Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships pay for full-time Master's study at selected UK universities. The scheme is for candidates from least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries, and the awards are jointly supported by UK universities.

The scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD study, or any pre-sessional English language teaching.

• Host: UK universities (participating institutions)
• Level: Master's degree
• Study in: UK
• Deadline: 9 December 2025 (annual)
• Course starts: September 2026
• Number of awards: Not specified
• Cover: tuition and exam fees, airfare, monthly stipend, warm clothing allowance, thesis grant, study travel grant, excess baggage allowance

Participating UK universities. See the list of participating UK Universities.

Check the list of eligible courses for 2026. The scholarships are offered under six themes:

• Access, inclusion and opportunity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises

Not specified.

The scholarships are open to nationals of least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries:

Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Each Scholarship provides approved tuition and examination fees, approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award, stipend at the rate of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels), warm clothing allowance, thesis grant, study travel grant, and excess baggage allowance, etc.

The scholarships are usually tenable for one year only.

To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a 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 2026
• By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard, or a lower second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
• Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a developed country
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Applications are currently closed.

You should apply to study an eligible Master’s course at a UK university that is participating in the Shared Scholarship scheme. You must secure admission to your course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. You must check with your chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying.

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your chosen university. All applications must be submitted by 16.00 (GMT) on 9 December 2025 at the latest. Each university has its own closing date for admissions.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

This scholarship suits you if you are a national of one of the eligible least developed or lower middle income Commonwealth countries and you cannot afford to study in the UK without financial support. You should have a strong first degree and be ready to start a full-time Master's course in September 2026.

It is also for candidates who have not already studied or worked in a developed country for a year or more. If you meet these conditions and are applying to an eligible course at a participating UK university, this award is designed for you.

• Who can apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship? Nationals of the eligible least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries listed above. You must also meet all eligibility criteria, including holding a first degree and being unable to afford UK study.
• What does the scholarship cover? It covers approved tuition and examination fees, airfare, a monthly stipend, warm clothing allowance, thesis grant, study travel grant, and excess baggage allowance. The stipend is £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month in the London metropolitan area.
• When is the deadline? The deadline for applications is 9 December 2025 at 16.00 (GMT). Each university may have its own closing date for admissions.
• How do I apply? You must apply for an eligible Master's course at a participating UK university and also submit an application through the CSC's online application system. You need to secure admission to your course as well as the scholarship.
• Can I apply for undergraduate or PhD study? No. The scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD study, or pre-sessional English language teaching.
• How long does the scholarship last? The scholarships are usually tenable for one year only.

• Read the official guidelines and the list of eligible courses carefully before you start.
• Prepare your supporting documents early so you can submit them in the required format.
• Check the language requirements for your chosen course and university.
• Contact your chosen university for specific advice on admission requirements and deadlines.
• Submit your CSC application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute problems.