Apply For The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Purpose: To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.​

Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict affected states), who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Award duration: normally 12 months

Application process: UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact and must agree to fund the living cost component of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC.

If you do not have a surname, you are advised to enter a full stop in the relevant field.

Candidates are asked to note that:

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Candidate eligibility

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.

Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.

By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).

Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high income country

Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

There is no age limit for CSC applications. Candidates are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place.

Please note that candidates will be asked at the end of the form to declare that they have not studied in a high income country. Study by distance learning at a university in a high income country while resident in the home country is permitted. Candidates must make it clear in the form whether any previous studies completed at a university in a high income country were undertaken remotely.

Eligible countries

Please note that only applicants from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

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

To start your application visit the official portal here 

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