Overview
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The programme aims to contribute to the 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.
Purpose
The purpose of the programme is to provide training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics from Least Developed and middle-income countries, who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, and who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
Award Duration
The award duration is normally 12 months.
Application Process
Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). Candidates must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university and apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must:
- Apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university
- Apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship using the online application system
- Upload required supporting documentation, including proof of citizenship, transcripts, and references
Eligibility
To be eligible, 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
- 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
- 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
Eligible Countries
Only applicants from the following eligible countries 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
Selection Process
Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:
- Academic merit
- Quality of research proposal
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
Financial Assistance
Each scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
- Approved tuition fees
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,452 per month, or £1,781 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application
- Child allowance of £622 per month for the first child, and £154 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK
General Conditions
A Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently. Scholars are expected to reside in the UK and must seek approval from the CSC in advance of any overseas travel. Scholars must not undertake paid employment during the award without approval from the CSC in advance.
Grant Atlas