Further Information

Applications for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for 2025-26 are open 11 November 2024 and close on 12 December 2024 16:00 (GMT).

Candidates must apply for both admission to an eligible course at Queen’s and for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship by the closing date.  Candidates should provide any information that they wish to be considered by 12 December 2024 closing date to facilitate the selection process.  The University will consider scholarship applications according to: academic merit of the candidate; quality of the plan of study; and, potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country. The University will put forward their selected candidates to the CSC. The CSC will then confirm that the nominated candidate(s) meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme. Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2025.

For further information about the 2025-26 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship terms and conditions, application process, documentation required and eligibility (candidate and course) please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website at Commonwealth Shared Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (fcdo.gov.uk) 

Funding Towards

Living Costs / Stipend, Miscellaneous, Travel Costs, Tuition Fees

Funding Body

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).  Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Funding Amount

Stipend/living cost £1,347 per month (rates quoted at 2024-25 level) plus approved tuition fees.

The scholarship will cover approved tuition fees and a monthly stipend (living cost), approved air fare for the scholar to and from the UK at the start and end of the programme, a grant to cover thesis costs and study travel.

Further details relating to the value of the scholarship, eligibility, and general conditions included at: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/

Number of Awards

Up to 2 awards are available for 2025 entry, for the following subjects: MA Conflict Transformation and Social Justice; and, MSc City Planning and Design

Funding Body

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).  Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Terms and Conditions

Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility - candidates must: 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 your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2025 By the specified closing date (12 December 2024), hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). For comparability of qualifications refer to International Students: Your Country / Region Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high income country Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format Have applied for and been offered a full time place at Queen’s on an eligible one year Masters programme and must also make a separate scholarship application Satisfy the University’s English Language requirements for entry to the programme normally by the closing date specified and by end March 2025 Confirm that they will return to their home country after the award comes to an end Eligible Masters Course 2025-26 CSC Theme MA in Conflict Transformation & Social Justice Strengthening global peace, Security and Governance MSc City Planning and Design Access, inclusion and opportunity Candidates must ensure to apply for a full-time place on one of the eligible courses listed above.  Note the MPH Global Health is NOT eligible for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for 2025-26.

Funding Type

Help with new course

Fee Status

International

Nationality

Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, The, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Country Group

International

Study Level

Postgraduate Taught

Start Date

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Close Date

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Contact Us

Queries about Commonwealth Shared Scholarships at Queen’s should be directed initially to pgawards@qub.ac.uk 

Queries about the Admission process should be sent to: intl.student@qub.ac.uk 

How to Apply

Candidates must apply for both admission and a scholarship by the deadline. See Step 1 and Step 2 below. It is recommended candidate(s) should, where possible, wait until an offer of a University place has been confirmed before applying for the Shared Scholarship. You will need to quote your Queen’s application number on your Scholarship application.

Scholarship applications must be submitted by 16:00 (GMT) on 12 December 2024 at the latest. Applications for admission to Queen's must be submitted by 23.59 (GMT) on 12 December 2024. You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline and the Commission cannot make allowances for local or personal difficulties which might affect your ability to submit. Candidates who fail to apply for both admission and for a scholarship by the deadline will not be considered.

Step 1 – Apply for Admission

Candidates must apply online for a place on an eligible postgraduate course at Queen’s University Belfast.  Further guidance is provided on the University website in Applying for Postgraduate Study at Queen's and at Your Country / Region | Study | Queen's University Belfast

It will not be possible to assess your application without a fully-completed application form and supporting documentation; refer to Preparing Your Application and English Language Requirements. It is recommended candidates apply for admission at least two weeks in advance of the closing date to allow sufficient time for a decision to be processed. 

Note, entry to postgraduate taught Masters programmes at Queen’s usually requires either a UK upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. 

To be eligible for consideration for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, candidates must have qualifications equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree or a lower second class undergraduate degree (2:2) and also a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the specified closing date. For comparability of qualifications refer to International-students/Your-Country/.

Step 2 – Apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Candidates must make a scholarship application using the CSC’s online application system. You will need to confirm your Queen’s application number on the scholarship form. The CSC will not accept applications that are not submitted using their online application system.  Details of the required supporting documentation to be submitted in order to be eligible for consideration are listed on the CSC website in the section Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Completing Application Form

Please check Commonwealth Shared Scholarships website for more information about how to apply for the scholarship.