Fully Funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, the UK government's development scholarship scheme, funds one year of Master's study at a UK university for talented people from 43 low and middle income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford it. Scholarships are jointly funded with participating UK universities, which each offer them on a set of approved courses linked to development. The 2027/28 round is for courses starting in September or October 2027.

What you get:

• Full tuition fees for an approved Master's course, with nothing for the scholar to pay
• A return airfare between your home country and the UK
• A living allowance of GBP 1,712 a month, or GBP 2,000 a month at universities in the London area (current rates)
• A thesis grant and a study travel grant
• A contribution towards a mandatory tuberculosis test where your visa needs one
• Child allowance for widowed, divorced or single parent scholars whose children live with them in the UK, and disability support after a needs assessment

What you'll do:

• Study full time for a Master's degree at a participating UK university, normally for 12 months
• Live in the UK for the award and return to your home country when it ends

Key dates:

• CSC applications close 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT
• Universities nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2027
• Courses start in September or October 2027

More information:

• Full list of approved courses: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-eligible-courses/
• Participating universities, places and contacts: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-university-contact-details/
• Questions about nomination go to the chosen UK university

• Citizen of, or granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, and permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Eligible countries: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, 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
• By September 2027, a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1), or a lower second class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
• Not studied or worked for a year or more in a high income country (distance learning from home is allowed)
• Unable to afford UK study without this scholarship
• Available to start in the UK by September 2027
• Must also apply for, and secure admission to, an approved Master's course at a participating university
• Supporting documents by the deadline: passport or national ID, full transcripts, and references from at least two referees uploaded as PDFs
• No age limit
• Master's only; not for undergraduate or PhD study