The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious scholarship offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK to support talented students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries for full-time postgraduate study. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The scholarship is designed to provide opportunities to students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to creating a positive impact in their home countries through education.
Basic Information and Application Deadline
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026 open for applications on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at 16:30 GMT. The application deadline is Tuesday, 9 December 2025, at 16:00 GMT. Applicants must ensure they complete their submissions by this date through the CSC Central online system. The scholarship supports full-time master’s study starting from the UK academic year beginning September/October 2026.
Universities and Institutions
The scholarship is offered through partnerships with selected UK universities that bid for the scholarships by proposing specific courses aligned with development impact. Universities participating in the scheme include prestigious institutions like University College London (UCL), University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, King’s College London, and others. Candidates apply through the universities nominated by the CSC.
Approved Courses and Universities for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026
- View details of all participating UK universities
- View the full list of approved courses
Study Areas and Programs Available
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship focuses on courses linked to development themes such as:
- Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
- Education and Innovation
- Health and Wellbeing
- Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
- Governance, Peace, and Security
Eligible courses cover a wide range of master’s programs offered by the participating UK institutions related to these themes. Applicants must apply for courses that match their intended development focus.
Eligible countries
Please note that only applicants from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
- 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
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers:
- Airfare: Return flights from home country to the UK (for the scholar only).
- Tuition fees: Fully covered; no payment required by scholar.
- Living allowance (stipend): £1,452/month (or £1,781/month in London).
- Warm clothing allowance: Provided if needed.
- Thesis grant: Contribution towards thesis/dissertation costs.
- Study travel grant: Covers study-related travel in the UK or abroad.
- TB test contribution: Partially covers mandatory tuberculosis test for visa.
- Child allowance: £622/month for first child, £154/month for 2nd & 3rd child (if single/widowed/divorced and children live with scholar).
- Disability support: Additional financial support offered after needs assessment.
- Note: Family allowances are partial; scholars may need extra funds to support dependents.
Benefits Not Included
- Pre-sessional English courses are not covered; applicants must meet English proficiency requirements before applying.
- Personal expenses beyond the stipend amount
- Costs related to visa applications except for mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test contributions where applicable
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
Relevant eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Must be permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Must be able to start studies in the UK by September 2026.
- Must have:
- A first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or
- A lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s).
- Must not have studied or worked for more than 1 year in a high-income country.
- Must need the scholarship to afford studying in the UK.
- Must submit all required supporting documents.
- CSC encourages diverse applicants and supports scholars with disabilities.
Selection Criteria:
- Academic merit
- Quality of research proposal
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
Required Documents for Application
Applicants should prepare:
- Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Proof of your identity is a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications.
- Academic transcripts and certificates for all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) including employment history and relevant experiences
- Three referees’ contact details (one usually current employer if applicable)
- Development Impact Statement outlining how the candidate’s studies align with development priorities and intended outcomes
- English language proficiency evidence as per UK Visa and Immigration requirements
- Any other documentation requested by the nominating university
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Identify and select an eligible UK university offering the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
- Apply online via CSC Central only. No other submissions accepted.
- Apply for your chosen course at the university and for the scholarship separately.
- You can apply to multiple courses/universities but can accept only one scholarship.
- Apply for admission to the chosen university and fulfill all admission requirements by the university’s specified deadline.
- Prepare and submit the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application through the CSC Central online portal beginning on 12 November 2025.
- Complete the application form carefully, including academic records, references, and impact statement.
- The university will shortlist candidates based on academic merit, research proposal quality, and development potential and nominate them to the CSC.
- The CSC will confirm eligibility and award scholarships for 2026/27 academic year.
- Successful candidates will receive award details and instructions on scholarship acceptance and visa application.
- Important Reminders:
- Don’t refresh the browser while filling the form.
- Use system back buttons, not the browser’s.
- Applications cannot be edited after submission.
- Support: Contact [email protected] for technical help.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start early to gather all required documents and meet university and scholarship deadlines.
- Clearly articulate your development impact goals in the application development impact statement.
- Choose a program aligned with the priority development themes.
- Obtain strong recommendation letters from referees familiar with your academic and professional capabilities.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to applying knowledge to benefit your home country.
- Maintain academic excellence and ensure all supporting documents are accurate and complete.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (in USD)
The scholarship stipend pays approximately £1,452 per month (around $1,800 USD) outside London and £1,781 per month (about $2,200 USD) for London-based scholars. This covers accommodation, food, transport, and other essential living costs. On average, international students in the UK spend between $1,500 and $2,500 monthly depending on the city, lifestyle, and accommodation type.
Why Choose This Scholarship? — Top 5 Reasons
- Comprehensive coverage including full tuition, airfare, and living allowance.
- Opportunity to study at world-class UK universities.
- Focus on leadership, development, and creating impact in home countries.
- Additional benefits like warm clothing allowance and child support make it inclusive.
- Provides a prestigious platform to enhance career prospects and global networking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I apply if I have already earned a master’s degree in the UK?
A: Generally, you cannot apply for a second UK master’s unless you provide justification for undertaking further study.
Q: Are part-time or distance learning courses eligible?
A: No, the scholarship supports full-time on-campus study only.
Q: What is the English language requirement?
A: Applicants must meet UK Visa and Immigration English proficiency standards before starting the course.
Q: Can dependents accompany me during study?
A: Family accommodation must be provided by universities if required by scholars with families, but additional costs may apply.
Q: What if I am a refugee?
A: Refugees granted status by eligible Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply.
Deadlines:
- Application Period:
- Opens 16:30 GMT, 12 Nov 2025;
- Closes 16:00 GMT, 9 Dec 2025.
Official Link:
Final Note:
This scholarship is an excellent pathway for talented postgraduate students from eligible Commonwealth countries to study in the UK with full financial support targeted at enhancing development outcomes. Interested applicants should act swiftly given the application window from November 12 to December 9, 2025. Ensuring complete and strong applications aligned with eligibility will improve the chances of success for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026.
