Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in UK 2026 (Fully Funded)
Posted: November 12, 2025 | Category: Postgraduate Scholarships, Masters Scholarships, Scholarships in UK, Top Scholarships
Quick summary
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded Master’s scholarship jointly financed by the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities. It covers full tuition, approved airfare, and a living stipend (with higher rates for London metropolitan universities). Applications open through the CSC online portal and are highly competitive.
Why this scholarship matters
This scheme targets talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries who have the potential to contribute to development in their home countries. The Shared Scholarship focuses on candidates who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK and whose chosen studies align with development goals. Awards strengthen international partnerships and help build leadership capacity across developing nations. :
At-a-glance: Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026
- Host: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK) & participating UK universities.
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s) — full-time only.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, approved airfare (return), maintenance stipend, warm clothing allowance (if applicable), thesis grant, study travel grant, TB test contribution.
- Stipend: £1,452 per month (standard) or £1,781 per month for London metropolitan universities (rates quoted at current levels).
- Eligible countries: Citizens or refugees from eligible Commonwealth countries; permanent residence required in an eligible country.
- Application opens: November 12, 2025 (CSC portal).
- Deadline (typical university nomination window): Many participating universities set nomination dates in Nov–Dec 2025; the Glasgow page notes a closing date of 9 December 2025 for Shared Scholarships. Check the CSC portal and your chosen university for exact deadlines.
Who should apply?
Apply if you:
- Are a citizen, refugee, or British Protected Person from an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident there.
- Hold (or will hold by Sept 2026) a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Have not studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country.
- Would not be able to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
What the scholarship covers — in detail
Tuition and fees
Full approved tuition fees for the chosen Master’s course are covered. This is arranged by agreement between the CSC and the participating university. Scholars are not liable to pay any part of the tuition fee.
Approved airfare
Return travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK at the start and end of the award is covered (CSC will not reimburse travel for dependants or journeys made before the award is confirmed).
Living maintenance (stipend)
A monthly stipend is paid for living costs. The current standard rate is £1,452 per month, while scholars at institutions within the London metropolitan area receive £1,781 per month. Rates are subject to change and quoted here at current levels.
Warm clothing, thesis grant, study travel
Where applicable, universities provide a warm clothing allowance and a thesis grant. A study travel grant for research-related trips within the UK or overseas may also be provided. These additional allowances are funded by the CSC through the university partner.
Child allowance
In cases of single parents who are widowed, divorced, or single and whose children live with them in the UK, a child allowance is available (amounts vary; confirm at the CSC handbook or university guidance).
Selection criteria & how candidates are chosen
Selection combines university shortlisting and final CSC approval. The usual criteria include:
- Academic merit and quality of prior study.
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan of study and (if required) research proposal.
- Potential development impact — how study outcomes will contribute to the development of the candidate’s home country.
- Commitment to return and apply skills at home (scholars sign an undertaking to return home after the award).
Step-by-step application process (practical guide)
Follow these practical steps to submit a strong application.
Step 1 — Research eligible UK universities & approved courses
Not all UK courses are eligible. Universities bid for Shared Scholarships for specific Master’s courses linked to development themes. Confirm that your chosen course at a university is listed as eligible on the CSC site or the university’s scholarship page.
Step 2 — Prepare your documents
- Passport / ID.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificate (or statement of results if pending).
- Two academic references (one usually from your most recent education provider).
- Evidence of permanent residence in an eligible Commonwealth country, if requested.
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (if required and where relevant to your course).
- Any other documents required by the university (e.g., sample of work, portfolio).
Step 3 — Apply through the CSC portal
All Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applications must be submitted exclusively via the CSC online application system — the CSC will not accept documents outside the portal. Create your record, upload documents, and follow the form checklist.
Step 4 — Apply for university admission where required
Many universities require that you have an active course application (including references) on file with them by a specified date — often earlier than the CSC nomination deadline. Check each university’s admission advice and submit applications early. Some universities require you to have applied to the course before nominating you for the scholarship.
Step 5 — University shortlisting & nomination to CSC
Participating universities shortlist applicants for a limited number of Shared Scholarships and nominate candidates to the CSC for final approval. If provisionally selected, the university will notify you and the CSC will confirm award terms once all eligibility checks are complete.
Step 6 — Confirming the award & pre-departure
If the CSC confirms your eligibility and the award, the university will issue a Confirmation of Award letter. You may need to submit health and disability forms and complete immigration preparations. Scholars are expected to start study on the date stated in the Confirmation of Award letter.
Top application tips — how to stand out
- Focus on development impact: Link your study to concrete outcomes for your home country — policy change, community projects, capacity building, or research translation.
- Be specific in your study plan: Show clear objectives, methodologies (if research), and timelines for how you will use the degree.
- Choose the right referees: Use academics or employers who can speak to your potential and to your capacity to implement development-focused work.
- Demonstrate financial need: CSC awards are for students who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK — make this transparent without oversharing private details.
- Apply early and double-check formats: Upload documents in the required formats and obey page/word limits.
Common application mistakes to avoid
- Incomplete university application before the nomination deadline.
- Submitting weak or generic statements of purpose that don’t tie into development goals.
- Missing references or providing referees who cannot comment on relevant academic/professional ability.
- Failing to check whether the chosen course is eligible for Shared Scholarships.
Important rules & general conditions
Key conditions include: scholars must normally reside in the UK during the award, must not undertake paid employment without CSC approval, and must return home promptly after the award ends unless applying under strict conditions to extend to PhD study. The CSC also performs due diligence checks and may terminate awards for unsatisfactory progress or conduct.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
A: No — other scholarships or awards that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently with a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Q: Is IELTS mandatory?
A: The CSC does not require candidates to take IELTS. However, the admitting university may require evidence of English proficiency as a condition of scholarship or admission. Always check university requirements.
Q: Can I apply if I have lived or studied in a high-income country?
A: Applicants must not have studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country. Specific definitions of “high-income” follow standard classifications used by CSC; check the handbook.
Q: What happens if I’m provisionally selected?
A: Provisional selection is subject to CSC confirmation of eligibility, satisfactory admission terms with the university, submission of health forms, and completion of due diligence checks. A Confirmation of Award letter is issued after these steps.
Checklist before you click APPLY
- Confirm your country is eligible (Commonwealth list).
- Confirm your course is on the university’s eligible list for Shared Scholarships.
- Complete and double-check references, transcripts, and passport details.
- Write a development-focused study statement and a clear plan of impact.
- Upload documents in the required file formats to the CSC portal.
Where to find official information & how to apply
Always consult the CSC official pages and the participating university’s scholarship pages for the most current guidance and exact deadlines. Use the CSC apply page to start your online application. Official CSC pages contain the handbook, eligible course lists, and university guidance.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY (CSC online portal)
Timeline & deadlines — what to expect for 2026 intake
Based on current university pages and CSC updates: the Shared Scholarship portal opens on 12 November 2025, with a variety of university-specific nomination deadlines across Nov–Dec 2025 (for example, Glasgow notes applications will close on 9 December 2025 for the 2026/27 academic year). Always verify the exact deadline for your chosen university and course.
Real-world examples — participating universities (selection)
Many UK universities participate in the Shared Scholarship programme (list varies year-to-year). Example partners often include Russell Group and other research-led universities — check each university’s “Commonwealth Shared Scholarship” page for available awards and course lists. Universities frequently update eligibility and course lists in early November when the portal opens.
After you are selected — pre-departure & arrival tips
- Organise your visa early — check GOV.UK for the Student visa route and required documents.
- Book approved travel after receiving Confirmation of Award.
- Prepare for living in the UK: accommodation, health checks, and budgeting with the stipend rate in mind (London costs are higher).
- Attend university pre-departure briefings and CSC introductory sessions where available.
What if my course changes after being selected?
Any significant changes to your plan of study must be agreed with the CSC. Scholars are selected based on the approved plan of study and changes may require CSC approval.
Useful resources
- CSC — Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (official).
- CSC Apply Page (start application).
- University pages for specific application guidance (search “Commonwealth Shared Scholarship [University Name] 2026”).
- British Council / Study UK scholarship pages for contextual advice.
Closing note — final encouragement
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is one of the most impactful routes for talented students from developing Commonwealth countries to access UK postgraduate study. If your goals include returning home to make a measurable development impact — this scholarship is tailor-made to support that mission. Prepare carefully, follow university timelines, and make your application development-focused and evidence-based. Good luck!
