Is it your dream to undertake a full-time Master’s degree at a UK university? If you are from one of the eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries (Kenya being among them) this could be the opportunity for you.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (CSS) enables motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and is aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. The CSS aims to attract individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and to support them to become leaders and innovators who have the potential to make an impact on returning to their home countries.
Candidate eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, candidates must:
- Be a citizen 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 their academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2023
- By September 2023, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK university without this Scholarship
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
How to apply
Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.
Application Deadline: 13 December 2022 at 19:00 EAT.
Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
Candidates must apply and secure admission to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university in addition to applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship via the CSC’s online application system.
Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements and rules for applying.
Completing the application form
In the application form, keep in mind that candidates will be asked to:
- List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained
- List up to 10 publications and prizes
- Provide details of their employment history and explain how each job is relevant to the programme to be undertaken in the UK
- Provide a statement on the relevance of their previous work experience to the proposed Scholarship
- List names and positions of three referees who are qualified to comment on both the candidate’s capacity to benefit from the proposed Scholarship in the UK and their ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable)
- Provide a Development Impact statement in 4 parts.
For more detailed information on the application process, click here.
As always, the CUPA team wishes you all the best as you pursue this life-changing opportunity. Check out other amazing opportunities here!