The Kings College Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious, fully funded Master’s award for students from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countriesand and covers full tuition, return airfare, a generous £1,690 monthly stipend (totaling approximately £20,280 per year), and grants for study and clothing. This scheme is exclusively for four specific, campus-based Master’s programs in Health Sciences at King’s College London (KCL) for the 2026/27 academic year: MSc Mental Health Studies, MSc Global Mental Health, MSc Palliative Care, and MRes Clinical Research. Applicants must submit two separate applications by their respective deadlines: one to the CSC by December 12, 2025 (4:00 PM UK Time) and one to KCL by January 8, 2026.
Table of Contents
Kings College Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution/Host | King’s College London (KCL), UK |
| Country | United Kingdom (UK) |
| Degree Level | Master’s Scholarships (MSc/MRes) |
| Target Audience | Citizens/Residents of Eligible Low-and-Middle Income Commonwealth Countries |
| Coverage | Fully Funded (Tuition, Stipend, Airfare, Grants) |
| Reward Value/Range | £1,690 Monthly Stipend + Full Costs |
| Deadline | King’s Admission: January 8, 2026 (Dual application required) |
| CSC Application Deadline | CSC Portal: December 12, 2025 (4:00 PM UK Time) |
Kings College London Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Master’s Details
The Kings College Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) 2026/27 offers an extraordinary opportunity for highly qualified postgraduate students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue specialized Master’s programs at the globally renowned King’s College London (KCL).
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This scholarship is part of the UK government’s mission to support future leaders and innovators who can make a positive impact on their home countries. The award ensures that financial limitations do not prevent top talent from accessing world-class education.
Key Benefits and Program Structure
The Kings College Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a fully funded award, providing one of the most comprehensive packages available to international students:
Tier 1: Full Financial Coverage (Airfare, Tuition, Stipend)
- Full Tuition Fee Waiver: Covers 100% of the tuition fee cost for the entire duration of the approved Master’s program.
- Monthly Stipend: Provides a very generous monthly living allowance. The award states a £1,690 monthly stipend (which totals approximately £20,280 per year), enabling a comfortable standard of living in London.
- Travel Costs: Includes return airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK at the start and end of the award period.
Tier 2: Academic and Welfare Support
- Study Grant: Provides an allowance to cover the cost of study materials, such as books, printing, and other academic necessities.
- Clothing Grant: Offers a grant to help scholars purchase appropriate warm clothing upon arrival in the UK.
- Accommodation: While not explicitly listed as accommodation coverage, the stipend is designed to fully support living expenses, including housing.
Tier 3: Approved Master’s Programmes
Crucially, the scholarship is only applicable to the following four campus-based, full-time Master’s programmes at KCL for the 2026/27 academic year:
- MSc Mental Health Studies
- MSc Global Mental Health
- MSc Palliative Care
- MRes Clinical Research
Eligibility Requirements for Kings College Commonwealth Scholarship 2026
Candidates must meet the rigorous criteria set by both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and King’s College London:
- Academic/Leadership:
- By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least an Upper Second-Class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
- Study Status:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Visa Status:
- Must be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.
- Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
- Be willing to confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as the period of study is complete.
- Program Admission:
- Must meet the relevant entry requirements and English language proficiency for one of the four approved Master’s degree programmes. (Note: No IELTS is explicitly required, but KCL’s language requirements must be met.)
How to Apply for Kings College Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (Step by Step)
The application process is a MANDATORY DUAL APPLICATION. Failure to submit both applications by their respective deadlines will result in ineligibility.
- Apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC): By the deadline of 16:00 (UK Time) on December 12, 2025, submit a complete application via the CSC’s online application system provided link below.
- Apply for Program Admission at King’s College London (KCL): By the deadline of January 8, 2026, submit a complete King’s College London online admissions application for one of the four approved Master’s programmes listed above through the provided link below.
- Specify Funding in KCL Application:
- Within the “Funding” screen of your King’s admissions application, you MUST tick option 5 (Funding by an external body) and enter “CSSS2026” into the “award scheme code or name” field.
- Confirm Documentation:
- Ensure all supporting documentation (transcripts, references, etc.) is provided in the required format by the given deadlines for both the CSC and KCL applications.
Selection Criteria
Applications are rigorously assessed based on three key criteria:
- Academic Merit of the Candidate: Evidence of high achievement, typically demonstrated by a strong 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent.
- Quality of the Plan of Study: Demonstrated understanding of the chosen program and its relevance to the applicant’s future goals.
- Potential Impact on the Development of the Candidate’s Home Country: A clear vision of how the skills and knowledge gained in the UK will be utilized upon return to drive positive change.
Application Deadlines
- CSC Online Application Deadline: December 12, 2025 (4:00 PM UK Time)
- King’s College London Admission Deadline: January 8, 2026
NB: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit both applications as soon as possible to avoid technical issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the deadline to apply for the King’s College London admission?
The final deadline to submit the King’s College London admissions application is January 8, 2026.
2. Is the scholarship package fully funded, and what does it cover?
Yes, it is fully funded. It covers the full tuition fee, return airfare, a monthly stipend of approximately £1,690, and allowances for study materials and clothing.
3. What is the required minimum academic qualification?
Applicants must hold a first degree of at least Upper Second-Class (2:1) honours standard or a lower second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
4. Do I have to apply to both King’s College London and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)?
Yes, the scholarship requires a mandatory dual application: one to the CSC by December 12, 2025, and one to KCL by January 8, 2026.
5. Are there any restrictions on the Master’s programs I can apply for?
Yes, the scholarship is only valid for four specific, campus-based Master’s programs: MSc Mental Health Studies, MSc Global Mental Health, MSc Palliative Care, and MRes Clinical Research.
6. Do I need to provide proof of English language proficiency like IELTS to apply?
While the provided text says “No IELTS Required,” you must still meet KCL’s entry requirements, which typically involve demonstrating sufficient English fluency, though a separate test may not be required if your previous education was in English.
7. What information must I include in the “Funding” section of the King’s admission application?
You must tick option 5 (External funding) and enter the code “CSSS2026” in the “award scheme code or name” field.
8. Who is eligible to receive this scholarship?
Citizens or permanent residents of eligible low-and-middle income Commonwealth countries who have not studied or worked in a high-income country for more than one year are eligible.
9. What is the monthly value of the stipend provided by the scholarship?
The monthly stipend is set at the rate of £1,690 (or £1,347 per month, according to the main CSC rate, with the higher amount generally applying to London). The total annual value is significant.
10. What is the mandatory commitment regarding my return to my home country?
Applicants must confirm their willingness to return to their home country immediately upon completion of their period of study in the UK.
