How Era Robbani, a Bangladeshi Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Global Crime, Justice and Security at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom Through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

My name is Era Robbani, and I am from Bangladesh. I am currently completing an MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security at the University of Edinburgh Law School as a Commonwealth Scholar.

My academic background is in criminology, and over the years my interests have increasingly centred around migration, border policing, social harm, climate change, security and justice. I wanted to pursue further study because I felt that many of the issues I had encountered through research in Bangladesh, particularly in borderlands and transnational crimes, needed to be understood within a broader global context.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Details

I received the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh.

It is a fully funded scholarship, covering full tuition fees, return airfare, visa and NHS-related costs, a monthly living stipend, and other allowances such as warm clothing, accessibility, and support related to dissertation or conference expenses.

Educational Background

Before Edinburgh, I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's in Criminology at the University of Dhaka, where I also received a Government Merit Scholarship.

My academic background at the university definitely helped me build a strong foundation in criminological theory and research methods, but I think my research experience outside the classroom was equally important, if not more. Before coming to Edinburgh, I worked on research involving borderland communities, the Rohingya crisis and ecocide, the death penalty, policing, climate-related harms and conflict.

Those experiences helped me understand what kinds of questions I wanted to explore at postgraduate level and made my application much more focused.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Edinburgh?

By the time I applied, I had already spent several years working in research, teaching, and development-related roles.

I first tried to understand which programmes genuinely matched my research interests rather than simply applying based on university rankings. I looked at course structures, faculty research interests, dissertation opportunities, and whether the programme would allow me to connect criminology with migration, organised crime, borders, security, and social justice.

I also spent a lot of time working on my personal statement. Instead of trying to list everything I had done, I tried to create a clear story connecting my previous academic work, research experience, and what I wanted to study next.

How Did You Find Information About Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and University of Edinburgh?

Mostly through university websites, previous scholars, online communities, and lots and lots of independent research.

One thing I would recommend is not relying on others for information, e.g., agencies or agents. Go to the official scholarship and university websites and read the eligibility criteria, programme structure, and application requirements carefully.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS Academic and achieved an overall band score of 8.5. I have also taught IELTS to more than 1,000 students, which I think helped me significantly, as teaching the test regularly allowed me to brush up on my own language skills and stay familiar with the format, assessment criteria, and common challenges students face.

For my preparation, I mainly focused on timed practice and understanding exactly what each section required. I would recommend using official materials, practising consistently, becoming very familiar with the marking criteria, strategies to answer different questions, and doing well in mock tests. It’s not something you want to do without preparation, as taking the exam itself costs a lot in my country.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

I spent considerable time (almost a year) thinking about the connection between my academic goals, my previous work in Bangladesh, and the kind of work I wanted to do afterwards. My essays were therefore very specific. I drew from work I had already been involved in, particularly research with vulnerable and borderland communities, rather than writing very broad statements about wanting to “make a difference”.

I also revised the application several times, did not hesitate to make drastic changes, and made sure that different sections of the application complemented each other.

How is Your Experience at the University of Edinburgh?

Studying at Edinburgh has challenged me intellectually in ways I really value. It gave me the opportunity to engage much more deeply with criminology, with a perspective of global crime, security, and justice, while also questioning some of the assumptions I previously held about this field. Like- who gets to call a crime a crime, who gets to decide who’s a criminal and who’s not.

It has also allowed me to meet academics and students from very different countries and disciplinary backgrounds, which has changed the way I think about many of the issues I research.

How Do You Rate the University of Edinburgh Academically?

Academically, the University of Edinburgh has to be up there as one of the top institutions. The thing I value most about Edinburgh is the amount of independence and creative opportunities students are given. You are expected not simply to reproduce what you read, but to question, to argue, and engage in the classroom with people from different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge. This helps gradually develop your own intellectual position. This also makes studies fun and something to look forward to.

How Does the University of Edinburgh Support International Students?

There are different forms of support available through the university, including academic support, wellbeing services, careers guidance, student societies, country-specific societies and international student resources.

At the same time, they openly acknowledge that moving countries and adjusting to a new academic system is challenging, so international students are actively encouraged to seek help from the resources and communities available to them. From training on cycling and swimming to having your student advisor advise you on your academic and personal matters, you get all the support you need. There are communities catered to every student, be it brown girl society or a community for neurodivergents; they make sure you find your comfort people. You can find more about the services and support on the university website.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I cannot know exactly what the selection committee considered decisive, but I think one strength of my application was consistency. But I think consistency and authenticity were two of the strongest elements of my application.

My application was not built around trying to appear extraordinary. Instead, I tried to tell a coherent story about my academic background, research experience, why I wanted to pursue this particular course, and what I hoped to do afterwards.

My previous research experience also gave me something concrete to talk about. I had already worked with communities experiencing marginalisation and climate-related challenges, so my interest in global crime, justice and security was not something I had developed only for the purpose of the application.

I also made an effort to be specific. Rather than simply saying that I wanted to create “development impact”, I tried to explain what I wanted to contribute, who I wanted to work with, and why my proposed study would help me do that.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was self-doubt. I spent a lot of time comparing myself with other applicants and wondering whether I was competitive enough.

Looking back, I would tell myself to spend less time asking, “What if I don't get it?” and more time thinking, “Even if I don't get it, what will I learn from trying?”

I would also apply to more scholarships and programmes earlier rather than filtering myself out before submitting an application.

My experience taught me that rejection is a possibility, but self-rejection guarantees that you never get the opportunity in the first place.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My biggest advice would be: build the profile before trying to perfect the application.

A beautifully written essay cannot completely substitute for experience, but your experience also does not need to be extraordinary. Research projects, volunteering, employment, teaching, community work, and small initiatives can all matter if you can explain what you learned and why they are relevant.

Also, do not write what you think scholarship committees want to hear. Be specific about the problem you care about, demonstrate what you have already done about it, and explain why this particular degree and scholarship are necessary for your next step.

And finally, apply even when you think your chances are small. I applied to universities I once considered far beyond my reach and eventually received offers from Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh. Sometimes the first person who has to stop rejecting your application is you.