🌟 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme 2026-2027 at UK Universities
Program Overview and Sponsorship
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSS) is a prestigious joint initiative between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and participating UK universities. This program is highly competitive and is designed to attract outstanding talent from least developed and lower middle-income Commonwealth nations, enabling them to gain the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to contribute significantly to sustainable development in their home countries.
Host Institutions: Participating UK Universities
Level of Study: Full-time Master’s Degree (usually one year duration).
Study Commences: September 2026.
Application Deadline: 9 December 2025 (16:00 GMT).
Thematic Areas of Study
Scholarships are exclusively offered for specific Master’s courses that align with global development priorities. Eligible courses fall under six key development themes:
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Scholarship Value and Financial Inclusions
This is a fully funded scholarship package, providing comprehensive financial support for the duration of the award:
- Full Tuition and Examination Fees
- Approved Airfare (from home country to the UK and return)
- Monthly Stipend (currently £1,378 per month, or £1,690 for London-based studies)
- Allowances: Warm clothing allowance, thesis grant, study travel grant, and excess baggage allowance.
Target Group and Eligibility Criteria
The scholarships are open to nationals of least developed and lower middle-income Commonwealth countries, including (but not limited to): Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must meet all of the following core criteria:
- Nationality/Status: Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Residence: Be permanently resident in an eligible developing Commonwealth country.
- Academic Qualification: By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least Upper Second Class (2:1) standard, or a Lower Second Class (2:2) degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Financial Need: Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Prior Study Limit: Must not have studied or worked in a developed country for one (academic) year or more.
- Start Date: Must be available to commence academic studies in the UK by September 2026.
Application Procedure
Applying for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a two-step process:
- University Admission: You must first apply for and secure admission to an eligible Master’s course at a UK university participating in the Shared Scholarship scheme. You must check with your chosen university for their specific admission requirements and closing date.
- Scholarship Application: You must submit your scholarship application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) online application system, in addition to any application required by your university.
All applications must be submitted by 16:00 (GMT) on 9 December 2025.