What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees.
- Approved return airfare between your home country and the UK.
- A monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London metropolitan area (current rates).
- Thesis and study travel grants and a warm clothing allowance where they apply, and a child allowance for widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars (£622 a month for the first child).
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Covered in full, by agreement between the CSC and your university |
| Return airfare between home and the UK | The CSC |
| Monthly stipend (£1,712, or £2,000 in London), plus thesis, warm-clothing and study-travel grants where they apply | Your university |
| UK immigration health surcharge | You, as the scholarship does not cover it |
| Fares for family members | You, as dependants' travel is not covered |
Who can apply
- Citizens of one of the 43 eligible Commonwealth countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, India and Bangladesh.
- Proof that you cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
- No more than one academic year of study or work in a high-income country.
- A 2:1 first degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, by September 2027, and able to start in the UK that month. There is no age limit.
Which nationalities can apply
Citizens of 43 countries and territories can apply. The eligible-countries list for the 2027–28 round. Official list, as of Oct 27, 2026.
See all 43
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, 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, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia
Documents you will need
- Passport or national ID showing your photo, date of birth and citizenship
- Full transcripts of all your higher education, including courses in progress, with certified translations if not in English
- At least two signed references as PDFs, on institutional letterhead or with an email showing the sender's details
- A clear case that you could not afford to study in the UK without the scholarship
- Your application to the university for the eligible master's course, by its deadline
How to apply
- Find the participating UK universities and their approved master's courses; the CSC publishes the 2027 list before applications open.
- Apply for admission to your chosen course at the university and secure a place.
- Apply for the scholarship on CSC Central between Tuesday 10 November 2026 and 16:00 GMT on Tuesday 8 December 2026. The CSC accepts no applications or documents sent any other way.
- Each university runs its own selection and nominates its chosen candidates to the CSC. If you are selected, the university tells you, and the CSC confirms the award once your admission is agreed and your health form is in.
Before you apply: things to know
- Only approved courses are eligible, and the 2027 list can differ from 2026's, so check it when it is published.
- The financial-need test is central; explain clearly why you cannot study in the UK without it.
- The window is only four weeks, so have your references and transcripts ready before 10 November.
Common questions
When can I apply for 2027–28?
On CSC Central from Tuesday 10 November 2026 until 16:00 GMT on Tuesday 8 December 2026, for master's courses starting in September 2027. You must also apply for admission to the course at the university.
I have studied abroad before. Can I still apply?
Only if you have not studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country. The scheme is for people who have not had that opportunity.
Is there an age limit?
No. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships have no age limit.
Which countries are eligible?
43 lower-income Commonwealth countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Check the CSC page for the full list each year.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Dec 8, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.