JUST IN: SCHOLARSHIP! SCHOLARSHIP!! SCHOLARSHIP!!!- FULLY FUNDED

University of Birmingham 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and UK universities, including the University of Birmingham, to jointly support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

Funding Type Fully Funded

Country to study United Kingdom

School to study University of Birmingham

Type Postgraduate

Sponsor University of Birmingham

Gender Men and Women

The award is financed jointly by the University and the DFID. The award will cover:

Full tuition fees

Maintenance stipend

Air fare to and from the United Kingdom

Immigration Health Surcharge costs 

A one-off arrival allowance payment 

Thesis expenses 

Study travel grant

Requirements for University of Birmingham Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

Candidates must also certify that they:

i. Are nationals of a Commonwealth developing country, and not at present living or studying in a developed country;

ii. Have not undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country;

iii. Are themselves, or through their families, unable to pay to study in the United Kingdom;

iv. Agree to return to their own country to work or study as soon as the award ends. The commission will only consider requests to extend leave to remain in the UK post-award for those wishing to move from Masters to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

DFID requires that the University certifies when submitting its shortlist of candidates that they are sufficiently proficient in the English language to cope with the course for which they have applied. This will normally mean that you will have to have satisfied any requirements concerning competence in the English language which are a condition of your offer of admission.(IELTS certificate will serve)

v. Candidates must also have been offered a place at the University of Birmingham on one of the following postgraduate programme:

MA Africa and Development

MSc Development Policy and Politics

MSc Conflict, Security and Development

MSc Clinical Oncology

MSc Environment, Development and Politics

Application Documents

Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.

Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.

Application Deadline

December 18, 2025

How to Apply

Make an application on the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship website by the deadline given by Commonwealth Scholarships

Have made an application to study one of the approved programmes at the Univerity of Birmingham

For more details,visit University of Birmingham website