Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships for Students of the Gambia 2018

The CSC is offering a special programme of Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships to welcome the Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth in 2018.

Application Deadline: 7th June 2018 by 23:59 (BST)

Eligible Countries: The Gambia

To Be Taken at (country): UK

About the Award: Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships 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. These scholarships are offered under six themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Type: Master’s, PhD (full-time)

Eligibility: To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by the Gambia, or be a British Protected Person
• Be permanently resident in the Gambia
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by:
  • For Master’s study, the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2018
  • For PhD study, January 2019
• By October 2018, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
• For PhD study, NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2018
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

Selection Criteria: The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Quality of the plan of study
• Potential of the candidate to lead in the pursuit of global excellence in research and knowledge

Number of Awards: Not specified

Duration of Scholarships: 12 months for Masters and up to 36 months for PhD

Value of Scholarships: Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed)
• Approved tuition and examination fees
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,043 per month, or £1,279 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2016-2017 levels)
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
• Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
• For PhD Scholars, fieldwork grant towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved
• For PhD Scholars, paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed (or intend to claim) spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork)
• If your scholarship is at least 18 months long, the following family allowances:
• Spouse allowance of £224 per month if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
• Child allowance of £224 per month for the first child, and £110 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your spouse and children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK
• If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent (irrespective of the length of your scholarship), child allowance of £448 per month for the first child, and £110 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.

How to Apply: You must make your application directly to the CSC using the CSC’s application system. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via its application system.

All applications must be submitted by 23:59 (BST) on 7 June 2018 at the latest.

In your application, you must provide the following supporting documentation:

• Full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English)
• Proof that you hold eligible citizenship: a copy of your passport or birth certificate

You must provide the following supporting documentation to be received by the CSC by 23.59 (BST) on 14 June 2018:

• References from at least two individuals
• For PhD study, a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at one or more of the UK universities named on your application form

If this documentation is not provided by the dates specified above, your application will be considered ineligible.

• Apply now for a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
• Apply now for a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship

Visit Programme Webpage for Details

Award Provider: UK Department for International Development (DFID)