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
Empowering Ugandan Citizens to Access Information, Engaging the Youth in Policy Making and Promoting Entrepreneurship
We are very pleased to share our latest case study, featuring Phionah Kanyorobe, a Commonwealth Alumnus whose developmental work cuts across three CSC Development Themes: Strengthening global peace, security and governance; Access, inclusion and opportunity; and Promoting global prosperity.
Promoting gender equality, improving access to justice, and promoting positive health outcomes for underserved communities: three new case studies
We are pleased to share the latest three alumni case studies, this time focused on the CSC Development Theme: Access, inclusion and opportunity. They join the twelve individual case studies published earlier this year demonstrating the outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships on international development across the six CSC Development Themes.
Expanding Horizons: The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Programme
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships were established in 2001 as part of an initiative designed to expand the modes of scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. To date, it has funded nearly 4,000 Scholars from 41 Commonwealth countries to study at 45 different higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.
Latest news
CSC Commissioner joins first cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows
Last month CSC Commissioner Professor Kevin Ibeh attended a launch event for Commonwealth Startup Fellows in Ghana where he met the new Fellows and...
Promoting inclusive learning for students with disabilities in Higher Education in Tanzania
In December 2024, Commonwealth Alumni Stanslaus Francis and Sardina Zabron Tinkasimile delivered a workshop to promote awareness on inclusive learning for students with disabilities in Higher Education (HE) in Tanzania.
Spotlight on Olalekan Aduloju – exploring the role of brownfields in urban planning and political ecology
Olalekan Aduloju is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Nigeria studying at the University of Chester. His research focuses on brownfield sites in...
