Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for Developing Countries 2025

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are a prestigious award program funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).

The scholarships aim to support postgraduate studies of talented individuals from developing Commonwealth countries, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening global connections.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must:

1. Be a citizen of a developing Commonwealth country (listed below)
2. Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors standard
3. Not have studied or worked in a developed country for more than one year
4. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
5. Meet the English language proficiency requirements (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90)
6. Not be a current or former employee of the British Council or DFID
7. Not have received a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship in the past

Required Documents

To apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Completed online application form
2. Personal statement (up to 500 words)
3. Study plan (up to 500 words)
4. Academic transcripts (certified copies)
5. References (two)
6. English language proficiency certificate (IELTS or TOEFL)
7. University admission confirmation (if applicable)
8. Copy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
9. Proof of financial need (bank statement or sponsor letter)
10. Supporting statement from employer (if applicable)

Developing Commonwealth Countries

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Botswana
• Cameroon
• Dominica
• Fiji
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• India
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Rwanda
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Benefits

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships cover:

1. Tuition fees (up to £22,500)
2. Living expenses (£1,084 per month)
3. Airfare to and from the UK (up to £1,500)
4. Thesis grant (£1,500)
5. Study travel grant (£1,000)
6. Warm clothing allowance (£500)
7. Study-related expenses (£1,000)

Application Process

1. Check eligibility and select preferred universities and courses
2. Apply for admission to the chosen universities (usually December-February)
3. Submit the scholarship application through the CSC’s online platform (usually February-March)
4. Provide required documents (listed above)
5. Apply for a student visa (if required)

Selection Criteria

1. Academic merit (30%)
2. Potential impact of the study on the candidate’s home country (20%)
3. Quality of the proposal and study plan (20%)
4. Potential to contribute to the development of the home country (20%)
5. English language proficiency (10%)

Timeline

• December-February: University admission applications
• February-March: Scholarship applications
• March-April: University admission decisions
• May: Scholarship shortlisting
• June: Scholarship results announced
• September: Scholars depart for the UK

Tips and Reminders

1. Research and choose universities and courses carefully
2. Ensure meeting the English language proficiency requirements
3. Submit a strong personal statement and proposal
4. Apply for admission to universities before submitting the scholarship application
5. Check the CSC website for updates and guidance

Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 1, 2025, at 16:00 GMT.

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