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Top five tips for a successful Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship has now opened for applications at Cranfield for 2021. But while this scholarship is a life-changing opportunity it is important to remember that it is one of the most competitive out there. Cranfield University receives thousands of applications from those hopeful of studying a Master’s degree with us in the UK. With only a much smaller number of scholarships on offer how do you stand out from the crowd and give yourself the best chance? Read our top five tips:

1. Can you apply?

Closely read through the eligibility rules to ensure you can apply for the scholarship. You must firstly be a citizen (or granted refugee status) and resident of an eligible Commonwealth country. Secondly, you must have an intention to study one of the eligible Master’s courses at Cranfield University on a full-time basis. You must have not already studied or worked for more than one year in a developed country.

2. Don’t miss anything

At Cranfield the first thing you must do is submit an online scholarship application , you do not need an offer of admission. Make sure you answer all questions – when asked for your undergraduate result please put in a GPA or classification. If you have not yet finished your undergraduate course please enter your predicted score. Make sure you apply separately to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission through their online application system . You must make both online applications by 9 April 2021.If you do progress to the next stage you will be asked to make an application for admission to Cranfield University.

3. What does the question say?

It is important to be clear on the information that each question is asking from you. The submission should be focussed on the future and how you plan for this scholarship to make an impact on your career and the development of your country. Therefore, you should not spend a lot of time telling us about your previous study or experience, or spend time describing your chosen course at Cranfield and the modules you will study – we already know the content of our courses! We want to know about you.

4. Not too much, not too little

Ensure you have a balance between putting enough information to address the question but not too much that the key points of your answer are lost. Your submission on the online Cranfield application form should be approximately one page. If your submission is longer than this you risk being marked lower than others that have more concisely answered the question.

5. Make sure you stand out

We know you are excited about the opportunity to study at Cranfield. For a successful application you will need to inspire us about your plans to make an impact with a Cranfield degree behind you. Tell us what you can do to improve conditions in your home country and change people’s lives for the better. You may have a desire to study further on a PhD course or become a teacher but these plans on their own may not be enough to win that elusive scholarship nomination. We know from previous years that many people have these same goals. Tell us what else you will do in order to catch our eye.

I hope you have found these tips useful. I wish you the best of luck with your application. Please check our website and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website for more information and contact [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Sam Goodwin

Written By: Cranfield University

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Leave a comment on this post:

Thank you for this educative piece Mr Goodwin.

Thank you for the information.

Hi Sam, I need the link to apply for common wealth scholarship from Nigeria. I have secure an admission to study Military Vehicle Technology starting 6/ 9/2021.

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Privacy overview.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

by Alumni Team | Nov 3, 2021

How to apply

Supporting documentation, advice for applicants, choosing a university/course, applicant eligibility, eligible countries, completing the application form, selection process, tenure and placement, financial assistance, general conditions.

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Purpose: To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.​

Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict affected states), who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Award duration: normally 12 months

Application process: UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact and must agree to fund the living cost component of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC.

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are now closed.

Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.

The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system .

Applicants are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

Applicants must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.

• View full list of approved courses
• View details of all participating UK universities

Applicants can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, however they may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship. Note these scholarships are only for Master’s courses and not for undergraduate or PhD study.

Applicants must also apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements and rules for applying.

Applications will be shared with the universities who will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2024.

Applications must include supporting documentation to be eligible.

Applicants must upload the following documents with the application:

• Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
• Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.

Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date.

The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.

Please note that the CSC does not charge apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system.

Applicants can find general information about applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship on our  advice for applicants page .

Please read and complete the  Shared Scholarships eligibility checklist  before submitting your application.

Applicants may find the following resources useful when researching their choices of institution and course of study in the UK:

• Study UK  – British Council website, with guidance for international students and a course and institution search.
• Steps to Postgraduate Study  – a guide to asking the right questions about taught postgraduate study in the UK.
• Postgrad.com  – information for postgraduate students, with a course search
• Prospects  – information on postgraduate study in the UK.
• Research Excellent Framework 2021 results  – results of a system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
• UCAS Postgraduate  – guidance on how to find and apply for a postgraduate course.
•   Discover Uni – the official website for comparing UK higher education course data.
• UKCISA  (UK Council for International Student Affairs) – advice for international students on choosing a course of study.

The CSC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Applicants can also discover how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact and leading change across critical development issues by visiting our Development impact stories page .

To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024.
• By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
• Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the  CSC disability support statement .

There is no age limit for CSC applications. Applicants are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place.

Please note that only applicants from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

In the application form, applicants are asked to:

• List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained.
• List up to 10 publications and prizes.
• Provide details of employment history and explain how the experience gained supports and is relevant to the programme to be undertaken in the UK.
• List names and positions of three referees who are qualified to comment on both their capacity to benefit from the proposed Scholarship in the UK and their ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One of the referees must be a current employer (if applicable).
• Provide a Development Impact statement in four parts.

 In the first part applicants should explain how the proposed scholarship relates to:

• Development issues at the global, national, and local level.
• Development issues connected to the chosen CSC development theme and the wider sector.

The second part should explain how they intend to apply their new skills once the Scholarship ends.

The third part should outline what they expect will change in development terms following the Scholarship, including:

• The outcomes that they aim to achieve
• The timeframe for their implementation
• Who the beneficiaries will be

In the fourth part applicants should write about how the impact of their work could be best measured and evidenced.

Applicants are also asked to:

• Confirm what their award objectives are and how each of them will be met by the Scholarship programme.
• Confirm what their career plans are for the 5 years following the Scholarship.
• Confirm their long-term career plans.
• Provide a detailed plan of study.
• Provide a personal statement to summarise the ways in which their personal background has encouraged them to want to make an impact in their home country. Applicants may wish to highlight any areas where they have already made significant contributions, including overcoming personal or community barriers in accessing higher education or within their field.
• Summarise the ways in which they have engaged in voluntary activities and the opportunities they have had to demonstrate leadership.

Each participating UK university will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates to be awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and put these forward to the CSC. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the programme.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit
• Quality of research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s come country

For further details, see the Commonwealth Scholarships selection criteria .

Applicants should note the criteria carefully and link their answers in the application form to each point listed.

Scholarships are tenable for any approved course offered by a participating UK university.

Scholarships are to obtain one degree; funding will not be extended to enable candidates to complete a qualification in addition to or higher than that for which the selection was made.

Scholarships are made in respect of full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time.

Candidates must take the necessary steps to apply for admission to the preferred university. Many courses have strict admission deadlines and candidates should check admission requirements carefully when applying.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.

If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.

For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars .

Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

A Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers fees, approved fares and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently.

For the CSC to administer the application effectively and efficiently after submission, it will be necessary to create a record in the applicant’s name. If they apply for an award to the CSC, their details will be kept on file. Basic anonymised demographic data for all applicants will be kept for analytical research. The CSC is committed to protecting personal information and to being transparent about the information we are collecting about applicants and what we do with it. To find out more, see our privacy notice .

Applicant’s personal information will be used to conduct necessary due diligence checks to CSC’s satisfaction, before CSC proceeds with any type of formal agreement or contractual relationship. In most cases, the due diligence checks will be straightforward, however further information may be requested, so we ask for full co-operation to speed up the process. 

If a applicant does not agree to personal data being used for the purpose of conducting due diligence, unfortunately CSC will not be able to proceed further with the application process. 

If an application is successful and the CSC has confirmed all eligibility requirements are met, the university will notify the applicant that they have been provisionally selected (selected for an award subject to the CSC agreeing terms of admission to the university) at which point they will be a provisional scholarship candidate.

The CSC does not require any candidates to take an IELTS (English language) test. Universities may require candidates to provide evidence of a particular level of English language proficiency as a condition of the scholarship.

The CSC will not be able to offer a scholarship if it would contravene the terms and conditions of another scholarship previously held.

When terms of admission to the university have been agreed, the CSC will provide a formal Confirmation of Award letter.

Applicants will be required to submit a Health and Disability Form  before the Confirmation of Award can be issued.

Candidates will be required to sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the end of the award.

Candidates are expected to start the award on the date stated in the Confirmation of Award letter.

If a candidate requires a Student visa to come to the UK to study, they must meet all relevant immigration requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration. They should check the GOV.UK website for updated information.

All UK immigration regulations are set by UK Visas and Immigration and are subject to change. The CSC has no control over these regulations.

Candidates will be selected for an award based on the plan of study outlined on the application form, which is not expected to change significantly during the award. Any such changes must be agreed by the CSC.

Throughout the award, Scholars are expected to reside in the UK, and must to seek approval from the CSC in advance of any overseas travel.

Scholars must not undertake paid employment during the award without approval from the CSC in advance.

The CSC will consider a request to extend a scholar’s leave to remain in the UK after their award only if they wish to move from Master’s to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

The CSC cannot provide a letter of support or permission for Scholars to remain in or return to the UK after the award to enable them to work or undertake postdoctoral study.

The following are not eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship; an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee of the Government of the United Kingdom; or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council; or a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner or a relative of a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner. Former employees of the organisations listed above are eligible to apply three years after ceasing their employment with them.

In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to five years.

Applicants are expected to adhere to the CSC’s Code of Conduct for award holders and the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure .

An award may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or attendance, or if registration is suspended or terminated by the university for any reason.

The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner. For more information, see the CSC Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedure at and the FCDO guidance on reporting fraud .

The CSC is committed proactively to safeguard and promote the welfare of our beneficiaries, and to protect its staff, Commissioners, beneficiaries and all those with whom the CSC comes into contact. The CSC requires staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding. Applicants should note the  CSC Safeguarding Policy   which sets out the obligation for staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding.  Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Commission at:   [email protected]

All conditions of award are subject to UK local law and practices and are subject to change by the CSC.

For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars . Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

FAQs and enquiries

All enquiries about nomination for scholarships should be directed to the UK university.

For general information about applying for Commonwealth Scholarships or Fellowships, please see our FAQs page.

For more information on other scholarships offered by the CSC, visit the CSC Scholarships and Fellowships page.

For queries not covered on the website, please use the  Contact us form .

Privacy Overview

Onwards and upwards: How this Nigerian won the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Rejection may be part and parcel of life, but how we react to it is what sets us up for failure — or success. Just ask Mercy Ojetunde. The Nigerian is a recipient of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, which is helping her realise her  dream of studying abroad . Her resilience and religious faith played a big role in helping her clinch the scholarship. 

After multiple rejections, Ojetunde decided to  intern at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)  to gain more relevant work experience. This fired her up for another round of scholarship applications. Her efforts paid off when she finally clinched the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. 

Passionate about sciences and understanding how some diseases can be managed and treated using recombinant DNA technology, she decided to pursue her graduate degree in biotechnology. Below, we speak to her about her scholarship application process and what life in Scotland has been like so far:

Is there a story behind your interest in biotechnology?

It all began with curiosity. Biotechnology will provide me with the knowledge and skills needed for excellent scientific research. During my undergraduate programme and internship at the NIMR, I became familiar with scientific terminologies like recombinant DNA technology. 

However, I was more interested in the mechanisms behind all of these and how some disease conditions can be managed and treated using recombinant DNA technology. I also had some hands-on training during my internship at the NIMR. 

“During my undergraduate programme and internship at the NIMR, I became familiar with scientific terminologies like recombinant DNA technology,” says Ojetunde. Source: Mercy Ojetunde

I still needed to further my education in molecular biology and biotechnology to learn more and get some research ideas. I have a passion for solving problems such as producing intervention products and therapeutics to help curb infectious diseases and future pandemics. 

I want to contribute to growth and development globally. From my knowledge and experience, I knew certain genes were responsible for some disease conditions. 

I also understand that there can be genetic mutations responsible for various genetic disorders. Still, I was just eager to participate in some of these genetic manipulation experiments which have kept my interest in this subject alive. 

“I want to contribute to growth and development globally. From my knowledge and experience, I knew certain genes were responsible for some disease conditions,” she says. Source: Mercy Ojetunde

What made you choose to study abroad in Scotland?

The availability of facilities research is better abroad because of the research space available, funding, stable power supply and resources. 

I love science and research and my choice to study in Scotland is due to the nomination I got from my school for the fully-funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. 

What do you like most about the country?

A lot. The stable power supply, the strong internet connection (this will help me read more and watch relevant videos for studies because there are no concerns about exhausting data), the serene environment, and the fantastic people I’ve met. 

Walk us through the application process for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

For the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, I submitted my applications for admission to some unis in the UK. I then submitted a separate application to the Commonwealth. 

The UK government-funded the award in conjunction with UK unis. The process wasn’t easy because I had to make sure my application stood out. 

A scholarship application is like competition so I was busy writing essays and editing to put me at a competitive advantage. God helped me because while I was applying, I was also working at the NIMR and my schedules were tight. 

“I love science and research and my choice to study in Scotland is due to the nomination I got from my school for the fully-funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarship,” she says. Source: Mercy Ojetunde

What does your Commonwealth Shared Scholarship cover and how does it help?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers full tuition fees, study travel grant, thesis grant, a monthly stipend and flight fares. In addition, I did not pay visa and health insurance fees because I’m a Commonwealth scholar.

Do you have any advice for prospective applicants on how to manage their budgeting?

Prospective applicants should have the foresight and plan well. You should try to save to pay applications or extra fees. When I applied, I didn’t pay any fees but I would recommend being smart and managing yourself in terms of financial planning. 

What about general advice on the scholarship you won?

My advice is to be on top of your game. I applied for other opportunities to study abroad but I couldn’t get it. 

Still, I didn’t relent and worked even harder. It’s not easy getting rejected but I had to move on because I have to make my dreams come true. 

You should work hard during your undergraduate studies and try to excel in your grades —  especially during the end. Engage in activities like volunteering and relevant experiences. 

When you take leadership positions and more, you’re working towards producing results and making impacts that will make you stand out. Your dreams are valid and you should never give up. 

Above all, God is the master planner. He knows best so for me, prayers with hard work give greater results. 

Do you think it would have made a difference if you studied at a local institution?

The difference is very clear. Abroad, there is more exposure and the resources are just readily available. There is a strong internet connection and no worries about data consumption.

I have access to resources and the facilities here are top-notch. To further add, the teaching method here is just amazing. 

“For the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, I submitted my applications for admission to some unis in the UK. I then submitted a separate application to the Commonwealth,” she tells us. Source: Mercy Ojetunde

What has been your most memorable class thus far?

The Nucleic Acid and Protein Technology class has been the most memorable so far because it focused on DNA, RNA, genes, gene cloning, gene editing, gene knockdown, and a lot more. It’s been exciting and I recently started an experiment on gene cloning. The lab activities have been great because I had the opportunity to clone a gene myself.

Can you share a little bit about your hometown with us?

I live in Ogun State in Nigeria. If you visit, I would take you to the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta —  a tourist centre and somewhere fun. 

What about Scotland, have you explored the region?

Well, I just arrived in Scotland so I’ve only spent a month here and have not yet explored the region. I’ve been to the stores where I bought a few trinkets — the quality of the clothes and products here are excellent. 

What’s the local food compared to home like? Share your most and least favourite. 

I haven’t tried Scottish cuisine because I stay in the student accommodation managed by a private owner. When I came to Scotland, I came with some Nigerian food and I still have lots. Perhaps I shall venture into trying some of the local cuisines in the next few months. 

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The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

By Mary Adejoh

In our new ‘Ambassador Advice’ series, our Africademics Scholarship Ambassadors share their experience and advice for scholarship applicants in and from Africa. This week Mary Adejoh from Nigeria, a Master’s student in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling in the UK and recipient of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, introduces the programme   and shares valuable tips for future applicants.

About the Scholarship

The Commonwealth shared scholarships are annually funded scholarship opportunities targeted at candidates from developing or lower-middle-income commonwealth countries for a full-time one year master’s study in a UK University. Funding is obtained from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) and is aimed at individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford to study in the UK.

This particular Commonwealth scholarship is to pre-selected universities in the UK along with pre-selected courses which align with the 6 themes of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). The themes are:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

The scholarship covers the following expenses for successful applicants:

• Airfare to and from the UK to Home country (Economy class or equivalent)
• Tuition Fees.
• Warm clothing allowance upon arrival to the UK
• Monthly stipends (living allowance)
• Study travel and thesis grants if applicable to your course of study

The Application Process

Because the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission looks out to identify talented individuals who have the potential to cause a change in their home countries, they are non-discriminatory and commit to equal opportunities while encouraging applications from a diverse pool of applicants.

The selection criteria for this scholarship are also based on these features in your application: Quality and plan to study, academic strength of the applicant, and possible impact on the development of the applicants’ country of origin.

Therefore to apply for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Possess citizenship or be granted refugee status by any of the Commonwealth countries or be a British protected person
• Be available to commence your studies in the UK when the academic year starts
• By September of that year, you’re applying, hold a first degree of at least second class upper (2:1) or a second class (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Not have studied or worked for one full academic year in a high-income country
• Be unable to afford to study in any UK university without this scholarship
• Have provided all requested documents and in acceptable formats.

Below some useful links for the application process:

• Scholarship website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships/
• Eligible Courses and Universities: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-2021-eligible-courses/
• University contact details can be found here: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-2021-university-contact-details/
• Detailed selection criteria: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/selection-criteria-masters-scholarships-2021.pdf

Personal Experience and Advice

I applied for the commonwealth shared scholarship because I had missed the deadline for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship. This was a time when I was on the lookout for a master’s scholarship abroad.

The application process is pretty straightforward and not a one size fits all process. I proceeded with my scholarship application and school admission simultaneously to save time. The application window was for one month and you are expected to apply with all necessary documents and submit all the required essays.

The process was a learning curve for me as I had to carry out independent research all by myself to apply to my university and course of choice while also putting in my application for this scholarship. The only challenge I had was with getting my transcript from my University. This is quite typical of Nigerian Universities, so I do advise you to start the process of obtaining any document required from your institution as early as possible to eliminate any form of delay. Fortunately I was able to get my transcript in good time for my application. My application was carried out independently with no support from anyone while I was juggling being a Personal Assistant and a Governess.

The only hard part was getting my documents but every other thing about my application taught me independence and resilience. My essays were not reviewed by anyone before I turned them in and I was lucky to get the scholarship on my first attempt. This is possible with diligence and commitment. I appreciated the emotional support from my family and friends at this time because they believed in me and it meant a lot to me being successful with my application.

Being a beneficiary of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship has taught me independence. Nobody can do it better than you! I have learnt to be patient and understanding of people from other cultures and background. As an international student, you always get to work in a group and this builds your communication and networking personality.

I have learnt to lead and be responsible when no one else is ready to stand up to task I have had to nudge my group members to work despite not meeting in person. This opportunity has made me a great team player, solution-driven, creative and ingenious with my ideas. I am currently the CSC Regional Coordinator for Universities in West Scotland and this has built my character and leadership qualities, engagement and delegation.

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides various workshops and event to help develop scholars in different areas and this is left open to scholars to pick based on their interests. It also offers a mentorship scheme where scholars are paired with mentors in their field or a related field to guide them in their academic and professional journeys.

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Commonwealth Scholarship Essay Examples

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Education , Finance , Economics , Gender , Development , Students , Mathematics , Success

Words: 1250

Published: 02/15/2020

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I believe education is important backbone in the economic development of many countries. Just as planning for harvest begins with sowing of a seed, education is very vital in the development of most countries and even the development of the individual’s life as a whole. Therefore, the development of countries and individual’s sense of awareness calls for education of the individual’s whole being. I believe the acquisition of skills through education is important in the acquisition and formation of the human capital. Therefore with the scholarship offered to me to acquire the education will be a strong investment on me as an asset as well as a physical capital that will in the future after my education will create a great return to help improve my country. I believe my country has not advanced that much due to the limiting factor of lack of human capital to help them advance as such I believe when I acquire the education, I will be a great asset to the growth and development of the country as well as help impact lives of others that may not have received the same opportunity. Over the years, there has been tremendous development in schools with lucrative educational options. However, the schools request for a form of payment to gain the access to acquire the education that I so long for to help me make change in my country, village and to the community around me. With the education, I am sure I will be able to contribute to the labor force which will in turn help contribute to the human capital of my country thereby increasing the chances of the economic development. However, contrary to the common believe, I believe that it is not only education that is the panacea of economic development. Education is however a great determinant to economic success. In other words, if the education does not encourage the development of economic activity, the demand of the educated workers will be weak and even those who will be in school struggling to generate the income to go through their education system will be derailed as they will be barely able to make the income to raise themselves and families. As such, I believe the education I will acquire will not only help to liberate the economic success of my country but also improve my other chances of educating others including the authorities on the benefits of supporting the education systems that are established in the country. That said, I believe that education is the main source of great social and private rates of returns. However, spending in school is always a nightmare and school expenses get outrageous in a day today basis. I believe with the support from the Commonwealth, I will be able to stand strong against all odds that may result from the financial constraints and be a successful educated man. Mathematics is my passion and I believe with the education in Mathematics, I will be of great support to my country’s development agenda and backbone to their financial and other Mathematics required areas. I have been excellent in Mathematics throughout my undergraduate level and with the experience I acquired for the years of rigorous training in the course, I am positive that I am fully baked and ready to face the higher learning institutions of Mathematics. I am sure with the support from the organization, the future illumines bright and I will be able to go through the course with the determination and dedication all geared for achieving greater class achievement. I will be able to report back to the organization with lots of hope at the end of every semester recess and I am positive that there won’t be any disappointment and you will all be proud of having brought up such an all rounded student and the success will be for us all. With my undergraduate degree in science, Mathematics, I will be able to produce the academic requirements of me and perform well to be able to realize the dreams. As a progress in my country, I believe the acquisition of education will help me eliminate the stereotypes that have been established about the gender inclination towards the education of specific gender. I will be an ambassador for all gender and educate the society about the benefits of education being completely gender non specific. This will ensure a progress in the schooling received and the distribution of education resources and programs equally to enable the ladies alike just as men to achieve the education that is useful for the cohesive development of our country as a whole irrespective of gender or other affiliations. I believe the favoring of boys education at the expense of girls in my country will be addressed once an advocate takes the center stage in the development of anti stereotypes established. Taking the ratio equally and ensuring that the men are educated equally as they are ladies will help distribute the labor in all other parts of the country and reduce over dependence that is the main problem in most countries developing, mine alike. This requires proper education and not just schooling. Education is a huge investment that would be useful in helping convert the resources into new capital. Education has larger private benefits that goes beyond just the earnings and the type of luxurious jobs people obtain as a result of education. Not only does the school increase private investment but also the social returns that the individuals enjoy. School is associated with the positive externalities that accompany the social returns and the private benefits that arise from it. The positive social external benefits go beyond the individual benefits to the benefits the society will reap as a result of my influence on them as a result of the education that I will be endowed with. I believe the education will also lead to a higher technological progress that may not be, in most cases be captured in the private returns. Schooling will enable me improve my country’s aggregate growth as well as improve the GDP per capita of the country. Knowing the benefit that education has to the country and to the students that undergo the same education process, I will be an ambassador to a better school system and a better representation in various schools in terms of gender, ethnic affiliation and other lines in which are the representation of the country’s bouquet of diversity. The realization of these expectations will thus ensure the development of our education systems and thus the achievement of the individual and national goals. I believe given my discussions with in joining the ongoing debate for betterment of my country will enable the consideration of this dream come true. I am humbled to present this proposal to you team of esteemed learners as I pray that may my request be granted. As I have had stated earlier, the education will not only be my joy but also the joy of the entire community, you as well for having brought up another better brain to help join the walk of solving the issues at individual and national levels.

Works cited

Lucian Bebchuk & Jesse Fred (2004), Pay Without Performance, the unfulfilled Promises of Executive Compensation. Harvard University Press. Michael L. Davis (2008). Executive Compensation: The professional’s Guide to current issues and practices. Perkins, H. Dwight, (2006), Economics of Development. Norton and Company, New York.

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5 Tips for Winning the Commonwealth Scholarship Award

By Damilola Olisa, 2018 Commonwealth Scholar

The Commonwealth Scholarship is a very competitive fully funded scholarship open to applicants from any of the Commonwealth countries and it is handled by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK. As long as you are from a Commonwealth country and have not spent more than one year in a developed country, you are eligible to apply. The application requires much time considering the many stages involved; ranging from securing admission for either Master’s or PhD programme in any of the UK universities, applying to your nominating agency for nomination, applying for the scholarship on CSC Electronic Application System (EAS), securing nomination from your nominating agency and lastly securing confirmation of award from the CSC.

In my own case, getting the Commonwealth Scholarship award is more than a dream come true. And I have been getting numerous questions on how I got nominated for the Commonwealth Award by 5 nominating agencies (4 UK Universities and Nigeria’s Federal Scholarship Board FSB)  when most applicants often struggle hard to secure even one nomination which is needed to secure the award. Eventually, I settled for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship award to study MSc Communication for Development at the University of Reading. Meanwhile, I remember that in 2017 when I first applied for Commonwealth Scholarship, I was rejected by all the three universities through which I applied, but the story changed in 2018. My story then revolves around from being rejected in 2017 to securing 5 nominations in 2018.

Hence, in this post, I will share some tips with you on how you can win the Commonwealth Scholarship award.

• Research into the Commonwealth Scholarship

First thing is you need to understand that there are different forms of Commonwealth Scholarship awards. Currently there are more than six kinds of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships. So it is your duty to carefully research into which of the scholarships you are eligible for and fits your career goals. In my own case, I targeted only the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship (General) and Commonwealth Shared Scholarship because they were the only Commonwealth scholarships for Master’s degree programmes. Similarly, I researched into the nominating agencies and the peculiar requirements for each of them. In all, I will advise you take enough time to look through the official Commonwealth Scholarship website and other blogs for all necessary information you might need about the scholarship.

• Feel free to get a previous Scholar to mentor you

This actually worked perfectly for me and it was the reason I had multiple nominations from UK universities and even Nigeria’s nominating agency (Federal Scholarship Board). In my preparations for 2018 round of application, I decided to speak with previous Commonwealth Scholars who directed me on how to present better applications. I even went as far as getting copies of their own application in order to proofread and draw ideas for my application. From this exercise, I discovered better ways through which I could improve on my application.

• Carefully answer your essay questions, especially your home country benefit essay

A number of people have asked me how I was able to get nominated for Master’s degree programmes which were not directly in line with my undergraduate degree. For example, I was nominated for MA Religious Studies and Global Development by University of Leeds despite having my first degree in Mass Communication. The simple secret was I presented unique home country benefit essays which were peculiarly appropriate for each Master’s programme. You need to let your nominating agency and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission realize what impact you aim to achieve on your home country if offered the scholarship. You should provide facts about a specific problem in your home country which you intend to solve and how you intend to do that. This is very important. You should also provide realistic measures you intend to take to solve the problem using knowledge and skills gathered from studying in the UK and even how you intend to measure your results from time to time. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission takes this particular essay in high esteem. And this is where most applicants, especially Frist Class holders, miss it. They wrongly believe that having a First Class is the major ticket for getting the Commonwealth Scholarship. Even with a Second Class in your first degree, you can win the scholarship if you present a perfect overall application.        

• Engage in quality volunteering activities, publish academic papers and join professional bodies

During the course of filling your application on the CSC Electronic Application System (EAS), you will discover that there are different sections for all of these. Although they are not compulsory, they are the things that add value and weight to your application. After I realized why my 2017 application was not successful, I channeled efforts towards improving in these areas. I engaged in numerous voluntary activities, published a number of academic journal articles and joined relevant professional bodies in my field and career. In essence, the Commonwealth Scholarship application is what you diligently prepare round the year for. Another round of application for 2019/2020 will open by Oct/Nov 2018, so you must begin your preparations from now.

• Make your entire application coherent

By ensuring that your application is coherent, I mean let there be logical interconnection with various segments of your EAS application. Your entire application should be targeted at proving that you have the capacity of influencing positive social change using skills and knowledge acquired in the UK upon return to your home country. Each segment of the application should be in tandem with your overall goal. Even if you are applying for a field different from what you studied in your first degree, you can join professional bodies in the new field or take some short courses to prove knowledge in the new field.

In sum, the Commonwealth Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for you to change your life and as well as your home country. It will influence your career positively. Winning the award totally depends on you. Please note that winning the award is a job on its own and you have to give it your best.

Applications are open for the following:

• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2023/2024 for Study in the UK (Fully-funded)
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2023/2024 for Doctoral Study at a UK University (Fully-funded)

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