Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026

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. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: December 9, 2025
2. Value: Full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend, and other allowances
3. Study Level: Master’s
4. Sponsor: Commonwealth Scholarship
5. Course to Study: Development-related master’s programs at participating UK universities
6. Eligible Countries: Commonwealth member countries (least developed and middle-income nations)

Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

1. Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
2. Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
3. Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.
4. By September 2026, 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).
5. Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
6. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
7. Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make a 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. Studying 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.

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.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

1. Academic merit
2. Quality of research proposal
3. Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country

For further details, please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarships selection criteria. You can download a copy of the selection criteria here.

Applicants should note the criteria carefully and link their answers in the application form to each point listed.

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

Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026

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

Each scholarship provides:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,452 per month, or £1,781 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
4. Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
5. Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
6. Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
7. 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.
8. 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.

How to Apply

UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact and must agree to fund the living cost component of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC.

To apply, visit Commonwealth Webpage

Application Deadline

December 9, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026