How to Get Nominated for Commonwealth UK Scholarship 2025 by the Government (Step-by-Step Guide)

Earlier in the month of September 2024, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission announced the opening of the agency-nominated Commonwealth Masters Scholarship program, one of the three scholarships offered by the Commission. 

The scholarship offers a fully funded scholarship for master’s and Ph.D. students alongside several other attractive rewards; Living allowance, family accommodation, research stipends, visa, and airfare ticket for candidates and their families. 

Many of our users have requested more clarification as to the application procedure for the agency-nominated Commonwealth Scholarship. Which agency is nominating and how can they reach out to the said nominating agency?

Who are the nominating agencies?

Before explaining how the government nominates candidates for the agency-nominated commonwealth scholarship program, it is imperative to have some basic understanding about the scholarship program. 

There are two categories of  agency bodies that would be manning the scholarship offer:

• National nominating agencies – this is the main route of applications
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

How to Get Nominated?

Firstly, it is expected that all applicants know that the scholarship body expects all applicants to apply directly using the commonwealth scholarship portal. – https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/

However, Each nominating agency oversees its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. Candidates must check with the nominating agency for their specific advice and rules for applying, and their own eligibility criteria. Nominating agencies may set their own closing date for applications.

Candidates must complete an application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application required to be completed by the nominating agency. The CSC is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

The national nominating agencies are Member countries of the Commonwealth Nation. This country is expected to also publish guidelines for prospective applicants which could guide candidates on application methodology.  to 

For example, in Nigeria, applicants who be expected to partake in the screening exercise which involves;

• Certificate verification
• Interview 
•  Submission of Referee letter
• Submission of Medical Reports 
• Supporting Documents from Sponsor bodies 
• Result of interview

Requirements:

• 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 the start of the UK academic year in September 2025
• By September 2025, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)*. The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

NGO Nominations

For those who can’t make it through the national nominations; the other available option is the NGO nominations.

The Selected NGO that can nominate is the following 

• Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust
• Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF
• Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)
• HALI Access Network
• Wellcome Trust
• Windle Trust International

Source: Scholarshipregion