Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarships 2027/2028

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year will open on Tuesday 10 November 2026. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2027.

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. 

• Table of Content
• About Commonwealth Scholarships
• Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship
• Requirements for Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID). The CSC operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and is a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By supporting innovators and leaders of the future from across the Commonwealth, and by attracting outstanding talent to Britain’s univer... continue reading

Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
• If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £622 per month for the first child, and £154 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.

If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.

Requirements for Commonwealth Shared Masters Scholarship Qualification

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

• 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 start academic studies 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 (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
• Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high income country
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

There is no age limit for CSC applications. Candidates are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place.

Please note that candidates will be asked at the end of the form to declare that they have not studied in a high income country. Study by distance learning at a university in a high income country while resident in the home country is permitted. Candidates must make it clear in the form whether any previous studies completed at a university in a high income country were undertaken remotely. 

Check also:
ALCHE Mastercard Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship to Study In Mauritius 2027 (Fully Funded)
Swedish Institute Global Professional Scholarship 2027/2028

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year will open on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
• The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2027.
• The closing date for applications is 16:00 GMT on Tuesday 8 December 2026. 

For more information, kindly visit Commonwealth Shared Scholarships webpage.