How To Write Development Impact Statement for Commonwealth Scholarship

The Development Impact Statement for the Commonwealth Scholarship is crucial to the success of your application. This type of statement is used to assess whether or not you are best suited for the opportunity. Many people miss that point, thereby making their application unsuccessful. 

Here, I’ll share with you my experience on how to write a Development Impact Statement for the Commonwealth Scholarship.

Listen, when you’re writing, ensure you stick to the Commonwealth Development Theme, which is basically about “promoting innovation and entrepreneurship while fostering economic growth in low-income countries.”

A well-written developmental impact statement portrays you as a first-choice candidate for your chosen UK university and the CSC, indirectly investing in your country of origin.

It is to be written and submitted on the CSC online platform when applying for the master’s scholarship. CSC accepts statements written in the English language. If you are from a non-English speaking Commonwealth country, always make sure to have it translated before submission.

Essentially, this should be 500 words long. Thus, write brilliantly and avoid technical jargon to make them readable. Statistical or pictorial proof showing the challenges faced by your home country increases your chances of being selected.

Below, I’ve explored certain core areas you must cover to make your submission outstanding.

How To Write Development Impact Statement for Commonwealth Scholarship

In writing your development impact statement, you must make sure to provide the following information  correctly 

Explain How your  Proposed Study Relates to a Particular Development Challenge or Need at the Global, National, or Local Level

This is the first fact you need to consider when writing  your development impact statement.

It should reflect a deep knowledge and developmental needs across the globe, national and your local community. In your essay, explain to the scholarship committee how your presence after being awarded the scholarship and on completion of the masters program can be met and addressed.

Discuss Your Proposed Study in relation to Development Issues and Challenges in Your Sector

This aspect is related to the first but centers primarily on a specific sector. It tends to explain how your master program will help tackle the developmental challenges domiciled in the sector you work or hope to work in future.

It is advisable to use statistical data and pictures to show clear evidence of those  challenges you are talking about and then provide tactical strategies on how you can proffer solutions to them after graduation.

How Your Proposed Study Relates to Your Chosen CSC Theme Under Which Your Course is Offered

Use this avenue to explain how your master program correlates with your selected CSC development theme.

You can cite a specific module from your proposed course to back up your explanation. This helps strengthen your application. Remember that the aim is to show how the proposed study is connected to any of the CSC themes you have selected.

The Audiences and Users of Your Proposed Study

This is the  aspect in your impact statement where you specify the demography where your study will have the most impact on.

Your research/ purpose of study should not be   narrowed down to only your community or country but to specific individuals or  groups of people who will immensely benefit from your work.

For example these could be young people, adults, policy makers, security agencies or rural communities. Always try to be as specific as possible so your result can be easily measurable.

How You Will Apply Your New Skills and Qualifications When You Return Home

The scholarship committee is curious to know what your end goals are and what you plan to do with the acquired UK master degree program when you return back to your country.

You need to be as specific as possible and provide a brief and detailed summary of what you intend to achieve within the first phase of completing your program.

It can be acquiring the necessary skills in order to start and continue a developmental project, improve your current organization, or even run for a political position.  Each of these should center on your proposed course.

The Outcomes that You Aim to Achieve and the Time-frame for their Implementation

Here you are to provide in detail  your proposed  plans/ goals you tend to achieve and the time frame attached to each of them.

It is very important that you nurture and embark on plans that are realistic and can be easily attainable with a specific period of time upon your return for the UK.

Any vision that is not clear and achievable will not be given any consideration, this reduces your chances of being selected. The SMART goals acronym should guide.

How the Impact of Your Work Might be Measured

Lastly it is mandatory you explain how the success of your proposed course/ work will be measured or evaluated.

It  could be a successful eradication of the problems that can be in existence for a long period of time.

Sample of How To Write Development Impact Statement for Commonwealth Scholarship

Here is a sample of a Development Impact Statement for a Commonwealth Scholarship on Global Crime, Security and Defence. 

You are to study it carefully and use it as a guide when writing yours. Avoid copying everything verbatim so yours won’t be rejected.

“Security challenges are a threat to different countries around the world and halt economic development.

People are actually scared of living in certain countries of the world because of fear of being killed.

Nigeria is said to be one of these countries with the highest number of crime rates and terrorism. According to the international trade administration 2021, the terrorism index rose to  8.23,and  this figure has increased drastically today.

In the northern part of Nigeria especially in Adamawa State( my state of origin), bandits like Fulani herdsmen and Boko haram attack farms and kill a lot of innocent farmers thereby stopping agricultural productions.

In the southern part of the country there has always been a high rate of kidnapping and armed robbery which has caused a lot of businesses to be shut down.

Churches and mosques are being attacked and destroyed killing thousands of worshippers.

In 5th June 2022, a group of gunmen disguised as a church congregation entered St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State killing  a total number of 41 persons and injuring 61.

Ever since this incident, there has been incessant shooting and killing of innocent victims majority of which were not recorded.

This has affected the peace and harmony in the country as people now live in fear and panic. Foreigners find it very difficult to carry out their businesses in Nigeria because of the fear of being killed or kidnapped.

Security agencies who were applied to handle these security issues  have lacked adequate equipment and weaponry to do so.

They have  applied various means in tackling the insurgency but all efforts proved abortive and yielded no measurable result.

It is in this regard that I’m applying for the commonwealth scholarship to pursue a master program in Global Crime, Security and Defence in order for me to help strengthen the security sector.

As a patriot citizen of my beloved country, it is my vision and desire to see that this issue is addressed, tackled and reduced to its minimum.

 The knowledge I will acquire will help  in providing tactical solutions for the security agencies in my country so they can get this issue solved.

When I return to Nigeria, I will work with the security agencies to conduct research on the causes of crime and insecurity in the country,and provide solutions to addressing these identified problems.

I look forward to formulating and implementing security policies and programs that will facilitate the improvement of the security sector. All these I intend to achieve within my first year after completing my master degree program.

I will also use the gained knowledge and skills to advocate for funds and financial assistance from government and non governmental organizations to facilitate security projects across the country.

Through a successful collaboration with the security agencies , I will ensure that the crime rate is reduced to its minimum, no cases of kidnapped victims, armed robbery and farmers can comfortably return to their farmland for production”.

Final Thought | How To Write Development Impact Statement for Commonwealth Scholarship

The development impact statement for the Commonwealth Scholarship should demonstrate how patriotic you are as a citizen of your country. It reflects your humanity.

It should outline a worthy cause to which you are committed. Of course, it should align with the course you want to study and clearly illustrate how the scholarship can have a positive impact on it.

Now, you need to take it seriously because it conveys to your desired university and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) that your master’s degree is worth investing in. This is why you must learn how to write the Development Impact Statement for the Commonwealth Scholarship very well.

To be on the safer side, ensure that the course you are applying for in the Commonwealth Scholarship master’s degree program aligns with your bachelor’s degree.

Next, strike a balance between academic, networking/leadership, and your social goals. Understand that the scholarship program aims to prepare you holistically as a future global leader.

Avoid writing about your educational background and qualifications, as this information is not necessarily needed here. It should only be included in your personal statement.

Be concise enough to elaborate more on the solutions you intend to provide that will benefit both the country and your local community. The university committee is more concerned with long-term projects.

If you have been experiencing difficulties trying to write one for yourself, the guidelines given above should equip you with the necessary steps you need to follow.