Master’s Scholarship by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK

Designation/Position- Master’s scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK invites application Master’s scholarship for eligible and interested candidates

About- Candidates may note that in 2021 that some national agencies will not be invited to nominate for Master’s Scholarships. In the context of broader constraints on the UK’s development assistance budget, the CSC must regrettably select fewer Master’s candidates in 2021. New Master’s recruitment will be drawn from countries not invited to nominate for PhD study, while countries not invited to nominate this year will be represented by Master’s Scholars selected in 2020 but who, due to the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, have been supported by the CSC in deferring their scholarship to commence in 2021. This has included the deferral of a significant number of Master’s Scholarships.

Research/Job Area-  Master’s Degree

Location- UK

Eligibility/Qualification–

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
• 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 2021
• By September 2021, 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. 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
• NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2021
• 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 candidates. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner. For further information, see the CSC anti-fraud policy and the guidance on reporting fraud.

The CSC is committed proactively to safeguard and promote our beneficiaries’ welfare and 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 safeguarding requirements. Applicants should note the CSC’s 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 safeguarding requirements. Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Commission at csc.safeguarding@cscuk.org.uk

Job/Position Description- 

Whilst the Commission keeps the allocation of nominations under annual review, the decision to not offer nominations for Master’s Scholarships, or to reduce the number of Scholarships for some nominators in 2021 is based on the unique impact of Covid-19 and does not reflect a permanent decision by the Commission on its allocation of awards to individual programmes or countries.

The agency-nominated Master’s programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commission. Our other two programmes, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are open in 2021 to citizens of least developed, low, and lower middle-income Commonwealth countries. Details of how to apply for these programmes are available on the CSC’s website. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships will open in February 2021.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from eligible lower and upper middle income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), 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. These scholarships are offered under six development 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

Information on other scholarships offered by the CSC can be found on the CSC website under Scholarships.

How to Apply- 

You must apply for Master’s Scholarship 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
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

Each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, their own eligibility criteria, and their own closing date for applications.

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your nominating body. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

All applications must be submitted with all mandatory fields completed by 16:00 (GMT) on 18 January 2021 at the latest.

You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

Your application must include all the required supporting documentation by 16:00 (GMT) on 1 February 2021.

Last Date for Apply– 16:00 (GMT) on 18 January 2021 at the latest.

See Position Details

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