The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2024/2025 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). These scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aim to support talented individuals from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries in pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.
The application period will run from September 10 to October 15, 2024, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply online. Detailed guidelines and application forms can be accessed through the Federal Ministry of Education’s official channels.
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must possess either a First Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree in their undergraduate studies. For PhD scholarships, a Second Class Lower Division degree is acceptable. Applicants must also have a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and secure at least two admissions from UK universities before applying.
Candidates must be citizens 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. They must also be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024.
The application process is free of charge, and applicants must print their completed forms before submission. For PhD candidates, a supporting statement from a UK university supervisor is required.
In addition to the academic requirements, applicants must demonstrate that they are unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. They must also provide all supporting documentation in the required format, including proof of citizenship or refugee status, full academic transcripts, and references from at least two individuals.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) will evaluate 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 possess the capability and drive to contribute meaningfully to international development and leverage their education for the benefit of their home nations.
Eligible countries for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships include 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, and Zambia.
The CSC will not accept documentation submitted outside the online system or after the closing date. References and supporting statements must be on institutional letterhead or email from a verified source and must address specific criteria regarding the applicant’s qualifications and potential impact.
Interested candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines before submitting their applications. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is committed to administering and managing the scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner, ensuring that the selected individuals have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to international development.
This opportunity presents a valuable chance for talented individuals from eligible Commonwealth countries to pursue higher education in the UK and contribute to the development of their home nations. The Federal Government’s initiative in promoting and facilitating this program is a testament to its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.
