Applications are now open for the 2026/27 fully funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for study in the UK
Closing Date: 9 December 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 fully funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for study in the UK
Overview
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.
Purpose: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships aim to contribute to 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.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict affected states), who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Award duration: normally 12 months
Application process: UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact and must agree to fund the living cost component of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC
How to apply
Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year are open. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2026.
Applications to the CSC must be made using the application system, CSC Central.The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system.
Candidates 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
Candidates can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, but they may only accept one offer of a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Please note, these scholarships are for Master’s courses only and not for undergraduate or PhD study.
Candidates must also apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Please check with your chosen university for specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying. Applications will be shared with the universities that will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2026.
Applying through CSC Central
CSC has introduced a new application system for this round and the form will look and feel different to that of previous years. Should you experience any issues, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Candidates are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible because the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline. Candidates wishing to save a copy of their applications can either print the summary page when submitting the application or access the system again after submitting using the ‘view a submitted application’ section.
CSC recommend preparing your answers outside of the system and then adding them to the form once they have been finalised.
Please refer to the template application form, which includes all questions in the online application, and the technical guidance before beginning your application.
Supporting documentation
Applications must include supporting documentation to be eligible.
Candidates 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.
- References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details. References must be uploaded to CSC Central as part of the application.
Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date.
Click Here To Apply
Follow Opportunities For Everyone on Social Media
