GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, INNOVATION, GENDER RELATIONS

AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PRESS RELEASE

2021 COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - 

        ONE (1) YEAR MASTERS DEGREE

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, commencing September/October 2021, for a period of one (1) year. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master's study at a UK university. 

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.   Full details on the scholarship can be found in the 2021 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships Terms and Conditions available on the following website:  

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/

Scholarship Themes

Scholarships are offered under six (6) developmental themes and candidates must apply under one (1) of these themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

Value of the Award

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed)
   
• Approved tuition fees
   
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,116 per month, or £1,369 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels)
   
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
   
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
   
• If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £480 per month for the first child, and £118 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK (rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels)
   
• If applicant declares a disability, a full assessment of applicant’s needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC
   
• The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for selection applicants must:

• be a citizen or permanent resident of Saint Lucia;
• be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person;
• be in good physical and mental health to complete the programme successfully
• agree to the obligation to return and reside in the sponsoring country for a minimum period of no less than twenty-four (24) months after completing the programme of study covered by the UK Commonwealth Scholarship. 
• select an area of study listed on the “Government of Saint Lucia List of Priority Areas for National Training”, which can be accessed on the Government of Saint Lucia website: CLICK HERE
• be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2021;
• by September 2021, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree (2.2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).  The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree, however, if you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study;
• not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your country before September/October 2021;
• have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
• be from a low income family/household (Financial Needs Form must be completed).
• not be able to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

Application Procedure

• You should apply to study at a UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC.  Part funding agreements are at the discretion of individual universities.  For a list of universities that have agreed to part fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/uk-universities/

• All candidates who wish to be nominated for a Commonwealth Scholarship must first apply using the Electronic Application System (EAS) provided by the CSC on its website. Applications will open on the 14^th December, 2020. Deadline for submission of application forms through the EAS is 18^th January, 2021.
   
• The Commission does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.  You must apply through the national nominating agency, Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations.
   
• Applicants are required to submit applications online via http://scholarships.education.gov.lc/ (see below for required documents).  In addition to the aforementioned application, all applicants must complete and submit a copy of the EAS FORM.   

Applicants should follow the process below:

1. Complete the requisite Electronic Application System (EAS) Form, and upload the required documents to your online application.
    
2. Complete the Department of Education Online Application, and upload the required documents to your online application (including a copy of the EAS Form).
    
3. After submitting the online application, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you do not receive the confirmation email after submitting your online application, please send an email to: hrd@education.gov.lc or hrdeducation.slu@gmail.com. 

Applicants should note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documents required by the National Liaison Office (Department of Education):

1. EAS Form.
    
2. Verified copy of the diploma for the highest degree obtained (verified by the Dept. of Education)
    
3. Copy of transcript of grades for the highest academic degree completed and/or to be completed. 
    
4. Current transcript as proof of enrollment or admission letter to begin programme of studies between September/October 2011. 
    
5. Two (2) recommendation letters from current or former, professor, supervisor, business leader, etc., stamped and/or signed. If unemployed or never employed, the candidate may obtain recommendations from whom they think can give academic, professional or personal references.  Recommendation letters must be written and signed by the recommenders and they cannot come from a relative of the applicant.
    
6. Cover Minute from Permanent Secretary/Head of Department, endorsing the request for Training (For Public Service Employees only);
    
7. Statement of Conduct and Work Ethics Form (for Public Service Employees only).  This form can be accessed at http://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/forms/statement-of-conduct-and-work-ethics.pdf;
    
8. Curriculum Vitae (must not exceed 2 pages);
    
9. Copy of Birth Certificate;
    
10. Copy of the Official Identification Card (ID) – Government issued ID by the Sponsoring Country or Passport;
     
11. Police Record three (3) months or less; and

       12. Financial Needs Assessment Form

The deadline for submission of all 2021 UK Commonwealth Scholarship application on the Department of Education scholarship portal is no later than 22^nd January, 2021. 

Selection Criteria

The CSC draws the following to your attention:

• All candidates must demonstrate in their application the direct and applied relevance of their study to development in their home country. Candidates should make any such links explicit in their applications.
• Candidates are required to state in their application which of the CSC’s six development themes they are applying under.
• Candidates will be asked in their application to select up to three Sustainable Development Goals relevant to their development impact.
• Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Every candidate will be required to sign a declaration that they do not have access to sufficient funds to study in the UK and no candidate with the independent means to study in the UK should be nominated to the CSC.
• Candidates will be asked to supply a personal statement within their application which will provide the selection panel with more information about their background and give an additional context to their application. It will be taken into account by the selection panel but will not be graded.