Please note that this page gives information on how to apply through a national nominating agency.  However, candidates can also apply for Commonwealth Scholarships through certain developing country universities.  For a list of universities who are invited to nominate for Scholarships (the application form is the same through both nomination routes), see Applying through universities in developing countries

Please note that the Commission has recently announced that it will be able to offer awards for doctoral study to Australia, The Bahamas, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore for 2009.  Please see here for information on these Scholarships and how to apply for them.

Citizens of other Commonwealth countries, please see the information below on how to apply for doctoral, masters and split-site Scholarships in 2009:

There is a nominating agency for Commonwealth Scholarships in each Commonwealth country. Each year, the Commission writes to each agency asking for a specific number of nominations to be sent to us by December 31st. Each agency is responsible for its own selection process, and in most cases will set a deadline date in the months preceding this.

Approximately 200-230 scholarships are awarded each year.

Each year, the Commission seeks about three times more nominations than it has places available. Candidates who are nominated, therefore, are not certain to get a scholarship. There are no quotas for any individual country.

Applications may be for study at Masters or doctoral level, and are tenable at any UK university.  Candidates may also apply for Split-site doctoral awards, in which the Commission supports one year's study in the United Kingdom as part of a doctorate being taken in the home country. All subject areas are eligible, although the Commission selection criteria do give priority to those applications that demonstrate strong relevance to development.

For applicants from developing countries for 2009/10:

Please note that nominations have now been received by the Commission for Scholarships in 2009 so it is not possible to make any further applications.  Results will be communicated to the nominating Agency and to nominated candidates at the start of April. 

Invitations for nominations for 2010 will be sent to Agencies by the end of July 2009 at which point the 2010 application form and prospectus will be made available on this Website and candidates will be able to apply through the nominating Agency in their home country.

The 2009 Prospectus and selection criteria are maintained below for information only but please be aware that these will change for 2010.

• Prospectus 183 KB

• Selection Criteria

Applications are considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• The quality of the proposal
• The likely impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country
 

Further Details of Selection Criteria 44 KB

 

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