2024 COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM -             ONE (1) YEAR MASTERS DEGREE

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, commencing September/October 2024, for a period of one (1) year. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and upper middle-income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master's study at a UK university.  The CSC is open for applications between September 5 and October 17, 2024.

The 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 gains skills, acquire knowledge and build networks to tackle global development challenges.  Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals who have the potential to make change and to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. It is also aimed at those from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, demonstrating social or economic disadvantage and who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.     The CSC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Full details on the scholarship can be found in the 2024 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships Terms and Conditions available on the following website:  

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/

Full eligibility requirements for Master’s candidates are available at:

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

Scholarship Themes

Scholarships are offered under six (6) developmental themes and candidates must apply under one (1) of these themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Value of the Award

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed)

• 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)

• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable

• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.

• If you have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, 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 applicant declares a disability, a full assessment of applicant’s 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 your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.

For more information please refer to the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows.  Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for selection applicants must:

• be a citizen or permanent resident of Saint Lucia;
• be in good physical and mental health to complete the programme successfully
• select an area of study listed on the “Government of Saint Lucia List of Priority Areas for National Training 2023-2026”, which can be accessed on the Government of Saint Lucia website:

http://www.govt.lc/publications/government-of-saint-lucia-approved-priority-list

• 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 second-class degree (2.2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).  The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree, however, 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;
• have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
• be from a low income family/household (Financial Needs Form must be completed).
• not be able to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

Application Procedure

• You should apply to study at an approved UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC.  Part funding agreements are at the discretion of individual universities.  For a list of universities that have agreed to part fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/uk-universities/

• All candidates who wish to be nominated for a Commonwealth Scholarship must first apply using the Electronic Application System (EAS) provided by the CSC on its website. Applications open on September 5, 2024. Deadline for submission of application forms through the EAS is October 17, 2024.

• The Commission does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.  You must apply through the national nominating agency, Department of Education Innovation and Vocational Training.

• Applicants are required to submit applications to the nominating agency (Department of Education) online via http://scholarships.education.gov.lc/ (see below for required documents).  In addition to the aforementioned application, all applicants must complete and submit a copy of the EAS FORM.   

• Applicants referees should also email their recommendations to hrdeducation.slu@gmail.com.

Applicants should follow the process below when applying for this scholarship:

1. Complete the requisite Electronic Application System (EAS) Form, and upload the required documents to your online application.  To apply for the Master’s Scholarship please use the following link:

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

2. Complete the Department of Education Online Application, and upload the required documents to your online application (including a copy of the EAS Form).

3. After submitting the online application, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you do not receive the confirmation email after submitting your online application, please send an email to: hrdeducation.slu@gmail.com. 

Applicants should note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documents required by the National Liaison Office (Department of Education):

1. EAS Form.

2. Verified copy of the diploma for the highest degree obtained (verified by the Department of Education)

3. Copy of transcript of grades for the highest academic degree completed and/or to be completed (with certified translations if not in English) 

4. Admission letter to begin programme of studies between September/October 2024. 

5. Two (2) recommendation letters from current or former, professor, supervisor, business leader, etc., stamped and/or signed. If unemployed or never employed, the candidate may obtain recommendations from whom they think can give academic, professional or personal references.  Recommendation letters must be written and signed by the recommenders and they cannot come from a relative of the applicant.

6. Cover Minute from Permanent Secretary/Head of Department, endorsing the request for Training (For Public Service Employees only);

7. Statement of Conduct and Work Ethics Form (for Public Service Employees only).  This form can be accessed at http://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/forms/statement-of-conduct-and-work-ethics.pdf;

8. Curriculum Vitae (must not exceed 2 pages);

9. Copy of Birth Certificate;

10. Copy of the Official Identification Card (ID) – Government issued ID by the Sponsoring Country or Passport;

11. Police Record three (3) months or less; and

12. Financial Needs Assessment Form

Selection Criteria

The CSC draws the following to your attention:

• All candidates must demonstrate in their application the direct and applied relevance of their study to development in their home country. Candidates should make any such links explicit in their applications.
• Candidates are required to state in their application which of the CSC’s six development themes they are applying under.
• Candidates will be asked in their application to select up to three Sustainable Development Goals relevant to their development impact.
• Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Every candidate will be required to sign a declaration that they do not have access to sufficient funds to study in the UK and no candidate with the independent means to study in the UK should be nominated to the CSC.
• Candidates will be asked to supply a personal statement within their application which will provide the selection panel with more information about their background and give an additional context to their application. It will be considered by the selection panel but will not be graded.  
• Candidates will be recruited in line with the CSC anti-fraud policy and procedure, as well as the Nomination agency’s anti-fraud policy, which is available at the following link:

CSC anti-fraud policy:  

Nominating agency anti-fraud policy:

https://scholarships.education.gov.lc/assets/documents/fraud.pdf

The CSC’s selection criteria are as follows:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Quality of the study plan
• Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country

The deadline for submission of all 2024 UK Commonwealth Scholarship applications on the Department of Education’s scholarship portal is no later than October 20, 2024. 

……. End of Press Release ……

September 4, 2024