For Muntasha Nahrin, that dream eventually led her to the University of Oxford.

Currently working at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group, as a Development Impact Consultant, Muntasha provides Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) services to more than a hundred projects across Asia. She previously completed her Master’s in Water Science, Policy and Management at the University of Oxford under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2021–22.

Before Oxford, she studied Environmental Science with a minor in Mathematics at the Asian University for Women.

For a better understanding of what we are dealing with today, let’s dive deep into it step by step.

Step 1: Understand the difference between Commonwealth Scholarship schemes

One of the most common misconceptions about Commonwealth Scholarship schemes is that they operate in the same way.

“The Commonwealth Scholarship and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship are two different scholarship schemes administered under the same authority, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, but they have different eligibility criteria and application procedures,” Muntasha explains.

Unlike the general Commonwealth Scholarship, which is often nominated through government bodies or national nominating agencies, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship requires applicants to apply directly through participating UK universities and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship portal.

“The Shared Scholarship is jointly funded by the UK government and specific UK universities,” she says. “Therefore, applicants should carefully review the requirements and procedures for the specific scholarship scheme they are applying for. Understanding these distinctions early can prevent applicants from missing important deadlines or applying through the wrong route.”

Step 2: Apply to an eligible UK Master’s programme

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship only applies to selected Master’s programmes at participating UK universities. Not every course is eligible.

“You first need to apply to a UK university offering a programme under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme,” she explains.

Applicants should choose programmes aligned with their academic background, career goals, and broader development interests. Common areas include climate change, sustainability, public policy, development studies, water governance, and public health.

For Muntasha, the programme was deeply connected to her long-term interest in water governance and climate resilience.

Importantly, applicants usually need to submit a separate university application first, or alongside the scholarship application, depending on the institution’s timeline.

Step 3: Prepare a strong university application

The university application itself forms a crucial foundation for scholarship consideration.

Applicants are generally required to submit:

• Academic transcripts
• A CV or résumé
• A statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• English language proficiency scores, if required

“The university evaluates whether you qualify academically for admission,” she says.

However, gaining admission alone is not enough. One of the most important stages comes afterward: university nomination.

“This is a crucial part many people don’t know about,” she explains. “After reviewing applicants, the university nominates selected candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. You cannot receive the scholarship without a university nomination.”

In other words, selection happens in two stages:

The university shortlists and nominates candidates. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) makes the final decision.

Step 4: Start preparing early

According to Muntasha, timing is one of the most underestimated parts of the process.

“Preparing early is very important for securing a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship,” she says. “Keeping an eye on the website is very crucial so that you are aware of when the application portal opens and when the submission deadline is.”

Because deadlines may vary from year to year, applicants should regularly monitor official announcements and prepare documents well in advance.

She recommends allocating at least two to three weeks specifically for preparing scholarship essays and development impact statements.

“The application is quite comprehensive and requires a lot of planning and preparation for writing the essay questions,” she explains.

Last-minute applications often result in rushed and poorly structured responses.

Step 5: Build a coherent profile beyond CGPA

Unlike what many people assume, Commonwealth Shared Scholarship selection is not based solely on grades.

“The Scholarship Committee evaluates applicants based on their overall profile rather than solely on CGPA or professional experience,” Muntasha says.

The scholarship follows a holistic evaluation process. Although applicants are expected to have strong academic records, committees also assess:

• Relevant work experience
• Leadership potential
• Research ability
• Career vision
• Extracurricular activities
• Commitment to development

“A compact profile can stand out despite weaknesses in one or two aspects,” she explains.

This means applicants should focus on presenting themselves as well-rounded individuals with both academic strength and a clear sense of purpose.

Step 6: Write development impact statements carefully

For Muntasha, one of the most important aspects of the application was the development impact statement.

“The scholarship committee wants to see that you understand the developmental issues in your country pertinent to your field,” she says.

Applicants are required to identify Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) connected to their proposed Master’s programme and explain how their studies will contribute to addressing those challenges.

“You need to link the knowledge and skills you will earn through the Master’s programme to applying innovative solutions to address the existing problems upon returning to your country,” she explains.

One particularly important question asks applicants how they will measure the impact of their future work.

“Your response must be specific — policies changed, people reached, systems improved — and well-researched,” she says.

She also emphasises the importance of properly citing sources when discussing development issues and policy challenges.

Step 7: Maintain consistency

Since there is no interview stage for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, the written application becomes the applicant’s only opportunity to present themselves.

“So the most challenging aspect is tying the application together in a very coherent manner and maintaining consistency throughout,” Muntasha explains.

“You also need to have a very solid and well-thought-out idea about your future,” she says, noting that the application includes questions about both five-year and ten-year career plans.

A scattered or inconsistent application can weaken even a strong academic profile.

Step 8: Prepare for life beyond the scholarship

According to Muntasha, being a Commonwealth Scholar is both prestigious and deeply rewarding.

“Full tuition fees are paid, you receive a generous stipend for living costs,” she says. “Airfare, warm-clothing allowance, travel allowance for the purpose of study, and research funding are also provided.”

Beyond financial support, scholars also gain access to a global network of Commonwealth alumni and professionals.

“There is also the established network of Commonwealth alumni, which makes it easier to socialise and make friends in a foreign country, as well as network with like-minded people,” she explains.

At the same time, future scholars should prepare for the realities of studying abroad: academic pressure, cultural adjustment, homesickness, and the challenge of adapting to a new environment.