Student Management ServicesGraduate Research Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships in the United Kingdom

The Commonwealth Scholarships in the United Kingdom enables students from Commonwealth countries to pursue full-time doctoral studies at specific universities in the United Kingdom.  The award is particularly aimed at students of 'high intellectual promise, with the ability to make a real difference in their own countries'.  The most up-to-date Commonwealth Scholarships information and a list of UK institutions approved for study under this scholarship can be accessed here

Number

Benefits & conditions

Eligibility criteria

Selection criteria

Application process (including required documents)

Application outcome

Closing dates & timelines

For further information

Number

Between 6 and 8 doctoral scholarships in total will be available for the 2010/11 round for citizens of all Commonwealth countries to study in the United Kingdom.  Scholarships will be jointly funded by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and host universities.

Benefits & conditions

The Commonwealth Scholarships provide a maintenance allowance, tuition and examination fees, airfares and other allowances.

Candidates must be intending to complete full-time doctoral studies at an eligible UK institution

Eligibility criteria 

Applicants must be Australian citizens (by birth or naturalization) and be permanently residing in a Commonwealth country other than the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man;

Applicants must hold, by October 2010, a first degree of upper second class Honours standard (or above) or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification, which will normally be a Master’s degree;

Applicants must be available to commence their academic studies in the United Kingdom by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2010.

Selection criteria

Selection is based on 3 main criteria: academic merit; the candidate's leadership potential and the quality of the research plan.

Application process & required documents

IDP Australia has advised that the Prospectus is now available and that applicants apply online at

http://www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/eas.asp.

Applicants are strongly advised to read all documents carefully and visit the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website for up-to-date developments before completing the application.

Once the online application is submitteed applicants are then required to print and submit to the Melbourne Scholarships Office eight copies* of their application; and

Eight* recent passport-sized photographs, stapled (not stuck) to each form in the space provided;

Eight* certified copies of academic transcripts;

Eight* copies of a university admissions letter

Eight* copies of a letter of acceptance from your UK supervisor (for Split-Site applicants only [please see the prospectus for further information about Split-Site applicants])

Eight* certified copies of your birth certificate. Proof of Australian citizenship is required for applicants who were not born in Australia;

Three confidential references. 

References should be sent directly to the Melbourne Scholarships Office by 12 October 2009. 

* one original and 7 copies

Please note: copies of original documents such as birth certificates and academic transcripts must be certified.  Uncertified photocopies will not be accepted and original documents will not be returned to applicants.

It is strongly recommended that candidates apply independently to their preferred institutions in the UK at, or before, the time of their application. Where offers of entry have been received at the time of application, copies of these should also be enclosed in the application.

Application outcome

The Commonwealth Scholarships are administered by IDP Education Australia (IDP). The University's Graduate Research Scholarships Committee forwards a recommended short-list of University of Melbourne graduates to IDP for their consideration in mid-November. Applicants should expect to receive information about the progress of their application from March 2010.

Closing date

Applicants must submit their application, all required documents to the Melbourne Scholarships Office by 5pm on Monday 12 October 2009.

For further information

If you have any specific queries regarding the Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK scheme please contact:

IDP Education Pty Ltd

1 Geils Court

Deakin ACT 2600

GPO Box 2006

Canberra ACT 2601

Email:       fellowships.enquiries@idp.com

Phone:       (+61 2) 6285 8357

Fax:          (+61 2) 6285 3553

For the most up-to-date Commonwealth Scholarships in the United Kingdom information view the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website.

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