Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), this programme is a key component of the UK’s international development efforts and reflects the country’s long-standing commitment to supporting the Commonwealth. The scholarship is delivered under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), which promotes collaboration, skills development, and educational exchange across member nations.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are designed to support talented postgraduate students who would otherwise lack the financial means to study in the UK. The programme helps equip future leaders, professionals, and academics with the knowledge and expertise needed to drive sustainable development in their home countries, particularly in Least Developed, middle-income, fragile, and conflict-affected states.
About the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is one of the CSC’s flagship opportunities, created specifically for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability but face financial constraints that limit access to international study. Offered through partnerships between the CSC and UK universities, the scholarship ensures that students from eligible Commonwealth countries can access high-quality postgraduate training without the burden of tuition or living expenses.
The programme prioritises individuals with a strong commitment to their home countries and a clear vision for contributing to national and regional development. Scholars gain exposure to world-class academic environments while benefiting from networks that support long-term impact. Upon completion of their studies, recipients return home equipped with valuable skills, leadership potential, and the capacity to drive transformative change in fields such as health, education, governance, science, and economic development.
Purpose
The scholarship exists to strengthen institutional and human capacity in Commonwealth countries by providing advanced training for individuals who will become catalysts for national and regional progress.
Intended Beneficiaries
The programme targets high-achieving postgraduate students from eligible countries who:
- Have not previously studied in a high-income country for a year or more
- Would not be able to afford postgraduate study in the UK without scholarship support
- Hold the potential to contribute significantly to development efforts in their home country
Award Duration
The scholarship typically covers a 12-month full-time master’s programme at selected UK universities.
Candidate Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of or hold refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be permanently resident in that eligible country
- Be prepared to begin studies in the UK in September 2026
- Hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
- Not have spent more than 12 months in the past five years studying or working in a high-income country
- Demonstrate financial need
- Submit all required documents in the correct format
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be from one of the following eligible Commonwealth nations:
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, 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, Zambia.
Benefits
Comprehensive Financial Support
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and UK universities. Scholars receive:
- Fully funded round-trip airfare to and from the UK
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly stipend: £1,452 or £1,781 for scholars studying in London
- Warm clothing allowance where needed
- Thesis grant for dissertation preparation
- Study travel grant for approved academic trips
- Contribution toward mandatory tuberculosis testing
- Child allowance for single parents or guardians: £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for each additional child under 16
The scholarship is fully equity-free, meaning scholars are not required to repay any portion of the funding.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year open at 16:30 GMT on Wednesday 12 November 2025. All applications must be submitted through the CSC’s online system, CSC Central, by Tuesday 9 December at 16:00 GMT.
The CSC will only consider applications submitted through the official portal. Supporting documents must also be uploaded via the same system.
For More details visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
