Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of
developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are funded by the UK
Department for International Development (DFID),
with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims
and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher
education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.
Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to
study in the UK can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for
Master’s study, jointly supported by UK universities.
Purpose: To contribute to development needs of
Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified
professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to
study in the UK.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate
students who have not studied extensively overseas before, who would not
otherwise have the opportunity to study in the UK, and who have the
potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the
knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered for selected taught
Master’s courses, and are usually tenable for one year only. These
scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD study, or any
pre-sessional English language teaching.
Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, you must:
- Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person
- Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2016
- By August 2016, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a developed country
- Be unable, either yourself or through your family, to pay to study in the UK
The CSC promotes equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural
exchange. Applications are encouraged from a diverse range of
candidates. The CSC is committed to administering and managing its
scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner – for more
information, see the
CSC anti-fraud policy.
Terms and conditions
For full terms and conditions, see the
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2016 prospectus
Selection process
Each participating UK university will conduct its own recruitment
process to select a specified number of candidates for Shared
Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to
the CSC by 29 April 2016. The CSC will then confirm that these
candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme. Universities
will inform candidates of their results by July 2016.
Selection criteria include:
- Academic merit of the candidate
- Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country.
How to apply
You should apply to study an eligible Master’s course at a UK
university that is participating in the Shared Scholarship scheme. Click
here for a
list of participating universities and eligible courses
You must make your application using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS). Click here for
full information on how to use the EAS, including detailed guides.
Before applying, you must check with your UK university for their
specific advice and rules for applying (some universities may require
you to complete their own application form as well), and for their own
closing date for applications. Click here for a
list of contact details
You can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one
university, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the
EAS to your UK university or applications directly from individuals.
All applications must be submitted by
23.59 (BST) on
1 April 2016
at the latest. Each university has its own closing date for
applications, and most fall before 1 April 2016. You must submit your
application by the date advised by your UK university.
How to access the EAS
Enquiries?
All enquiries about these scholarships should be directed to the university to which you wish to apply.
Please note that the CSC does not charge candidates to apply for any
of its scholarships or fellowships through its Electronic Application
System (EAS), and it does not charge organisations to nominate
candidates.
List of participating universities and eligible courses
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2016 – eligible courses
Aberystwyth University
- Environmental Change, Impact and Adaptation
- Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
- Food and Water Security
- Information and Library Studies
- River System Dynamics and Management
Email:
pg-overseas@aber.ac.uk
Website:
www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/pg-study
Anglia Ruskin University
- International Relations
- International Social Welfare and Social Policy
- Public Health
- Town Planning
Preference given to citizens of Bangladesh, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe
Email:
jenny.cook@anglia.ac.uk
Website:
www.anglia.ac.uk
Bangor University
- Agroforestry
- Conservation and Land Management
- Environment and Business Management
- Environmental Forestry
- International Banking
- International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law
- Public Health and Health Promotion
- Public Procurement Law and Strategy
- Wetland Science for Conservation
Preference given to citizens of East and Central African countries
Email:
internationalenquiries@bangor.ac.uk
Website:
www.bangor.ac.uk/international
Bath Spa University
- Education: International Education
- Education: Leadership and Management
- Environmental Management
- Email: international@bathspa.ac.uk
Website:
www.bathspa.ac.uk/international-students/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarship
Birmingham City University
- Audit Management and Consultancy
- Building Surveying
- Construction Project Management
- Environmental and Spatial Planning
- Environmental Sustainability
- Public Health
- Zero Carbon Architecture and Retrofit Design
Email:
james.leadbetter@bcu.ac.uk
Website:
www.bcu.ac.uk
Bournemouth University
- Public Health
- Public International Law
- Sustainable Tourism Planning
- Tourism Management
Email:
international@bournemouth.ac.uk
Website:
www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/bu-commonwealth-shared-scholarship
Cardiff University
- Advanced Practice
- Applied Environmental Geology
- Biological Chemistry
- Clinical Dermatology
- International Journalism
- International Planning and Development
- International Relations
- Public Health
- Urban Design
- Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering
Preference given to citizens of African and South Asian countries
Email:
international@cardiff.ac.uk
Website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/international
Cranfield University
- Aerospace Programme
- Defence and Security Programme
- Design Programme
- Environment and Resources Programme
- Food Quality Programme
- Management Programme
- Manufacturing Programme
- Water Programme
Email:
studentfunding@cranfield.ac.uk
Website:
www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-degrees/fees-and-funding/funding-opportunities/commonwealth-shared-scholarship-scheme
De Montfort University
- Architectural Design
- Computing
- English Language Teaching
- International Business and Entrepreneurship
- International Business and Human Resource Management
- International Business and Management
- Mechatronics
- Nursing
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Youth and Community Development Studies
Preference given to citizens of Tanzania
Email:
jules.pringle@dmu.ac.uk
Website:
www.dmu.ac.uk/international
Durham University
- Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
- Defence, Development and Diplomacy
- Energy and Society
- Environment and Natural Resource Economics
- International Social Work and Community Development
- Internet Systems and eBusiness
- Medical Anthropology
- New and Renewable Energy
- Public Policy and Health
- Risk
Email:
scholarships.advice@durham.ac.uk
Website:
www.dur.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/scholarships/csss
Glasgow Caledonian University
- Food Bioscience
- Clinical Nutrition and Health
- Diabetes Care and Management
- International Project Management
- International Tourism Management
Email:
scholarships@gcu.ac.uk
Website:
www.gcu.ac.uk/study/scholarships/international
Goldsmiths, University of London
- Applied Theatre: Drama in Educational, Community and Social Contexts
- Arts Administration and Cultural Policy
- Cities and Society
- Design and Environment
- Development and Rights
- Education: Culture, Language and Identity
- Global Media and Transnational Communications
- International Relations
- Postcolonial Culture and Global Policy
Email:
money@gold.ac.uk
Website:
www.gold.ac.uk/international
Heriot-Watt University
- Actuarial Management
- Architectural Engineering
- Quantitative Finance and Mathematics
- Quantitative Financial Engineering
- Urban Regional Planning
- Water and Environment Management
Email:
scholarships@hw.ac.uk
Website:
www.hw.ac.uk
Imperial College London
Email:
scholarships@imperial.ac.uk
Institute of Development Studies, Sussex
- Climate Change and Development
- Development Studies
- Gender and Development
- Globalisation, Business and Development
- Governance and Development
- Participation, Power and Social Change
- Poverty and Development
Email:
teaching@ids.ac.uk
Website:
www.ids.ac.uk/study
Keele University
- Diplomatic Studies
- Environmental Politics
- Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology
- Global Security
- Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice
Email:
international@keele.ac.uk
Website:
www.keele.ac.uk
King’s College London
- Clinical Nursing
- Health Psychology
- International Development and Emerging Economies
- Neuroimaging
Email:
graduateschool@kcl.ac.uk
Website:
www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/funding/database/index.php?action=view&id=247
Leeds Beckett University
- Public Health – Health Promotion
- Responsible Tourism Management
Email:
internationalofficePG@leedsbeckett.ac.uk (Public Health) /
intpgthre@leedsbeckett.ac.uk (Responsible Tourism Management)
Website:
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/internationalfinance
Liverpool Hope University
- Education
- Environmental Management
- Peace Studies
Email:
international@hope.ac.uk
Website:
www.hope.ac.uk/international/internationalscholarships/commonwealthscholarships
Liverpool John Moores University
- Health Psychology
- International Journalism
- International Public Health
- International Transport Trade and Logistics
- Global Crime, Justice and Security
- Port Management
Email:
international@ljmu.ac.uk
Website:
www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/international-students
London Metropolitan University
- Crime, Violence and Prevention
- Food Science
- Spatial Planning and Urban Design
- Women and Child Abuse
Preference given to citizens of mainland sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries
Email:
scholarships@londonmet.ac.uk
Website:
www.londonmet.ac.uk/international/scholarships-at-london-met
London School of Economics and Political Science
- African Development
- Anthropology and Development
- Development Management
- Development Studies
- Environment and Development
- Health, Community and Development
- Local Economic Development
- Social Policy and Development: Non-Governmental Organisations
- Social Policy and Development
- Urbanisation and Development
Preference given to citizens of mainland sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries
Email:
financial-support@lse.ac.uk
Website:
www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/moneyMatters/financialSupport/ScholarshipsLSE/MScApp/awards/OverseasMSc/csss.aspx
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Public Health
- Public Health for Development
- Public Health for Eye Care
- Reproductive and Sexual Health Research
Email:
scholarships@lshtm.ac.uk
Website:
www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/funding/masters_scholarships.html
Newcastle University
- Agriculture and Environmental Science
- Hydrology and Climate Change
- International Development and Education
- International Politics (Globalization, Poverty and Development)
- Medical Sciences
- Planning for Sustainability and Climate Change
- Public Health
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainable Buildings and Environment
- Transport
Email:
scholarship.applications@ncl.ac.uk
Website:
www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/sources/allstudents/cwsss.html
Queen Margaret University
- Global Health
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Social Justice, Development and Health
Email:
iihd@qmu.ac.uk
Website:
www.qmu.ac.uk/iihd
Queen’s University Belfast
- Advanced Food Safety
- Conflict Transformation and Social Justice
- Leadership for Sustainable Development
- Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development
Email:
graduateschool@qub.ac.uk
Website:
www.qub.ac.uk/graduateschool
Royal Agricultural University
- Business Management
- International Rural Development
- Food Safety and Quality Management
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Email:
nigel.warner@rau.ac.uk
Website:
www.rau.ac.uk
Royal Veterinary College
- One Health
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Wild Animal Biology
- Wild Animal Health
Email:
admissions@rvc.ac.uk
Website:
www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
Sheffield Hallam University
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering
- Cultural Policy and Management
- Healthcare Education
- International Human Resource Management
- International Hospitality and Tourism Management
- International Journalism
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Nutrition with Public Health Management
- Public Health
- Urban and Regional Planning
Email:
scholarships@shu.ac.uk
Website:
www.shu.ac.uk/international/scholarships-bursaries/csss
SOAS, University of London
- Development Economics
- Development Studies
- Law, Development and Globalisation (LLM)
- Music in Development
- Social Anthropology of Development
Available to citizens of India and African countries
Email:
scholarships@soas.ac.uk
Website:
www.soas.ac.uk/scholarships
Swansea University
- Child Public Health
- Development and Human Rights
- Environmental Biology: Conservation and Resource Management
- Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change
- Gerontology and Ageing Studies
- Health Data Science
- International Security and Development
- Management (International Standards)
- Oil and Gas Law
- Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy
Preference given to citizens of India, Malaysia, and Zimbabwe
Email:
e.raw@swansea.ac.uk
Website:
www.swansea.ac.uk
Teesside University
- Clinical Research
- Computing
- Evidence Based Practice
- Public Health
Email:
l.nnyanzi@tees.ac.uk
UCL (University College London)
- Anthropology, Environment and Development
- Comparative Business Economics
- Development Administration and Planning
- Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management
- Education and International Development
- Education, Gender and International Development
- Education, Health Promotion and International Development
- Educational Planning, Economics and International Development
- Genetics of Human Disease
- Global Health and Development
- Managing Archaeological Sites
- Museum Studies
- Social Development Practice
- Urban Development Planning
(Over 10 courses available due to the recent merger of UCL and the Institute of Education)
Email:
studentfunding@ucl.ac.uk
Website:
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships
Ulster University
- Gender, Conflict and Human Rights Law
Email:
r.mcevoy@ulster.ac.uk
Website:
www.ulster.ac.uk/international/applying-to-ulster
University of Aberdeen
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Energy and Environmental Law
- Environmental Partnership Management
- Global Health Management
- Information Technology
- International Relations
- Oil and Gas Law
Email:
r.j.findlay@abdn.ac.uk
Website:
www.abdn.ac.uk/funding
University of Bath
- Computer Science
- Developmental Biology
- Human Computer Interaction
- Modern Applications of Mathematics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Software Systems
Email:
fs-cssqueries@bath.ac.uk
Website:
www.bath.ac.uk/science/gradschool
- International Development
Email:
sps-pgt-admissions@bath.ac.uk
Website:
www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school
University of Bedfordshire
Email:
admission@beds.ac.uk
Website:
www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/public-health8
University of Birmingham
- Africa and Development (preference given to citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania)
- African Studies
- Clinical Oncology
- Development Economics
- Development Management
- Health Economics and Health Policy
- Human Resource Management
- International Development
- Public Health (preference given to citizens of African and Southeast Asian countries)
- Social Research (African Studies)
Email:
fga@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Website:
www.birmingham.ac.uk/international
University of Brighton
- Construction Management
- Education (International Education)
- Environmental Assessment and Management
- Tourism and International Development
- Water and Environmental Management
Email:
csssapps@brighton.ac.uk
Website:
www.brighton.ac.uk
University of Bristol
- Climate Change Science and Policy
- Development and Security
- Education (Policy and International Development)
- Environmental Policy and Management
- Gender and International Relations
- International Development
- International Law
- International Relations
- Transfusion and Transplantation Sciences
- Water and Environmental Management
Email:
uob-csss-award@bristol.ac.uk
Website:
www.bristol.ac.uk/fees-funding/awards/commonwealth-shared-scholarships
University of Cambridge
- Conservation Leadership
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering for Sustainable Development
- Environmental Policy
- Law
- Planning, Growth and Regeneration
- Public Policy
- Sociology
Email:
cambridge.trust@admin.cam.ac.uk
Website:
www.cambridgetrust.org
University of Chester
- Biomedical Science
- Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
- Family and Child Psychology
- Global Health
- Management with International Business
- Public Health
- Public Health Nutrition
- Wildlife Conservation
Email:
international@chester.ac.uk
Website:
www.chester.ac.uk/international
University of East Anglia
- Climate Change
- Climate Change and International Development
- Conflict Governance and International Development
- Education and International Development
- Energy Engineering with Environmental Management
- Environment and International Development
- Environmental Assessment and Management
- Impact Evaluation and International Development
- Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement
- Water Security and International Development
Email:
admissions@uea.ac.uk
Website:
www.uea.ac.uk
University of Edinburgh
- Africa and International Development
- African Studies
Email:
studentfunding@ed.ac.uk
Website:
www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding
University of Exeter
- Engineering and Management
- Environment and Human Health
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
- International Human Rights Law
- Public Administration
- Structural Engineering
- Sustainable Development
Email:
m.nearchou@exeter.ac.uk
Website:
www.exeter.ac.uk/international/students/scholarships/sharedscholarshipscheme
University of Glasgow
- Economic Development
- Environmental Statistics
- Global Economy
- Global Mental Health
- Global Security
- Human Nutrition
- Medical Genetics
- Physics: Energy and the Environment
- Public Health
- Sustainable Energy
Email:
rio-scholarships@glasgow.ac.uk
Website:
www.gla.ac.uk
University of Greenwich
- Sustainable Environmental Management
Email:
P.J.A.Burt@greenwich.ac.uk
Website:
www.nri.org
University of Hull
- Analytical and Forensic Chemistry
- Biomedical Science
- Cancer Imaging
- Renewable Energy
Email:
international@hull.ac.uk
Website:
www.hull.ac.uk
University of Kent
- Broadband and Mobile Communication Networks
- Conservation and International Wildlife Trade
- Conservation and Tourism
- International Conflict Analysis
- International Finance and Economic Development
- Management (International Business)
- Terrorism and Society
Email:
scholarships@kent.ac.uk
Website:
www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/international/DFID.html
University of Leeds
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems
- Environment and Development
- Geographical Information Systems
- Global Development
- International Communication
- Oilfield Corrosion Engineering
- Public Health (International)
- Religious Studies and Global Development
- Transport Planning and Engineering
Email:
pg_scholarships@leeds.ac.uk
Website:
http://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk
University of Leicester
- Banking and Finance
- Chronic Disease and Immunity
- Environmental Informatics
- Human Rights and Global Ethics
- Infection and Immunity
- International Education
- International Human Rights Law
- International Relations and World Order
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
- Urban Conservation
Email:
scholarships@le.ac.uk
Website:
www.le.ac.uk/international
University of Liverpool
- Advanced Computer Science
- Archive and Record Management
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Human Rights Law
- International Business
- International Slavery Studies
- Public Health
- Sustainable Structural Engineering
- Understanding Conflict
Email:
seschol@liverpool.ac.uk
Website:
www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
University of Nottingham
- Advanced Nursing
- Assisted Reproduction Technology
- Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics
- Molecular Medical Microbiology
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Public Health (International Health)
Email:
scholarship-assistant@nottingham.ac.uk
Website:
www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships-fees-and-finance/scholarships/scholarshipdetails/comm-shared-masters.aspx
University of Oxford
- Bachelor of Civil Law
- Economics for Development
Preference given to citizens of India
Email:
graduate.funding@admin.ox.ac.uk
Website:
www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/graduate-scholarships/university-wide-scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-scheme
University of Portsmouth
- Corporate Governance and Law
- Crisis and Disaster Management
- Educational Leadership and Management
- Energy and Power Systems Management
- Environmental Geology and Contamination
- Forensic Information Technology
- Historic Buildings Conservation
- Public Administration
- Risk, Crisis and Resilience Management
- Sustainable Architecture
Email:
international.office@port.ac.uk
Website:
www.port.ac.uk/international
University of Reading
- Agricultural Economics
- Applied International Development
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Pollution
- Food Science
- Food Technology – Quality Assurance
- Human Geography (Research)
- Nutrition and Food Science
- Public Policy
Email:
international@reading.ac.uk
Website:
http://discover.reading.ac.uk
University of Sheffield
- Advancing Practice
- Clinical Neurology
- Environmental Change and International Development
- Human Nutrition
- Psychological Research Methods
- Public Health
- Speech Difficulties
- Sustainable Architecture Studies
- Translational Neuroscience
- Translational Oncology
Email:
internationalscholarships@sheffield.ac.uk
Website:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/money/commonwealth
University of South Wales
- Building Information Modelling and Sustainability
- Computer Systems Security
- Disaster Management for Environmental Hazards
- Education
- Wildlife Conservation Management
- International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management and Development of International Financial Systems
- Renewable Energy and Resource Management
- Safety, Health and Environmental Management
Email:
international@southwales.ac.uk
Website:
www.southwales.ac.uk/international
University of Southampton
- Applied GIS and Remote Sensing
- Clinical Leadership in Cancer, Palliative and End of Life Care
(preference given to citizens of sub-Saharan African, South Asian, and
Southeast Asian countries)
- Demography
- Foundations of Clinical Psychology
- Maritime Law
- Operational Research
- Project Management
- Public Health (Nutrition) (preference given to citizens of African countries)
- Vertebrate Palaeontology
- Wildlife Conservation
Email:
international@southampton.ac.uk
Website:
www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding/international-fees-funding/funding-partnerships/commonwealth-scholarships.page
University of St Andrews
Email:
pgscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk
Website:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/pg/fees-and-funding
University of Stirling
- Environmental Management (Conservation)
- International Conflict and Cooperation
- Media Management
- Psychology of Sport
- Publishing Studies
- Sustainable Aquaculture
Email:
graduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk
Website:
www.stir.ac.uk/scholarships/general/commonwealth-shared-scholarship-scheme.html
University of Strathclyde
- Advanced Computer Science
- Applied Economics
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering Programmes
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Finance
- Forensic Science
- International Law and Sustainable Development
- Internet Law and Policy
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
Email:
commonwealth-shared@strath.ac.uk
Website:
www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/scholarships/commonwealthsharedscholarship
University of the West of England
- Biomedical Science
- Construction Project Management
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Sustainable Development in Practice
- Transport Engineering and Planning
Email:
international@uwe.ac.uk
Website:
www.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/internationalstudentfunding/othersourcesofscholarships
University of the West of Scotland
- Advanced Computer Systems Development
- Biotechnology
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Music: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Project Management
- Psychology
- Waste and Clean Technologies
Email:
international@uws.ac.uk
Website:
www.uws.ac.uk/international-students/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships
University of Warwick
- Analytical Science: Methods, Instrumentation and Techniques
- Arts, Enterprise and Development
- Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management
- Economics
- Economics and International Financial Economics
- Food Security
- Gender and International Development
- International Development
- International Development Law and Human Rights
- Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century
Email:
graduateschool@warwick.ac.uk
Website:
www.warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/gsp/scholarship
University of Westminster
- International Development Management
- International Human Resource Management
- International Public Health Nutrition
- International Planning and Sustainable Development
- International Relations
- International Relations and Development Politics
- International Relations and Security
Email:
scholarships@westminster.ac.uk
Website:
www.westminster.ac.uk/scholarships
University of Worcester
- Advancing Practice
- Business Psychology
- Early Childhood
- Education
- International Management
- Nutritional Therapy
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Sports Coaching
Email:
international@worc.ac.uk
Website:
www.worcester.ac.uk