The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a prestigious initiative established by the UK government to support talented students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
This program is specifically designed for individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK, offering them the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at participating universities.
Focused on addressing global development challenges, these scholarships aim to equip recipients with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to their home countries.
Covering tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships represent a commitment to promoting sustainable development, fostering international collaboration, and empowering future leaders.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Institution/Organization: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission(CSC)
- Program Name: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- Fields of Study: Varies
- Type: Master Scholarship
- Gender Eligibility: All genders
- Award Amount: Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependent’s, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC and lots more.
- Application Process: Via online
- Application Deadline: 12th December at 16:00 GMT
About the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) administers the UK government’s scholarship program, which is guided by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and serves as a vivid example of the United Kingdom’s long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.
The CSC’s work combines sustainable development with UK national interests and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration by attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators upon their return to their home countries.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships applicant 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 2025.
- By September 2025, 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.
Application Deadline
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships application deadline is 12th December at 16:00 GMT
Award Disbursement
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships benefit includes the following:
- Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependent’s, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
- Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 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.
Required Document
Applicants must upload the following documents with the application:
- Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.
How to Apply
To apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system.
Applicants are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Applicants must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.
- View full list of approved courses
- View details of all participating UK universities
Applicants can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, however they may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship. Note these scholarships are only for Master’s courses and not for undergraduate or PhD study.
Applicants must also apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements and rules for applying.
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