Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 offers an excellent fully funded opportunity for international students who want to study a one-year Master’s degree in the UK. This program is funded jointly by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and selected UK universities, giving students full financial support to study approved courses at participating institutions. All applications must be submitted online through the CSC application portal.
Designed to support talented students who otherwise could not afford international study, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 covers tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses for the entire academic year starting in September 2026. With a wide range of eligible programs and institutions, this remains one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarship options in the UK. More details on eligibility, requirements, and benefits are provided below.
Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026
The scholarship covers:
- Full Tuition Fees
- Monthly stipend for Living Expenses
- Warm clothing allowance (as needed)
- Study-related travel funds
- Child Allowance
- Round-trip Airfare
Applicants Eligibility for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026
- Be a citizen of or have refugee status from one of the countries listed above.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- By September 2026, hold an undergraduate degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors standard or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
- Be available to start academic study in the UK in September 2025.
- Have not studied or worked for more than one academic year or more in a high-income country
- Unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
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.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026
- Check your eligibility: make sure you are a national (or have refugee status) of an eligible Commonwealth country, are permanently resident there, and meet the academic and financial-need conditions of the scheme.
- Choose a qualifying full-time taught master’s course at a UK institution that is participating in the program.
- Prepare your documents: your degree certificate and transcript, proof of English language ability (if required), references, a study plan and any other supporting materials requested. Study.
- Apply online through the scheme’s official portal before the closing deadline. Ensure you complete all required sections accurately.
- Once you’ve submitted your scholarship application, then either apply for admission to your chosen university (or wait for a nomination) depending on the institution’s process.
- If shortlisted, you’ll receive a nomination from your institution or the scholarship‐commission, then the university may ask for further documentation (offer letter, visa clearance, etc.).
- After successful nomination and selection, you’ll receive the award offer. Accept the offer and follow any onboarding instructions (how to claim your funding, register with your course, travel arrangements etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 provides a fully-funded UK Master’s opportunity for applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries. It supports tuition, living costs and travel, but requires securing admission, meeting eligibility (including no long study/work in high-income countries) and applying via a two-step process by specified deadlines.
What is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026?
Who is eligible to apply?
What costs does the scholarship cover?
What level of study is supported?
Are there development themes for eligible subjects?
What are the application steps?
Can I apply if I have previously studied in a high-income country?
When is the deadline for applying?
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