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23 February 2025 / 24. Shabaan 1446

UK scholarships for brilliant Khojas in developing nations

Talented Khojas who can contribute to the sustainable future of developing Commonwealth countries are invited to apply for Masters and PhD scholarships in the UK.

Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Masters and PhD scholarships allow talented and motivated individuals to gain advanced knowledge and skills required for sustainable development.

They are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford their studies in the UK.

Last date for applications is 30 September 2019.

Programmes offered

The scholarships are for candidates from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, for fulltime Masters and Doctoral study (PhD) at a UK university.

They are offered under six themes:

  1. Science and technology for development
  2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
  3. Promoting global prosperity
  4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
  5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
  6. Access, inclusion and opportunity.

Complete details of programmes and eligibility offered for 2020 Commonwealth scholarships are available here

The duration of the scholarship programme is for one year for Masters and three years for PhD starting from autumn 2020.

Financial details

Scholarships will provide airfares for the student and living expenses for them and their families, but DFiD warns that the allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards these costs and the true costs of living in the UK are likely to be considerably higher. Applicants must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who accompany them.

Those selected for a Masters or PhD scholarship will be eligible for:

  • Approved airfare from their home country to the UK and return at the end of their award.
  • Approved tuition fees.
  • Living allowance at the rate of around £1,084 per month or £1,330 for those at universities in London metropolitan area.
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
  • Study travel grants towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas, including fieldwork.

Family allowances are c. £233 for their spouse, £233 per month for the first child and £114 per month for the second and third children under the age of 16. Students who are widowed, divorced or a single parent will receive child allowance of £465 per month for the first child and £114 per month for the second and third.


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