Commonwealth Masters and Doctoral Scholarships (Deadline- Nov. 19, 2015)

Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries (Nigerians included). These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth. For information on other scholarships offered by the CSC, visit our Apply page.
You can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship for the following levels of study:

• Master’s (one-year courses only)
• PhD

All subject areas are eligible, although the CSC’s selection criteria give priority to applications that demonstrate the strongest relevance to development.
You should apply to study at a UK university with which the CSC has a part funding agreement.

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person
• Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country (including Nigeria)
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2016
• By October 2016, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree.

Applications are considered according to the following selection criteria:

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

How to apply

You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships:

• National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application. Click here for a list of national nominating agencies, with contact details
• Selected universities/university bodies, which can nominate their own academic staff. Click here for a list of nominating universities/university bodies
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

All applications must be made through your nominating body in your home country. Each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, and for their own closing date for applications. The CSC does not impose any age limit on applicants, but nominating bodies may do so in line with their own priorities.

All applications must be submitted by 23.59 (GMT) on 19 November 2015 at the latest. Please note that this is an earlier deadline than in previous years.