Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026/27, one of the UK’s most competitive and fully funded opportunities for international students. This prestigious program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities, supporting talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries to complete a one-year Master’s degree in the UK.
The scholarship covers all expenses, including tuition fees, monthly living allowance, travel costs, and additional study-related support. Students can apply for approved courses at approved UK universities through the CSC’s online application system.
The 2026 academic session begins in September 2026. Below is everything you need to know about eligibility, requirements, benefits, and how to apply.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 — Key Details
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Institutions: Approved UK Universities
- Study Level: Master’s Degree
- Program Duration: 12 Months
- Start Date: September 2026
- Application Deadline: 12 December 2025
Approved Courses & Participating Universities
You must apply only to courses and universities approved by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
- View complete list of approved courses
- View list of participating UK universities
Scholarship Benefits
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is fully funded and includes:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Warm clothing allowance (if required)
- Study travel grants
- Child allowance (where applicable)
- Round-trip airfare between home country and the UK
Required Documents
All supporting documents must be uploaded online:
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Valid passport or national ID showing photo, date of birth, and nationality
- Full academic transcripts for all higher-education qualifications
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be from one of the following Commonwealth countries:
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.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must:
- Be a citizen or have refugee status in one of the eligible Commonwealth countries
- Be permanently resident in an eligible country
- Hold by September 2026 an undergraduate degree equivalent to upper second-class (2:1), or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
- Be available to start studies in the UK in September 2026
- Not have studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country
- Demonstrate financial need and inability to study in the UK without this scholarship
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026
All applications must be submitted through the CSC Online Application Portal. Applicants must also apply to an approved program at a participating UK university.
No paper or email applications will be accepted. Click the official application link below to begin your submission.
APPLY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP
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