Citizens of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will be able to pursue a one-year master’s degree at their university of choice in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland beginning in 2026.
This was made possible by the UK Government’s commitment to providing opportunities to empower young people from SIDS with access to education and skills.
To support the UK’s announcement at last year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Chevening are providing up to 40 Masters scholarships for exceptional candidates from SIDS.
Scholars from both programmes will receive a UK programme experience that includes exclusive networking events with fellow scholars from SIDS and key influencers from around the world. This added benefit complements the existing scholarship, offering a broader platform for professional growth and future collaboration.
Interested applicants are advised to note the different selection and application processes between both Chevening SIDS Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission SIDS.
For Chevening SIDS scholarship, applicants will apply through the standard application process. During the application, you will have the option to tick a box indicating your interest in being considered for the Chevening SIDS Scholarship. The highest-ranking applicant(s) from each participating country will be considered.
For Commonwealth Scholarship Commission SIDS, 20 scholarships will be guaranteed with specific enrichment opportunities, but application processes remain the same as for usual master’s programmes. Here, national nominating agencies are involved. For Solomon Islands, the National Scholarship Division of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is the nominating agency.
Successful candidates will undertake study fields that help to address a national development priority or capacity shortage. This includes courses relating to:
- human rights, democracy, and the rule of law
- climate change and sustainability
- economic recovery and growth and
- supportive societies that help people lead peaceful and productive lives
Countries that are eligible for the Chevening SIDS Scholarship includes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Fiji, Granada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Seychelles, Singapore, Tonga, Tuvalu, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
Eligible countries for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission SIDS are Belize, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Monserrat, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
In addition to the standard benefits of a Chevening Scholarship, the Chevening SIDS Scholarship includes an enhanced UK programme including a series of exclusive events and opportunities designed to enhance your experience in the UK.
There are also exclusive networking opportunities where scholars will be invited to a welcome event at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to kick-start their journey. Here, they will have the opportunity to network with SIDS scholars from the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, as well as FCDO officials.
Like all Chevening scholars, after graduation scholars will join the wider global Chevening alumni community, connecting with alumni from across the world. Additionally, they will be eligible to apply for funding from the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund, which supports regional projects and events led by alumni. Scholars may also be invited to speak or participate in UK-SIDS workshops and events in their area of expertise.
Candidates may note that opting to be considered for the Chevening SIDS Scholarship does not impact their chances of being selected for a Chevening Scholarship. They will still be considered for the standard Chevening Scholarship if they choose not to apply for the SIDS Scholarship.
We encourage all eligible SIDS applicants to apply for the Chevening Scholarship and to consider opting in for the Chevening SIDS Scholarship to access this unique programme of enhanced opportunities and networking.
Applications for the Chevening SIDS Scholarships will open in August and close in October while applications for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission SIDS will open in September and close in October 2025.
