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
CSC @ DHG 2021
After co-hosting the 10th Donor Harmonisation Group Forum in London in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and British...
Experiences of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni: Enabling Factors and Barriers to Scholarship Impact
The CSC offers a wide range of Scholarships and Fellowships which provide opportunities for talented and motivated individuals from across the Commonwealth to gain knowledge and skills with the aim of contributing towards sustainable development. Over the years, data collected from the Commonwealth Alumni has reinforced anecdotal evidence that the wide variety of contexts that Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows return to can act as barriers or enabling factors (or in some cases both) when it comes to Alumni securing relevant employment, applying the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies to their full potential, and realising their potential for development impact.
Forging connections and collaboration across the Commonwealth: A Review of the Commonwealth Academic Fellowship Programme
As well as offering Scholarships for postgraduate and doctoral study, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has funded almost 2,500 Academic Fellowships since 1969, providing early and mid-career academics from across the Commonwealth with the opportunity to work and undertake research at UK universities. The CSC Evaluation Team recently undertook a review of the programme using data gathered from the 2015-2017 cohorts. The aim was to identify the outcomes, impact, and the scope of the potential short and long-term benefits of the Academic Fellowships on the Fellows’ Host institutions in the UK and their employing institutions in their home countries, as well as on the Fellows themselves.
Latest news
Spotlight on Joyce Chivunga – providing a roadmap for energy resilience in Malawi
Joyce Chivunga is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Malawi studying at Loughborough University. Her research focuses on multidisciplinary...
Welcoming Commonwealth Scholars at Connect and Collaborate 2025
On Thursday 13 February the CSC held its annual Connect and Collaborate event at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. The event brought together...
Development in Action webinar series: Mobilising private investments for climate adaptation for African countries
On Thursday 30 January, Commonwealth Alumnus Derek Apell delivered a webinar on ‘Mobilising private investments for climate adaptation for African...
