Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/27: Fully Funded UK Master’s | Apply Now

Are you a talented professional or academic from a Commonwealth nation with a passion for sustainable development? The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK has officially opened applications for the 2026/27 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

If you are ready to take your academic career to the global stage, here is your comprehensive guide to securing this scholarship.

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COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIPS ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered for this competitive award, applicants must meet strict criteria set by the CSC. You must:

• Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country (see list below).
• Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• By September 2026, you must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard. Alternatively, a lower second-class degree followed by a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s) is accepted.
•  Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by September/October 2026.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• You must not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.

Eligible Countries:
Applicants must be from one of the following 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.

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Field of Study

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are specifically for Master’s courses only (not Undergraduate or PhD).

• You must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.
• The courses are selected based on their demonstrable development impact.
• You can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, but you may only accept one offer of a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.

Note: You can view the full list of approved courses and participating universities on the official CSC website.

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Stipend Amount and Benefits

These scholarships are fully funded to remove financial barriers for talented students. The award covers:

• Full coverage of the Master’s degree fees.
• The participating UK university agrees to fund the living cost component of the scholarship (Stipend).
• Typically covers flights to and from the UK (as per standard CSC terms).
• The award is normally for 12 months.

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COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATION PROCEDURE

How to Apply (Application Procedure)

The application process for the 2026/27 round involves a new online system called CSC Central. Please follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Apply to the University
In addition to the scholarship application, you must apply for admission to your chosen university course directly. Check your chosen university’s specific admission requirements and deadlines.

Step 2: Apply via CSC Central

• Applications must be made using the online application system, CSC Central (https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/)
• You will need a smartphone or a second email account to set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
• Upon registering, you will receive an email with your Reference Number (format: 01234-SSP-UK-15) and passcode. Keep this safe; you need it to log in.

Step 3: Completing the Form
The application requires detailed information, including:

• List all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
•  Names and positions of three referees (one must be a current employer, if applicable).
• A four-part essay explaining how your study relates to development issues, how you will apply new skills, your expected outcomes, and how impact will be measured.
• Summarize how your background encourages you to make an impact and highlight voluntary leadership activities.

Important Tips:

• We recommend writing your answers (especially the essays) in a document outside the system and pasting them in once finalized.
• Use the save function to avoid data loss.
• Applications cannot be edited after submission.

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Application Deadline

Timing is critical. The online system is expected to be very busy in the final days.

• Closing Date: Tuesday, 9 December 2025 (16:00 GMT)

Note: Universities will nominate candidates to the CSC in March 2026. Ensure your application is submitted on time!