The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.
Who we are
The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
The CSC operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and is a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.
What we do
To date, over 34,000 people have taken up Commonwealth Scholarships since the first group of 175 Scholars arrived in the UK in 1960. Since then the scheme has constantly developed, adapting to the very different world of the present. You can read more about what we do in the CSC’s impact report.
Our development impact
The CSC champions sustainable development and supports Commonwealth Scholars to drive innovation, lead change, and advance knowledge in their home countries and beyond.
By building a community of Scholars, Fellows, and Alumni who can use their expertise to address development challenges, the CSC aims to create a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable world for all.
Latest publications
Skills, Networks, and Development Impact: A Contribution Analysis of Commonwealth Scholarships
For more than six decades, Commonwealth Scholarships have supported talented individuals from across the Commonwealth to gain advanced knowledge,...
Driving Environmental Resilience across Policy, Community, and Global Diplomacy in Bangladesh
Environmental governance in Bangladesh is shaped by intersecting pressures on its river systems, wetlands, and terrestrial ecosystems, alongside...
Building Women’s Economic Agency and Advancing Gender-Responsive Disaster Management in Malawi
In Malawi, entrenched gender inequality intersects with economic fragility and intensifying climate shocks—leaving women disproportionately exposed...
Latest news
Commonwealth Alumni Reconnect in Mauritius
The British High Commission in Mauritius hosted a Commonwealth Alumni Engagement Evening on 30 July 2026, bringing together Commonwealth Alumni and...
Exploring opportunities and risks of AI in the workplace in Kenya
Commonwealth Alumni in Kenya came together for a timely discussion on artificial intelligence (AI), its growing influence on the workplace, and the...
Applications open for the Alumni Community Engagement Fund 2026-27
We are pleased to announce that applications for the CSC’s Alumni Community Engagement Fund (ACEF) are now open. ACEF is an annual fund which...
