Commonwealth Master’s Scholar, Falguni Lalwani from India, Shares the Story of How She Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue Her MSc in International Political Economy at the London School of Economics (LSE)

I am Falguni Lalwani, a Commonwealth Master’s Scholar from India, and a first-generation learner. For me, education has always been the great equaliser, but financial barriers often stood between ambition and opportunity. Receiving a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship changed that trajectory: it turned possibility into access and allowed me to study at the London School of Economics (LSE). I chose the MSc in International Political Economy because I wanted truly interdisciplinary training, a place where politics, economics, and governance could be brought together to tackle difficult questions of climate justice, gender, and development. The political-economy lens gave me exactly that: the freedom to ask harder questions and the tools to answer them rigorously.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship Details    

• Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• Scholarship Name: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
• Amount Awarded: Full tuition fees + full living expenses
• Award Details: Prestigious award granted to only 650 out of 45,000 applicants globally (≈1.44% acceptance rate).

Educational Background

I completed my BA in Economics, Media Studies, and Political Science at CHRIST (Deemed-to-be University) (2021–24), graduating First Class with Distinction. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allowed me to develop a strong grounding in economic theory, political institutions, and evidence-based communication, enabling me to critically analyse complex issues from multiple perspectives. Alongside my coursework, I actively engaged in research and academic writing, which was recognised through several distinctions, including the Best Researcher Award (2024) by my undergraduate university, the Best Paper Award at the National Young Economist Competition (2024) organised by Christ (Deemed to be University), and recognition in the Top 10% worldwide at the Global Undergraduate Awards (2023) in the category of Social Policy and Sociology. These experiences not only strengthened my analytical and writing skills but also nurtured my interest in climate governance and development, laying a strong foundation for my graduate studies and research in international political economy.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)?

How I Prepared to Apply to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

To prepare for applying to institutions, I began by identifying programs that aligned closely with my research interests in climate governance, gender, and international political economy. I explored university websites, departmental pages, faculty profiles, and published research to assess program fit and academic strengths. I also reached out to alumni and current students and attended open days and webinars, which helped me understand course structures, expectations, and application requirements.

Finding Information About the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The most reliable way to find scholarships is through university websites, where funding opportunities offered by the institution and external platforms are clearly listed. I also used official portals such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website and followed networks such as Project EduAccess, which provided additional insights into available funding and selection criteria.

Standardized Tests

For my admission to LSE and the Commonwealth Scholarship, I was not required to take the GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT. However, I completed the IELTS Academic Test, preparing through self-study using Cambridge IELTS guides, practice tests, and online resources, focusing on enhancing my academic writing, comprehension, and listening skills to achieve a competitive score.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship?

I began by reviewing the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s official guidelines to map eligibility, selection criteria, and timelines. Because the award prioritises development impact and SDG alignment, I framed my proposed study and future plans around advancing climate action, gender equality, and reducing inequalities in India. I built a checklist for documents (transcripts, references, citizenship proof, IELTS), drafted and redrafted my personal statement to highlight academic merit and home-country impact, and confirmed referees early. Crucially, I identified past Commonwealth Scholars on LinkedIn, reached out for short conversations, and incorporated their practical insights on framing contribution and evidence. This helped me refine my application and ensure my application spoke directly to the scholarship priorities.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because of its clarity of purpose, alignment with the Commonwealth Scholarship’s development objectives, and the strength of my academic and research profile. I presented a coherent narrative that connected my undergraduate achievements, publications, and research experience to my proposed MSc at LSE, showing how it would directly contribute to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly climate action, decent work, and reducing inequalities in India. I also demonstrated a clear pathway of impact—how the knowledge and skills I would gain at LSE would be applied through research, policy engagement, and capacity-building initiatives back home. Finally, I tailored my personal statement to reflect both my academic merit and my commitment to inclusive, climate-resilient development, which resonated strongly with the Commission’s priorities.

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

If I were to go through the process again, I would start much earlier and spend more time researching past Commonwealth Scholars and connecting with them for insights on framing development impact. While my final application was strong, speaking to more scholars beforehand would have helped me better understand how to further highlight contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrate long-term home-country impact. I would also have allocated more time for iterative drafting, allowing space to refine my personal statement and research proposal with multiple rounds of feedback. Finally, I would have explored a wider range of funding opportunities in parallel, ensuring I had a clearer picture of different institutional and external options from the outset.

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

My biggest advice would be to stay calm and patient throughout the process and approach it with a clear strategy. Start early by thoroughly reviewing the scholarship guidelines and understanding what the selection committee values. Do your own research first, and only then reach out to past scholars on LinkedIn for insights. This makes your questions more focused and helps you build meaningful connections. Finally, give yourself enough time to iterate on your personal statement and research proposal, ensuring your narrative clearly demonstrates academic merit, alignment with the scholarship’s objectives, and long-term development impact. Above all, be authentic and evidence-driven; these applications assess both your track record and your capacity for grounded, future leadership.