As an average Nigerian who has seen the impact of proper education in his environment, his reach has been hampered largely due to economic instability.
The Department of International Development has introduced the Commonwealth Scholarship and fellowship plan for Nigerians who want to study in the U.K to help them push their dream.
The scholarship is aimed at birthing excellence in individuals with a passionate drive to pioneer innovations that will have a global impact.
Table of contents
- What is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan?
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan for Nigerians
- FAQs
- EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATION
What is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan?
The Commonwealth Scholarship and fellowship plan is a program under the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
This organization provides the UK government scholarship scheme pioneered by international development objectives.
The Commonwealth scholarship commission doesn’t run outside the horizon of the Commonwealth Scholarship and fellowship plan and demonstrates the unyielding commitment of the U.K. to the Commonwealth.
This is achieved through the support of innovations and the grooming of future leaders across the Commonwealth, attracting outstanding talent to British Universities to ensure sustainable development with the national interest of the UK at heart.
In the execution of this duty, a rigorous process is introduced to ensure the provision of equity and inclusion, widespread access, and reward merit, especially to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Department for International Development remains the key sponsor in the Commonwealth Scholarship and fellowship plan program for Nigerians, funding awards to worthy candidates.
Some other contributors to the scheme include the Department of Education and the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan for Nigerians
In preparing your application for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, there are eight scholarship and fellowship opportunities. They include;
- Commonwealth Professional Fellowship
- Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarship
- Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarships
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
- Commonwealth Medical Fellowships
#1. Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowship is a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships for Nigerians who are mid-career professionals.
Nigerians under this scheme will be required to spend between six weeks and three months in an organization in the U.K. working in the sector of a program on professional development.
This professional fellowship funded by the Department of International Development aims to support Nigerians to enhance viable knowledge and skills needed for catalytic effects in their place of work.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for this fellowship, you must;
- Possess citizenship of any Commonwealth country.
- Have permanent residency in any Commonwealth country.
- Have at least five years of experience, either full or part-time, working in a profession related to the fellowship.
- Be employed at the time of application and promise to return at the end of the fellowship.
- I have never been a beneficiary of the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years.
- Not be seeking an academic research or study program in the U.K. as there is a different scheme.
- Be available to partake in the fellowship, which will last one month between February 10, 2020, and March 10, 2020.
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria will largely depend on the following;
The amplitude to which the fellowship will guarantee the delegation of relevant skills to the needs of the Fellow’s country.
The amplitude to which the skills will lead to practical benefits for the home country following the fellowship.
The amplitude to which the fellowship will hover, either within the home country concerned or in constituting new relationships with the U.K.
Value of Commonwealth Professional Fellowship
The fellowship will provide the following;
Airfare from the fellow’s home country to the U.K.
The living allowance is payable monthly during the duration of the fellowship.
Arrival allowance, including reimbursement of visa application fee and clothing.
Fess will be paid to the host organization depending on the duration stated.
Flat rate contribution provides the necessary material for the fellow to participate in meetings.
How to Apply;
There are five stages in submitting your application for the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship. These stages include;
- The prospective host organization must apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission through the online application portal.
- Your application will be reviewed by a select group of panel members who will forward the results to the relevant organizations.
- As a successful applicant, you will be invited to apply for a program at a specific host organization using the online application form.
- Each host organization will submit the names of two to five fellows.
- The commission will independently make its selection of individuals for this fellowship.
The official link for sending in your application for this fellowship program is displayed below.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is Friday, 20th September 2019.
#2. Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships
These Ph.D. scholarships for least-developed countries still fall under our focus of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships for Nigerians.
These scholarships are for full-time doctoral study at selected universities in the U.K.
Eligibility:
To apply for this scholarship, you have to;
- Be granted refugee status by any Commonwealth country or protected by the British.
- Possess permanent residency in any of the eligible Commonwealth countries.
- Be ready to commence your studies in the U.K. by September 2020.
- Hold a degree of at least Second Class Upper Honours or Second Class lower Honours with a pertinent postgraduate qualification.
- Possess support from a potential supervisor in a U.K university listed in your application form.
- Not commenced any registration for any Ph.D. program in your home country before September 2020.
- Be incapable of studying in the U.K. without this scholarship.
- Provided all the important documents in the required format.
Selection Criteria
All applications for the Commonwealth Ph.D. scholarships will be measured using the following criteria;
Quality and plan to study
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin.
Value of Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarship
The scholarship will furnish the following;
Airfare from home country to the U.K and return at the end of the award, excluding journeys made before the confirmation of the award. (Clonazepam)
Tuition Fees
The living allowance will be paid monthly. With a warm clothing allowance
Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel.
Provided the cost of fieldwork
Covered cost of a mid-term visit to your home country unless claimed.
Family allowances are dependent on who accompanies you on the journey.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Commonwealth Ph.D. scholarship is October 30th, 2019.
How to Apply:
Application for this scholarship is made through any of the following nomination bodies;
- National Nominating Agencies
- Selected University Bodies
- Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies
For more information on how to use the application systems listed above, please click the link below.
#3. Commonwealth Split-Side Scholarship
These Commonwealth scholarships are for Ph.D. candidates from countries like Nigeria to spend a year at a select U.K University as part of their academic pursuit in their home country.
They are initiated for highly motivated Nigerians to gain the necessary skills and expertise for societal development.
Eligibility:
To apply for the Commonwealth Split-Side Scholarship, you have to;
- Possess citizenship or be granted refugee status by any of the Commonwealth countries.
- Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be finished with the registration process for Ph.D. in any eligible Commonwealth country.
- Guarantee a connection between your home country and your proposed U.K university.
- Be accessible to begin your program in September 2020.
- Hold a degree of at least Second Class Upper Honours or Second Class lower Honours with a pertinent postgraduate qualification.
- Be incapable of studying in the U.K. without this scholarship.
- Provided all the important documents in the required format.
Selection Criteria
All applications for the Commonwealth Ph.D. scholarships will be measured using the following criteria;
Quality and plan to study
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin.
Value of Commonwealth Split-Side Scholarship
Airfare from home country to the U.K and return at the end of the award, excluding journeys made before the confirmation of the award.
Tuition Fees.
The living allowance will be paid monthly with a generous clothing allowance.
hin or
Study travel grants towards the cost of study-related journeys within and outside the U.K.
In case of a disability, the CSC will assess full needs and eligibility.
As a single parent, certain allowances will be paid to you for your children under 16.
Application Deadline
All applicants must have submitted their application before the end of November 6, 2019.
How to Apply:
All applications for the Commonwealth Split-side scholarship for Nigerians will be made through the CSC.
Any application submitted through any of the nomination bodies will be declared invalid.
Supporting Documents
Certain supporting documents must accompany your application. These documents include the following;
- Copy of valid passport or national identity card displaying the date of birth, country of origin, or proof of refugee status.
- All transcripts display all educational qualifications.
- Supporting statement from your home country supervisor, including details of institutional links.
- Reference from at least one individual- submitted by the referee.
- Supporting statement from project supervisor at a U.K University.
Click the link below to get access to the online application form.
#4. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
These Commonwealth scholarships are for Nigerians who want to study full-time at a University in the U.K.
The scholarship will promote bilateral relations and inject a flow of excellence into the beneficiaries from countries under the Commonwealth.
Eligibility:
To apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship for Nigerian Students, you need to;
- Be finished with the registration process for Ph.D. in any eligible Commonwealth country.
- Guarantee a connection between your home country and your proposed U.K university.
- Be accessible to begin your program in September 2020.
- Hold a degree of at least Second Class Upper Honours or Second Class lower Honours with a pertinent postgraduate qualification.
- Be incapable of studying in the U.K. without this scholarship.
- Possess citizenship or be granted refugee status by any of the Commonwealth countries.
- Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
Selection Criteria
All applications for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships will be measured using the following criteria;
Quality and plan to study
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin
Value of Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
The value attached to the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship includes;
Airfare from home country to the U.K and return at the end of the award, excluding journeys made before the confirmation of the award.
Tuition Fees
The living allowance will be paid monthly with a generous clothing allowance.
Thesis grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the U.K or overseas
Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the U.K or overseas.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is October 30, 2019.
How To Apply:
Application for this scholarship is made through any of the following nomination bodies;
To get a good guide on the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship for Nigerians application form and process using the nomination bodies, please click the link below.
#5. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for Nigerians who want to undergo a full-time Master’s study in selected universities in the U.K.
These institutions offer programs in certain courses that promote societal growth and innovation.
Eligibility:
Forwarding your application for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship connotes;
- Hold a degree of at least Second Class Upper Honours or Second Class lower Honours with a pertinent postgraduate qualification.
- Be incapable of studying in the U.K. without this scholarship.
- Provided all the important documents in the required format.
- Possess citizenship or be granted refugee status by any of the Commonwealth countries.
- Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be finished with the registration process for Ph.D. in any eligible Commonwealth country.
- Guarantee a connection between your home country and your proposed U.K university.
Selection Criteria
The criteria used in the selection of candidates for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships include;
Quality and plan to study
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin
Value of Scholarship
Successful applicants will get access to the following;
Airfare from home country to the U.K and return at the end of the award, excluding journeys made before the confirmation of the award.
Tuition Fees.
The living allowance will be paid monthly, not forgetting the initial warm clothing allowance.
Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the U.K or overseas.
Application Process & Deadline
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for Nigerians has expired for the year 2020. We promise to keep you updated with details of the 2024 version of this scholarship.
#6. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship for Nigerians is to aid interested candidates in enrolling for a part-time Master’s study by distance learning on selected courses in U.K universities.
Courses under this scholarship program are primed to create catalytic responses in beneficiaries that will spur economic growth.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship for Nigerians, you must;
- Be finished with the registration process for Ph.D. in any eligible Commonwealth country.
- Guarantee a connection between your home country and your proposed U.K university.
- Be accessible to begin your program in September 2020.
- Hold a degree of at least Second Class Upper Honours or Second Class lower Honours with a pertinent postgraduate qualification.
- Be incapable of studying in the U.K. without this scholarship.
- Possess citizenship or be granted refugee status by any of the Commonwealth countries.
- Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Provide all the important documents in the required format.
Selection Criteria
The criteria used in the selection of candidates for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships include;
Quality and plan to study
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin
Value of Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
Successful applicants will get access to the following;
Airfare from home country to the U.K and return at the end of the award, excluding journeys made before the confirmation of the award.
Tuition Fees.
The living allowance will be paid monthly, not forgetting the initial warm clothing allowance.
Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the U.K or overseas.
Application Process & Deadline
The application for the Commonwealth Distance Learning scholarship 2020 is currently not open. We at World Scholarship Forum promise to update you as soon as it reopens.
#7. Commonwealth Medical Fellowships
These fellowships are for staff currently in mid-level with a keen desire to improve their clinical skills.
This medical personnel will be initiated into ideal and practical ways of dealing with medical issues. Over 35,000 people have passed through this fellowship since its inception.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Medical Fellowship, you must;
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be a resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Possess an academic appointment in eligible Commonwealth countries at one of the medical schools recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Have gained employment by a hospital affiliated with the Medical School where you have an academic appointment.
- Avail yourself to start your fellowship in the UK in January 2020
- Possess doctoral qualification as a doctor before October 1, 2004.
- Have met the English language requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC) within 2 months of being notified that you have been provisionally selected for an award.
- Have qualified at a medical school recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools.
Selection Criteria
Quality of the proposal (not less than 200 words)
The academic strength of the candidate
Possible impact on the development of the candidate’s country of origin
Application Form & Deadline
The application deadline for the Commonwealth Doctoral Fellowships 2019 has expired. The 2020 edition is yet to start, and we at the World Scholarship forum promise to keep you updated as soon as it happens.
FAQs
There are 53 countries under the Commonwealth. Most of these countries are affiliated by political resemblance.
Getting a scholarship in the U.K. is possible, and it only demands you check the eligibility. Check our category of scholarships in the U.K to help you.
No, you can’t apply for more than one commonwealth scholarship. However, you can reapply as a failed applicant.
Yes. The Commonwealth scholarship runs yearly; you can apply if you are eligible
EDITOR’S RECOMMENDATION
- University of Exeter Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme UK – APPLY
- 230 Fully-funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries
- Fully Funded Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for study in Singapore
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship At University of Oxford UK for Developing Countries
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships at University of Stirling in UK
- Fully-Funded Commonwealth Masters and PhD Scholarships in UK for Developing Countries
