Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027-28 in the UK (Fully Funded)
Summary: The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027-28 present an exceptional, fully funded opportunity for high-achieving postgraduate students from developing Commonwealth nations to pursue a full-time Master’s degree at participating universities in the United Kingdom. Jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and partner UK universities, this scholarship aims to support talented individuals who demonstrate academic potential and a strong commitment to sustainable development in their home countries.
Scholarship Overview
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027-28 |
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Funding Body | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) & Partner UK Universities |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree (Postgraduate) |
| Coverage | Fully Funded (Tuition, Stipend, Travel, Allowances) |
| Application Deadline | December 8, 2026 |
Designation
Selected applicants are awarded the designation of Commonwealth Shared Scholar. This prestigious title connects recipients to a vibrant network of global scholars, academic leaders, and alumni working toward global development goals.
Research Area & Academic Fields
The scholarship supports full-time Master’s programs focused on driving global development. Course choices are structured around six key Commonwealth development themes:
- Science and technology for development: Advanced research in technical and scientific fields to tackle local and global challenges.
- Strengthening health systems and capacity: Improving healthcare delivery, public health policies, and medical research.
- Promoting global prosperity: Economic growth, innovation, sustainable business practices, and infrastructure development.
- Strengthening global peace, security, and governance: Public policy, law, international relations, and structural governance.
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises: Climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and disaster management.
- Access, inclusion, and opportunity: Social equity, education, human rights, and gender equality.
Location
The scholarship takes place across various participating higher education institutions and universities throughout the United Kingdom.
Scholarship Description & Benefits
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offers comprehensive financial aid designed to ensure scholars can concentrate entirely on their studies without financial hardship. Financial provisions include:
- Full Tuition Fees: Complete coverage of international postgraduate tuition fees paid directly to the host university.
- Monthly Living Allowance (Stipend): A monthly stipend of £1,712 (or £2,000 per month for students studying at universities located in the London metropolitan area).
- Airfare Support: Round-trip economy-class air travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK at the start and end of the study period.
- Warm Clothing Allowance: An additional stipend provided where applicable to help scholars prepare for the UK climate.
- Study Travel Support: Grants assisting with thesis preparation and essential study-related travel within the UK.
- Additional Allowances: Funding support for mandatory Tuberculosis (TB) test costs, child allowances for eligible single parents (£622 for the first child and £154 for each additional child), and tailored financial support for scholars with disabilities.
Eligibility & Qualification Requirements
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Citizenship/Residency: Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, and be permanently resident in a low- or lower-middle-income Commonwealth nation.
- Academic Qualification: Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) supplemented by a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Financial Need: Demonstrate that you cannot afford to study in the UK without full financial assistance from this scholarship.
- Prior Experience: Have not previously studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country.
- Availability: Be available to begin your academic studies in the United Kingdom by September 2027.
Eligible Commonwealth Countries
Applicants holding citizenship or refugee status in the following countries are eligible to apply: 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, and Zambia.
How to Apply
Applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship involves a dual application procedure:
- Choose an Eligible Course: Review the approved list of Master’s degree courses offered by participating UK universities under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme.
- Submit CSC Online Application: Complete and submit the official online application via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s portal. Provide your academic background, reference details, personal development plans, and statements demonstrating potential impact on your home country.
- Apply for University Admission: Submit a separate application directly to your chosen UK host university for admission to the eligible Master’s program. Ensure you satisfy all academic and English language entry requirements set by the university.
To start your online application and view detailed guidance, visit the Official Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Application Page.
Last Date to Apply
The closing date to submit applications for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027-28 is December 8, 2026. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit both their scholarship application and university admission application well before the official deadline.