Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scholar Sheheryar Khan from Pakistan Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom

My name is Sheheryar Khan, and I am from Lahore, Pakistan. I graduated from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Since then, I have worked in Pakistan’s development sector, contributing to initiatives focused on environmental conservation, sustainable development, and policy engagement. In 2025, I completed my MSc in Global Development and Environment at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. My academic interests focus on environmental governance, political ecology, and sustainable development. For my master's research, I dove into community–river relations along the Indus River and examined how local understandings of nature can inform debates on environmental governance and the Rights of Nature. This experience strengthened my interest in decolonial approaches to conservation and sustainable development.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Details

I was offered the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom for my MSc in Global Development and Environment. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers my tuition, living expenses, travel, and academic costs, allowing me to focus entirely on research and professional development. I had also been shortlisted for a Chevening Scholarship interview for the same year.

Educational Background

I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from LUMS in 2018. Since then, I have worked in Pakistan’s development sector, gaining experience across research, policy, and programme implementation. Before I left for the UK for my master's, I was working at WWF-Pakistan, which allowed me to understand environmental and conservation issues more closely. This was especially helpful when I was applying for scholarships and universities.

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

I researched different development studies, environment, and geography-related programmes across different universities in the UK to identify those that best aligned with my interests. For most UK universities, the primary admission requirement was an IELTS score. Preparing for the IELTS was relatively straightforward, particularly because I had completed my undergraduate degree in English and was already comfortable with academic reading, writing, and communication.

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

Preparing for scholarship applications is the tricky part, compared to applying to universities, particularly for highly competitive awards such as the Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships. Both scholarships require applicants to demonstrate not only academic potential, but also a clear vision of what they hope to achieve through their studies and how they intend to contribute to their home country afterward. Having spent over five years working in Pakistan’s development sector, I had developed both a strong understanding of the issues facing the country and a clear sense of my academic and professional goals. This allowed me to communicate my case in the scholarship applications.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my application stood out because it combined relevant professional experience with a clear academic purpose. My work in Pakistan’s development and environmental sectors has developed a strong understanding of the country’s environmental and development challenges, as well as their broader global dimensions. This experience helped me identify the specific areas I wanted to explore through my master's degree and how I intended to apply that knowledge after returning to Pakistan. Having a clear sense of purpose and a demonstrated commitment to the field helps in building your case.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Nothing.

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

Applying for scholarships is a long and gruelling process, so being patient is crucial. If you are already working, make the most of your professional experience and reflect on the lessons you have gained from the field, as these can significantly strengthen your application. It is also important to have a clear idea of what you want to study and what you hope to achieve from your degree. In my experience, that clarity comes not from the application process itself, but from the experiences, challenges, and observations you accumulate through your work and engagement with real-world issues.