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FG Opens Applications for 2024/2025 Commonwealth Scholarships

Published

3 months ago

Aug 30, 2024.

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), are designed to support talented individuals from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries in pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that interested applicants are encouraged to apply online, with the application window running from September 10 to October 15, 2024.

According to a statement on the official X page of the Federal Ministry of Education, detailed guidelines and application forms can be accessed through the following procedures:

Commonwealth Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must hold 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 have a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and secure at least two admissions from UK universities before applying.

The National Information Service (NIS) confirmed that the application process is free of charge, and applicants must print their completed forms before submission. PhD candidates are required to provide a supporting statement from a UK university supervisor.

EDITOR’S PICKS:

Further eligibility criteria include:

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 academic studies in the UK by September 2024.

Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard by September 2024, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).The CSC typically does not fund a second Master’s degree unless justified.

Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

Provide 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

Commonwealth-related platforms have emphasized that applicants must ensure they are citizens of the listed countries before applying.

Supporting Documentation: Applicants must submit several documents, including proof of citizenship or refugee status, full academic transcripts, and references from at least two individuals. These documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the online application system by the specified deadline. The CSC will not accept documentation submitted outside the online system or after the closing date. References and supporting statements should be on institutional letterhead or emailed from a verified source, addressing 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 demonstrate the ability to contribute meaningfully to international development and have the drive to leverage their education for the benefit of their home nations.

What to Know: For further details, interested candidates can access the following links:

For Master’s candidates: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
For PhD candidates: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan represents a significant opportunity for talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to advance their education and contribute to global development.

By offering financial support and access to world-class education in the UK, the CSFP continues to foster international collaboration and sustainable development.

Nigerian applicants are urged to adhere to the guidelines and deadlines to maximize their chances of securing these prestigious scholarships. For further inquiries, candidates can contact [email protected].

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