How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom Through the Commonwealth Scholarship

I am Rupali Agarwal from India. I completed my first Master’s degree in Social Work in 2001. After completing my studies, I worked for two years with a grassroots organisation, where I was responsible for the Women and Child Development Programme. I then had to take a career break after getting married due to family responsibilities and remained away from professional work for several years.

In 2011, I decided to restart my career and joined an AstraZeneca-funded Young Health Programme as a Programme Manager, working with communities in a slum area of Delhi. Returning to work after a long career break was itself a significant challenge, but this opportunity helped me regain my professional confidence and reconnect with my passion for social development.

As I progressed in my career, I realised that I needed to strengthen my academic knowledge and skills to advance professionally. Given my background in social work and my experience of working with vulnerable communities, I felt that public health would complement my existing knowledge and broaden my understanding of the social determinants of health.

At the same time, my decision to restart my career was also shaped by a difficult personal experience. I experienced domestic violence, which eventually led me to leave a toxic relationship and take responsibility for raising my son. Rebuilding my professional life became an important part of becoming financially independent, regaining my confidence and creating a more secure future for my family.

Pursuing an international degree was financially challenging for me at that stage. I therefore applied for the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme at the University of Liverpool through the Commonwealth Scholarship. The programme was delivered through distance learning, which enabled me to pursue my studies while continuing to work full-time. This was particularly important for me because I could continue building my career while simultaneously investing in my education.

Receiving the Commonwealth Scholarship was a major breakthrough in my personal and professional journey. It gave me the opportunity to study at an international university while continuing my professional responsibilities. Balancing work and postgraduate studies required considerable commitment and discipline, but the experience significantly strengthened my knowledge, broadened my perspective, and boosted my confidence.

The MPH qualification also opened doors to better professional opportunities and helped me build a stronger foundation for my subsequent work in social development, public health, CSR and ESG. Looking back, I consider the Commonwealth Scholarship one of the important turning points in my life, not only because it enabled me to pursue higher education, but because it came at a time when I was rebuilding both my professional identity and my life.

Commonwealth Scholarship Details

I received a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree through the University of Liverpool, UK. The MPH was a distance-learning programme, which enabled me to continue working while pursuing my studies.

The scholarship provided full financial support for the programme, and I did not have to pay any tuition fees or other course-related fees. I do not recall the exact monetary value of the scholarship at this point, but it covered the full cost of the programme.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree with a strong academic record and subsequently pursued a Master of Social Work (MSW), which I completed in 2001 with First Division.

I have always maintained a strong academic record. I performed well in my Class 12 examinations and throughout my undergraduate studies. In addition to academics, I actively participated in extracurricular activities and received several certificates in recognition of my involvement and achievements.

My background in social work provided me with a strong foundation for pursuing a Master of Public Health. During my MSW and subsequent professional experience, I developed a deep understanding of social issues, community needs, and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. My field experience further strengthened my interest in public health and helped me understand the close relationship between social conditions, community well-being and health outcomes.

This combination of academic performance, social work education and practical experience working with communities provided a strong foundation for my application to the MPH programme and helped me demonstrate my commitment to the field.

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

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

I first came across the Master of Public Health programme while exploring the University of Liverpool’s website and submitted an enquiry to learn more about the programme.

Following my enquiry, I was contacted by a student support official from the University. She remained in touch with me and followed up with me for more than a year. At that time, I was not even in possession of a passport, which was required as part of the admission and language-testing process. Moreover, the programme was not being offered to me with a full scholarship at that stage, so I initially decided not to pursue the opportunity.

Around one and a half years later, the student support official contacted me again and encouraged me to apply for the programme and the Commonwealth Scholarship. Her continued encouragement and guidance were a significant source of support throughout the process.

I am particularly grateful for her persistence because, without her follow-up and encouragement, I might not have revisited the opportunity. Her support eventually led me to apply for the scholarship and pursue my MPH at the University of Liverpool.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship?

I submitted recommendations from my previous employers and prepared a detailed personal statement outlining my academic and professional journey, my experience in community development, and my motivation for pursuing public health.

In my personal statement, I highlighted my previous academic background in social work, my professional experience working with communities, and my current role in the Young Health Programme. I also explained my strong interest and passion for public health and how the MPH would help me strengthen my knowledge and contribute more effectively to the field. I also highlighted the health challenges in India.

I also included my additional qualification in Nutrition and Health Education, which I had completed in 2001. This certification, along with my academic background and professional experience, helped demonstrate my longstanding interest in health and community development.

Overall, I tried to present a clear connection between my education, professional experience, additional learning and future goals, and explain why pursuing an MPH was an important next step in my career.

How is Your Experience at the University of Liverpool?

It was a truly enriching and memorable learning experience. The programme gave me the opportunity to experience the potential of distance learning, which I found particularly effective for someone balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

I appreciated the individual attention and support provided by the faculty. I felt comfortable approaching them whenever I needed guidance or clarification. The curriculum was very well designed, and I found the assessment process transparent and rigorous. The programme encouraged independent learning, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge, which made the learning experience particularly valuable for me.

At the same time, the programme was quite intensive. Balancing my full-time job with postgraduate studies required significant commitment, discipline and time management. There were periods when the workload was overwhelming, and I experienced burnout, but I continued because I was deeply committed to completing the programme. Looking back, it was challenging but absolutely worthwhile.

One of the most memorable moments of the entire journey was travelling to Liverpool with my son to attend the convocation and receive my degree. After everything I had gone through personally and professionally, standing there with my son and receiving my MPH degree was an incredibly emotional and proud moment. It remains a cherished memory of my life and a reminder of what perseverance and opportunity can make possible.

How Do You Rate the University of Liverpool Academically?

I would rate the University of Liverpool very highly academically. The MPH programme had a well-designed and comprehensive curriculum that provided both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of public health.

The faculty were highly knowledgeable, supportive and approachable, and I particularly appreciated the mechanisms available for student support throughout the programme. Even though it was a distance-learning programme, I never felt that I was studying in isolation. The combination of a strong academic curriculum, committed faculty, and effective student support made the overall learning experience excellent.

How Does the University of Liverpool Support International Students?

Very supportive.

What Did You Pursue After the Commonwealth Scholarship?

After completing my MPH, I continued working full-time and was able to apply the knowledge and skills I had gained directly in my professional work. The programme helped me become a more competent and confident professional. It strengthened my knowledge of public health, national and international policy frameworks, and quantitative and qualitative research, including practical skills in SPSS.

In 2017, I got the opportunity to lead the CSR function of a large listed company in India. My MPH education helped me approach CSR projects from both micro and macro perspectives, understand the underlying determinants of social issues, and use research and evidence to design more impactful interventions.

One of the projects I conceptualised and led was Project Nayan, which focused on preventing avoidable blindness across 190 villages. The project combined research on disease prevalence, curative health services, and interventions addressing social determinants through behaviour change approaches. I also developed and led initiatives on gender sensitisation, women's empowerment, school health, tuberculosis-free workplaces and nutrition-sensitive workplaces.

More recently, I transitioned from a full-time corporate career to independent consultancy, allowing me to work across CSR, ESG, social impact and worker-focused programmes. Going forward, I am particularly interested in working more intensively on mental health and organisational and community well-being.

Looking back, I consider the Commonwealth Scholarship and the MPH important milestones in my professional journey. The knowledge and perspective I gained have continued to influence my work more than a decade later and have helped me evolve into a multidisciplinary professional working across public health, CSR, ESG and social impact.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My previous academic background and work experience played a crucial role in securing the scholarship.

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

Looking back, I feel that the process worked out very well for me, and I would not change the way I approached the scholarship application. The opportunity came at the right time in my life, and the distance-learning format was particularly suitable because it allowed me to continue working while pursuing my MPH.

However, if I were to pursue another degree, I would be interested in experiencing a full-time programme abroad. I would have liked the opportunity to live in another country, interact physically with students from different nationalities and cultures, and experience an international academic environment more directly.

So, while I would not change my Commonwealth Scholarship experience, I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to study full-time alongside international students and experience the country and culture beyond the virtual classroom.

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

My advice to anyone planning to apply for a similar scholarship would be to be patient and persistent throughout the application process. It can take considerable time, and there may be several stages involved before the final outcome, so it is important not to become discouraged by delays.

Before starting the application, understand the eligibility criteria and requirements carefully. Go through all the available guidelines and documents thoroughly, and make sure you understand what is expected at each stage. Take sufficient time to prepare the application thoughtfully rather than submitting it in a hurry.

I would also encourage applicants to present their academic background, professional experience, motivation, and future aspirations clearly and authentically. Most importantly, do not hesitate to seek guidance when you need it. Reaching out to the university, scholarship administrators, mentors, or people who have previously received similar scholarships can provide valuable support.

Finally, believe in your own journey. Your experiences, challenges, and achievements can be valuable strengths in an application. Be patient, prepare well, and keep pursuing the opportunity even if the process takes longer than expected.