Our development impact

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond. Find out how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact within their organisations and communities, and across nations and internationally, in our series of Development Impact Stories.

CSC development themes
Impact stories
Time Limited Programmes
Evaluating Impact
65 YEARS OF IMPACT

CSC development themes

The CSC is driven forward by international development objectives. As part of their application, Commonwealth Scholars select at least 3 UN Sustainable Development Goals that they aim to impact post-award and scholarships are offered across six key development themes:

Science and technology for development

Strengthening health systems and capacity

Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship

Strengthening global peace, security and governance

Strengthening resilience and response to crises

Access, inclusion and opportunity

Science and technology for development
Commonwealth Scholarships are offered in any area of science or technology (including, for example, agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), to develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs of a low or middle-income country. Where possible, applications should cite expressed national or local priorities.
Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
Commonwealth Scholarships help to support economic prosperity in low and middle-income countries. The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for example, enhanced trade capacity; improved economic understanding or decision-making by business or government; new products and services; or long-term capacity building, for example through the development of entrepreneurial skills.
Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded in subjects that address a broad range of threats, including natural and physical disasters; long-term threats such as climate change; interruptions to the supply of key resources; and sudden economic or technological disruption and developing new treatments.
Find out more about the CSC Development Themes
Strengthening health systems and capacity
In order to improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and middle-income countries, Commonwealth Scholarships support the development of knowledge and/or skills across a range of approaches. These approaches include training staff to fill critical shortage areas; establishing better systems, processes, or management; health promotion and improving understanding of non-take up; and developing new treatments.
Strengthening global peace, security and governance
Commonwealth Scholarships develop knowledge and/or skills that will strengthen peace and security at national, regional, or international levels. Multiple approaches are studied and implemented by our Scholars, such as strengthening open and transparent governance; improving mutual understanding within and between societies; or building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its resolution.
Access, inclusion and opportunity
Commonwealth Scholarships help to promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and middle-income countries. Our Commonwealth Scholars expand educational opportunities; conduct community outreach; enhance access to decision-making; and increase understanding of the barriers faced. A range of disadvantage is addressed through our Commonwealth Scholars’ work – including social, economic, gender, ethnic, regional, and political.
33%

Strengthening health systems and capacity

36%

Science and technology for development

8%

Access, inclusion and opportunity

9%

Strengthening resilience and response to crises

7%

Strengthening global peace, security and governance

7%

Promoting global prosperity

Levels of impact reported by Commonwealth Alumni. (Source: 2021 Longitudinal Alumni Survey)

Development impact stories

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond. Find out how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact within their organisations and communities, and across nations and internationally, in our series of development impact stories.

Read all development impact stories

Time Limited Programmes

Since 2018, the CSC has been running unique Time Limited Programmes (TLPs) which sit outside of our main programmes and allow us to respond flexibly to current political or environmental challenges affecting the Commonwealth. These projects run for a one-year period and include a series of activities responding to a specific priority area.

Read about our Time Limited Programmes
  • Institutional 87% 87%
  • Local 82% 82%
  • National 56% 56%
  • International 39% 39%

Levels of impact reported by Commonwealth Alumni. (Source: 2021 Longitudinal Alumni Survey)

Evaluating impact

The CSC’s Evaluation and Monitoring programme identifies the outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships on individuals, on institutions, and more widely on communities and societies.

Find out how we evaluate impact

65 years of impact

Since the first cohort arrived in the UK in 1960, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) has funded over 31,000 individuals from across the Commonwealth to study in the UK and gain skills, acquire knowledge, and build networks to tackle global development challenges.

To mark our 65th anniversary this year, we have been reflecting on the achievements of our alumni community over the decades and celebrating the stories of impact by Scholars past and present. We hope you will join us in celebrating their success as we look ahead to the next 65 years of Commonwealth Scholarships.

Discover our story
Celebrating 65 years featured image of global development impact