The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) is responsible for managing Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
The CSC supports over 800 awards annually. Awards are funded by the Department for International Development (for developing Commonwealth countries), and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Scottish Government (for developed Commonwealth countries), in conjunction with UK universities. The CSC also nominates UK citizens for scholarships to study in other Commonwealth countries under the CSFP.
The CSC makes available seven types of award:
- Scholarships for PhD research
- Scholarships for Master’s study
- Shared Scholarships for developing country students who would not otherwise be able to undertake Master’s level study in the UK, jointly supported by UK universities
- Academic Fellowships aimed at mid-career staff in developing country universities
- Split-site Scholarships to support PhD candidates to spend up to one year in the UK as part of their doctoral studies
- Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals in developing countries
- Distance Learning Scholarships enabling developing country students to study UK Master’s degree courses while living in their home countries
The CSC is a non-departmental public body in its own right, and members are appointed in line with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The CSC’s secretariat is provided by the Association of Commonwealth Universities; overseas services are provided by the British Council.
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The Plan was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by Commonwealth education ministers at their triennial meetings – the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition. A report on the activities of the CSFP in 2006-2009 was presented to the 17th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in June 2009.
