The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026/2027 is a fully funded Master’s program in the UK for high-achieving students from developing Commonwealth countries who cannot otherwise afford international study. Jointly supported by the CSC and UK universities, the scholarship covers full tuition fees, approved airfare, a monthly stipend (£1,452–£1,781), and allowances for clothing, travel, and thesis preparation. Applicants must hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree and apply to both an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university and the CSC’s online system by the deadline of December 9, 2025, with selection based on academic merit and potential development impact.
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Fully Funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/2027 Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution | UK Government / Participating UK Universities |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Degree Level | Master’s (Taught) |
| Target Audience | International Students (Commonwealth) |
| Coverage | Full Tuition, Approved Airfare, Generous Monthly Stipend, Allowances |
| Reward Value/Range | Full Funding + Stipend (approx. £1,452–£1,781 per month) |
| Deadline | December 9, 2025 |
| Academic Year | 2026/2027 |
The UK Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/2027: A Full Scholarship for Master’s Study
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSS) is a flagship program jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities. This initiative aims to assist outstanding students from least developed and lower middle-income Commonwealth nations who are financially unable to pursue graduate studies abroad.
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By supporting full-time taught Master’s degrees in the UK, the CSS helps cultivate skilled professionals and academics who will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of their home countries across six key development themes. This is a highly competitive opportunity for those dedicated to creating global impact.
Key Benefits and Financial Coverage
Financial and Logistical Support (Full Coverage)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships offer comprehensive financial coverage designed to eliminate financial barriers for high-achieving candidates. The benefits are extensive and include:
- Tuition: Full payment of approved tuition fees, managed directly through the university and the CSC. Scholars incur no tuition debt.
- Travel: Approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK at the start of the award, and the return fare at the end of the study period.
- Stipend/Living: A monthly living allowance (stipend) of £1,452, or a higher rate of £1,781 per month for those attending universities located within the London metropolitan area.
- Health: Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for the UK visa application.
- Miscellaneous Allowances: Coverage for a warm clothing allowance (where applicable), a thesis grant for dissertation preparation costs, and a study travel grant for essential study-related travel within the UK.
Tiered Awards and Allowances
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are recognized as a single, prestigious, full scholarship. The award value is broken down into tiered components to illustrate the depth of coverage:
Tier 1: Full Financial Coverage (Tuition, Flights, Stipend) (Up to Full Funding)
This tier ensures the foundational costs of studying and living in the UK are fully covered. It includes the full tuition waiver, all approved air travel expenses, and the monthly stipend.
Tier 2: Supplemental Allowances (Clothing, Travel, Thesis)
This tier covers crucial academic and personal expenses beyond basic living costs, including the warm clothing allowance, the thesis grant, and the study travel grant.
Tier 3: Dependants Support (Child Allowance)
- Single parents who are widowed, divorced, or single can receive an additional monthly child allowance of £622 for the first child, and £154 for the second and third child (under 16) if the children reside with the scholar in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements for Commonwealth Shared Master’s Scholarship 2026/2027
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, candidates must meet the following non-negotiable criteria:
- Academic/Leadership: Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (Master’s).
- Study Status: Must be available to commence academic studies in the UK by September 2026 (the start of the UK academic year).
- Visa Status: Must be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country. Must also be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Program Admission: Must be applying for an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.
- Additional Criteria:
- Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Must not have studied or worked in a high-income country for a period exceeding one academic year or more.
- Must provide all required supporting documentation in the specified format.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/2027 (Step by Step Application Guide)
The application process requires two separate, but mandatory, steps: applying to a UK university and applying to the CSC.
You will need to apply to both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the UK partner university you choose to study in.
Step 1: Submit University Application and Obtain Conditional/Unconditional Offer
- Identify Partner Universities: Review the official CSC list of eligible UK universities in the Shared Scholarship Scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Select an Eligible Course: Crucially, your chosen Master’s course must be one of the courses specifically approved by that university for the CSSS. Not all Master’s courses at a partner university are eligible.
- Apply to the University: Proceed to apply for admission to the chosen eligible Master’s course directly via the university’s online portal.
Step 2: Documents Gathering and Preparation
You must have all required documents ready before starting the CSC online application.
The documents required for a successful application can be found below;
- Academic transcript
- Degree certificate
- Three letters of recommendation
- A copy of the conditional or unconditional offer letter secured from a UK university.
Step 3: Visit the CSC Online Application System
After you have secured admission and your documents are complete, the next step is to register on the CSC online application portal.
- Register and create your profile and access the official CSC Online Application System (EAS) for the 2026 intake. The link is found below
- Verification messages will be sent to your email. Check your spam folder if you cannot find them in your inbox.
- During verification, you may also need the Microsoft Authenticator App (you can installed on android or iOS store) to get verification codes.
Step 4: Complete Personal and Institutional Details
- You will need to accurately fill in all sections regarding personal details, academic history, professional experience, and contact information.
Additionally, you will also enter the details of the eligible UK University and Master’s course offer you secured.
Step 5: Write the Development Impact Essays
The majority of your application score depends on your ability to articulate the developmental impact of your study with clarity. You will be asked to address three key areas:
- Q1. How your proposed study relates to development issues (200 words)
- Q2. How you intend to apply your new skills (100 words)
- Q3. What you expect will change in development terms (250 words)
- Q4. How the impact will be measured (100 words)
- Q5. Objectives during the award. (250 words)
- Q6. Career plans in the five years following the award (250 words)
- Q7. Long-term career plans (250 words)
- Q8. Outline of Proposed Study (non-technical, 120 words)
- Q9. Detailed plan of study (300 words)
- Q10. CSC Personal Background & Motivation (500 words).
- Q11. Voluntary Activities and Leadership (500 words).
Step 6: Upload Supporting Documentation
- Upload all the mandatory documents gathered in stage 2 into the online system. Ensure all files adhere to the CSC’s file format and size limits (usually PDF and under 5MB per file).
- You will also upload the reference letters in the required format.
Step 7: Final Review and Submission
- Review: Double-check every section, ensuring there are no typos, and that your application details match your uploaded documents exactly.
- Submit: Submit the final application through the online system before the absolute deadline (usually in December or January).
Application Deadline: December 9, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the specific duration of the scholarship award?
The scholarship is awarded for the duration of the full-time Master’s course, which is typically 12 months.
Can I apply if I haven’t finished my undergraduate degree yet?
Yes, you can still apply if you are currently completing your first undergraduate degree, provided you are scheduled to graduate with the required 2:1 standard by September 2026.
Are the scholarships available for PhD programs?
No, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) is specifically and exclusively for full-time taught Master’s courses.
What is the deadline time for the application on December 9, 2025?
While the application opens on November 12, 2025, the strict deadline is typically set at 16:00 GMT on December 9, 2025. It is strongly recommended to apply early due to high system demand.
Can I apply to more than one university or course?
Yes, you may apply for more than one approved course and to more than one participating UK university, but you can only accept a single offer of a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Do I need to apply for university admission separately from the scholarship?
Yes, absolutely. Applying for the scholarship via the CSC system is separate from applying for and securing admission to your chosen Master’s course at a UK university. Both steps are mandatory.
What are the key selection criteria used by the universities?
Applications are assessed based on three core criteria: academic merit, the quality and relevance of the study proposal, and the potential impact of the study on the development of the candidate’s home country.
What is the value of the monthly stipend provided?
The standard monthly living allowance (stipend) is £1,452, increasing to £1,781 per month for scholars studying at universities located in the London metropolitan area.
Who funds the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?
The scholarships are jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the participating UK universities.
Am I eligible if I have previously studied in the UK?
You are generally ineligible if you have studied or worked in a high-income country for a period of one academic year or more. This restriction applies to previous study in the UK.
