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 challenges.

The Commonwealth Equality Network has been invited by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission to nominate 10 candidates for Master’s programs and 5 candidates for PhD programs. This opportunity will provide a fully funded scholarship to individuals working with or within LGBTI+ communities across the Commonwealth from low- and middle-income countries.

Applications will soon be open for candidates wishing to receive a scholarship for Master’s or PhD programs starting in 2025.

The CSC is open for applications between 10 September 2024 and 15 October 2024. The Commonwealth Equality Network is accepting applications between 10 September 2024 and 15 October 2024.

Click here to apply for a Master’s Scholarship

Click here to apply for a PhD Scholarship

Click here to review The Commonwealth Equality Network’s guidance for applicants

Read more about the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission here

What is covered

The scholarship will cover:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
• 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). 
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, a child allowance may be available.

More details on the financial assistance available can be found here.

How to apply

Before applying we encourage candidates to read the guidance on the CSC’s website and the guidance produced by The Commonwealth Equality Network.

• 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.
• In addition, you must complete TCEN’s supplementary application process explained below. TCEN is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the process highlighted below or after the closing date listed above.

CSC Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Candidates

To apply for these scholarships, you 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 your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2025
• By September 2025, 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
• 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.

For PhD candidates only:

• 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 2025
• Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on your application form. 

Selection Criteria

The CSC will make the final selection of candidates. The CSC seeks candidates of the highest academic quality who demonstrate a real capacity to make a difference to their home country on completion of their award. The CSC’s selection committee will grade applications on the following criteria:

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

It is CSC policy to consider personal circumstances in all applications to ensure that, all else being equal, candidates from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds are selected.

The CSC invites around three times more nominations than scholarships available – therefore, nominated candidates are not guaranteed to be awarded a scholarship. Being nominated by TCEN does not guarantee a scholarship, nor does membership in the Network offer any preferential treatment in the selection process. All nominated candidates will be assessed on their individual merits, with the final decision made by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

There are no quotas for scholarships for any individual country. Details of the CSC’s selection criteria are available on the website.

Agency selection criteria: 

In addition to CSC’s application criteria, TCEN also requires candidates must submit a 1,000-word essay on the topic: “What are the most significant challenges faced by LGBTI+ individuals in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries? Describe your work/involvement in addressing these issues and explain how receiving this scholarship will support your future efforts.”

For details on how to submit your response to the supplementary question, please review the guidance document which sets out how to complete and submit your application. 

Agency deadlines: 

The Commonwealth Equality Network is accepting applications between 10 September 2024 and 15 October 2024.

For further information:

• Visit the CSC website for further advice for applicants.
• Email tcen.secretariat@kaleidoscopetrust.com

Please note that all applicants are recruited in line with the CSC’s anti-fraud policy and procedure which can be viewed here.

Further general conditions, information and guidelines can be found on the CSC website.