Applications Are Open for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 in the UK (Fully Funded)
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme, part of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, aligns with international development goals. The programme aims to nurture potential leaders and innovators, contributing to sustainable development and fostering international collaboration upon their return to their home countries.
Application Deadline:
- 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT (Applications open on Tuesday, 10 November 2026).
Tell Me About The Program:
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and participating UK universities. It provides high-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries with the opportunity to pursue a full-time Master’s degree in the UK. The program targets individuals with academic excellence and leadership potential who otherwise could not afford to study in the UK, aiming to drive sustainable development and innovation in their home countries.
Which Fields are Eligible:
- Approved Master’s courses across various disciplines aligned with the CSC development themes at participating UK universities.
Type:
Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship & Development Fellowship
Who can Apply:
- Citizenship & Residency: Must be a citizen of (or hold refugee status in) an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident there.
- Academic Requirements: By September 2027, must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard (or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification like a Master’s).
- Prior Study Restriction: Must not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country. (Remote distance learning from a high-income university while living in the home country is permitted).
- Financial Need: Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Availability: Must be available to start academic studies in the UK by September/October 2027.
How are Applicants Selected:
- University Nomination: Candidates must apply for admission to an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university. Universities review and nominate selected candidates to the CSC.
- CSC Approval: The CSC verifies that nominated candidates meet all program eligibility criteria based on academic merit, quality of the research/study proposal, and potential development impact on the home country.
Which Countries Are Eligible:
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, and Zambia.
Where will the Program be Taken:
Participating Universities across the United Kingdom.
How Many Fellows / Grantees:
Competitive annual international cohort coordinated via university bidding and selection.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
- Tuition Fees: Full tuition fees covered jointly by the CSC and the host university.
- Airfare: Approved economy return airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK.
- Living Allowance (Stipend): Monthly stipend at £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for universities in the London metropolitan area (funded by the university).
- Allowances & Grants: Warm clothing allowance, thesis/dissertation grant, study travel grant, and a contribution toward mandatory tuberculosis (TB) testing.
- Family Allowances (If eligible): Child allowance for single parents/widowed/divorced scholars living with children in the UK (£622/month for the first child, £154/month for the second and third child under 16).
How Long Will it Last:
Normally 12 months (full-time Master’s degree study).
How to Apply:
- Identify and apply for an approved Master’s course and secure admission at a participating UK university.
- Complete and submit your scholarship application online via the CSC Central application system between 10 November 2026 and 8 December 2026 (16:00 GMT).
- Upload mandatory supporting documentation via CSC Central:
- Copy of valid passport or national ID showing citizenship and date of birth.
- Full academic transcripts for all higher education qualifications (with certified English translations if applicable).
- Two signed references on institutional letterhead or professional email in PDF format.
