CSC Strategy Targets Sustainable Development and Alumni-Led Change Across the Commonwealth

UK’s Soft Power Engine Refocuses on Equity, Development, and Global Partnerships

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most effective instruments of soft power. It has laid out its strategic direction for 2025 to 2028. Since its founding in 1960, individual scholarships have assisted thousands of distinguished scholars, fellows, and alumni throughout the Commonwealth. While its core purpose remains unchanged, the strategic environment in which it operates is characterised as fast-changing, placing renewed emphasis on development, equity, and international partnership.

As stipulated by the Commission, the world today requires more intensive educational collaborations to resolve pressing development issues and advance UK foreign policy objectives. The CSC aims to leverage the potential of higher education to drive sustainable development across the Commonwealth, while reinforcing the UK's status as a global leader in education and international cooperation. Staff have stated that helping drive UK development outcomes and foreign policy goals will continue to be central to the CSC's mission. Meanwhile, the Commission aims to offer more opportunities to capable individuals from less privileged and under-represented groups—a strategy which reflects the broader social justice agenda of the UK. In this way, the CSC aims to challenge entrenched inequalities and unlock potential which may otherwise be overlooked.

Another area of likely focus is alumni outreach. The CSC has recognised that its alumni play an important role in championing education and development across the Commonwealth. Many are now in leadership positions in their home countries, and the Commission seeks to build a more vigorous, more engaged alumni community to promote cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and lasting impact. In an effort to keep its programmes viable, the CSC will be exploring new partnerships and funding arrangements. The trust it holds with the domestic public has also been reaffirmed through its commitment to making the best use of resources, with the intention of collaborating with other organisations aligned with these values. The objective is to ensure that scholars have alternative long-term financing available while continuing to use public funds efficiently.

The Commission will strive to achieve its development goals, including those that relate to UK development and security objectives, in the year 2025 to 2026. At present, the Commission aims to increase access for underrepresented groups, enhance alumni connections, and build new forms of partnership models. Among such priorities are the establishment of more flexible selection processes, the strengthening of partnerships with High Commissions, and the development of an Equality Impact Assessment Framework.

Other actions to be taken include updating the CSC's Equity, Access and Impact Strategy, introducing a new alumni engagement strategy, and working with other government scholarship schemes. A new IT system is also to be implemented by the Commission to enhance efficiency and embed evidence-based practice, including reaching Level 3 of the NESTA standard. To monitor progress, the CSC has established five key performance indicators for 2025 to 2026. These include ensuring that all scholarship funding is invested in UK sustainable development objectives, increasing awards to under-represented groups, growing alumni engagement by 5%, securing more than £6 million in non-government funding, and completing eight in-depth evaluation case studies to demonstrate impact.

In reaffirming its commitment to development, equity, and relevance, the CSC has positioned its 2025 to 2028 Strategy as a guide to delivering value to the UK taxpayer, the government, and the wider Commonwealth. The Commission’s leadership has stated that the coming years will focus on deepening impact, expanding access, and building enduring partnerships for positive change.

Editor’s Note:

This strategic update from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is long overdue and highly timely. As global challenges become increasingly complex, the role of education in shaping solutions has never been more pronounced. The CSC’s renewed focus on development, equity, and international cooperation reflects clear foresight into how scholarships can drive transformational change—not only for individuals, but also for communities and nations across the Commonwealth. What sets this strategy apart is its emphasis on inclusion. By prioritising scholars from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, the CSC is addressing systemic inequality while nurturing talent that might otherwise remain hidden. It is a bold and welcome step that aligns with the UK’s broader social justice agenda and its aspirations for global leadership. Equally important is the focus on alumni engagement. The CSC rightly recognises that its former scholars are powerful ambassadors for education and development. Strengthening these networks will help build lasting partnerships and ensure that the Commission’s impact extends well beyond the scholarship period. The strategy also demonstrates a clear intention to be resourceful and forward-looking. New funding opportunities, improved digital systems, and increased collaboration with other government programmes all point to a Commission that is ready to evolve and deliver value in a rapidly changing world.

Skoobuzz believes that this policy document is more than just a plan; it's a call to action. The CSC presents an inclusive, strategic, and highly relevant vision for the UK's involvement in global development. The immediate challenge is to transform these priorities into tangible results, with CSC-supported scholars helping to build a richer and more comprehensive story of progress and opportunity.

FAQs

1. What is the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)?

The CSC is a UK body that has supported outstanding scholars, fellows, and alumni across the Commonwealth since 1960. It promotes sustainable development, international collaboration, and educational excellence through its scholarship and fellowship programmes.

2. Why has the CSC updated its strategy for 2025 to 2028?

The CSC operates in a changing global environment where education plays a key role in addressing development challenges and supporting UK foreign policy. The new strategy responds to these shifts by focusing on equity, impact, and strategic partnerships.

3. What are the main goals of the CSC’s 2025–2028 strategy?

The strategy aims to:

• Support UK development and foreign policy objectives

• Increase access for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups

• Strengthen alumni engagement

• Build new partnerships to expand opportunities

• Ensure efficient use of resources and public funds

4. How will the CSC support disadvantaged and underrepresented groups?

The CSC will provide more opportunities for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, helping to address systemic inequalities and promote inclusive development across the Commonwealth.

5. What role do alumni play in the CSC’s strategy?

Alumni are seen as ambassadors for the value of education. The CSC plans to deepen alumni engagement by expanding collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leadership opportunities across the Commonwealth.

6. How will the CSC measure success from 2025 to 2026?

Five key performance indicators have been set:

• 100% of scholarship funding will support UK sustainable development goals

• At least 10% of funding will align with emerging UK Government priorities

• Increased applications and awards to disadvantaged groups

• A 5% rise in active alumni engagement

• Over £6 million in non-government funding, with no increase in administrative costs

7. What operational changes are planned for 2025 to 2026?

The CSC will:

• Introduce more flexible selection methods

• Engage more closely with High Commissions

• Develop an Equality Impact Assessment Framework

• Refresh its Equity, Access and Impact Strategy

• Launch a new alumni engagement plan

• Collaborate with other UK Government scholarship schemes

• Implement a new IT system to improve efficiency

• Recruit Commissioners to maintain strong governance

8. How does the CSC contribute to UK national interests?

By investing in education and international partnerships, the CSC supports UK goals in development, diplomacy, economic growth, and global leadership. Its programmes help build long-term relationships and shared values across the Commonwealth.