The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, offers full-time Master’s students from least-developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program as one of its three Master’s programs. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and clearly shows the UK’s lasting commitment to supporting Commonwealth countries. It is a great opportunity for international students to pursue a one-year Master’s Degree Program at the UK’s leading universities.
The scholarship welcomes high-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict-affected states), who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before. It covers tuition, travel, and living expenses, enabling scholars to pursue studies in development-related fields to make a positive impact in their home countries.
Application Deadline: December 12, 2024
University/ Institutions:
Participating Universities: Around 25 UK institutions, such as:
- University of Oxford – Oxford (World Rank ~5)
- University of Edinburgh – Edinburgh (World Rank ~22)
- University of Manchester – Manchester (World Rank ~28)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2025 – Full list of Participating University
Programs and Duration: One-year full-time Master’s programs in fields aligned with development.
Study Areas for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
The CSC offers Commonwealth Shared Scholarships under six development themes.
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Strengthening resilience and responses to crises
To know specifically about each course and university, Visit
Scholarship Benefits:
- Tuition Fees: The agreement between the CSC and the UK university covers full tuition fees, so scholars do not need to pay any portion of the tuition fee.
- Monthly Stipend: Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels)
- Child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third children under the age of 16 (If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent)
- Airfare: Round-trip ticket from home country to the UK
- Warm Clothing Allowance (where applicable)
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation (where applicable)
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied)
- If a scholar discloses a disability, the CSC will conduct a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support.
- CSC does not charge apply for any of its scholarships
Scholarship Eligibility:
- Applicants must be citizens 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 2025.
- By September 2025, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors 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.
- There is no age limit for CSC applications.
- Scholarships are made in respect of full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time.
Similar Scholarships : Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2025-26
Eligible 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.
Selection process
Each participating UK university will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates to be awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and put these forward to the CSC. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the programme.
The CSC will consider applications based on the following selection criteria.
- Academic merit
- Quality of research proposal
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s come country
Required Documents:
- Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- A copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship
- Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualification
- Admission letter from a participating UK institution.
Application Process:
- University Admission: Apply to a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship-participating UK university.
- Scholarship Application: Submit a separate application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s Electronic Application System (EAS).
- References and Supporting Documents: Provide these by the deadline.
- For details , visit official website
Tips for a Successful Application:
- Align Goals with Development Impact: Clearly express how the program aligns with your goals for positive impact in your home country.
- Strong References: Obtain references that highlight your academic and leadership potential.
- Research Specific Universities: Tailor your application to showcase why specific institutions are the best match for your goals.
- Document Readiness: Ensure all required documents are submitted on time.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in the UK
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides a living allowance to cover basic monthly expenses for scholars in the UK. However, the actual monthly living costs can vary by location and personal lifestyle. Here’s an estimate:
- Accommodation: £400-£700 (depending on city and type of housing)
- Food: £150-£200
- Transportation: £50-£100 (public transport, varies by city)
- Utilities & Internet: £50-£80
- Miscellaneous (entertainment, clothing): £100-£200
Total Estimated Monthly Expenses: £1,000 – £1,300
Why Choose the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
This scholarship provides fully funded opportunities for emerging leaders from developing Commonwealth countries to pursue advanced education in fields critical to global development. It fosters skills and expertise that empower recipients to make a transformative impact in their home communities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship without an offer letter?
No, an offer letter from a participating university is required. - Are dependent expenses covered by the scholarship?
No, the scholarship does not cover expenses for dependents. - Can I apply for multiple programs under this scholarship?
You can apply to multiple universities, but you must hold an offer from one to be eligible. - Is there an age limit for applicants?
No, there is no age limit, though applicants must meet academic and residency requirements. - Can I defer my scholarship?
No, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship cannot typically be deferred.