The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The CSFP was established at the first conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in 1959. Each Commonwealth country decides its own level of participation. This allows awards to reflect national priorities, and ensures that selection is a genuine partnership between home and host countries. The CSFP is reviewed at each Commonwealth Ministers conference. The awards combine academic excellence with the desire to make a real difference in some of the world's poorest countries.

DFID and the FCO currently support some 750 awards, representing Britain's contribution to the Plan. DFID currently provides £12m pa to support the CSFP awards from developing Commonwealth countries, a further £2m is provided by the FCO to fund students from the developed Commonwealth.

Most courses are at Masters or PhD level (running for one to three years). They are available for any development related subject. Students can study full-time; on short courses; on split site courses; by distance education and on academic and professional fellowships.

For further information see theCSFP website

• Criteria and source of funding for international students(176 kb)
• CSFP application form for 2008

Last updated: 6 December 2006