The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2024/2025 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), a prestigious program that offers fully funded opportunities for higher education in the United Kingdom. The scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), are designed to support exceptional individuals from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Application Period and Eligibility
The application period runs from September 10 to October 15, 2024. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online during this window. Detailed guidelines and application forms can be accessed through official channels provided by the Federal Ministry of Education.
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must have achieved 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. Additionally, applicants must hold a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and secure at least two admissions from UK universities before applying.
The application process is free of charge. Applicants must print and submit their completed forms online, with PhD candidates required to provide a supporting statement from a UK university supervisor.
Additional Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by September 2024.
- Hold a first degree with at least an Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours standard, or a Lower Second-Class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by September 2024.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Provide all supporting documentation in the required format.
Eligible Countries
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are open to candidates from 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
Applicants must ensure they are citizens of one of these countries and submit the necessary documentation, including proof of citizenship or refugee status, academic transcripts, and references. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the online application system by the deadline.
Selection Criteria
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) assesses applications based on academic merit, the quality of the research proposal, and the potential impact on the applicant’s home country. The CSC seeks individuals who demonstrate the ability to contribute significantly to international development and are motivated to use their education for the benefit of their nations.
Further Information
For more details, interested candidates can visit the following links:
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is a vital opportunity for talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to advance their education and contribute to global development. Nigerian applicants are advised to follow the guidelines carefully and submit their applications within the stipulated timeframe to enhance their chances of success.
For further inquiries, candidates can contact fsb@education.gov.ng.
