Commonwealth Scholarship Essay Questions

Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage. Commonwealth Scholarships are managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK.

As part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth, each year, around 700 students are given the chance to undertake postgraduate degrees with UK universities.

If you are from a Commonwealth country and believe you could make a difference in the world but you can’t afford to fund your UK studies on your own, then you could be the ideal candidate for a Commonwealth Scholarship.

What are Commonwealth Scholarships?

Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at students from across the Commonwealth who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK. By funding postgraduate studies in a range of different study formats, the scheme helps to support future innovators and leaders.

This historic award is the UK’s primary scholarship scheme focused on contributing to the UK's international development aims. It is designed to attract outstanding talent to UK universities while supporting sustainable development overseas.

Who can apply?

To apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country. You will still be eligible if you are a refugee or a British-protected person.

You need to have an undergraduate honours degree of at least upper second class (2:1). If you wish to study a PhD, you will need an appropriate master’s degree too.

Finally, you must be unable to afford to study in the UK without a scholarship.

The eligibility criteria for each type of scholarship and fellowship vary. More information is available on the CSC website.

Commonwealth Essay Questions and Samples 

Development Impact part 1

 Nigeria is one of the countries that has a problem of gender inequalities in Africa.

Girls and women suffer most from the negative impact of rigid gender norms and roles - they are more likely to experience restrictions of their freedom and mobility. Girls and women experience epidemic levels of violence and harassment across the globe and have fewer opportunities to choose how to live their lives. I am very excited at the prospect of dedicating my long-term career in girls and women welfare. All this challenges girls and women are facing in the world today serve as a strong call to action for me to make a significant differences, spot discrimination and inequalities.

As an experienced Community Activism who has witnessed the case of girls and women restrictions in social development motivates me to aspire towards undertaking postgraduate studies in the field of gender and Education (social justice), to contribute in tackling the issue of gender discrimination in order to avoid further occurrence.

I know that the direct impact of a Commonwealth Scholarship would be my personal and professional development, the most vulnerable Nigerian girls and women will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this investment.

Development Impact part 2

 In a situation where the family is going through financial problems, Girls are being withdrawn from school as a sacrificial lamb to pave way for boys to continue because they believe boys have

an important role to play in the

community.Therefore, after the completion of my studies, I intend to return home and initiate a community based Organization to deal with these challenges, designing and implementing comprehensive approaches to tackle gender

inequalities in Nigeria.

I look forward to using my newly acquired

knowledge, exposure and broader perspective to lead my NGO “mention the name) Foundation” with a renewed

sense of commitment.”

Development Impact part 3

I strongly believe that all the knowledge and professional experience that I have acquired during my studies Will lead to greater achievements. Girls and women in the community will have access to any educational level they desire and opportunities to resources. Girls and women will no longer be dropping out of school because of finances or pregnancy, because I will ensure that they receive maximum support.

It will take me four to five years to see the positive outcomes of my work. Most of the girls and women will have completed their secondary, tertiary and Entrepreneurship training program , and after which they will be making significant progress in their lives.

The primary beneficiaries of the intervention will be women, young girls, single mothers and Communities. My organization will conduct a program aimed at providing training and Entrepreneurship Program for self empowerment. This program will help to face any financial problems, equip them with the competencies and reintegration into a smooth and productive Community. As I am carrying out the program, I will also work with the local police station, national administrators and other sectors playing a vital role in girls and women intervention for proper Justice.

Development Impact part 4

The impact of my work would be best measured by using social surveys in the focus areas of the program. The great number of girls and women completing their secondary and University studies will definitely count in my work progress. In terms of early pregnancies among adolescent girls and gender discrimination will be reduced.

Another way to measure the impact of my work is that single mothers will have access to equal opportunities in education and also raise their children without being rejected. I believe that my program will amend and reduce cases of inequalities in most Nigeria Communities.