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The University of Birmingham has been awarded ten Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSCUK) for students from low or middle income Commonwealth countries joining the distance-learning MSc International Development (Conflict, Security and Development), commencing their studies in September 2021.  

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are offered for citizens of certain developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

Please note: due to the high demand for these scholarships candidates will only be considered if they have a strong academic record at undergraduate level and clear evidence of a commitment to the strengthening global peace, security and governance theme scholarship theme, demonstrated through their ‘Development Impact’ and ‘Career Plans’ statements on the scholarship application form.

Scholarships are available to applicants who meet all of the following criteria:

  • 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 a developing Commonwealth country.
  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard. A lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases.
  • Be unable to afford to study the programme without this scholarship.

The programme is undertaken on a part-time basis, is two years in length, flexible, highly interactive, and well-supported. Students will find that they are part of a lively international learning community. .

Scholarship applicants must apply both to the University of Birmingham and to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. 

The deadline for submission to the University of Birmingham to be considered for nomination for a Commonwealth Scholarship is 5 April 2021. Find out more about how to apply to the University. 

In addition to the university’s requirements:

  • The applicant’s personal statement should explain how they might contribute to the theme of strengthening global peace, security and governance, and how the scholarship will benefit them and their country of residence.

Offer letters will only be made to applications that have supplied full supporting documentation by the deadline of 5 April 2021

Applicants maybe invited to attend a Skype interview.

Full instructions for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s Electronic Application System (EAS) are contained on the Scholarship Commission's website.

Applications to the Commonwealth EAS must be submitted by 17:00 (BST) on 26 April 2021. Supporting documentation must be submitted to the CSCUK by 17:00 (BST) 10 May 2021. This includes an offer letter from the University of Birmingham.

The decision as to which students are offered a scholarship will be made by CSCUK, based on the University’s recommendations, and we anticipate that successful applicants will be notified during July 2021.