Masters in development studies are a dream for a lot of students who wish to obtain international development scholarships abroad. However, tuition fees may prevent some of them from studying for a master’s degree. If you are one of those, you may be able to make your dream come true through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships by enrolling in a master’s degree program at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
Brief about the institution
The Institute of Development Studies is a think factory situated in Falmer, East Sussex. It is linked with the University of Sussex.
The Institute of Development Studies ranking is 1st in the world for development studies in the (QS) University Rankings (together with the University of Sussex).
For more details on the institute, visit Wikipedia.
Why the Institute of Development Studies for pursuing your study?
The Institute of Development Studies conducts leading-edge teaching, research, and learning to transform action, knowledge and leadership. This helps us get more fair and sustainable development across the world. That’s why it would be a great chance to study at this institute through masters in development scholarships.
What is Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
These scholarships are international development scholarships funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). They aim to enable outstanding and motivated students to achieve the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development.
The scholarships target students who would not be able to study in the UK otherwise.
International students from lower-middle-income and least developed Commonwealth couns can now apply for the academic year 2023–2024.
Description of this opportunity (international development scholarships)
General Description: Masters in development studies scholarships
Grant: Tuition costs.
Number of grants: Not available.
Course level: Postgraduate(Master) degree.
The location of the awarding institution: The United Kingdom.
Nationality: Overseas students.
Access method: Online.
What is the Masters in development studies requirements?
Eligible course or programme:
Masters in development studies scholarships are provided under the following development themes:
- Promoting global prosperity.
- Access, inclusion and opportunity.
- Science and technology for development.
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises.
- Strengthening global peace, security and development.
- Improving health systems and capacity.
Students can apply for the following programmes offered at IDS:
- Master of Arts in:
- Food and Development.
- Globalisation, Business and Development.
- Governance, Development and Public Policy.
- Poverty and Development.
- Gender and Development.
- Power, Participation and Social Change.
- Master of Science in Climate Change, Development and Policy.
Other Criteria:
Students aiming to get international development scholarships have to fulfill all of the following requirements. This enables them to be considered for Master in Development Studies scholarship:
- Students have to be from lower-middle-income and least-developed Commonwealth nations.
Eligible countries: All overseas students can apply.
Benefits provided by the institution:
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship will be awarded to the winners for a master’s degree program at IDS.
How to apply for masters in development studies scholarships?
Students must apply for admission to the university to which the school is attached. They can do that by logging into the university’s application portal. Then they can apply for masters in development studies scholarships.
Admission Requirements:
Students should have a first- or upper-second-class undergraduate honors degree in the field of social sciences or a comparable field. It’s better to have one year of experience in development-related work.
Supporting or additional documents:
The students have to meet the following requirements:
- Make a statement about how your past job experience relates to the scholarship you’re applying for. You mustn’t write more than 300 words
- List the names and positions of three referees. Those referees have to be qualified to remark on 2 things: your capacity to profit from your intended Scholarship in the United Kingdom and your potential to have a positive effect on development afterward. Your present employer must be one of your referees.
- Provide a four-part development impact statement.
- Offer proof of citizenship.
- Provide full transcripts.
- Make a list of all the university degrees you’ve earned, both undergraduate and graduate (if applicable).
- Make a list of up to ten prizs and publications (if applicable).
- Give specifics about your work experience and how each position relates to the program you want to pursue in the UK (up to a hundred words/employment).
Language Requirements:
For these international development scholarships, students have to complete the following English language competence examinations:
International Language Testing System (ILETS): 7.0.
7 in ILETS means excellent English, easy use of language in most situations and error-free sentences. That’s why we consider that getting 7 in ILETS is difficult. So having excellent English skills will make your chances of getting the award bigger.
Questions you may ask
What countries are Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth is made up of 54 countries from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. Commonwealth nations are varied, including some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest, and poorest nations. Among these countries, the following 23 are considered low-income countries:
Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia. So note that only students from these countries are eligible to apply for masters in development studies scholarships.
Is there an age limit for Commonwealth Scholarship?
No, all ages are eligible so you are able to apply whatever your age. You just need to meet all of the requirements of these international development scholarships in order to get the chance.
Can I work in UK after Commonwealth Scholarship?
Only if you intend to advance from Master’s to Ph.D studies . In this case, the CSC would consider a request to allow you to stay in the UK following your award. There are strict rules for that. The CSC is unable to provide you with a letter of support or permission to enable you to remain in the United Kingdom after receiving your award in order to work.
How does Commonwealth Scholarship work?
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to deserving students who have the ability to make a positive difference in the world. Every year, the scholarships give 800 students the chance to get postgraduate degrees at the United Kingdom institutions. This is a part of the United Kingdom’s continuous commitment to the Commonwealth.
Masters in Development Summary:
These awards are international development scholarships given to deserving students. The students should be from lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries in order to get one of Masters in development studies scholarships. Students who have the greatest positive impact on the world have a preference in admission. That is true only after meeting all the requirements of the awards. The deadline is December 20th. so, students need to apply for the scholarship as soon as they can before it is late.
Apply for this opportunity
Read also, University of Warwick Law Masters International Scholarships in UK.
