Written by Christian Chinonso
Founder, LearnViaHub | Academic Credential & International Student Research
✓ Last checked: 21 October 2026Official CSC sources cited
Quick answer
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) says it decides who receives a scholarship purely on the information in the application form, so an interview with the CSC is not part of the process it describes (CSC advice for applicants).
An interview can still happen earlier. Each nominator, and each university for Shared Scholarships, runs its own selection process, and some may interview shortlisted candidates (Master’s Scholarships page; CSC Shared Scholarships page).
The CSC publishes no interview length, panel or question list, so we do not give any. Ask your nominator or university directly.
This guide is part of our Commonwealth Scholarship overview. For the written application, see our application guide.
Who may interview you
| Award | Who may interview | What the CSC says |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s and PhD Scholarships | Your nominator, if it chooses to interview | The CSC says each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process and may have additional criteria. The CSC then grades the nominated applications on the written form (CSC FAQs; CSC advice for applicants). |
| Shared Master’s Scholarships | The university | Each participating university runs its own recruitment to select candidates. The CSC then confirms they meet the eligibility criteria (CSC Shared Scholarships page). |
As one example of a nominator stage, India’s Ministry of Education published a notice listing candidates shortlisted for interview on 4, 7 and 8 December 2015 for the 2016 scholarship (Ministry of Education notice). That is an old, country-specific example, not a current schedule. Whether your nominator or university interviews, and when, changes with each round, so we give no general timing.
What is a nominator?
A nominator is the organisation that selects candidates and puts them forward to the CSC for Master’s and PhD Scholarships. The CSC’s list covers national nominating agencies, which are the main route, and invited NGOs and charitable bodies (CSC national nominating agencies). Each may have its own eligibility criteria and selection process, so questions about its process go to the nominator, not the CSC. Shared Scholarships have no nominator. See our application guide for the routes.
What the selectors look for
The CSC’s selection panels assess academic merit, impact of the work on development, and the study or research plan (CSC advice for applicants). The table sets the panel’s published feedback against what it means for you if the panel interviews you. The right-hand column is our suggestion.
| Criterion | What the CSC panels say | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Academic merit | Strong grades at undergraduate and, where relevant, Master’s level. Many successful applicants have a first-class degree or a Master’s distinction, but upper second-class holders also receive awards. Explain weaker results in the personal statement. Detailed references matter, and a five-line reference is unlikely to be enough. | Be ready to explain any weaker results and how your record supports your plan. |
| Impact on development | Selectors place great emphasis on how your work will affect development when you return home. Focusing on personal success does not give them what they need, and it is not enough to say your subject is developmental. | Be ready to say what you will do after studying, who benefits and how you could measure the impact. |
| Study or research plan | The plan should be clear to a non-specialist. PhD applicants need precise methodology and any sampling strategy. You must explain why you chose each university beyond rankings, write the plan yourself, and not copy text from websites. | Be ready to explain your plan in plain language, and to justify each university you listed. |
| Personal statement | It should summarise how your background has encouraged you to make an impact at home, including barriers you have overcome. | Be ready to talk about your motivation with specific examples. |
Nominators and universities may weight things differently, so treat this as a guide to the CSC’s own criteria.
How to prepare
If your nominator or university invites you to interview, these steps follow the CSC’s criteria. They are our suggestions, not an official interview format.
- Re-read your application. Interviewers are likely to start from what you wrote, so your answers should match your Development Impact statement and plan of study.
- Prepare a plain-language summary of your plan. The CSC says plans must be understandable to a non-specialist.
- Answer the four impact questions out loud. The form asks how your study relates to development issues, how you will apply your skills, what will change (outcomes, timeframe, beneficiaries) and how you could measure impact (Master’s Scholarships page).
- Know why you chose each university. The CSC says rankings alone are not a reason.
- Have evidence for your claims. Be ready to point to publications, work or projects you listed.
- Follow the invitation exactly. Note the date, format and what to bring, because the CSC does not set these.
Email to ask about your nominator’s or university’s process
Because no official source gives interview details, the surest way to find out is to ask. You can adapt this email for your nominator, or for the university if you are applying for a Shared Scholarship.
Subject: Question about the selection process for the Commonwealth Scholarship Dear [Name or Team], I am applying for the Commonwealth [Master’s / PhD] Scholarship from [country]. Could you please tell me: - whether you interview shortlisted candidates; - if so, the expected dates and whether the interview is in person or online; - what documents I should bring or prepare; - how and when you notify shortlisted candidates; - your own closing date and any criteria in addition to the CSC’s. Thank you for your help. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [Application reference, if you have one]
Frequently asked questions
Is there an interview for the Commonwealth Scholarship?
Not with the CSC, according to its own description: it decides purely on the application form (CSC advice for applicants). Your nominator or, for Shared Scholarships, your university may interview you.
Does the CSC interview every applicant?
The CSC gives no requirement for interviews. Each nominator and each university runs its own selection, so the answer depends on them (Master’s Scholarships page; CSC Shared Scholarships page).
How do I find out if my country interviews?
Contact your nominator, using the contact details on the CSC nominating agencies page. The email template above covers the questions to ask.
When are the interviews?
There is no official CSC schedule. Each nominator or university sets its own dates, and they can change between rounds.
What is a nominator?
It is the organisation that selects candidates and puts them forward to the CSC for Master’s and PhD Scholarships, usually a national nominating agency (CSC list).
When will I hear the result?
The CSC emails applicants about the outcome at different times depending on the scholarship and other factors (CSC FAQs). For the 2027/28 Master’s and PhD round, the CSC’s page says it expects outcomes by July 2027 (Master’s Scholarships page).
Continue your Commonwealth Scholarship research
About the author
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, where he researches academic credentials and the practical questions international students face, such as scholarships, grade conversion and admissions requirements.
How we researched this
Last checked: 21 October 2026. We read the CSC’s advice for applicants, FAQs, Master’s and Shared Scholarships pages, its national nominating agencies page, and an India Ministry of Education interview notice. We found no official source for interview length, panel make-up, question lists or country timings, so we give none. The “how to prepare” column and steps are our own suggestions based on the CSC’s criteria. The CSC’s advice page was last updated in May 2025.
Processes change between rounds, so confirm the details with your nominator or university.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.