Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 in UK

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 are jointly funded master’s scholarships for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the United Kingdom. The awards support full-time, one-year master’s courses at participating UK universities, with applications opening on 10 November 2026 and closing at 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026.

The scholarship covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly living allowance, and selected additional costs. Applicants must apply separately for admission to an approved course and submit the scholarship application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) official CSC Central system.

Quick Facts About Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

All core details above are taken from the CSC’s official Shared Scholarships page.

How Much Does the Scholarship Pay?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is substantially funded, but applicants should understand exactly which costs are covered and which are not.

SOURCE FACT: Each award includes approved tuition fees, an approved return airfare, a monthly living allowance, and selected allowances where applicable.

EDITORIAL EXPLANATION: The stipend is intended as a living allowance, not necessarily a complete budget for every personal or family expense. The CSC specifically states that family allowances are only a contribution and that scholars may need to supplement them to support accompanying family members.

What Is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships programme is one of three master’s programmes administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. It is designed to help skilled and qualified professionals and academics from eligible Commonwealth countries access UK postgraduate education when they would not otherwise be able to afford it.

The programme is jointly funded: the CSC funds components such as tuition, airfare, thesis support, study travel, and the TB-test contribution, while participating UK universities fund the living-cost component, including the monthly stipend.

Unlike a standard university scholarship, the course list is central to the programme. UK universities bid for scholarships attached to particular master’s courses with demonstrable development impact, and applicants must choose from those approved courses.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The award covers the following, subject to the official conditions:

• Full approved tuition fees for the selected master’s course.
• A monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 for scholars at London metropolitan-area universities, at current rates.
• An approved return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK.
• A thesis grant, where applicable.
• A study travel grant for relevant travel in the UK or overseas.
• A contribution towards a mandatory TB test where required for a visa application.
• A warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
• Child allowances for eligible single parents, widowed, or divorced scholars, subject to the stated conditions.

Important limitation: The scholarship does not automatically cover every cost associated with moving to or living in the UK. For example, the CSC states that it does not reimburse dependants’ airfares, and family allowances are only a contribution rather than full family support funding.

Who Is Eligible?

To be considered, an applicant must meet all of the following official eligibility requirements.

• Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to begin academic study in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027.
• By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class honours standard, or hold a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree.
• Not have studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country.
• Be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
• Submit all required supporting documents in the required format through CSC Central.

EDITORIAL EXPLANATION: The CSC’s candidate-application page states the academic threshold as an upper second-class degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. The CSC’s university-bids guidance also describes eligibility as a first-class or upper second-class degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a master’s degree; applicants should follow the current Shared Scholarships application page and eligibility checklist as the controlling guidance.cscuk.fcdo.gov+1

The CSC states that there is no age limit for CSC applications. It also notes that distance-learning study at a university in a high-income country, while the applicant remained resident in their home country, is permitted, provided applicants clearly explain this in the form.

Is It Fully Funded?

Yes, for the approved costs specified by the CSC. The scholarship covers full approved tuition fees, approved return airfare, and a monthly stipend, along with certain applicable allowances.

However, it is more accurate to describe it as a jointly funded, comprehensive master’s scholarship rather than assume that every possible expense is covered. Applicants should still plan for costs that may not be covered, such as dependants’ travel, some family expenses, and personal costs beyond the stated allowances.

Eligible Countries

The CSC lists the following eligible countries and territories for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: 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.

Students from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sri Lanka are therefore eligible to apply, provided they meet all academic, residency, financial-need, and documentation requirements.

Approved Courses and Universities

Applicants cannot choose any UK master’s programme. They must apply for an approved course at a participating UK university.

The CSC organises eligible courses under six development themes:

• Access, inclusion and opportunity
• Improving population health, health systems and capacity
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises

Examples of approved courses include MSc Global Development at the University of Glasgow, MPH Public Health at several universities, MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Sheffield Hallam University, MSc Renewable Energy at Cranfield University, and MSc Climate Change Science and Policy at the University of Bristol. The complete official course list should be checked before choosing a programme.

How to Apply

1. Check the official course list. Review the CSC’s approved courses and participating universities before applying, because only listed courses qualify for this scholarship route.cscuk.fcdo.gov+1

2. Apply for admission to the university. Candidates must apply separately for their chosen university course and secure admission. Each university sets its own admission requirements, deadlines, and application process.

3. Complete the CSC Central application. Submit the scholarship application through CSC Central by 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026. The CSC states that it cannot accept applications or documents submitted outside the online system.

4. Upload all required documents. Applications must include proof of citizenship or refugee status and full higher-education transcripts, including transcripts for courses still in progress. Missing transcript pages make an application ineligible.

5. Prepare the development-impact answers. The form asks for a four-part Development Impact statement, a detailed study plan, career plans, personal statement, and information on voluntary activities and leadership.

6. Wait for university nomination. Participating universities conduct their own recruitment process, select candidates, and nominate them to the CSC. The CSC then confirms that nominated candidates meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

7. Accept only one award. Applicants may apply to more than one course or university, but may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer.

Documents Required

The CSC requires the following documents to be uploaded through CSC Central:

• A valid passport or national ID card showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship, or proof of refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country.

• Full transcripts for all higher-education qualifications, including current in-progress courses; certified translations are required if the documents are not in English.

• At least two references in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or sent from an email address that clearly identifies the sender.

Applicants should also prepare the content requested in the application form, including qualifications, publications and prizes, employment history, three referees, development-impact responses, study plan, career plans, personal statement, and evidence of voluntary or leadership experience.

Application Timeline

What Applicants Should Know Before Applying

Apply to the university early. The CSC application and university admission application are separate. Some universities may require an offer before a scholarship application can be considered, while others may assess eligible applications and invite shortlisted candidates to apply for the course; applicants must follow the instructions of their chosen university.cscuk.fcdo.gov+1

Check English requirements directly with the university. The CSC does not require applicants to take IELTS, but a participating university may require evidence of English proficiency as a condition of the scholarship or admission.

Do not rely on a general Commonwealth Scholarship deadline. The CSC lists separate deadlines for different programmes. For the 2027/28 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, the relevant deadline is 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT.

Build the application around development impact. Selection considers academic merit, quality of the research proposal, and the applicant’s potential to contribute to development in their home country. A strong application should connect the chosen course to a specific development problem, explain how the applicant will use the skills afterwards, and identify measurable outcomes.

Plan for the return-home condition. Candidates must sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the award ends. The CSC may consider an extension only in limited circumstances involving progression from a master’s to PhD study, subject to strict conditions.

Important Conditions

• The scholarship is for full-time study only; scholars may not undertake another course at the same time.
• Funding is for one degree and will not be extended to complete an additional or higher qualification.
• Scholars must normally remain in the UK during the award and seek CSC approval before overseas travel.
• Paid employment during the award requires prior CSC approval.
• Applicants needing a UK Student visa must meet all UK Visas and Immigration requirements; the CSC does not control immigration rules.
• The scholarship cannot be held alongside another award covering the same costs.

How to Apply

Review the official CSC course list, apply for admission to an eligible master’s course at a participating UK university, and submit the scholarship application through CSC Central by 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026. Ensure every required document is uploaded before the deadline, because incomplete applications are ineligible.

Official Source

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships — Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 provide a structured route to UK master’s study for eligible Commonwealth applicants who demonstrate academic merit, financial need, and a credible plan to contribute to development in their home country. Applicants should prioritise an approved course, prepare documents early, and follow both the CSC and university-specific instructions.

OFFICIAL SOURCE: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/

FAQ

Is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship fully funded?
It covers approved tuition fees, an approved return airfare, and a monthly stipend, plus certain applicable allowances. Applicants should still review the conditions because some costs, particularly those involving dependants, may not be fully covered.

Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistan is included in the CSC’s list of eligible countries for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

What is the monthly stipend?
The official current rate is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area.

Is IELTS mandatory?
The CSC itself does not require IELTS. However, individual universities may require evidence of English-language proficiency as a condition of admission or the scholarship.

Can applicants apply for undergraduate or PhD study?
No. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for master’s courses only.

Can applicants choose any UK university?
No. Applicants must select an approved master’s course at a participating UK university.

Can applicants apply to more than one university?
Yes. Applicants may apply for more than one course and more than one university, but may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer.

What is the deadline?
The CSC Central application deadline is 16:00 GMT on Tuesday, 8 December 2026.