Commonwealth Scholarship Application Process Details

UGC form submission:

Commonwealth scholarship (general) has been formally announced at the University Grant Commission (UGC) portal at a certain time once in a year. Last year (2019), the notice was announced in September and the interview was held in October. After downloading the application form from the portal, the information related to academic background, research work (Thesis/paper), address, and personal profile has to be included there. After that, the application form along with all academic documents (hard copy) should be submitted to the UGC by the deadline.

Interview at UGC:

The list of prospective candidates for interview gets available at the UGC portal (don’t miss to check the portal every day after submission). If get selected for an interview then all original documents including the thesis paper/any research work should be accompanied by the candidate.

Interview questions type:

There is no specific type of question. But if someone has research work or professional experience, they need to have many ideas on related fields. A good IELTS score and admission offer letter from the University will surely enhance the probability of securing a scholarship.

After selection from UGC:

Within a very short period of time, the result of selected candidates gets published at the UGC portal. After getting selected from the UGC, the next step is to submit of final application at the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

Commonwealth final application:

This application needs much more time than one can expect. So keep yourself ready prior to be selected. Information that you need to fill up are:

1. Passport

2. Profile (Address, Phone no, emergency contact)

3. Educational background

4. Academic distinctions/prizes

5. Publication (Thesis can be included)

6. Professional record

7. Professional award/membership

8. Personal statement (500 words)

9. Voluntary and Leadership Experience (500 words)

10. Language proficiency (IELTS/TOFEL marks not mandatory but better to include)

11. References (3 referees with a university email addresses)

12. Proposed Universities (Maximum 3)

13. Detail contact updates/information of admission offer letter of these universities

14. Detailed plan of study (Why I want to study of that specific subject/university etc)

15. University education was undertaken outside my home country

16. Benefit to your home country

17. Future career plan (Objectives during the award, Career plans in the 5 years following the award, Long-term career plans)

After submitting the online form, download the pdf and drop it to UGC by the deadline.

After submission:

CSC will ask for references from the referee that you mentioned in your form. The references should be provided in time from the institutional email id including the seal and signature of the referee at the academic pad.

Provisional selection:

After a while, the CSC makes a short list of the selected candidates and mailed them informing some conditions, which are: an unconditional offer letter and another copy of each of three references need to be attached to the email.

Final Confirmation:

It takes time to send the final confirmation. CSC contacted to your selected university to negotiate all terms and conditions and when both the university and CSC get agreed, they finalise the candidates.

Congratulation!!!! If you find an email from CSC giving you the greetings!!

Yes, finally the end of the waiting moments, it’s time to fly 😊

After this confirmation, CSC will send you a hard copy of your scholarship confirmation, prospectus and an endorsed passport for around £500.

Medical test:

Tuberculosis test need to be done prior visa. IOM: Bangladesh International Organisation for Migration conducts TB test for UK visa in Bangladesh. They usually take 7-12 days to deliver the report.

VISA:

For UK visa you have to apply through VFS global Bangladesh Pvt Ltd. You have to submit online visa application and book a date for interview. At the specific date, all original documents (passport, certificates, transcripts, confirmation letter of CSC etc) need to be submitted. A short 10-15 minutes Skype interview will be held on that day. No visa fee applicable until you applied for a priority service visa.

Normal visa (No fee, takes 15-30 days)

Priority service visa (around 22k-24k, takes 7 days)

Ticket booking:

After getting visa, you will email to your program officer (A program officer will be fixed for each of scholar, who deals every necessary stuff from beginning to end of your degree) informing your successful visa. You need to attend your university before starting

class, therefore the proximate date need to be suggested to your program officer to book your plane ticket. Then CSC contact to diversity travel, if your proximate date is available to fly, they will send you an e-ticket.

‘Here is your journey begins to UK’

The rest of the procedure includes, confirming CSC after your arrival in UK, contacting to your personal tutor (from university) and opening bank account.

Additional information: The health surcharge is paid by commonwealth; you don’t need any additional fee. Your medical test & priority service fee (if CSC suggests you to apply for) will also be reimbursed after your arrival to UK.

The above mentioned process is for 1 year master’s taught program. If someone intends to apply for research masters program (1year) or PhD (3 year), you need to contact with professor and secure sponsorship earlier. The rest of the procedure is same.