Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 (UK — study beginning Sept/Oct 2027)

Overview

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK's Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and participating UK universities for talented students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford UK study. They cover full tuition, a monthly stipend (£1,452, or £1,781 in London), return airfare and study grants for one-year taught Master's courses with demonstrable development impact. You apply to the participating university's approved course — the university nominates its chosen candidates to the CSC, which confirms eligibility.

Why it is notable: the application runs through the universities (not a national nominating agency) — you can apply for more than one course and more than one university, but accept only one award; and the university's own admission deadline and the CSC deadline are separate, so both must be met.

Funding at a glance

What it covers

Approved airfare from home country to the UK and return at end of award — funded by the CSC (no dependant fares; no pre-confirmation journeys).
Full approved tuition fees — covered by the CSC–university agreement; scholars pay no part of the fee.
Stipend (living allowance) £1,452/month, or £1,781/month in the London metropolitan area — paid and funded by the university.
Warm clothing allowance, where applicable — paid and funded by the university.
Thesis grant towards preparing a thesis/dissertation, where applicable — paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
Study travel grant for study-related travel in the UK or overseas — paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
Contribution towards mandatory TB test for the visa application (receipts required) — paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
Child allowance (widowed, divorced or single parents with children under 16 living with them in the UK): £622/month first child, £154/month second and third child.

Eligibility criteria

Qualification Required	First degree (2:1 honours) \|for Masters First degree (2:2) + relevant postgraduate qualification \|for Masters "This scholarship is offered for approved taught Master's courses at participating UK universities (Master's only — not undergraduate or PhD)."
Who can apply	citizens of, or granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country AND permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Official eligible-country list: 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.
Experience	No fixed requirement; employment history details are part of the application (how experience supports the chosen programme)
Language Certificate	the CSC does not require IELTS — universities may require evidence of English proficiency as a condition of the scholarship (course-dependent)
Other Certificates	full transcripts of all higher education qualifications; proof of citizenship/refugee status; references; development impact statement
Age Limit	No Age Limit

Tools that may help

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IELTS Practice Tests — Official-style IELTS practice tests (PDF)

Check your eligibility

Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.

Country checker

citizens/refugees of, and permanent residents in, the 44 eligible Commonwealth countries pass (verbatim list above). All other nationalities fail.

Last degree checker

Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.

Course checker

Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.

Complete all three checks

Your combined result will appear here.

Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.

Application essentials

Requirements

Review each requirement before you begin the application.

Qualification

first degree of at least 2:1 honours standard (or 2:2 + relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master's) by September 2027.

Documents

passport/ID, full transcripts of all higher education qualifications, at least two signed references (PDF), all uploaded to CSC Central by the closing date — missing documentation = ineligible.

Development Impact statement (essay)

four parts — (1) how the scholarship relates to development issues at global, national and local levels + the CSC development theme; (2) how new skills will be applied after the scholarship; (3) expected development outcomes, timeframe, beneficiaries; (4) how impact will be measured and evidenced.

Personal statement & plans

personal background and motivation for home-country impact; voluntary activities and leadership; award objectives; 5-year and long-term career plans; detailed plan of study.

References

three referees named (one a current employer if applicable); at least two signed references uploaded with the application.

Return undertaking

candidates must sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the end of the award; paid employment during the award needs CSC approval in advance.

Document checklist

01Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country (valid passport or national ID with photo, date of birth, country of citizenship).

02Full transcripts of ALL higher education qualifications (certified translations if not in English; missing pages = ineligible).

03References from at least two individuals (PDF, signed, on institutional letterhead or email showing sender details), uploaded to CSC Central.

04Development Impact statement in four parts (development issues global/national/local + CSC theme; how new skills will be applied; expected development outcomes, timeframe, beneficiaries; how impact wi

05Award objectives and how the programme meets them; career plans for 5 years after + long-term plans; detailed plan of study.

06Personal statement (how personal background motivates impact in the home country).

07Voluntary activities and leadership summary.

08Names/positions of three referees (one must be a current employer, if applicable).

09Health and Disability Form (before the Confirmation of Award can be issued).

Visa, kept concise: Visa type: Student visa — apply online via gov.uk once you hold the Confirmation of Award and the university's CAS.

Application Procedure

10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.

Wait for the 2027/28 approved-course list (due November 2026)

pick approved courses and check each university's admission deadlines and requirements.

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Apply for admission to the chosen university course(s) —

you can apply for more than one course and more than one university.

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Apply to the CSC via CSC Central

(the online application system) — the CSC cannot accept applications or documents submitted any other way.

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Proof of citizenship or refugee status in

an eligible Commonwealth country (valid passport or national ID with photo, date of birth, country of citizenship).

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Prepare answers outside the system

then add them; the system is very busy near the deadline; applications cannot be edited after submitting.

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The university conducts its own recruitment

selects candidates for its allocated Shared Scholarships, and nominates them to the CSC (nominations in March); the CSC confirms eligibility → Confirmation of Award.

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Full transcripts of ALL higher education qualifications

(certified translations if not in English; missing pages = ineligible).

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References from at least two individuals (PDF

signed, on institutional letterhead or email showing sender details), uploaded to CSC Central.

→

Development Impact statement in four parts (development

issues global/national/local + CSC theme; how new skills will be applied; expected development outcomes, timeframe, beneficiaries; how impact will be measured).

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Award objectives and how the programme meets them

career plans for 5 years after + long-term plans; detailed plan of study.

Frequently asked questions

How do Shared Scholarships differ from the main Commonwealth Master's Scholarships? A: Shared Scholarships are one of three CSC Master's programmes, jointly funded with UK universities; applications a

Can I apply for more than one course or university? A: Yes — but you may only accept one offer of a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.

Do I need to apply to the university separately? A: Yes — you must apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to the CSC application; check each university's admission dea

Is there an age limit? A: No — there is no age limit for CSC applications.

Does the CSC require IELTS? A: No — but universities may require evidence of English proficiency as a condition of the scholarship.

Can I work during the scholarship? A: No paid employment without advance CSC approval; scholars must reside in the UK and seek approval before overseas travel.

Can I stay in the UK after the award? A: The CSC cannot provide a letter of support to remain in the UK to work or do postdoctoral study; an extension is only considered for moving from Master's to Ph

Is there an application fee? A: No — the CSC does not charge for any scholarship or fellowship application through its online system.

Key contacts

participating UK universities

Published on official pages

info@cscuk.org.uk

Official links

Main announcement page: Application portal: CSC Central — (via the CSC page) Related useful links: King's College London CSSS page (parti