direct to the university.

Visas

There has recently been a change to UK Immigration Rules and Commonwealth Scholars are now required to apply for a visa to come to the UK under Tier 4 of the new Immigration System. The UK host university will be the sponsor for your visa.

Contact Address

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

Phone : +44 (0) 20 73 80 67 00
Fax: +44 (0) 20 73 87 26 55

E-mail : Contact Now
Website: cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/shared-scholarships

Tags

UK scholarship , UK education , master level scholarship

Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online