Commonwealth Scholarships

COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Zambians to contest for Thirty Two (32): Eighteen (18) Masters and Fourteen (14) PhD Commonwealth scholarships tenable in the United Kingdom for the 2019/2020 Academic Year. Only candidates meeting the minimum qualifications indicated below need apply.

CONDITIONS

(a) Candidates should be able to meet own costs towards:

  • Expenses to and from the Airport;
  • Any costs not covered by the award.

(b) The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) will meet costs towards:

  • Approved airfare from Zambia to the United Kingdom and return at the end of the award;
  • Approved tuition fees;
  • A stipend (living allowance) at the approved rate;
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable;
  • Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a Zambian;
  • Be permanently resident in Zambia:
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2019
  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard (for Masters) or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate degree (for PhD);
  • Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2019;
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
  • Masters candidates who have taken any of their university education outside Zambia will be required to state how it was funded and how the education differed from the one in Zambia;
  • All PhD candidates must provide a supporting statement from a named supervisor from at least one of the UK universities to which they are applying;
  • All candidates must take the necessary steps to secure admission to preferred universities in advance of scholarship application. Where formal offers of admission have been obtained, these should be submitted together with the applications.
  • Candidates must apply to UK universities which have part funding agreements with the CSC.
    For a list of universities that have agreed to part fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit
    http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/uk-universities/part-funding;
  • Full details of the scholarships are contained in the 2019 terms and conditions and are
    available on the following website http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/applicants.

FIELDS OF STUDY

The scholarships are offered under six development themes and all candidates must apply under one of these themes:

(a) Science and technology for development
(b) Strengthening health systems and capacity
(c) Promoting global prosperity
(d) Strengthening global peace, security and governance
(e) Strengthening resilience and response to crises
(f) Access, inclusion and opportunity

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Applicants should submit:

  • A typed application letter responding to the advertisement, clearly stating the field of study  desired, age, and phone number for easy communication.
  • Curriculum Vitae, certified photo copies of Education certificates, transcripts and National Registration Card (NRC).
  • A study plan of the preferred course demonstrating the direct and applied relevance the  intended course of study one’s contribution to Zambia’s development (400 words typed). Applicants are required to state which of the CSC’s six development themes they are applying under. Applicants will be expected to select three Sustainable Development Coals relevant to their development impact.
  • Recommendation letters from their respective employers indicating that they would be granted leave to take up offers if selected.

Please note that applications will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Academic merit of the applicant
  • Quality of the study plan
  • Potential impact of the work on the development of Zambia

It is a requirement by the host country that all nominated candidates undergo comprehensive medical examinations including the HIV test.

In order to promote equal opportunity, gender equity and cultural exchange, applications are encouraged from a diverse range of candidates, including people living with disabilities (for further information on the support available to candidates with disabilities refer to
http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/csc/disability.support.statement)

Please note that nomination does not in any way guarantee selection or placement by the CSC. Nominated candidates must also note that last minute withdrawals will attract serious sanctions from the Board which may include being blacklisted.x

Applications should be addressed to:

The Director
Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board
P.O. Box 50464
LUSAKA

or

Hand delivered to:

Room 23 (Registry)
Maxwell House, Annex Building
Los Angeles Boulevard, Longacres
LUSAKA

Closing Date: Friday 23rd November 2018

For any further clarification, contact us on telephone number +260-211- 250726 or mobiles numbers +260-951-090792, +260-968-058811, Lusaka.

NOTE: Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Faxed or emailed applications will not be considered.

Ireen Nayame Chirwa (Mrs)
Acting Director
HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS BOARD