Do you dream of a fully funded Master’s degree in the UK? The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/2028 could make it happen. The scheme covers your tuition, flights and monthly living costs.
It is open to students from 43 eligible countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Applications opened on 10 November 2026, and the deadline is only weeks away.
This guide covers the funding, eligibility, documents, steps and tips you need before you apply. If you want more options while you wait, see our list of scholarships and internships abroad with upcoming deadlines.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funder | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and participating UK universities |
| Study level | Master’s, full-time, normally 12 months |
| Start date | September/October 2027 |
| Applications opened | 10 November 2026 |
| Deadline | 16:00 GMT, Tuesday 8 December 2026 |
| Application fee | None |
| Where to apply | CSC Central online system |
What Are Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?
The CSC is a UK government scheme built around international development. It does not fund these awards alone. UK universities bid for scholarships tied to specific courses, and they agree to pay the living costs. That is why the word “shared” is in the name.
The scheme targets talented graduates from low- and middle-income countries who could not otherwise afford UK study. The CSC wants you to go home and put your skills to work. Think of public health officers, engineers and policy analysts who return and change things. These awards cover Master’s study only, not undergraduate or PhD programmes.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Here is what you receive:
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Full fees paid, so you owe nothing |
| Airfare | Approved return flight from your home country |
| Monthly stipend | £1,712 (£2,000 in the London area) |
| Thesis grant | Help with dissertation costs, where applicable |
| Study travel grant | Help with study-related travel in the UK or overseas |
| TB test | Contribution towards the visa test, with receipts |
| Child allowance | £622 for the first child, £154 each for the second and third |
Over 12 months, the stipend adds up to roughly £20,544 outside London and £24,000 in London. The child allowance applies only to widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars whose children under 16 live with them in the UK. The CSC does not pay for dependants’ flights. Rates can change, so check the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars.
Who Can Apply?
You must meet all of these conditions:
- Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, or hold refugee status there.
- Live permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be ready to start studying in the UK by September 2027.
- Hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) first degree by September 2027. A lower second-class degree works if you also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Have studied or worked in a high-income country for less than one academic year.
- Be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
- Submit every required document in the right format.
Distance learning from your home country at a high-income-country university is allowed. Say clearly on the form if any earlier study was remote. There is no age limit.
Eligible Countries
- Africa: Botswana, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia
- Asia: Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Caribbean and Central America: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Pacific and others: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Saint Helena
Courses and Universities
You must apply to an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university. Courses sit under six development themes:
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
- Improving population health, health systems and capacity
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Real examples from the 2027 list include MSc Public Health at Bournemouth University, MSc Global Development at SOAS University of London, MSc Climate Change Science and Policy at the University of Bristol, and MSc Renewable Energy at Cranfield University.
You can apply to more than one course and university. However, you may accept only one scholarship offer. Many UK universities also run their own awards, such as the Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship and Imperial College London scholarships, which you can pursue alongside this one.
Documents You Must Upload
Upload everything to CSC Central by the deadline. The CSC accepts nothing by email or post.
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status: a valid passport or national ID with your photo, date of birth and country.
- Full transcripts: every higher education qualification, including current courses. Missing pages make your application ineligible. Certified translations are needed if the transcripts are not in English.
- References: at least two, in PDF format. They must be signed and written on letterhead, or sent by an email that clearly shows who wrote it.
The form also asks for three referees. One must be your current employer, if you have one.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Pick your course. Check the approved course list and the university contact details.
- Check the university’s own rules. Admission deadlines and requirements differ, and you must secure admission separately. Our guide on what to do after receiving a university admission offer shows the next moves.
- Complete the eligibility checklist. The CSC provides one.
- Draft your answers offline. Use the template form and guidance document, then paste your final answers in.
- Register on CSC Central. You need a smartphone or a second email account for two-factor authentication.
- Fill in the form. Cover your qualifications, up to 10 publications and prizes, work history, plan of study, five-year career plan and personal statement.
- Upload your documents and submit. You cannot edit after submitting.
After the deadline, universities send their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2027. The CSC then checks eligibility. Successful candidates become provisional scholars, receive a Confirmation of Award letter and sign an undertaking to return home before their student visa expires.
How to Boost Your Chances
- Link answers to the selection criteria. Assessors look at candidate merit, quality of your research proposal and potential impact on your home country’s development.
- Be specific about impact. Name the problem, the region and the change you plan to make.
- Brief your referees early. Ask them to cover how long they have known you, your analytical ability, your motivation and your development potential.
- Save often and never refresh. Refreshing the browser window loses unsaved data.
- Submit days early. The system gets very busy near the deadline.
Official Links You Need
Always rely on the official pages for the latest dates and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need IELTS to apply?
The CSC does not require an IELTS test. However, your chosen university may ask for proof of English language ability as a condition of the scholarship, so check the admission requirements for your course before you apply. If you prefer routes with no test at all, see our guides to studying in Germany without IELTS and scholarships in Norway without IELTS.
Is there an application fee or age limit?
There is no fee to apply through the CSC online system, and there is no age limit either. If you work, confirm any leave or age rules with your employer before you commit to a year abroad.
Can I work while studying on the scholarship?
Not without permission. Scholars must get CSC approval before taking any paid employment during the award. The scholarship is for full-time study only, and you must also ask the CSC before any overseas travel.
Can I bring my family to the UK?
You can, but the CSC does not pay for dependants’ flights. Child allowances exist only for widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars, and they are a small contribution. Real family costs are higher, so plan your savings carefully.
Can I stay in the UK after the award?
Generally no. Scholars sign an undertaking to return home before their student visa expires. The CSC cannot provide letters supporting work or postdoctoral stay, and extensions are considered only for a move from Master’s to PhD study. If you want a broader funding backup, see the Martingale Foundation Scholarships 2027 for Master’s and PhD study in the UK.
About the Author
Damilare Abogunrin
Content Writer | FundedAbroad.com
Damilare Abogunrin writes about international career opportunities, scholarships, internships and visa-related jobs. Through his work at FundedAbroad.com, he helps readers discover opportunities abroad, understand application requirements and find official application channels.
He focuses on making opportunity listings clear, practical and easy to understand, so readers can assess eligibility and prepare stronger applications. He encourages applicants to verify job details and immigration requirements directly with employers and official sources.