The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government’s Commonwealth scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. Since 1960, the CSC has funded over 30,000 individuals to study in the UK and gain skills, acquire knowledge and build networks to tackle global development.
The CSC is offering full scholarships to South African students to undertake full-time taught Master’s studies at a UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part funding agreement for a specific programme of study.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is one of the Nominating Agencies for South African citizens who wish to apply for this scholarship.
For more information on the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, please visit: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
Degree level
One-year taught Master’s programmes
Deadlines
The closing date for applications (including all supporting documentation) is 17 October 2023 at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Who can apply?
To apply for these scholarships, candidates must:
- Be citizens of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person;
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
- Be available to start your 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 second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification;
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship;
- Provide full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications you are currently studying (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system;
- Provide references from at least two individuals
The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study.
Fields of Study
The awards are offered under six development themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
The CSC does not fund MBAs.
Visit https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/csc-development-themes/ to read more about the development themes.
What the scholarship offers
Each scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award;
- Approved tuition fees;
- Stipend (living allowance);
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable;
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable;
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas;
- A 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 you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at current levels)
- If you share that you have a disability, a full assessment of your needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.
Note: The CSC’s family allowances are intended to only be used as a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher. You must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who come to the UK with you.
Choosing a university or course
The following resources will be useful when researching your 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.
Application process
The Department is one of the Nominating Agencies for South African citizens who wish to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships tenable in the UK for the academic year commencing in September/October 2024. Please select South Africa: Higher Education and Training to be nominated through the Department.
Candidates must apply using the CSC’s online application system which can be found on the CSC website. Each scholarship has a ‘How to apply’ section which will have information and guidance on the application process and the link to the online application system. The CSC is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system or after the closing date listed above.
Note: Please note that all candidates are recruited in line with the CSC's anti-fraud policy and procedure which can be viewed here.
The CSC does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system and it does not charge organisations to nominate candidates.
Selection process
Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate;
- Quality of the study plan;
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
Further general conditions, information and guidelines can be found on the CSC website.
The final selection of candidates will be made by the CSC.
Contact
For general enquiries about applying for Commonwealth Scholarships or Fellowships; please use the Contact us form or contact the Department via email at:
Documents and links
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Programme Page
Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
