[Neeti Daftari]

Hi! I'm a development professional from India. I have been accepted into LSE (MSc in NGOs and Development) with a Commonwealth scholarship as well as SOAS (MSc in Development Studies) with a Felix scholarship. I am a bit confused as to what to take up. I have a few queries...

- Which is the better school for development studies and would look better on my CV, for future job prospects etc?

- Which is the better scholarship?

- The course at LSE is a little too niche (I had foolishly put Dev Studies as my 2nd choice and therefore couldn't get it!!!). But from all my interactions with other people, I've heard that the Commonwealth Scholarship is more prestigious than the Felix and can open more doors for me career-wise.( Both scholarships provide for full tuition fees as well as living expenses) Should I therefore settle for an MSc in NGOs and Development at LSE even though I would have preferred an MSc in Development Studies?

Please help!

[biswanath]

Hi Neeti!

I'm in a similar situation as you seemed to have been a year back! I have been offered both a Felix as well as a commonwealth scholarship to study the same masters course at Oxford. Could you please advise me as to which one I should accept in terms of which is more prestigious and would be a better boost in terms of support networks, connections and alumni of that scholarship?

Also, which would look better on the CV when I'm applying for PhD funding later on? I would also love to know which one you eventually opted for and why.

Hope you're studies are going brilliantly!

Thanks for the help!
Biswanath

[Neeti Daftari]

Hi Biswanath,
Currently in between exams, so a really quick reply. I eventually chose LSE and the Commonwealth scholarship, and am quite happy with my choice. Personally feel that Commonwealth is more well-known and may look better on your CV. Hope this helps!

[khushbakhtejaz]

Hello,
I need some help about the commonwealth shared scholarship at Oxford. Seeing that you have received it in the past, i hope you can help me. I want to ask that if one is nominated for CSSS at Oxford, do they have to fill out the application at EAS (Commonwealth website) too? or one is directly informed whether they have received the scholarship or not?

Thank u in advance.

[Neeti Daftari]

Hi,

This is what happened in my case - the school shortlisted me and then sent me a mail stating that if I wish to accept the scholarship, I need to fill up the CSSS application online to complete the process. I think the CSSS application was just a formality; the school will inform you if you need to send in the application.

Hope I've been of help.
All the best!
Neeti