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Scholarship · Fully fundedVerified from official source

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (2027/28 entry)

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)

Fully funded UK Master's scholarships for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities, for study starting September/October 2027.

Award
Full tuition fees covered; airfare; stipend of £1,712 per month (£2,000 per month in London); warm clothing allowance where applicable; thesis and study travel grants; TB test contribution; child allowances for widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars.
Who can apply
Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Europe
Where
United Kingdom
Deadline
8 Dec

About the programme

The CSC's shared Master's scheme targets high-quality postgraduate candidates from least developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries who cannot otherwise afford UK study and have not studied or worked for over a year in a high-income country. Applications are made through participating UK universities that nominate candidates, and must be submitted via the CSC Central online system. Applications for the 2027/28 round open on 10 November 2026.

Duration: normally 12 months

Eligibility

  • Citizen of or granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country (list of 45 countries on page, e.g. Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa)
  • Permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Available to start UK academic studies by September 2027
  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or lower second-class plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, by September 2027
  • Have not studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country
  • Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
  • Provide all supporting documentation in the required format
  • Not an employee or relative of the UK Government, ACU or British Council staff, or a CSC Commissioner
  • Sign in to check these against your background.

What they look for

  • Potential to enhance home-country development; outstanding talent and leadership; no age limit

Needs your university. Applications are made through participating UK universities, which nominate candidates to the CSC; universities must agree to fund living costs and select candidates.

What you will need

  • Application form via CSC Central
  • Passport or national ID
  • Academic transcripts
  • Two references (PDF)
  • Development Impact statement
  • Personal statement
  • Employment history, publications and referee details (three referees)
  • Health and Disability Form (before Confirmation of Award)Optional

How to apply

  1. Apply to a Master's course at a participating UK university and secure admission
  2. Submit application via CSC Central by 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026
  3. Universities nominate candidates to the CSC in March 2027
  4. University notifies provisional selection; CSC confirms eligibility and issues Confirmation of Award after Health and Disability Form

Applications are submitted on Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.

From people who applied

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Source and verification

Last checked
13 Nov 2026, verified by our editors
Recently changed
Funding updated. Eligibility updated. Requirements updated

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