CSC Mentoring Programme
The Mentoring Programme enables Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni to connect and inspire each other to create real-world impact.
By matching new Scholars with experienced Alumni working in fields relevant to their studies, the programme offers a unique opportunity for one-on-one guidance and practical insight, helping scholars turn academic knowledge into meaningful action after their Scholarship.
How does the programme work?
Applications open in August each year, with the programme running from the following January – December (one year cycle).
Successful applicants are matched with a Mentor or Mentee whose background and aspirations closely align with their own, ensuring a personalised experience.
Your mentoring partnership will progress through five stages, each designed to help you achieve key milestones and make the most of your time together. You’ll be supported throughout the year with programme handbooks, regular communications, and skills development resources, giving you the tools to succeed at every stage.
To help you get started and build a productive mentoring partnership, you will be invited to join online information sessions at the beginning of the programme. There’ll also be lively virtual meet-ups where you can connect with other Mentees and Mentors, share your experiences, and build best practice.
Who can join the programme?
Commonwealth Master’s and Doctoral Scholars
Become a Mentee and unlock the chance to turn your academic achievements into real-world impact. Through personalised guidance from a Commonwealth Alumnus, you’ll learn how to translate your skills and knowledge into tangible development outcomes back home and gain invaluable insights on navigating life and studies in the UK.
As a Mentee, you’ll receive tailored support to help you excel both academically and professionally, with advice on everything from adapting to a new culture to building the employability skills that will set you apart after your Scholarship.
Commonwealth Alumni
By becoming a Mentor, you’ll play a crucial role in guiding and inspiring the next generation of Scholars, helping them to develop the skills and confidence needed to create meaningful change in their home countries and fields.
As a Mentor, you’ll have the rewarding opportunity to share your knowledge and offer practical advice, supporting a Scholar as they navigate their studies and future career. You’ll also expand your own skillset, enhancing your leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities.
You will receive information via email when applications open. If you have any questions, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact alumni@cscuk.org.uk
Why should I take part?
To find out what inspired previous Mentors and Mentees to join the programme, read the testimonials below.
“The Mentoring Programme exceeded my expectations in most areas, particularly in understanding how to apply my studies for development impact and learning from my Mentor’s expertise as a Commonwealth Scholar. My Mentor provided invaluable insights into practical applications of my field, helping me align my academic goals with real-world challenges. My Mentor also offered excellent professional development advice, which has been instrumental in shaping my career plans. While the advice on living and studying in the UK was helpful, it aligned closely with what I had anticipated. Overall, the programme has been a transformative experience.”
2023 Mentee from India
Commonwealth Alumni who have significant professional experience post-Scholarship can volunteer to become a Mentor.
As a Mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise to support a new Scholar in developing appropriate skills and knowledge to achieve development impact post-Scholarship and provide advice on how these skills can applied in their home country or home country region. Through the programme, you will develop mentoring and professional skills, such as leadership, communication, and knowledge-sharing.
“The CSC Mentoring Programme provided a well-structured platform for personal and professional growth, offering both the resources and guidance necessary to foster meaningful Mentor-Mentee relationships. The programme enabled me to enhance my mentoring skills, while also giving me the opportunity to make a positive impact on my Mentee’s academic, professional, and social development. The collaborative aspect was particularly rewarding, as it allowed me to share knowledge and learn from my Mentee’s fresh perspectives. I feel that the programme successfully met its objectives, and I would recommend it to fellow Alumni seeking to develop as Mentors.”
2023 Mentor from Pakistan
How does the programme work?
Applications open in September 2025 and pairings will be announced in November 2025. The programme runs for one year from December 2025 to December 2026.
Successful applicants are matched in a one-to-one mentoring pairing based on their application responses.
The programme consists of 5 stages, which help guide pairs through important milestones to achieve their goals for the programme. Mentees and Mentors will have access to resources including programme handbooks and a range of skills development resources. All participants will have the opportunity to attend virtual information sessions at the start of the programme and virtual meet-up sessions to connect with fellow Mentees and Mentors and share best practice.
How can I apply?
All eligible Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni will receive full information about the programme and how to apply in September 2024. You can find out more about the by reading Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
If you have any questions about the programme, contact the CSC Alumni Team at alumni@cscuk.org.uk
Previous mentoring participants
You can read about the experiences of previous programme participants in the testimonials below.
Building a lasting relationship
Adurosakin Oluwapelumi Eniola is a 2021 Commonwealth Scholar from Nigeria. She was paired with a Commonwealth Alumnus from her home country. Read about how she formed a solid Mentor-Mentee relationship during her Master’s studies to support her academic and professional development.
Learning from the experiences of a home country Mentor
Rajneesh Kumar is a 2020 Scholar from India. He was paired with a Commonwealth Alumnus from his home country. Read about how he utilised the experiences of being paired with a Mentor from the same country to understand the development impact potential of his study.
Delivering focused and strategic advice for the future
Commonwealth Alumnus Constance Nyamikola has been a CSC Mentor since 2021. Read about how she has shared her expertise to support Mentees from India and Ghana to work towards their development impact goals.
Advantages of a cross-country pairing
Matia Alinaitwe is a 2020 Scholar from Uganda. He was paired with Commonwealth Alumnus Tricia McLean Rowe from Jamaica. Read about how they used the mentoring opportunity to share knowledge on GIS systems and learn about each other’s culture.
Celebrating the longer-term impact of the programme
Meenakshi Shukla is a 2016 Scholar from India. She was paired with a Commonwealth Scholar from Ghana. Read about how she continues to work with her Mentee through research collaboration.
Setting realistic goals as a doctoral Mentee
Mwanja Mwale is a 2020 Commonwealth Scholar from Zambia. She was paired with a Commonwealth Alumnus from South Africa. Read about how working with her Mentor helped Mwanja to stay engaged throughout her PhD programme and test out project and research ideas.
