The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that applications are now open for the 2024/2025 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these scholarships are designed to help talented individuals from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.
Applications can be submitted online between September 10 and October 15, 2024.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, applicants can access detailed guidelines and application forms by following these steps:
Eligibility Requirements:
- To qualify for a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, applicants must hold a First Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree. PhD applicants may apply with a Second Class Lower Division degree.
- Applicants must possess a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and secure at least two admissions from UK universities before applying.
- The application process is free, and applicants must print their completed forms before submission. PhD candidates need to include a supporting statement from a UK university supervisor.
Further details indicate that applicants must:
- Be a citizen or have refugee status from an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start studies in the UK by September 2024.
- By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours or a Lower Second-Class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification, such as a Master’s degree. The CSC does not typically fund second Master’s degrees unless justified.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Submit all supporting documentation in the required format.
Eligible Countries for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships:
Applicants must be from one of the following eligible countries:
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
Supporting Documentation:
Applicants must upload several documents, including proof of citizenship or refugee status, full academic transcripts, and references from at least two individuals, in PDF format to the online application system by the deadline. The CSC will not accept documents submitted outside the online system or after the closing date. References and supporting statements should be on institutional letterhead or email from a verified source and must address specific criteria regarding the applicant’s qualifications and potential impact.
Selection Criteria:
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) evaluates applications based on academic merit, the quality of the research proposal, and the potential impact on the candidate’s home country. The CSC seeks individuals who can contribute to international development and who intend to use their education to benefit their home nations.
What To Know:
For more information, interested candidates can visit the following links:
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan offers a valuable opportunity for talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to enhance their education and contribute to global development. Nigerian applicants are encouraged to follow the guidelines and submit their applications before the deadline to increase their chances of securing these prestigious scholarships. For further inquiries, candidates can contact fsb@education.gov.ng.
