How Seema, an Indian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in International Law and Sustainable Development at the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom Through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

I am Seema, a lawyer by education, working in Development cooperation. I am from Bihar, India. I enjoy reading books, travelling, learning about cultures, exploring food, meeting people, and exchanging stories. After graduating from Law School in India, I worked for a while to find my area of interest and further my knowledge. During this time, I started looking more into sustainable development, environmental law, and related concerns, and decided to learn more about it and take my professional career in that direction. For me masters was not only a checklist of the number of degrees you have but more about gaining knowledge and learning. I looked for courses that would be suitable and narrowed down to 4 universities where I applied. The one I finally chose was the LLM in International Law and Sustainable Development at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, as the modules offered were very interesting and the optional credits offered, like Carbon Markets, seemed way more future-relevant. The University and the module both seemed to rank well for me, and having reached out to some of the alumni, I received good reviews. Since this was my first time living abroad, I also looked at the city, and Glasgow seemed to be a very student-friendly and affordable one.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Details

I received the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, which is offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. It covered the full tuition fee, flight cost, stipend, and a couple of other allowances.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes, I was offered a 50% tuition fee waiver scholarship at another University in London, U.K.

Educational Background

Prior to applying for the scholarship, I had completed my B.A.LLB (Hons) from Chanakya National Law University. While working, I also got a diploma in International Law and Diplomacy from the Indian Society of International Law. I had a decent CGPA (6.5 on a scale of 7). I was the top of my batch at law school and a recipient of two gold medals. I had been into extra co-curriculars as well. But what I actively did to prepare to apply was to take time to decide where I wanted to go, do a bit of research, and join short courses to see if I had sustained interest, which also makes preparing for essays and write-ups better, as you have clarity about what you want; once you know that, the road becomes easier.

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

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

I prepared a list of universities offering courses/modules that I was looking for, and looked up the faculty and the processes. I prepared an Excel sheet with the requirements/deadlines. Once I short-listed the Universities, I also began looking at available scholarships within the university, in the country of application, and in India. I looked at the criteria, the amount they offered, and again made a list of what was applicable and good for me. The research was mostly online, but I did reach out to friends and their network to learn from their experiences. I did take IELTS as it was required by most of the Universities in the UK. Having had my education in English as a medium, it was not very difficult; I practiced from the prescribed workbooks for a week and managed to get a decent score.

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

I got clarity on the scholarship requirements, wrote the required essays and write-ups, and got feedback from multiple colleagues/friends/mentors who had studied abroad and had more experience. It is very important to keep some time for this process, because this is how they get to know you. Not all scholarships have an interview process, and your essays and write-ups become your main representatives as a candidate. I still have my first draft, and it looks so different from the final that I sent. It requires patience and being ready to hear everyone, but in the end, make your own informed decision. I did not make all the changes suggested; I picked what I could reason out, what made sense, and to the point so that the essays still reflected me.

How is Your Experience at the University of Strathclyde?

It was the most amazing experience. CSC handled everything super professionally; they were there for the multiple questions I had, shared timely information, and gave perfect orientation. I am very grateful to the institution

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think that I was very honest in my application, and very clear about what I wanted to do after the course. I am not sure if it made a difference, but with some work experience, I was also there to share my knowledge and gain knowledge, so I think I had a bit more to offer.

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

One thing that I did was I limited myself to applying in the UK, as I was thinking of the language advantage; maybe now I would have also looked more into European Universities and Scholarships.

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

Start preparation early, be clear about what you want and why, and let the application reflect you; the point becomes more relevant in the age of AI. An application need not be perfect, but honest and clear.