How to apply for UK Commonwealth Scholarships for Nigerian Students

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.

Interested candidates can apply online from September 10 to October 15, 2024.

According to a post on the official X page of the Federal Ministry of Education, applicants can access detailed guidelines and application forms through specified procedures:

Eligibility Requirements:

• For Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must have 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 have a valid NYSC discharge or exemption certificate and must secure at least two admissions from UK universities before applying.
• 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.

Further eligibility criteria include:

• Being a citizen of or having been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or being a British Protected Person.
• Being permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Being available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024.
• By September 2024, holding a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC does not normally fund a second Master’s degree unless the applicant provides justification for it.
• Being unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Providing all supporting documentation in the required format.

Eligible Countries for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: Candidates 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 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 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 demonstrate the capability to contribute meaningfully to international development and possess 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 fsb@education.gov.ng.